Trung Nguyen Coffee

I was at the Asia Society and saw a coffee vendor, and c'mon we all need coffee. 

They have unique offering, but anything with Ca Phe Su Da, I'm there for!

I got the Black Sesame Cream Coffee.  And the staff noticed me taking a snap and pose (thanks guys!).  The cream wasn't that strong, but like a thicker cream.  So once you mix it with the Ca Phe Su Da it's not so heavy on the coffee taste.  

You don't have to wait for another fair in order to get their coffee.  They have a store located in Chinatown.  

Trung Nguyên Coffee

9750 Bellaire Blvd

Houston, TX 77036

https://tnecoffee.com/

 

Sucre'

Needed a Sunday pick-me-up

Stopped by Sucre. 

Laze about with an Americano and some Macs.

I got the coffee, chocolate, and a blackcurrant macarons.  Just taste better when someone else makes them.  Enjoy them with coffee is nice and really make you feel like you're enjoying life on the side as traffic whiz by. 

Bringing its Louisiana charm, the Mac stand on its own.  The gelato is also flavor packed.  Definitely worth sneaking over here to hide away from the world, one coffee at a time. 

Sucre 

5404 Kirby Dr

Houston, TX 77005

https://shopsucre.com/blogs/news/sucre-houston

 

Takagi Coffee

Thanks to Instagram, found this Japanese coffee place. 

Supposedly they get busy during the weekend and since we have stuff to do early, we went right at the open. 

The design for the place is very sleek and straight lines everywhere. 

Got a coffee and look at that cute presentation. 

Each hot drink came with a Biscoff cookie and it is truly a good coffee dipping cookie!

Takagi is really known for Japanese cuisine, so naturally we want to dry the fluffy pancakes.  This is the original.  The cream was light and not sweet. 

We have mango flavor.  Lots of mango chunks, but the beauty of these is that in between the layers has created and fruit.  So on top of light and fluffy, it's flavorful with fruit and not too sweet. 

Here's the Strawberry & Mix Berry pancakes, like the others, there's fruit and cream in the middle.  The butter is lightly whips. 

This is a unique one, this is chocolate banana pancake and the half banana is brûlée-d.  So you have to crack that top layer and then eat that with your pancake.  That's the only 'extra' sugar there is.  Pretty good. 

Parking for the side street is easy early in the morning, but if not, do check out the signs.  The street parking have alot that are reserved for residents that needed permits.  So pay attention.

Takagi Coffee

8048 W 3rd St 

Los Angeles, California 90048

https://www.instagram.com/takagi_coffee_la1/

 

Dutch Bros

It was serendipitous that I drove past Dutch Bros. 

There aren't a whole lot of those inside the Loop, so it's like seeing a unicorn out in the dessert. 

I got the Kicker - which has espresso, Irish Creme syrup and breve (which is usually half n' half steamed), but I'm trying to cut calories, so I did a milk alternative.  

The coffee is not bad, and not too sweet, which is just how I like it.  If you drive by, you see a line around the building and 2 drive-thru lane.  But you can definitely walk up.  Their staff are super friendly even when their hands are full with making drinks.  That is always appreciated. 

Dutch Bros

20720 Gulf Fwy

Webster, TX 77598

https://www.dutchbros.com/locations/tx/webster/20720-gulf-freeway

 

Dandelion Chocolate

We were walking around Mission district in SF.

Saw the word Chocolate, of course, we had to stop in. 

First, you see a small seating area, and backed by boxes upon boxes of chocolates.  There are some truffles, bars, bonbons. 

They even have some yummy looking pastries.  I ordered a Nibby Horchata. 

It has hazelnut, almond, cinnamon, cocoa nibs, and rice.  The whole thing on ice.  It sure was nice walking in a warm day with a cool chocolate drink.  

They also do workshops, tasting, and making of chocolate, bonbons, truffles.  Some locations do tours, and some location host special dinner.  Definitely worth checking out artisan chocolate. 

Dandelion Chocolate

740 Valencia St

San Francisco, CA 94110

https://www.dandelionchocolate.com/pages/valencia-street

 

Rituals Coffee

We were shopping in the Mission District and it was a warm day and we were dying for a drink.

We ended up at Ritual Coffee.  Yes, I did not get a coffee at a coffee shop.

I got a Peach Fuzz, since it was hot out.  They actually has slices of peaches in the drink.  It has syrup and Topo Chico as a mix, and it worked out so nicely and easy going. 

At the shop, they have pour over, canned, dripped, and of course made to order.  They also sell beans here and you can make it at home. 

Ritual Coffee

1026 Valencia Street

San Francisco, CA 94110

415-641-1011

https://ritualcoffee.com/location/mission/

 

Honey Art Cafe

Went back to Honey Art Cafe.

I got a Peach Tea and a Toast macaron. 

The format is, you can pick a craft and it comes with token for a blank project and a drink.  Or you can BYO project and grab a drink/food.  I get business is not easy to do, but the entire counter seems to be crowded with a lot of merch.  I didn't even have the patience to see what other local artists have to offer. 

The reason why I've stopped coming here is truly the parking.  The lot is small, and the other businesses in the strip center are just as popular.  Now come to find out that all of the owners took a stand and if they see that you park there and walk to a different business, they will tow.  As a matter of fact, we were there for an hour or so, we saw that they tow 2 cars in quick order too.  Mind you, one of them was a brand new Buick that I'm pretty sure they damaged.  They don't mess around.  

That said, there are parking at the back of the building, but if it's busy even those spots are hard to come by.  Just keep your eyes peeled, read the signs and obey them.  Now, good news is that they are moving to the Heights, so hopefully the parking situation would be better. 

 

Honey Art Cafe

3516 Shepherd Dr

Houston, TX 77098

832-582-0672

https://honeyartcafe.com

La Tazza

The neighborhood FB group has been buzzing about this coffee shop, so I decided to drop in.

The place is small but offering is definitely different. 

First off, pastries galore, all different. 

I got the Lavender Latte to go.  Truly what this shop is proud of is the offerings of various coffee grade.  This is where the coffee nerds come to nerd out.  They do have the latte and the mochas that you're used to, but that's the peripheral, not the focal point of the shop.  Which also allows them to be pickier on how they serve you your coffee.

Also a tiramisu.  So when you order it, they do serve the shot of espresso in front of you and pour it over the dessert.

You can see the layers of the mascarpone, the lady fingers, and so on.  Then the pour of the espresso shot melts them altogether.  I will say, it's neat that they present it this way.  At the same time, I do like my lady fingers soaked more in the tiramisu mix than poured over.  So that's a miss for me.

Because this place is so tucked in, there are business people here to do interviews and or talk business over a cup of coffee.  At the same time, there's plenty of parking, and safe area, so I can see the appeal. 

La Tazza Coffee

8427 Stella Link Rd

Houston, TX 77025

https://latazzacoffee.com/

 

Cafe Dior

Now onto fancy cafe!

Ginza has the most expensive real estate in the world.

Naturally the brand names of the world flocked here.  Don't forget to bring your passport to get tax free on your purchase. 

Pretty art at the waiting area. 

This is more French...

Welcome to Cafe Dior

This menu is collaborating with three Michelin starred chef, Annie-Sophie Pic. 

Specially die-cut napkin ring.

The chairs, the china, down to the forks, knives, salt, pepper, all are from Dior's design. 

You can definitely see ladies who lunch after a morning of shopping.

Or gather your friends and brunch.

The water glass and light are pretty.

Ahh, here's my coffee.

For certain kinds of coffee, you can select to have design over it.  I chose a bee for today. 

I got Le Gateau Haute Couture.  It's like a little mushroom house.

The details just impeccable.  Never have I seen the details done on a chocolate that's going to be demolished in seconds. 

What's actually inside is Tahiti and Madagascar Vanilla with Yuzu Infused Batak Berry Cake.  Batak berry is from Indonesia, and have been known to be called lemon pepper by the local.  So paired with yuzu which is a citrus is a great match.

Light, not too sweet, not too overwhelming in flavors.  Went well with my coffee.

Ahh, it was a great morning break.  Honestly, I should've skipped breakfast that morning and have it there, but since they weren't open until 10am, I was ready to get the day started. 

Of course, if you know you're going to Japan and want to try here, you need to book as soon as you know what dates you are free.  I will say, however, Louis Vuitton's Cafe is more well known, which is down the street and they only release reservations the 1st of each month for the month; they get booked up quickly.  Here, however, even though I have my reservation at the open at 10am.  There were not many people walking by.  Another family was able to walk up and sit down to enjoy breakfast.  

My Japanese is poor, but my French sight read is decent, so I was able to communicate what I wanted.  So the staff might not be fluent in other languages like the sales teams are, you can definitely get by.  

The floor where the cafe is located sells home goods.  Then, you have a floor for gowns, mens, pret-a-porter, and ground floor is perfume, purses, shoes and such.  They know you're not local, and will ask for your passport.  They will take care of the tax right as you pay, super convenient. And it is true, for high end purchases, the clerk does walk you all the way to the door, hand you your bag and thank you for your patronage.  So don't get weird if they're not handing you your bag after you pay; it's their custom. 

Cafe Dior

104-0061

Tōkyō-To

Chuo-Ku

Ginza 6-10-1, Ginza six 4F

https://www.dior.com/fashion/stores/en_lt/japan/tokyo/ginza-6-10-1-898954

 

Starbucks Reserve - Tokyo

Going to give you a heads up, this is going to be a photo heavy day!

Super excited for another thing on my list, going to Starbucks Reserve.  

Now, a reasonable person would say, it's just a Starbucks, what's the big deal. 

Just that they have a roastery in-house and there's only 6 in the world.

Here's where they roast the coffee, and the thing is, you don't get the smell of the roastery here.  

And they do sell special roast that is special to this location. 

First floor has merch and of course coffee.  Just follow the sign!

But wait! There's more!  They have their own bakery in-house too.  

So besides the pastries, which they have more than we do in the States.  Their bread for sandwiches and pizza are also done in house. 

If you go up to the elevator, you can see their list of coffee past/present that they sold.

The drum is decorated with sakura, very pretty in person, like it's floating down.

Second floor is for tea, and in case you don't know, here's a giant Teavana name out there.

Cool thing about this tea shop, you can buy the loose leave by weight.

In case you don't know what you like, don't worry, you can shop the bar.  Then tell the clerk which one you want and they will grab it for you.

You can smell it and see what you'd like.

Here's the bar for tea enjoyment.

But there's another floor to go....

But first, art work with ceramic mugs

You'd come up to the Tokyo sign.  By the way, this changes seasonally.

Top bar, is literally a bar.  They offer drinks, food, and desserts.  Some cocktails with alcohol, which is what they're known for.  Don't worry, they do have mocktails, cold brew. Basically mixed drinks using all the ingredients they have in-house. 

Decided to grab dinner here, and look! They gave out cute, seasonal coaster that can be kept as a souvenir. 

I got the mushroom and ham pizza.  It is actually more flatbread-like, but it's pretty good.

Got the seasonal blackberry tea.

And a slice of sakura cake.  It's very much like the yellow cake, with light layer of chocolate on top, with a hint of floral.  So, no, not like eating flowers. 

At the top floor, they have a reserve seating bar, you need to book ahead of time, especially if it's cherry blossom time.  On the other side, there are some outdoor seating that you can enjoy the view.  It does have a good view, which is why you need to have a booking. 

In terms of roastery goes, it is very impressive.  From Shibuya station, you can take a local bus for 4 stops and it'll drop you off literally around the corner from the shop.  It was surprising to see police and store clerks everywhere.  When the weather is nice, there can definitely be heavy foot traffic.  I went around 6-7pm, I just walked straight in.  Yes, I did have reservations for the good seating.

Some things doesn't change, and that is: folks takes up tables here to study, do group projects here like they do back home.  But the staff here were super friendly and polite.  A, they know I cannot speak Japanese and immediately switch to English.  B, they saw I had just gotten done shopping at their merch area, and offer to find me a table so I can leave my stuff there to order.  C, Japanese are very orderly, no one will steal your stuff if you leave it there - so don't go ruining that. 

I want to note, there are alot of Starbucks Reserve all around, but roastery, there's only 6.  Each one has unique building designs, which is also a neat thing to see. 

Starbucks Reserve Roastery

2-19-23 Aobadai Meguroku Tokyo

https://www.starbucks.co.jp/reserve/roastery/