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Category Archives: Coffee Shops

Café Rustica – Somerville, MA

14 Thursday Jul 2016

Posted by Shata's Dog Bowl in Coffee Shops, Somerville

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IMG_2423First a question. Where have you been all my life? No need to respond, I know the answer to my question. It wasn’t your fault. Our disconnect was my fault, and mine alone. I walked by you for years without ever realizing what I was missing, well no more. You and I will have a long relationship together. Of course, I’m talking about my recent love affair with Café Rustica.

This unassuming café in Somerville has been a dream come true for me. I went once out of curiosity and I’ve been coming back two or three times a week for the past several weeks. One reason is the guys behind the counter. They are friendly, and treat you like family. You may come in a stranger, but you will leave feeling like your family was just extended.

The coffee is simply some of the best in the area. They have a wonderful assortment of breakfast sandwiches on the menu, along with daily soups, sandwiches and salads, all made behind the counter and made when you order it. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is perfect for getting in a few hours of writing, or reading your favorite book. And best of all, they don’t mind. On my last visit I ordered a large iced tea (amazing by the way) and after forty-five minutes I got up to order a salad and they were thrilled that I wasn’t getting it to go.

Honestly, I could go on and on about this place. I love it here, and will became a permanent fixture. I have finally found my café to write, and write I will. Thank you guys for making me feel so welcome.

Online at: Cafe Rustica
Take Reservations: No

Food Rating: 5.0 paw
Service Rating: 5.0 paw

Rating 5 Paw

Overall Rating: 5.0 paws

With love from my dog bowl to yours…Happy eating.
Shata

35 North Coffee – Santa Fe, NM

29 Wednesday Jun 2016

Posted by Shata's Dog Bowl in Coffee Shops, Santa Fe

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IMG_2468Picture it, I’m running through the Santa Fe Plaza Arcade with the wonderful smell of coffee tempting my nose, like a carrot being dangled in front of a rabbit. After a few failed attempts at locating the source of my afternoon craving, I finally found it. A coffee oasis in Santa Fe – 35° North Coffee.

The staff or perhaps the owners/managers were incredibly friendly. I was ready to order a large house blend coffee, when what do my little eyes see written in big bold white chalked letters? Beignets. Oh my little paws were trembling with joy. I had to have an order with my coffee.

The coffee was fresh and wonderfully roasted, but the star of this visit were the beignets. These are the real deal. I closed my eyes and felt as if I was sitting in the French Quarter in New Orleans. Yeah, that’s how good these bad boys are.

This place is large so you don’t have to worry about coming in and not finding a table. Along with an assortment of pastries, and beignets, they have a nice variety of lunch items including sandwiches and salads, all made fresh to order. None of this premade crap you get from…well I won’t name the big chain coffee place down the street. You all are smart enough to figure it out.

If you’re in the Plaza and needing a coffee fix, or even a quick and simple lunch, pass by the other place and get yourself over to 35° North Coffee. You won’t be disappointed. This place rocks!

Online at: 35° North Coffee
Take Reservations: No

Food Rating: 5.0 paws
Service Rating: 5.0 paws

Overall Rating: 5.0 paws

With love from my dog bowl to yours…Happy eating.

Shata

Backyard Coffeehouse and Eatery – Ogunquit, ME

25 Wednesday May 2016

Posted by Shata's Dog Bowl in Coffee Shops

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IMG_2331I’m not a fan of crowded tourist destinations. Waiting in long lines, crowded sidewalks, the noise and congestion, I might as well just stay home. My other option is to go out of season. Ogunquit Maine is a good example. I love it there but only when it’s quiet, and I’m not fighting for breathing space, the problem is many restaurants and business are closed during the off-season as is Backyard Coffeehouse and Eatery.

This place is one of the best coffee shops I’ve been to in a long time. They do everything right, from the rustic charm of the business to the friendly customer service, and fantastic coffees, pastries, and food. My first morning in Ogunquit found me there with a latte and pastry. The coffee was not over-roasted (i.e., not bitter) and the pastry was out of this world. It was deliciously sweet and chewy and made every bite a memorable one. I was so impressed with Backyard I went back for lunch the same day. Their lemon ginger iced tea was spicy and tart and sweet all at the same time and paired perfectly with their Village Green Salad consisting of spring mix, avocado, feta cheese, candied pecans and a honey mustard dressing.

My only complaint, if I had to make one, is that they are not open year around. I get it. I do, but it doesn’t make me happy as the next time I’m in town they won’t be open, and frankly there is no other place in Ogunquit to get a good cup of coffee and pastry. And yes I know there is another place down the road…well, that’s for another blog.

If you’re in Ogunquit or even just passing through, stop by Backyard, it’s worth it. Trust this little doggy, I know my coffee.

Online at: Backyard
Reservations Accepted: No

Food Rating: 5 paws
Service Rating: 5 paws
Rating 5 Paw
Overall Rating: 5 paws

With love from my dog bowl to yours…Happy eating.

Shata

Joe Coffee and Cafe – Provincetown

01 Tuesday Dec 2015

Posted by Shata's Dog Bowl in Coffee Shops, Provincetown

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b174be1aef6bb984cfa8b0a53bd5bbf6After an uneventful drive to Provincetown and checking into our guest room, I desperately needed a cup of coffee to perk me up. Plus there’s nothing better than a good cup of hot coffee on a fall day in Provincetown, well that is if you get a good cup of coffee.

Joe Coffee and Café is a mecca in Provincetown and always slammed. But for the life of me I can’t figure out why. The employee behind the counter (employee is the nicest description I have for her, as she obviously wasn’t a barista, or a customer service professional,) but I digress. I had to give her my order three times because she kept forgetting it while she chatted and talked about dates, pets, and plans with her co-workers. It was as if we were all interfering with her social life.

I finally received my croissant and small coffee and went outside and took a seat on the brick wall to bask in the chilly sunshine. The croissant was dry and in no way resembled what a croissant should taste like. It was obviously a poorly made bread dough shaped to look like a croissant. I realize this is not Paris or even London, but it’s an old Portuguese fishing village, surely someone can put together a better pastry than what they serve.

Now on to the topic of coffee, it’s just plain terrible. Bitter, over-roasted and mine tasted as if it had been sitting around for several days and then warmed up. It was undrinkable.

If you want to be with the in-crowd, then go to Joe Coffee and Café, but if my experience is the norm, don’t expect good service or a decent cup of coffee.

Food Rating: 1 Paw
Service Rating: 1 Paw

Overall Rating: 1 Paw

Rating 1 Paw

With love from my dog bowl to yours…Happy eating.
Shata

Ritual Coffee – Mission, San Francisco

25 Thursday Jun 2015

Posted by Shata's Dog Bowl in Coffee Shops, Restaurant Reviews, San Francisco Bay Area

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IMG_1305I know this review isn’t going to be too popular with some people, but I’ve never been one to go along with the masses; besides a good dogfight is good for the soul.

Ritual Coffee on Valencia was one of my go-to places for coffee and some writing time. The space was warm and inviting, the coffee always perfect, and the staff friendly. It was a community spot for folks to come in out of the chilly San Francisco weather, sit down with friends over a cup of coffee, or with a notebook and pen, or computer. It’s what a coffee shop should be.

Fast forward to 2015. Ritual Coffee underwent a massive remodel in 2014. This was my first time back since. Whoever designed the interior space or thought this was a good idea should be taken out and shot.

The new Ritual is cold and sterile. The design makes you feel miniscule and dwarfed immediately making you feel unwelcome. Most of the tables are gone though with the chilly atmosphere, one doesn’t want to linger, and my guess is that is exactly what they want. They want their customers to come in grab a cup and go. No more lingering, no more community feel. The customers are no longer welcome to sit and be a part of what made Ritual Coffee great. The redesign is a concept to get the customer in and out as quickly as possible, to serve more is to, afford the increasing rents of the Mission.

The pastry and baked goods were terrible. Either they were days old or the baker doesn’t know what they are doing. The IMG_1306croissant literally crumbled when I touched it (see picture) what ever happened to moist, flaky, pastries? I couldn’t even eat it as it just kept crumbling. Oh, and let’s talk about the price. Two pastries and two coffees came to twenty-two dollars, yes twenty-two dollars! No thank you, never again.

Simply put the design doesn’t fit. It has nothing to do with the neighborhood it once supported. It’s as if Ritual Coffee has turned it’s back on the community and the people who supported it, all for a quick buck.

Online at: https://www.ritualroasters.com
Reservations Accepted: No

Food: 1 Paw
Service: 1 Paw

Overall Score

Rating 1 Paw

With love from my dog bowl to yours….Happy eating.

Shata

Hearth – Castro, San Francisco

09 Saturday May 2015

Posted by Shata's Dog Bowl in Coffee Shops, Restaurant Reviews, San Francisco Bay Area

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IMG_1125I have found it! At long last there is a bakery deserving of the highest praise. Unfortunately, it’s not in Boston. It’s in San Francisco and believe it or not it’s in the Castro.

I’ve eaten pastries throughout the UK and the Netherlands. I’ve eating in some of the best bakeries in Montreal and pretty much in every city I visit in the United States, and Hearth is one of the best. They roast their own coffee right there in the shop and bake all of the pastries fresh every morning. Take for instance my first morning there.

I ordered a cappuccino and their Brie en Croute. The coffee is so perfectly blended, and the beans so expertly roasted, I for perhaps the first time in my little doggy life, didn’t need to put cream or sugar. It’s that freaking good. The Brie en Croute is what dreams are made of. Picture it. Brioche IMG_1127dough that has Brie inside of it, then all of that is wrapped up in croissant dough and baked to a golden, flaky perfection. As it comes out of the oven, green onions and sea salt are sprinkled over the top.

The décor of minimal, white walls, beautiful wooden tables, it’s classes and elegant without being sterile, or uninviting. There’s no loud music playing like in most coffee shops, and the staff…well, they are fantastic.

Do yourself a favor and get to Hearth. You’ll never go back to the other places around the city. Trust this little doggy. She knows a good thing when she sniffs it, and Hearth is it!

Online at http://hearthcoffee.com
Reservations Accepted: No

Food: 5 Paws
Service: 5 Paws

Overall Score

Rating 5 PawWith love from my dog bowl to yours….Happy eating.

Shata

Flour Bakery – Back Bay, Boston MA

29 Wednesday Apr 2015

Posted by Shata's Dog Bowl in Boston, Coffee Shops, Restaurant Reviews

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images (1)There are a lot of famous bakeries around the country, and every time I find myself in one of these places, I stop and have to ask myself…why? Why am I here? Why is this place so popular? I’m spending how much? Well, I’m happy to report that Flour Bakery (all locations) is no different. How in the world have they gotten so famous?

I was out on this beautiful spring day for a nice long walk. Yes, they do let me out of the house on occasion and sometimes without my leash! But I digress. I stopped in at the Back Bay location of Flour. Why you might be asking after I just stated my dislike for the place. Honestly, I keep thinking that I’m missing something because I just don’t get it.

The pastries are so sweet they actually hurt your teeth. No, it’s not an exaggeration. The sweetness factor actually makes me cringe every time. It doesn’t matter what you order it’s all overly sweet and way over priced.

Oh, and if you want good coffee, go elsewhere. Like most places they think they have to compete with the huge nasty coffee house chain that serves over-roasted, bitter coffee.

One good thing did come of today’s visit. I think I’ve finally satisfied myself that I’m not missing a thing. It’s just overly sweet, overly priced pastries. There is nothing more for me to know. Next time I’ll just keep on walking.

Online at: http://www.flourbakery.com
Reservations Accepted: No

Food: 2
Service: 2

Overall Score

ShatasSignature_2-4-2With love from my dog bowl to yours….Happy eating.

Shata

Brickyard Coffee – San Diego

24 Monday Nov 2014

Posted by Shata's Dog Bowl in Coffee Shops, Restaurant Reviews, San Diego

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brickyard-cafeI was wandering around on my first day of vacation in San Diego and came across Brickyard Coffee. I loved the look of it. It’s sort of funky, rustic vibe felt cozy and they have a great patio. It was mid to late morning on a Friday so I decided to stop in for a coffee and bagel.

Stepping up to the counter was when things went downhill fast for this little dog. The staff was, less than friendly as if my presence there was somehow unwanted. I had what I thought was a simple order, a sesame bagel toasted with cream cheese and a latte; a no brainer for a coffee shop right? Well not this place.

They took my money and gave me a number sign. No thank you we’ll bring it out to the table, nothing. So I went out on the patio, found a table and waited…and waited…finally 10 minutes later my bagel arrives. I mentioned that I had ordered a latte thinking the order should come out together. The guy shrugged his shoulders and walked away. The bagel was cold, and unappetizing, I nibbled waiting for the latte. I saw the guy delivering someone else’s coffee and asked about my latte. His response…”It’s coming.” So after more waiting, the tasteless bagel gone, I finally get my latte. I think I’d rather have scooped out muddy water from the street. Their coffee is terrible.

Long story short, don’t make a special trip to come here. If you happen to be walking by and want a coffee, wait, don’t bother because with their terrible food and customer service, they don’t want you.

Online at: Facebook
Reservations Accepted: No

Food: 1 Paw
Service 1 Paw

Overall Score

Shata's SignatureWith love from my dog bowl to yours….Happy eating.

Shata

Le Parfait Paris – Gaslamp District San Diego

21 Friday Nov 2014

Posted by Shata's Dog Bowl in Coffee Shops, Restaurant Reviews, San Diego

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IMG_0658This is my first trip to San Diego, but already I know that it will not be my last. My first morning here I walked down 5th Avenue and found what I believe to be the best café outside of Paris. Le Parfait Paris, a very sleek, modern café in the Gaslamp District of San Diego is not to be missed.

I must say walking up to the café at 8:30am on a Friday morning with only one other person in the café set my tail and paws quivering with disappointment. Was it that bad? I decided to push my apprehension aside and give it a try. I’m glad I did.

Let me just say here and now that I am a coffee and pastry snob. Yes, I admit and embrace that part of myself. What passes for pastries in this country is pathetic. Le Parfait Paris doesn’t fall into the Americanized version thankfully. This place has without doubt the best French pastries outside of Paris or at least the best that I have ever had.

I order a cappuccino, which was perfectly made and delicious with a thick layer of foamy goodness on top. It was a bit small for my coffee habit and a bit expensive so I had to forego a second one. I ordered an almond croissant that was warm, flaky, delicate, and delicious. A perfect pair it was, and I will be back every morning during my stay.

Do yourself a favor and get to Le Parfait Paris, place your order, find yourself a small table, close your eyes and be transported to Paris.

Online at: http://leparfaitparis.com
Reservations Accepted: No

Food: 5 Paws
Service 5 Paws

Overall Score

ShatasSignature_2-5

With love from my dog bowl to yours…Happy eating!

Shata

Rue Lafayette – St. Louis

24 Sunday Feb 2013

Posted by Shata's Dog Bowl in Coffee Shops, Restaurant Reviews, Saint Louis

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IMG_0612It has come to this my attention, that my beloved coffee shop and cafe, Rue Lafayette’s has closed. While there is rumor that it may survive in some form at some point in the future, I felt it necessary to post a brief note about this beloved cafe.

For those who don’t know. Rue Lafayette was an amazing and unique place here in St. Louis. A French Quarter style coffee house, where you could sip delicious coffee and eat the most amazing croissants baked fresh every morning. Yet even with the top notch coffee and pastries, this dog appreciated the cafe’s mascot. A Boston Terrier named Bella. She was there every morning greeting customers, and if you were one of the lucky one’s you could have your morning latte with her. Yes, she got a latte each and every morning. Watching her lapping up that latte and then looking up at you with steamed milk over her face was a priceless sight.

There were postcards, pearls, and hairpieces for sale, all approved and created for and by Bella.

Let us hope that one day Rue Lafayette will reopen.

Food: 5 Paws
Service: 5 Paws

Overall Score

ShatasSignature_2-5With love from my dog bowl to yours….happy eating.

Shata

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