Entries categorized as ‘coffee’
November 24, 2009 · Comments Off
Royal Coffee is already loved by many in the Phoenix area, but now they are much easier to get to, as their new space is adjacent to the (also new) Phoenix Public Market. It sets up the perfect sip-while-you-stroll atmosphere, and there is even open “meeting” space that connects the two.
Even though the dedicated space just for Royal is humble, they haven’t skipped on the eclectic but cozy feel, with art, cool lighting, and the friendly (and funny) bean-roasting bandit, Hayes (who happens to own the place). He’ll also advise you on the best of the munchies available, which include fresh-baked muffins, scones, etc. daily, and also granola that will blow your mind. So will the coffee, by the way.
It’s a great place to meet up, and you’ll know when you are nearby because of the scent wafting for blocks. They roast their beans outside, they say for temperature and space, but I say it’s brilliant marketing.
Check out Royal at their new location: 14 E. Pierce Street, Phoenix, AZ
(The entrance is on the west side of the building, behind the market.)
Categories: Kelley · coffee · downtown phoenix · food
Yes, I love coffee. LOVE. But it’s a chicken-and-the-egg thing because I’m not sure which came first: my love of coffee that led me to great places, or the fantastic places that make it so easy to love.
Copper Star Coffee is one of those places.
Built in an old gas station turned transmission repair, Copper Star Coffee on 7th Avenue has all the great nostalgia and aesthetic of its former life, but an entirely new smell. Instead of gas and oil, aromas of freshly roasted coffee beans and pastries made on site. Now, Copper Star refuels me instead of my car.
The funky couches and tables are a second home to a lot of locals who spend quite a few hours there. The staff is so friendly, it’s easy to see why. Or maybe it’s the pastries. There is this rocky road brownie there that will blow your mind. I mean seriously. It is absolutely one of the most delicious things I’ve ever eaten, to the point that I would never share it. Get your own, for sure. See below in all its glory.
Pop into Copper Star when you’re checking out the other 7th Avenue shops, like Hollywood Regency, Paris Envy, Qcumberz and more. It’s right in the Melrose District, and you can’t miss it.
Copper Star Coffee
4220 N 7th Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85013
(602) 266-2136
www.copperstarcoffee.com
Categories: Kelley · central phoenix · coffee · downtown phoenix · food · places to go
A new coffee/lounge/overall-favorite-place opened on the corner Central Ave. and Highland in Phoenix, and I cannot contain my excitement. Though, it’s not exactly new. You may have seen my original Lola’s post, when it was the morning version of Lola Tapas, and if I loved it then, I adore it now in its new location (along the light rail, might I add).
You know I love the rich, smooth, caffeine beans, but this is THE BEST COFFEE IN PHOENIX. Daniel Wayne, who opened Lux (which, okay fine, is the second best coffee in Phoenix), ventured on to Lola and brought every dreamy drop with him. My favorite is the mocha, which uses chocolate whipped cream on the European style latte. It’s so good that it’s almost a sin to get a small size of anything. Why rob yourself of even more enjoyment? Get a large. That’s my advice.
The euphoric experience is only enhanced by the pastries that could pass for the richest of desserts and the lightest of morning snacks, from airy ciabbata bread to strawberry coffee cake, all from local wondershop Sweet Pea Bakery.
I also think they did something brilliantly which is surprisingly overlooked by many coffee shops, which is seating layout. Most restaurants have mastered the art of ambience and how seating areas flow into the experience, and Lola’s does this perfectly. Tables accommodate the wifi crowd while leather couches accommodate a small meeting or moment of relaxation. Lounge-like chairs with the newspaper nearby provide space for the individualist. No matter how busy, it never feels crowded. All that to say, it’s a reliable neighborhood place to be able to relax.
Can you tell I love Lola’s? If you would like to fall in love all over again with coffee, with the art of a handmade pastry, or with morning in general, head there now. Even if you’re a night owl, Lola’s is open till 10pm on Friday and Saturday nights. Now you have no excuse.
Lola Coffee
4700 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85012
(602) 265-5652
Categories: Kelley · central phoenix · coffee · downtown phoenix · food
July 22, 2009 · Comments Off
With my love of coffee in Phoenix, I have worked drip into my routine of gotta-have-it coffee shops, and I love it so much, I’d like to stand on a street corner and tell everyone about it. Okay, or maybe just write this blog entry. It’s a fantastic nook on the periphery of downtown Phoenix that is both retro and modern, minimalist and cozy. The space is fresh, so is the food, and amazingly – the concept. It’s hard to upstage the latest-and-greatest caffeine pump of the moment, but drip really is something new.
First of all, it goes where many other shops don’t – organic. As a recent adopter of the all-organic lifestyle myself, I was through-the-roof excited to have a place to go that shared my gastronomic viewpoints, but let’s be honest – it’s not all spinach and carrots, either. May I tempt you with the cream cheese and nutella panini? The prosciutto, parmesan and mozzarella, tomato on a baguette? They even have an in-house baker with completely vegan cupcakes that I’d swear you wouldn’t know the difference. Local favorite: the OMG brownie. With incredibly reasonable prices, this is a no-brainer particularly for the downtown crowd.
And we haven’t even talked about the coffee. For me, it’s gotta be dark and rich, very smooth, and cream – words that are thrown around in the coffee biz but I take them very seriously. Drip checked off all those items and more. It was decadent. The presentation doesn’t hurt either. You take a seat, catch up on the news, and the service is more attentive than just grab-and-go.
If you haven’t tried drip yet, take a swing on 7th and drop by. You really can’t go wrong…and don’t say I didn’t warn you about the nutella panini. You’ll be hooked.
drip coffee lounge
2325 N. 7th Street.
Phoenix, AZ 85006
www.dripcoffeelounge.com
Categories: Kelley · breakfast · central phoenix · coffee · downtown phoenix · events · food · lunch
