Coffee
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Malibu coffee shop guide (and more)
I’ve been visiting the Los Angeles area consistently since I was a child as most of my family and now many of my friends live there, but I never really spent an extended period of time in dreamy Malibu. To Angelinos, Malibu is often seen as the place to “get away” from the hustle and bustle of city life, a beautiful oasis awaiting one at the end of a scenic drive along the Pacific Coast Highway. It is also a celebrity hot spot especially it’s renowned Nobu Malibu famous for its beachfront location and exclusive clientele. The last time I ate at Nobu, I remember spotting a few major celebs within an hour of being there. Let’s dive in to my Malibu coffee shop guide (and more)!
My husband and I decided to do this particular LA trip different and spend most of the time enjoying the Malibu scene. We booked an airbnb, which boasted breathtaking oceanfront views (and it didn’t disappoint!). Unfortunately, as our weekend away approached, the Los Angeles area was making national news as “deep freeze” and rain was expected to land and muddle (no pun intended) our weekend plans. Alas, we took it in stride and figured it wouldn’t be as bad as some of the east coast winters we’d endured. Upon landing in LAX, the threat of cold and rainy weather was imminent and it quickly became apparent that many Angelinos were not going to brave the weather and stayed at home. The silver lining was that we dealt with virtually ZERO traffic, which if you know anything about LA, the traffic is notoriously horrendous.
As we drive to our destination, it also became apparent that there was a level of unpreparedness as traffic lights were down and people were just taking gambles, driving through them. As we had been unsuccessful in procuring a reservation ahead of time, we decided to take a chance and check in on Nobu. It was noon on a Friday at the most trendy restaurant in Malibu so we expected to be turned away, but the weather afforded us some luck! We enjoyed a scrumptious lunch and even more enjoyable people watching and while the rain somewhat obstructed the beachfront view, it was still a win in my book.
After lunch, the next order of business was finding a coffee shop to beat the post-flight, post-prandial slump. First coffee shop stop on my Malibu cofee shop guide is Caffe Luxxe, a quaint little coffee shop with the tagline “artisanal expression,” known for “the best coffee” in the region (according to multiple sources), and I can attest it certainly deserves that title. Upon walking in, the scene felt a little haughty like if you weren’t a coffee/espresso conoisseur, you didn’t belong, but as I approached the counter, the staff was extremely helpful and friendly. I ordered their mocha latte and it was probably one of the best lattes I’ve ever had. Yes, EVER had. The actual taste of the coffee was perfect: smooth and creamy.
We then checked into our airbnb, which as advertised, had exquisite views-seriously, this place was unreal. As we walked in and entered the living room, the large windows peered out to crashing waves right under our feet. The bedroom also had a large floor-to-ceiling window view of the ocean, delivering all the melodic ocean sounds while sleeping. It was getting late and we had to put our toddler to sleep so the plan was to order pizza, which we got from “the best pizza place in Malibu,” D’amores pizza. As a native New Yorker, my “best pizza” scale is a little unfair so I’ll just say it was very good by California standards.
The next morning, the weather had cleared up and the sun was out-hooray! We set out to Paradise Cove Beach Cafe, another oceanfront establishment. Loved that this place had a dock behind the restaurant where you can walk out and take in all the serenity the beach has to offer. Next stop was of course another coffee shop. It was still raining on and off so we opted for a more sheltered coffee shop within a shopping plaze called Le Cafe de la Plage. This place is also well known for its ice cream, which is sold in grocery stores around the country. It has a cute, Parisian feel to it and a flower wall that’s insta-hype worthy.
We then ventured to LA where we spent the day with family and friends. While Malibu is only about a 30-45 minute drive from most parts of LA, it still feels like a far, remote destination, which I found very appealing if your goal is to have a relaxed vacation. The next morning, we went on a run along the beach. There are many beaches in Malibu, but we chose Zuma beach as it was near our airbnb. We then went to Duke’s Malibu for brunch. This establishment has roots in Hawaii and pays homage to surfing culture. They serve mostly seafood, but also have an excellent brunch menu.
After brunch, we checked out Malibu Farm Pier Cafe. This was probably my favorite ambiance for a cafe in the area. It is located on a dock and has indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the water. The interior gives a botanical garden vibe with hanging plants and greenery. It is also one of the more laid back establishments we visited. I did not however get a coffee-based beverage here, but got a chai tea latte, which they brought in a kettle so I could keep topping off my mug! We checked out the Malibu Farmers Market, a small farmers market that sells organic local produce, pastries from family owned businesses and fresh flowers. That night we had dinner reservations at Moonshadows, another exceptional restaurant with great food and views.
On our last day in Malibu, we went to the Carbon Beach Club restaurant located inside the Malibu Inn. This place had a very sophisticated and classy vibe and again, breathtaking beachfront views (I think this is just commonplace for every restaurant in Malibu). I am still drooling over their nutella toast pictured below-just get it.
Overall, this was probably our most relaxed trip to the LA area. Partly, because Malibu is just such a serene environment and partly because the foreboding weather meant we didn’t have to deal with crowded beaches or retaurants. I left this trip feeling rejuvenated and inspired to make visiting Malibu a yearly goal.
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3 Days in Denver
How does one spend 3 days in Denver and get a good feel for the city and its surrounding areas? It seemed like a daunting feat at first given the various neighborhoods spread out in the city that each have different personas and attractions. As I’ve mentioned in a previous blog post on Vail, I have always had a strong predilection for the state of Colorado (even before I ever visited) so when it was announced that my medical conference was being held there, I was elated. We stayed at the Gaylord Rockies Resort in Aurora Colorado, which is where the conference was being held. This resort is incredible especially for families as they have an indoor pool, outdoor pool with a lazy river and a water park area for kids! They also have tons of restaurants and activites for families. The one drawback is that it’s about a 30 minute drive from downtown Denver.
Nonetheless, I wanted to make sure I hit all the essential Denver spots AND got some one-on-one time with nature on this trip. I started off by researching all the Denver-area neighborhoods and narrowed it down to a few areas with coffee shops that I wanted to check out during our 3 days in Denver.
Day 1
Downtown Denver
We spent the first day exploring the downtown Denver area. I made reservations at a brunch spot called Tupelo Honey, which probably wasn’t necessary as there was plenty of seating on a weekday around noon. This place advertises Southern brunch fare and their staple dish is the chicken and waffles, which my friend got and gave rave reviews. The whole experience here was a positive one. We then ventured to the coffee shop across the street Kaffe Landscap, which is adjacent to Union Station and ordered lattes, which we sipped on their patio.
After we enjoyed our lattes, we embarked on our walk through the downtown Denver area. We walked down 16th street, which is a long tree-lined street with shopping centers, bars and cafes. It was probably the most “city-like” area of Denver we visited during our 3 days in Denver. We then walked to Larimer Square, a cute historic area with boutiques and restaurants.
Washington Square
For dinner, we made reservations at Perdida Kitchen. This restaurant is located in the Washington Park neighborhood, which is more of a residential area, but is well-known for its famous park. From the street, one can see how lively and upbeat this restaurant is. It has a beautiful outdoor space and decorated indoor space that opens up to the patio. We had some margaritas and ordered some food items to share, which were all delectable.
Day 2
Capitol Hill
I read online that Capitol Hill is best known for its “hip” vibes and historic mansions and landmarks such as the Molly Brown House. Of course I had also investigated the best coffee shops and Hudson Hill was on my radar so we decided to spend day 2 of our 3 days in Denver in Capitol Hill. This coffee shop alone is reason enough to visit this neighborhood. Walking into this place, one becomes enamored with the botanical aesthetics and decor. There is a QR code at the entrance that you can scan, which allows you to place your order and pick it up at the bar if you’re not wanting to sit down. I ordered an almond vanilla latte, which was my favorite coffee beverage of the trip! It was the perfect amount of sweet and smooth.
Afterwards, we went right across the street to Jelly for brunch, another must-visit establishment. They have an outdoor patio, where dogs are welcome and the indoor space has a cool retro/old school diner vibe. We started off with their donut holes to share, which were delicious. I got the Haco Chilli Benedict, which was my favorite meal of the trip!
After brunch, we ventured around the Capitol Hill area. It’s more of a residential area, but if you’re interested in seeing some beautiful architecture and stately homes, this is the area to check out.
Day 3: Stepping outside the city
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
While Denver is a cool city to visit, I think the true beauty of Colorado lies outside Denver. On our last day visiting the area, we rented a car and drove to Red Rocks Amphitheatre. This is an outdoor venue that is built into red rock mountains. It is a famous place for hosting concerts and other shows, but also for hiking enthusiasts and those trying to get in a strenuous workout (we witnessed several people doing bear crawls and running the stairs of the amphitheatre). We chose not to do a hike here because frankly, getting to the amphitheatre was a hike on its own and we wanted to explore more of Colorado.
Evergreen Lake
We drove from the Red Rocks to Evergreen Lake, which is a gorgeous drive and took about 30 minutes. The lake is a major spot for outdoor recreation and is located in the mountain town of Evergreen. We walked around the lake and were really lucky to see several Elk within the perimeters of the park, which apparently is a rare sighting. On our drive back towards our hotel, we saw so many beautiful mountain scenes and waterways along the main road. We even spotted a few people white water rafting along the road!
This trip once again confirmed for me that my obsession with Colorado is justified. The mountains, landscapes, hikes along with the nearby city life in Denver make Colorado my favorite US state to visit.
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Best Seattle Coffee Shops (and more)
Seattle is truly a coffee shop lover haven given it’s reputation for sourcing the best coffee beans and harboring some of the most esteemed coffee brands. While I am in no way a coffee bean connoisseur and basically just judge coffee based on how it tastes to me, I am more interested in the overall coffee shop experience. When I evaluate a coffee shop, I’m taking into account the ambiance, the energy, the beverage options (and taste of course), the customer service and the manner in which the shop is run. My focus is to assess the space and see if it inspires creativity, allows for moments of respite and conversations with friends (good people watching is also a bonus). Here’s my Seattle itinerary and Best Seattle Coffee shops based on that criteria:
Day One
We stayed at the Hyatt Regency and were in town for a medical conference nearby at the Washington Convention Center. All the coffee shops we visited were within walking distance (except for a bonus one we stopped at on our way to Mount Rainier). We spent the first day walking around the downtown area and Pike Place. Armistice is about a 5 minute walk from Pike Place. The coffee shop has a botanical vibe with succulents and plants peppered through the shop. I got a vanilla latte and I would rate it the best vanilla latte I had flavorwise (in general, my go-to order is a vanilla almond milk latte or mocha almond milk latte).
After we grabbed our lattes and spent some time soaking up the energy of the coffee shop, we set out to explore more of Pike Place. We ended up getting lunch at Maximilien located within Pike Place and snagging an outdoor seat on their rooftop. The restaurant has a romantic and formal ambience with French cuisine, but the rooftop felt a little more casual. The view from the rooftop is an absolute must-incredible views of Puget sound and Elliot Bay await!
After lunch, we continued our quest to locate the best Seattle coffee shops and ventured to a nearby coffee shop, Storyville, also located in Pike Place. This place really has it all. Starting with its inconspicuous location, hidden away on the second level of Pike Place, it’s alluring from the start. The staff there is noticeably friendly and welcoming, even apologizing for the long wait and compensating us with a free baked item! You know what else is free? MUGS-if it’s your first time there, they will give you one of their signature mugs. The vibe of the coffee shop is also welcoming and has a high coziness factor complete with a fire place. The mocha almond milk latte was my favorite of the entire trip!
That evening, we attended an event for the medical conference I was in Seattle for, which was held at the Museum of Pop and Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum. These two museums were a main highlight of our trip. The glass sculptures created by the artist, Chihuly are absolutely breathtaking. The pictures speak for themselves.
Day Two
The next morning, we rented a car and drove to Mount Rainier. Before our drive, we stopped at our next coffee shop on the best Seattle coffee shops list, Mr. West Cafe Bar. This place is located a block away from the Hyatt Regency where we were staying. Every morning, there was a pretty long line outside the shop, but it seemed to move quick. They also have excellent food menu items, which I didn’t get to try. In addition to being a coffee shop and eating establishment, they sell planters and gardening gear, giving the place an earthy vibe. I had a vanilla almond milk latte here and it met my standards.
We set out on our drive to Mount Rainier, which took about two hours. We did not anticipate what awaited us at the park entrance. When we arrived, we were told at the entrance that a blizzard was coming and we were required to have tire chains on our tires! Apparently, this is a requirement to get into the park between the months of November and March whether you actually need to use the tire chains or not. We were directed back about 6 miles to a shop where we could rent the tire chains. I’m glad we got to visit this shop as it provided my bonus coffee shop for this list! Although it’s not in downtown Seattle, I felt the need to support this gem of an establishment.
Paradise Village is a Ukrainian restaurant attached to a hotel that has Ukrainian cuisine, but also offers brunch menu options such as crepes and waffles. I had a scrumptious banana nutella crepe paired with a green tea. The ambiance is very cute and has a cabin-like feel to it. We rented our tire chains and headed back to the park. Sadly, we did not get to go all the way up Mount Rainier as some of the roads were closed given the impending blizzard. We walked a few simple trails to just explore and get a feel for the place, but it started snowing while we were there. Being completely new to this tire chain business, we decided it would be best to cut our time there short and head back to Seattle.
That evening, we were lucky to procure reservations at the famous Shiro’s sushi. The reservation however was only open for omakase, which we didn’t mind because we love omakase. I will say this was hands down the best sushi experiencve I have had and I’ve eaten A LOT of sushi. I really liked the omakase dishes, each course was delectable and unique from the prior course.
Day Three
The next day started off with brunch at Ben Paris where I had the baked eggs. The food was great and the ambiance was also a plus. I then spent the day attending my medical conference (because that’s what I was there for after all). After a day of conferencing, I went to the next place on my best Seattle coffee shops list, Monorail Espresso. I passed by this spot a few times when out and about in Seattle and there was always a long line, but this day, I got lucky and went at the right time. Coffee art seems like the norm here in Seattle and every coffee beverage I had donned some cool design and this one was no different. I had the vanilla almond milk latte and was satisfied.
Day Four
On our last day in Seattle, we walked a little further out of from our vicinity and went to the Portage Bay Cafe in South Lake Union. This place had lots of reviews for excellent brunch and being that I’m definitely a brunch girl, I had to check it out. I ordered the rancher’s breakfast, which is perfect for when you don’t know whether to get a sweet or savory menu item as it comes with eggs, a choice of bacon or sausage AND french toast. They have a french toast bar where you can go and garnish your french toast with fruit, whipped cream and other condiments.
After our meal, we walked a few blocks to the Peet’s Coffee located inside a Capital One, which was our final coffee shop on our best Seattle coffee shops tour. I ordered one of my usuals, the vanilla almond milk latte and explored the two-story workspace. This seems like a great place to come and work if you’re trying to be productive. The design and layout are conducive to creating a quiet work environment.
Our last stop on our Seattle trip was to the Nest rooftop bar of the Thompson hotel. Reservations are advised here as it is difficult to get in especially on a weekend. We reserved a week day time for around 5 pm and I’m so glad we did. Seattle may not be the ideal city for rooftop weather, but we were lucky we had a good weather day (or a few good weather hours) to enjoy this beautiful space.
There it is! The Best Seattle Coffee Shops (and more) guide. As someone who much prefers sunny, warm weather, I was a little concerned about the reputation of Seattle as a cold, rainy place, but I’m glad I got to visit and experience all the city has to offer. While the weather may be dreary most of the time, the city is radiant with a diverse culture and restaurant scene and of course an unmatched love of coffee!
