Starbucks at Madonna Plaza

Joan will be out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday and we wanted to get a coffee time and blog in before she left but morning times just didn't work out for us this week, so we broke tradition and got together in the late afternoon yesterday.  The only problem with this plan was we definitely needed to have decaf coffee that late in the day.  The first place we went was Breezeway, which we've wanted to try for awhile now.  They don't open until 10, and early morning works best for us.  However, they don't have decaf coffee, so we'll go back and visit them another time.  The next closest place is Starbucks at the Madonna Plaza, so that's where we ended up.  Sheila had a tall decaf Americano coffee which was $2.25.  It was mellow and good! Joan had a tall decaf caramel brûlée latte with soy milk.  It was $4.85.  She describes it as rich, creamy, smooth, like melted mocha ice cream, or, true to its name, liquid creme brûlée.  Yum!  Curious, we looked up the definition of brûlée, which is "a piece of burned-over woodland."  Hmmm. No hint of burned over woodland in Joan's drink, luckily, just deliciousness.                              Think About It:

This Starbucks has some indoor seating and a good number of outdoor tables and chairs.   

SLO Provisions

This beautiful fall morning we visited a new place called SLO Provisions.  It is located at 1255 Monterey St., Suite B, here in San Luis.  It is a small venue that has a delicious looking menu of salads and sandwiches, breakfasts, dinner items, and sweets, as well as a varied coffee menu.  We both agreed that we would come back to try some of the food offerings, which looked, and smelled, wonderful.  Today, however, we were focused on the coffee, since this is, after all, a coffee blog.  Sheila had a regular black small sized coffee, which was $2.50.  It was robust and satisfying.  Joan had a small caramel latte with almond milk.  It was $4.00.  The hearty coffee flavor came through with a hint of sweetness.  It is an intimate place, bright and cheery with some indoor seating in the form of counters and benches and three bistro sets outside to enjoy.  We sat outside and found it hard to leave the pleasant surroundings and morning sun.

 SLO Provisions opens at 7 A.M. Monday through Friday, which is perfect for picking up that cup of coffee, breakfast, and lunch before work!  It closes at 7 P.M. Saturday hours are 10 A.M. - 7 P.M. It is closed on Sundays.

SLO Provisions also has a catering service.

Think About It: Practice appreciation.

The New Bello Mundo Cafe

The last time we went to Bello Mundo Cafe on Monterey Street, it was much smaller.  They have expanded into a new location just a couple of doors down from the old location.  We just had to check it out! The new Bello Mundo is much larger now, but offers the same delicious baked goods and coffee, milk, chocolate, espresso, and tea drinks that were served at the old location.  It is directly across from Court Street and is an ideal location for shoppers, business people, and city workers to stop in for a cup of coffee or other drink.  The clientele, in fact, ranges from students to retired folks.  The seating is varied: there are tables for two, long tables, bar type seating, comfortable easy chairs, and window seating.
It features local artists' works, a chess board all set up and ready for play, cement floors, and exposed brick.  The ambience suggests an invitation to stay and relax over a delicious cup of coffee.  The regular cup of coffee was $2.75 and was robust and strong, yet smooth.  Joan had an iced vanilla almond milk latte with homemade, yes, homemade almond milk, and homemade vanilla syrup.  The vanilla flavor really came through with the coffee behind it. It was $4.00.

 Think About It: This may seem a bit regimented, but...think about scheduling a 30 minute block of time at least once a week to have a one on one conversation with your significant other. When was the last time you just sat and talked to each other without interruption?  Try it!

Panera Bread

With a bit of Fall in the air this morning, we ventured out to the Panera Bread at the Madonna Plaza Shopping Center in SLO.  Yes, it is a chain and might not have the local flavor and personality of independently owned coffee houses, but we are running out of those to visit here in SLO.  The advantage of a chain is you know what you'll get no matter where you are.  Sheila found the regular coffee to be quite nice.  You help yourself to light roast, dark roast, hazelnut, or decaf, and the small is $1.99.  Joan had a Pumpkin Spice Latte with almond milk, salted caramel syrup, and whipped cream. It was $4.09.  She describes it as having a rich, smooth taste with a definite pumpkin spice flavor.

Panera has a nice menu of baked goods, pastries, breakfast, lunch and dinner items, as well as fresh baked bread.

 There is ample seating, both indoors and out, including some comfortable club chairs, which we took advantage of.

 Think About It: "If it weren't for the coffee, I'd have no identifiable personality whatsoever." David Letterman

Atrium Express at Embassy Suites

We've found the perfect place to go once El Nino hits this winter!  For a delicious cup of coffee in an outdoor setting that isn't actually outdoors, try the Atrium Express at Embassy Suites at 333 Madonna Road in San Luis Obispo.  It's located just inside the lobby and serves Peet's coffees.  If you're meeting a friend for business or pleasure, consider this unusual and unexpected coffee place.  Several coffee drink options are offered, as well as a variety of teas.  Once you get your coffee, you can sit down in the atrium and enjoy the natural light and pleasant surroundings.  A regular 12 ounce coffee was $2.50.  Sheila found it to be mellow and strong, true to Peet's usual coffees.  Joan had a White Mocha.  The 12 ounce size was  $4.00, and consisted of two pumps of white chocolate syrup, espresso, coffee, and soy milk.  It was so good and tasted like liquid dessert.  So good!
On a side note, we have both noticed the friendly and cordial service we've encountered at every single coffee establishment we've been to so far.  SLO really does deserve its reputation for being a
welcoming community.

 

There is ample 

and spacious seating around a beautiful fountain and throughout the atrium.  

 If you're out shopping at the Madonna Plaza, consider stopping at the Embassy Suites for a great cup of coffee.

 Think About It: Do not let bitterness, whether in your coffee or your life, steal your sweetness.

Splash Cafe

Looking for a great place for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a delicious coffee drink?  The Splash Cafe is an excellent choice for any of these. It's a small gem on Monterey Street in SLO.  They have a nice coffee menu that includes lattes, espressos, and a variety of flavor choices to add to these.  Sheila had a Coastal Peaks Cerro Romauldo City Roast regular coffee, size small, that was $1.45.  It was rich, but not too rich, and delightful. They also offer a dark roast.  Joan had a single small espresso Mexican chocolate latte with soy milk and caramel flavor.  It was $3.50.  Her words at her first sip were "Oh, it is so good!"  She insisted that Sheila try it and when she did, she exclaimed, "It's like drinking mocha ice cream!"  It was cinnamony, chocolatey, and creamy.  Definitely a treat!  Splash Cafe has a very nice breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu, to take out or eat there.  They are an artisan bakery.  The pastries, breads, and baked goods look wonderful.  They also make different sizes of  cakes for that  special occasion, dinner party, or just anything.  Its location makes it a popular place for students, tourists, and locals.

There is indoor and

outdoor seating, including bistro tables, bar stools, and booths. 

 Think About It:  "Very little is needed to make a happy life": 
A simple coffee with a friend can lift your spirits and remind you of what is important.

Black Horse on Los Osos Valley Road

We visited the fourth Black Horse in SLO this morning.  This is the largest of all the Black Horse coffee houses.  Each one has its own personality and is entirely different as far as space goes.  This one has lots of indoor and outdoor seating, the tables are spread far enough apart for business meetings or conversation among friends.  It is very clean and quiet.  Like the other Black Horses, it has an indoor/outdoor fireplace.  Sheila ordered a small regular coffee at $1.70.  They offer a smaller than usual option, which was perfect for a delicious morning jolt.  Joan had a wonderfully scrumptious coffee drink called Milky Way.  It had mocha, espresso, chocolate, macadamia nut syrup, and whipped cream.  How can you go wrong with that combination?  You can't!  Joan declared it rich, chocolaty, and said the macadamia nut syrup gave it a hint of nuttiness.  It was $4.25.

            There are many breakfast and lunch options, including baked goods, panini, and salads.

Besides coffee drinks, there are also teas, cold drinks, and drinks especially for kids.











Think About It:  Repeat this to yourself throughout the day:
I think I'll just be happy today.

Black Horse Espresso and Bakery on Broad

What a beautiful morning to sit outside and drink coffee at Black Horse Espresso and Bakery on Broad Street in SLO!  There is ample seating at this place, both inside and out.  Joan enjoyed a coffee drink called "The Thing" which consisted of caramel at the bottom, vanilla syrup, milk, and iced coffee.  The richness really came through this upside down caramel macchiato. It was $3.75.  Sheila had a, wait for it, regular small coffee which was $1.95.  It was hearty and robust.  Joan said her iced drink was perfect for this summery weather.  Black Horse has a great menu of, among other things, paninis for both breakfast and lunch, wonderful baked goods, including pastries, cookies, and cakes.  Parking is free and plentiful.  It is a great place to stop and pick up some goodies to enjoy there, take home, or to give to your favorite host or hostess.

There is an indoor/outdoor fireplace to enjoy in cooler weather.

Think About It:  Think about taking a staycation in your hometown or nearby.  Joan and her husband recently celebrated their anniversary just 10 minutes from their home at the Quality Suites Central Coast here in SLO.  It was relaxing, carefree, and rejuvenating!