Apple Farm

It's been awhile since we were able to get out and have coffee.  We are anxiously awaiting for two new coffee places to be opening in San Luis Obispo in the near future. Meanwhile, we thought we'd go to Apple Farm restaurant at 2015 Monterey Street and check out their coffee choices.  They are well known for their baked goods and breakfasts.  Sheila got a regular cup of coffee, as usual, which was $3.25.  Refills are included.  It was a good cup of coffee.  Joan asked about the specialty coffees offered on the menu.  They pretty much only offer a latte and don't have flavorings.  Joan got the waitress to improvise a bit and give her a cup of steamed milk to go with the latte.  It was $4.75.  What came was a beautiful looking glass mug of coffee.  Joan said, "Today I drank the color of latte."   The taste was light and mild.  Being a restaurant,  Apple Farm has plenty of seating.  The setting is also pleasant, with a view of the mountains and the beautifully landscaped grounds.  There is also a fun gift shop to browse in before or after your meal or coffee.

Think About It: "Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall."

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Olive Garden

Yep, that's right. Olive Garden.  We have, as far as we know, exhausted all the specialty coffee shops in San Luis Obispo for the time being.  Joan was having lunch there one day when she noticed that they have  quite an extensive coffee menu.  We've been putting it off, but decided we needed to get out for coffee and a good gab session, so that's how we ended up at the Garden.  Sheila had a regular cup of coffee, which was $3.00 and came with a carafe of refills.  The coffee was not strong at all and pretty good.  Joan had one of the fancy coffees, a chilled Lavuazza espresso with ice cream and caramel syrup.  It was $4.00, not a bad price.  She said it tasted like a coffee milkshake, and quite enjoyed it.  The Olive Garden has a pleasant atmosphere and our server was delightful.  There is a huge parking lot.  Okay, and to top off the experience, even though we just got coffee, we got three free breadsticks!

                   Think About It:


Another bonus about going to Olive Garden is that Target is just across the parking lot, which is where we found this sign.

Big Sky Cafe

Joan happened to overhear someone talking about what a great latte they had had at Big Sky Cafe here in SLO, so we decided we'd go there this drizzly May morning.  Big Sky is, of course, a restaurant, not just a coffee shop, which has a wonderful menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Joan ordered a cafe latte with vanilla, which came in a large coffee cup with a pumpkin design in the foam.    Not sure what to call this pumpkin design, we looked it up on Google, and found out there's a whole thing called Latte Art.  So now you know, too!  It was $6.25 with the added vanilla.  She said it was really smooth, creamy, and the coffee was not too strong.  In fact, she said, it might just be the best cafe latte she's had, and that's saying a lot!  That overheard conversation proved to be fortuitous.  Sheila had her usual regular coffee, which came in a very large mug and cost $2.95.  It was an excellent cup of organic fair trade coffee, not bitter and very smooth.  Joan also ordered some beignets, which were an excellent compliment to our delicious coffees.  Big Sky is located downtown at 1121 Broad Street.  It has both indoor and outdoor seating, booths, tables, and a good sized bar.  Local artists are displayed regularly throughout the restaurant.

Think About It: One big sky covers us all equally.

(Taken from a mug at Big Sky Cafe)

4 Cats Cafe and Gallery

4 Cats Cafe and Gallery, formerly the home of Steynberg's, located at 1531 Monterey Street here in San Luis, is open and welcoming art and coffee lovers. The new owners will continue having music and other performances soon.  They also participate in Art After Dark.  There is a new coffee and tea menu, as well as breakfast and lunch fare available.  It is a very spacious venue with lots of seating, both indoors and out.  Local artists are featured on the gallery walls.  They are still in the process of making it their own, with paint, etc., and it promises to be a serene and delightful place to go to meet friends or just to sit and have some quiet time to yourself with a delicious coffee drink. Sheila had a cup of regular coffee, which was $2.25, and was quite good.  There was not a hint of bitterness, just a smooth cup of delicious coffee.  Joan had help choosing her beverage from the friendly barista, who personalized it just for her.  She had a cappuccino with almond milk and one shot of espresso.  It was very foamy, not too sweet, and the full bodied coffee came through perfectly. It was $3.00.  Treat yourself sometime soon to a well-deserved coffee break at the new 4 Cats!

Think About It: "You can't buy happiness, but you can buy coffee, and that's close enough."

Special Edition: Coffee in Japan

I (Sheila) was lucky enough to take a respite from caring for my 98 year old mother recently to take  a trip to Japan with friends.  Most of us assume that because Japan is famous for its love of tea and the whole ceremony surrounding the making of tea, that coffee is not too popular there. Well, think again!  I was surprised to find many coffee places there, both in the big cities and small towns.  Only one of the hotels we stayed in had coffee in the room, though, which was made with a rather strange little packet that had to be unfolded and set into the mug by means of "wings" which held onto the edge, then water heated in a carafe was pored over it, making the coffee. Very Origami-like and it was good, too!  Breakfast in the hotels was always buffet style, and coffee was readily available.  Coffee aside, I would highly recommend visiting Japan if you can. It is clean, friendly, and so interesting. We were fortunate enough to be there during the one week a year that the cherry trees are in bloom, making this trip even more enjoyable.  Here are a few pictures of Japanese coffee shops...

Coffee made with sacred water!  Yes!

Tully's is a chain coffee shop.

Of course!

You can even get hot or cold coffee out of a vending machine.

I'm not sure if I did it right, but this was how coffee in the hotel room was made.  Even a little tray to put the used drip bag in!

A cup of happiness and precious time!

Don't know what "Living Coffee" is!

I had to take a picture of this one!

 Think About It: Take time for yourself every now and then. It will benefit everyone around you, as well as yourself.

The New Nautical Bean

Recently Nautical Bean opened a second location here in SLO.  The address is 2010 Parker Street.  Parking is plentiful, which is always a plus.  The venue is large with the best seating options we've come across so far.  You can choose between indoor and outdoor places to sit, including large and small, short and tall tables, comfy chairs, couches, and booths.  There are several nooks and crannies for large or very small meetings between friends and associates.  We enjoyed our coffees on a very comfortable couch by one of the many windows.  Sheila had a regular small cup of coffee which was very satisfying.  There are several different roasts to choose from and she decided to mix them up.  It worked!  The coffee was $1.50.  Joan had a large, are you ready, chocolate butterscotch Mexican mocha with whipped cream.  She described it as an adult hot chocolate.  There was a strong note of chocolate in this special foo foo coffee drink.  It was $5.00.  There is also a substantial menu of breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, and wraps, which look delicious.  The decor is very eclectic, with lots of interesting artwork, including a hanging bicycle and a wall of painted skateboards.  It's definitely a feast for the eyes.  The crowd was varied, including students, retirees, and business people of all ages.

Think About It: Take time each day to connect with a friend.