Joliene Bakery

On this cool Autumn morning we went to The Creamery at 570 Higuera Street where there is a new European style bakery called Joliene Bakery, which has a very nice coffee menu to accompany its many baked goods, as well as breakfast and lunch items.  It's a cute place with both indoor and outdoor seating.  The barista was very friendly and welcoming.  Sheila got a small drip coffee which was $3.50. All coffee drinks come with a delicious house made crisp and cinnamony cookie.  The coffee was rich and satisfying.  Joan got a dark chocolate ganache latte with house made cashew milk. This is the first place where we've seen this particular latte offered.  It was $6.00.  She describes it as not overly sweet, but with a definite chocolate goodness to it.  She says she'd get it again, for sure.  We also got a cookie to go with our coffee called a Nuttin Better, which was so good and rich and that's all we have to say about that!  If you like peanut butter and shortbread, this cookie is for you. The refurbished Creamery is a lovely spot to go to at the edge of town, with a calming atmosphere and several shops and restaurants to enjoy.  Go check out Joliene Bakery!

Think About It: "I hope I can be the Autumn leaf, who looked at the sky and lived. And when it was time to leave, gracefully it knew life was a gift." Dodinsky

Kin Coffee Bar

This beautiful San Luis Obispo August morning we were delighted to try out a brand new coffee establishment called Kin Coffee Bar, located in the heart of downtown at 847  Higuera Street.  It is an intimate venue, with a definite modern, yet vintage vibe.  We were greeted by the friendly barista/owner, starting our experience this morning on a very positive note. There are a number of very intriguing drink choices, but we decided to go with our usual latte and Americano coffees.  Both were specially prepared for us on the spot and did not disappoint.  The Americano which Sheila got was bold and delicious.  She finished the entire generous cup, which she doesn't always. It was a very reasonable $3.00.  Joan's latte was $4.25, and she described it as full bodied and with just the right balance of cream and coffee.  There are a number of seating choices including comfy club chairs and a window bench, just right for people watching, bar stools, and interesting classic chairs and side tables stocked with vintage magazines and newspapers.  It is a perfect atmosphere for conversation among friends.  They also have a variety of goodies to go with your coffee.  Joan got a raspberry almond croissant, which was flaky and fresh.  Our coffees came with a tiny buttery cookie, too.  Their coffee beans are provided by locally owned  Cacti Coffee Roasters.  We would definitely recommend that you stop in and stay awhile to enjoy not only the atmosphere but the amazing drink menu they offer.

 Think About It: We are celebrating new beginnings and blessings with the arrivals of granddaughters Terra and Nora for both of us! Find something to celebrate today in your life, whether small or monumental.

Nourish

Happy day after the 4th of July!  This morning we ventured out to the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo to a place we just recently discovered but apparently has been open for about two years.  It is called Nourish, located at 1126 Morro Street, next to the Granada Hotel .  It is easily missed if you're walking by because it is a small place, but don't let the size fool you.  It has an extensive breakfast and lunch menu as well as coffees, teas, wine and beer.  There are gluten free, dairy free, and vegan options, too.  It is a cute place with a very pleasant  atmosphere and includes both indoor and outdoor seating.  Sheila had her usual black coffee, an Americano, which was robust and flavorful.  It was $3.00.  Joan had a latte made with espresso, almond milk, and housemade vanilla syrup, along with a morning glory muffin, which was delicious.  The coffee they use is roasted by Cacti Roasters.  Joan described it as smooth, strong, and tempered nicely by the almond milk.  We look forward to going back one day soon to try their lunch or breakfast items.

 Think About It:
Today, put down that which does not serve you and pick up all that makes you full and filled.
Arielle Estoria
(From the Nourish website.)

Le Petit Paris

Located at the end of Mission Mall on Higuera Street near San Luis Creek is a new coffee place called Le Petit Paris.  It is a charming and very inviting venue with both indoor and outdoor seating which includes comfy chairs, couches, tables, and counters.  There is a welcoming fireplace, a friendly and accommodating barista named Julian, and gentle music playing in the background, which all go to make up a very pleasant experience.  There is an extensive drink menu as well as pastries, breakfast items, and  lunch offerings.  They also have beer and wine.  Joan had a soy latte with hazelnut flavoring which she enjoyed very much. There are a number of different flavorings to choose from.  It was $4.25.  Sheila had her usual black coffee.  It came in a generous cup and was so delicious she drank the whole thing!  It was $2.50.  We both agreed we'd come back for not only coffee but to try their breakfast and lunch fare.  So if you're downtown, we recommend you stop by Le Petit Paris and sit and relax with a cup of coffee or other drink and enjoy the ambience offered there!

                                                                                                    

                                                                       

  
                                                                               

WithCo Coffee

We are excited to blog about the newest coffee house in San Luis Obispo today! It is called WithCo Coffee and is located in the Creamery Marketplace at 570 Higuera Street.  The Creamery has recently gone through some great changes, adding several new businesses, one of which is WithCo Coffee.  It is an intimate and inviting setting, with some indoor and outdoor seating.  There is an intriguing coffee and tea menu, as well as some goodies to go with your beverage, such as donuts and croissants. They also serve some delicious looking spritzes.  The decor is modern and minimalist with clean fresh lines.  The barista was very friendly and helpful and accommodating. Sheila had an Americano which was $3.00. It was strong and robust.  Joan had what is called on the menu an Ellis Old Fashioned, which is a latte with cinnamon, whole vanilla bean, orange, aromatic bitters, and almond milk.  Joan added some half and half and she says it had a strong flavor of cinnamon  and was delicious, smooth, and had just the right amount of sweetness. It was $6.75. We really like what they say on their website. "At WithCo, we believe in using coffee to build community."  Go check out this newest coffee venue in downtown SLO with a friend.

 Think About It: Consider going to coffee to catch up with a friend and leave your devices behind. 

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.