JP Fields

Extraordinary Desserts in Hillcrest on 5th Avenue. They server Zumbar Coffee for their espresso and Lion’s 100% Kona for their drip. Write-up coming soon!

(Source: sandiegojoe)

sandiegojoe:

Located along South Coast Highway 101 in Encinitas, St. Germains offers a coastal retreat for coffee lovers and foodies alike. Take the Encinitas historic walking tour: EAT at St. Germains; PRAY at the Self-realization Temple, and fall in LOVE with coastal living.

Whether you’re an early bird or brunch lover, St. Germains brews up a superb cup of Joe roasted specially for them by none other than San Diego’s own solar powered Cafe Moto. And yes, they passed my soy latte test with flying colors—smooth and yummy. Okay, so I won’t be overly brunch and coffee-centric, and tell you they also do dinner and serve loose leaf tea, supplied, once again, with love and care by Cafe Moto.

If you know me, you know I’m a brunch person. Breakfast requires me to be awake before ten, and I’ve tried resetting my internal clock. Ain’t gonna happen. So, I of course ordered the brioche french toast, and was immediately transported to sweet, buttery CARBO-HYDRATE HEAVEN! Perfect golden texture. No soggy bits. Pure perfection. My girlfriends chose the grilled veggie and the tuna salad sandwiches (see above). We of course exchanged bites, and wow, super fresh and delicious—And I’m not a fan of tuna unless it happens to be Ahi (lightly seared with sesame ANYTHING—please and thank you).

Once full, your frontal lobe thoroughly plied with the elixer of transcendance that I like to call coffee, your spiritual journey can begin unfettered by migrane and tummy growls. And you will be free to pray in peace and be ready to give and receive the abundant love the universe has in store for you. Doesn’t that sound nice? Breath in… Breath out… Until next time, Namaste, my little coffee addicts. This Guru has some eating AND drinking to do…

sandiegojoe:

Home Brew Review

@SPACEBAR internet cafe in La Mesa has a Nicaraguan whole bean coffee “Mindfully Roasted and Packaged” especially for them by Cafe Virtuoso that is so mind-blowingly-delish, I added it to my Christmas gift packages this last Holiday. My brother now insists that along with Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels, I make sure to include HIS coffee from here on out.

The reason this medium-dark roast is so amazing is the soil in which it is planted. This particular bean came from a coffee planted in soil previously used for cocoa, so the chocolate worked into the soil worked its way into the beans themselves—which gives it a pleasing aroma and taste that makes every morning feel like Christmas (minus the screaming kids crying about hating the scratchy sweater Grandma knitted them). No more pretending to be good year round. It’s Christmas in a cup. Just order, grind, brew and jingle-jingle it’s time to mingle.

Merry—whatever time of year it is! Enjoy!

sandiegojoe:

Located in University Heights off Mission Avenue (between Alabama and Mississippi) is a gem of a coffee cafe called Mystic Mocha; serving up yummy brunch and super yummy coffee from one of San Diego’s very own green and socially conscious roasters, Cafe Moto. There’s a whole lotta local love going on in this corner suite. In fact, the owner lives next door, so he has a vested interest in making sure his neighbors are happy. You have to when they know where you live…

As I enjoyed my chorizo breakfast burrito (Thanks @sdchurchlady for hooking me up), I could not help but notice the easy relationship between the baristas and the patrons; this clearly is a local treasure. I ordered a soy latte, although I hear their peanut butter mocha is absolutely fabu darlink. Why order a soy latte right out of the gate?

The first reason is obvious, I’m what I like to call “Lactose Challenged.” The second reason, is that in my experience, if you can get the shot right and make the soy taste just as good as milk or cream, you’re doing pretty good. As I’ve said before, most places make soy lattes taste like cardboard dipped in day old drip. How hard can it be? If you can’t get this fundamental drink right, you either burnt the shot, you’re using bad product, or both. Mystic Mocha nailed it. A latte should be smooth enough that you don’t need sugar. The sugars in the milk or soy should be enough to tame the acidity for a strong, but smooth finish.

I’ll definitely be back soon Mystic Mocha. In fact, once I tell my hubs about your peanut butter mocha, he may try to take open and notorious possession of your outdoor patio, which is legal fancy pants talk for “Move-in.” Warning: If he should sleep walk do not attempt to wake him. Also, should his snoring be a nuisance, just tap him gently and he’ll roll over.

He’s not so bad; he flosses and brushes his teeth regularly and always puts the seat down. In fact, in our five years together, he’s only forgotten the latter once…ONCE.

sandiegojoe:

HOME BREW REVIEW

While my full review of Bird Rock Coffee Roasters in La Jolla is pending a longer visit and deeper examination, hopefully not just to taste, but also to enjoy one of their class offerings (see pic above), I did, fortunately, snag some of their beans to taste for my Home Brew Review.

All I can say is “Hugo Morales, if you’re listening, and you’re not married, poor, too short for me, have bad teeth or a club foot, I promise to love you as long as your coffee continues to taste this damn good and it remains sustainable enough to farm from here until eternity!”

I realize I said a lot just then, and maybe it seems a little loco to fall for a Farmer in Guatemala that I’ve never even met, especially since I’m married and I have Two And A Half Dogs to feed, but I’ve tasted his goodness. It is pure as the driven snow. And I’m sure he’s looking toward California caught up with an unshakeable feeling that somewhere he is loved…almost unconditionally… And if his shirtless form is the same strong caramel I’ve found in his coffee, I know he will not disappoint…

But alas, we are worlds apart and airfare is outrageous, so I shall just pretend that his beans are little tiny tokens of his love. And I will find the strength to drink them…through tears and a longing for what might have been… And each time I drink, I shall whisper “Aqui te amo…”

sandiegojoe:

Swami’s Cafe 8284 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa, CA 91941. Other locations in Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside. 

You wake in a sweat. It’s late morning. The night before is a blur of Magic Mike, cheap wine, expensive wine, free shots (of what you can’t be sure, but they tasted good). Maybe you shouldn’t have joked about rohypnol with the way your head is pounding… You look around, seriously contemplating the hair of the dog that bit you remedy. But you were bit by so many damn dogs last night finding out which it was would be near impossible, besides you’re sure you’re still drunk; the seemingly long, but short walk down the hallway to your your friend’s bathroom feels like traversing a fishing boat on the high seas. You know what you need and fast—coffee and a damn good breakfast mi Amigo!

Nothing puts your liver, stomach and head on the road to recovery like hand selected fresh from the farmer’s market brunch, and great coffee from Gavina. With a family legacy stretching back to 1870, Gavina does not disappoint. That Familia knows their coffee beans and their history. If you like your coffee Black, and don’t order something frilly, like moi (soy latte, please and thank you), then you really must try Swami’s Blueberry coffee from their open coffee bar. Amazing. Never thought of pairing my favorite berry with my favorite beverage. Turns out to be a great tasting idea. Muy bien! Magnifico! Which, I believe is Spanish for—Brilliant! Come on! High School was a long time ago para mi.

Swami’s is a solid cafe when you’re in need of some damn good local grub and damn good coffee. Since I’m finishing this review on Hunter S. Thompson’s 75th Birthday, I have a very Hunter-esk endorsement for Swami’s, “Buy the ticket, take the ride San Diego!”