Summer time is coffee time

My professor told me her favorite drink was coffee was in the summer. I thought it was a total oxymoron hot coffee in the summer? Yeah, right.

Turns out, she like to freeze milk ice cubes (I guess that's what you would call them) and put them in her coffee in the morning. I haven't tried it yet, but I did finally try an iced coffee from Sugar House Coffee.

I've always been a little nervous about iced coffee. I don't know why, something about the cold of a drink usually served hot seemed really off-putting to me. Lately, it's been so nice and summery, I decided to just go for it and try cold coffee.

I had an iced karmel sutra latte from Sugar House. It was delicious! I already knew I loved the karmel sutra, but iced was just as good as hot. Looks like I have a new summer wake up drink.

Tomorrow: milk ice cubes and coffee.

Coffee

Today, I must reflect on the meaninglessness of decaf. Really? Really?? What we're the inventors of decaffeinated coffee hoping to accomplish when they first extracted the caffeine from the coffee bean. What's the freakin' point?

This morning in my apartment we were out of regular coffee because we haven't been grocery shopping in a couple weeks. One day a few months back Miss Ava mistakenly bought some decaf grounds so that's all we had on hand. Erin made the coffee just the same as always, but it's not the same.

I apologize to all the decaf coffee drinkers in this world, but I must ask why? How does a cup of flavored, hot water wake you up in the morning. If I wanted decaf, I'd drink tea. This is why I must agree with the Sugar House Coffee slogan "Death to Decaf."

That's all.

Tulie Bakery

Bow to the Cuteness

Last Saturday, Ava was having great psychic connections to all things good food. After eating at Cafe Trio we decided to stop next door at Tulie at 863 East 700 South. Just to check out the cool building and see what the bakery had to offer.

How do you say so adorable you'll want to cry tears of joy?

Tulie is made of cuteness. Really. I promise. I can't show you because I forgot my camera. But their treats are tasty and adorable.

I ordered the lemon cream tart. It was delicious! I have a sweet tooth for lemon. It's a great combination of sweet and sour. The crust was nice and flaky, but thick enough you didn't bite only into cream. It was even garnished with candied lemon rind. Making the tart amazingly adorable and yummy. For $4.25 (if I remember correctly) it was big enough I took it home and polished it off the next day. The yumminess lasted and the adorableness still amazes me.

Ava ordered the chocolate cake. It was also $4.25 a slice. The cake was very rich and chocolaty so I didn't try it. But judging from Ava's excitement about going back to Tulie it was delicious.

We also drank their house coffee. At $1.50 a cup it's reasonable priced for any coffee shop. The coffee was good. Not the worst, not the best. It was a medium bodied roast with a bright finish. (Read a little bitter at the end.)

So that's a wrap. For delectable treats and a great atmosphere, Tulie's is the place for an afternoon snack.

Also be sure to check out some of my reviews and other writings at www.westminsterforum.net.

What amazingly cute place have you been to lately?

Sugar House Coffee

You knew it was coming...the coffee talk. That special time in a person's life when they get to hear all about the ins and outs of coffee beans. Okay maybe that isn't what you were expecting, but how can I resist the chance to discuss one of my favorite beverages?

I can't. Mmm...coffee. Undoubtedly, one of the best smells to wake up to coffee is the undisputed king of mornings. Coffee starts it's life as a seed the little seed grows into a tree. The beans are harvested, roasted, ground and brewed. Finally, you have a cup of coffee.

I don't know about you, but that sounds like too much work for my 6 a.m. wake up call. That is why coffee shops are successful. My favorite coffee shop is Sugar House Coffee at the corner of 2100 South and McClelland Street (about 1050 East).

Sugar House coffee has had a difficult year. They were evicted from their previous location and with the move across the street they have lost the majority of their clientèle. But they haven't lost their charm.

This coffee shop embodies the soul of the Sugar House neighborhood. It is eclectic, sweet, independent, friendly and liberal. The baristas offer not only some of the greatest coffee in the world with a super cool latte art to compliment your muffin, but coffee bar therapy. It is immediately apparent that these guys care about their profession--coffee and their customer--you.

Although, Sugar House has a menu including food, I stick to the lattes. I definitely recommend their mazurka bars, muffins and fruit. Everything on the menu is bought locally and vegan friendly. Coffee is about $1.50 a cup. A latte will run you at about $3. If you don't find your service tip worthy it must be a sign of an apocalyptic ending just moments away.