Caffe Shakerato

Caffe Luxxe
Coffee shop
(1) 310 – 394. 2222
2925 Montana Avenue
Santa Monica, California 90403

www.caffeluxxe.com

Open Hours:
6:00 am –  8:00 pm   Monday   – Friday
6:30 am –  8:00 pm   Saturday – Sunday

Caffe Luxxe was by far the best coffeehouse we visited whilst in LA.  Their glittering Italian coffee machine creates wonderful cups of cafe bliss under the hands of their knowledgeable baristas.  Los Angeles, as compared to NY or SF, seems a bit behind the café curve.  A theory could be do to the lack of pedestrian neighborhoods where these types of specialty shops thrive, rather then the palate of the citizenry.  One of the few neighborhood type places is Santa Monica- and that is where we found Caffe Luxxe.  (There is a second location in Brentwood which we did not visit).

Tall ceilings top white walls which are covered with beautiful, framed coffee photography by Tom Benedek.  A few tables with silver chairs seat about 20.  The main L shaped counter is home to a display of pastries, chocolate bars and croissants.

The cappuccino was quite smooth, while the Caffe Shakerato (hand shaken espresso with milk and ice) was extremely yummy on a hot day!  The Caffe Nico (espresso, candied orange and steamed half&half) was quite strong and made a great dip for the light, airy macaroon.    I sampled an excellent drip coffee as well to complete the test trifecta.

The Caffe Nico

Caffe Shakerato

Cappuccino

Cappuccino

Macaroons

King John’s Hunting Lodge
Tea Room
(44) (0) 124 – 973 0313
21 Church Street
Lacock, Wiltshire, SN15  2LB
England

Opening Hours:
11:00am – 5:30ish pm   Tuesday – Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays

www.kingjohnslodge.2day.ws.
MAP

In the über picturesque village of Lacock, in a tiny Tudor building (1167 – 1216), behind a garden of poppies and wild flowers, sits the lovely King John’s Hunting Lodge Tea House.

Arriving along the ancient lane,  you float through the gate and garden. Soaking in the pure Englishness of the scene.  Pitched roofs, dripping windows, muted brick and bright flowers set the scene for an excellent spot of tea.

Our arrival on a cool early spring day, gave us an idea of how important these warm homey spots were.  Brushing off the chill we soaked up the warm ambiance.  Once settled, we indulged in the “King John’s Royal Tea”, which included delectable Tea sandwiches (A yummy Welsh Rarebit for me – wish I had one now!) & warm scones served with local fruit jams and organic Jersey clotted cream.

(above photo © Hiro Nakamura )

We spread it on everything we could!  Of all the scones and jams I’ve had, this sitting raised the bar yet again.  Looking at the origins, I could see this being the perfect calorie filled breakfast for farmers setting out for a day’s labor.

A lighter version is the “Margart’s Cream Tea” which is the same, without the sandwiches.   Pretty blue and white china bore all the treats in a manor befitting the period-ness of Lacock

A daily menu includes soups, homemade breads, delicious pastries, mackerel cakes and more!  There is a fine selection of tea, hot chocolate, coffee, spiced apple, elderflower presse, hot berry bliss … and a little shop for take away.

Really just a pleasant place to lunch – thoroughly English

Juan Valdez Cafe+(57) 5 664 2500
Plaza De la Universidad
Calle San Agustin Con Calle De La Universidad
Esquina 6-15
Cartagena, Colombia
www.juanvaldezcafe.com

Open Hours:
8:00am-10:00pm every day

The best coffee in Cartagena also opened every day (rare)  located at a small square in the old city across from the Universidad of Cartagena.

The shop has Wireless Internet Service all you need to do is buy a coffee or a pastry and ask the cashier for the code, this will give you about 30 minutes connection service so just buy another coffee and you will get more minutes.

The pastries are OK, but if you are into sweetening your palate, order a gelato from the adjacent ice cream shop. On the second floor is a pizza parlour, not bad (though it’s no Pizza al Parque); order personal pizzas at the Ice Cream Counter

Juan Valdez is also a great place to buy souvenirs and beautiful Colombian coffee to prepare at home!