Category: coffee shop

Drugstore Cowboy

Dana Z.Leave a comment

So I’m in Deep Ellum because, honestly, I needed time to be surrounded by my fellow hipsters and to have some me time. Deep Ellum in Dallas is the cliché hipster neighbourhood here. It’s grungy, there’s coffee shops everywhere, and bars that probably serve drinks I cannot even pronounce. Plus, everything seems to be fair trade, vegan friendly, and it feels comforting to be in this neighbourhood for some reason. Maybe it’s the concert venues, maybe it’s the constant flow of coffee & donuts, or maybe it’s just the gritty feeling of it mixed with up & coming. It’s probably the gentrification of it that feels familiar of the Bay unfortunately.

But anyway. I saw Drugstore Cowboy when I was getting brunch with a few friends the weekend before next door. I wanted to stop in but after brunch, i couldn’t justify another cup of strong coffee. But I’m definitely glad I stopped in when I did.

I took Sunday morning while my boyfriend went to work to take myself on a date to Deep Ellum and finally check out this super hipster coffee joint out for myself. It looks like it’s almost in an old pharmacy storefront with the reclaimed wood bar and the industrial feel to it. And I’m sure that’s exactly what they’re going for with the name. It perfectly encapsulates Texas with hipster. It’s adorable.

I went for their drip coffee and some water as I’ve had more than my alloted lattes for the week and I’m trying to stick to my diet. But dang, even their drip coffee is strong. It makes me wonder what their espresso drinks are like. Maybe next time I’ll try their lavender or flavoured lattes. Since we all know anything lavender is my jam.

This place is especially cute because it reminds me a little of my old neighbourhood in Chicago. It has open mic nights and an open jam session too. Of course they’re way past my bed time or else I’d check them out. Maybe next weekend I’ll make myself stay up til 10PM to see what local artists are coming up here. I’m thinking date night with the boo?

I’m not sure if I’ll be frequenting this spot for more than a cup of joe and go but the reclaimed wood tables and cozy feel are definitely a hipster paradise. Plus, they sell kombucha — a major selling point for me, not going to lie. And if you decide to imbibe, their alcohol options are from local Dallas or Texas breweries and they have extensive options available. I’m taking a bit off from drinking so I can really focus on finding work that makes me excited (besides this blog of course!) and it’s really nice to see a spot really dedicate their menus to supporting local companies.

Anyway, if you’re in the Dallas area and need a real dose of hipster, check out Drugstore Cowboy. Their coffee is strong, the baristas are cool, and you’ll have some quality people watching — even at 10AM on a Sunday!

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Brewed+Pressed

Dana Z.Leave a comment

Sweet mother of pearl, this place doesn’t belong in Dallas, let along the West Village neighbourhood (which for you non-Dallasites is a blend of uppity ad affordable. It’s weird), but I’m sure glad it does. I’ve been looking for a place like this in Dallas that was a perfect mix of hipster, organic, and local. And I think I’ve found it here in Brewed+Pressed.

Fair warning, walking in, you get the feeling that this place belongs in California (ie either Berkeley or Venice) or New York City. Its fresh, clean, and has organic everything. For Christ’s sake, they make their own pumpkin seed milk in-house. If that doesn’t scream hipster, I don’t know what does. Plus, they’ve got plants almost everywhere, the decor is somewhat Scandinavian or Ikea and they have a wall made of living greens. It’s crazy. But I love it. 

It’s been a rough few days for me here. I lost my job, my dog wants to chew on every piece of clothing I wear, and I’m just tired. But I saw one of my dearest and oldest friends the other day and I don’t know about y’all but this friend in particular always just knows the right thing to say to give me a pep talk. It was great seeing him and his new girlfriend. I am so excited for both of them, it’s ridiculous. Isn’t it funny how just seeing a dear friend puts your spirits back at ease?

Anyway, back to Brewed+Pressed. If you’re in the dallas area and aren’t afraid of a little (or a lot..) hipster coffee joint, come here. You’ll get good coffee, some tonics that are supposedly good for you, and you’ll have some stellar people watching to boot.

Since I have some more time now, what do you guys want to see in the next few weeks?! Sound off in the comments!

Dollop Coffee

Dana Z.Leave a comment

Okay so I’m finally settling into a routine back here in Texas and knew that i HAD to do a post on Dollop Coffee in Chicago’s Gold Coast. This place is freakishly adorable and only a couple blocks to Lake Michigan. Which is just plain fantastic since if you sit in the right spot on their patio, you can totally see the lake. And if it’s nice out, there’ll be people out enjoying the start of summer.

If you’ve never been to Chicago, I definitely recommend checking out the lake and surrounding areas. It’s got this vibrancy that isn’t really similar to any place else unless you grew up on an ocean or at another spot on Lake Michigan. This body of water is freakishly huge — i’m still sometimes surprised it’s a lake. But anyway, back to coffee.

Apparently, Dollop Coffee has a few spots around Chicago but the one I went to is just off the Miracle Mile, a go to if you’re a shopping fanatic. I’m not but kudos if you are. I ordered their almond milk vanilla latte and though it wasn’t the best cup I’ve ever had, the location, atmosphere, and the staff more than made up for it.

Their pastries looked fantastic but my stomach was acting funny so decided to stay with something I already knew and take a walk in my old stomping grounds. But this place is small, cute, and totally perfect for what a local Chicago coffee shop should be.

4/5 

4/5

The Coffee Shop in Lafayette, CA

Dana Z.Leave a comment

So I recently went back to my hometown/part of California last week for part business part finally seeing my parents new house in the East Bay of San Francisco. And during my super short vacation to my favourite state, I caught up with an old friend of mine who i’ve known since middle school at a place called The Coffee Shop.

At first, when he mentioned meeting there for coffee and catching up, i didn’t know that its actual name was The Coffee Shop. But apparently they also have a location in Walnut Creek and though it may insanely hipster, it has a great atmosphere and great caffeine. I got their matcha latte (sorry, diet, but at least it’s high in antioxidants?) and my friend got some of their coffee. Their ‘for here’ cups are insanely adorable and this great blue colour. And it was a great day for sitting out on their patio at one of the high tops.

I was a little worried when i first walked up because the line was almost out the door and it was only 1030AM or so. I thought at least we’d beat the morning rush! But the line was worth it. The staff was friendly and I wish i lived in he area still so I could make this spot a regular go to to work at! Super cute and in downtown Lafayette as well.

Plus, their colours are yellow, gray, and blue with a logo of an upside down man with a bowler hat. Can it get any more fantastic than that?!

If you’re in the Lamorinda area and have some extra time, check this spot out! There might be a line but it’ll be worth it. I can’t wait to try some of their food and stronger caffeine the next time!

Crooked Tree Coffeehouse

Dana Z.Leave a comment

I went to this spot a few weeks ago after running errands with the boyfriend. Luckily, he loves discovering new spots with me, all in the name of research & caffeine. I mean, seriously. Could I have gotten any luckier? Anyway.

This spot is actually located in an old home and is super adorable. They have a plain list to choose from but the coffee is amazing. I got a simple soy vanilla latte and my boyfriend got an americano. The layout is adorable and feels really cozy. Plus, there’s a great but small outdoor area to sit and would be perfect for a fall day.

I could definitely see myself doing work here and getting lost in people watching as well. The seating arrangements are interesting but just contribute overall to the cozy astethic and like you’re actually in a treehouse. Or at least, somewhere surrounded by nature.

If you’re in the uptown area of Dallas and are looking for a coffee shop slightly off the beaten path, check this place out. It’s cute, the baristas are nice, and it’s worth a second trip. Or at the very least, a second cup of caffeine

Drip Coffee

Dana Z.Leave a comment

So I’m sitting in this coffee shop that I stumbled up on Yelp because it’s a day where I got  my hair cut and I need to treat myself. Plus, who doesn’t love finding new coffee shops that smell like freshly roasted coffee beans as soon as they walk in? Just me? Okay fine.

It’s a cute local spot down the street from my hair salon and is very non descript on the outside but their vanilla latte is surprisingly good. Not the best I’ve had but better than expected. And its strong too, which is absolutely fantastic and surprisingly hard to find here in Dallas. But they do have free wi-fi which I throughly enjoy.

And they have ample seating too! Where you don’t feel like you’re taking up space if you sit and stay a while to work or catch up with somebody you havent’ seen in a while. It’s a cute spot that I just might come back to if I’m running into Trader Joes or getting my hair cut. Plus the name? Too adorable and I’m surprised somebody else hasn’t picked it up here in Dallas or anywhere else for that matter. Very clever, Drip Coffee, very clever.

Anyway, if you’re in the area and need a quick caffeine fix, I’d recommend it. But not necessarily to seek out solely for the ambiance.

3.5/5 

Method Coffee

Dana Z.Leave a comment

Recently, a friend recommended this spot over in East Dallas and I decided to take a chance. Their Yelp page looked fantastic, seemed to have the perfect blend of hipster and modern, and their coffee selection looked fantastic. So this morning, since I’m finally over a gnarly cold that had me waking up coughing (gross, I know), I decided to treat myself to a new coffee shop in a part of town I hadn’t really explored yet. Plus, there was a really cute dog in a planter that greeted me when I walked on the patio to go through the front door. Score!

I ordered a 2% lavender latte, a seemingly new go to order for me, and a cinnamon roll. Not the best for starting a healthier lifestyle, but hey. I’ve been better this week so sometimes you just need to treat yourself, right? Hopefully  your answer’s the same as mine – an enthusiastic yes!

What I really enjoyed about this spot is that it quickly became apparent that it’s a great place to work. Free wi-fi, ample table space, and enough places to sit where you dont feel too bad about comandeering one for a bit one morning. These are definitely some of the perks I look for in a coffee shop when I’m planning on spending at least a couple hours in to work on the blog, do some research, or even get out of the apartment for a bit. But i think my favourite aesthetic part of the coffee shop is the exposed brick wall they have by the barista bar. I’m a sucker for brick walls with wood accents. call me a secret hipster or the next fixer-upper star, I don’t care. But I love it. Feels super rustic, warm, welcoming, and very homey to me. Maybe it reminds me of my childhood or something, I don’t know.

But if you’re in the Dallas area, specifically just north of deep ellum, you should definitely check out this spot. It’s adorable, decent coffee, and an adorable aesthetic. I promise you won’t regret it.

4.5/5