Broadacre Coffee

Broadacre Coffee

1014 10th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. (916) 442-1085.
http://broadacrecoffee.com/

A button popped off my jeans the other day and it may have been because I've been overindulging in honey soy-lattes at Broadacre Coffee lately. I usually don't go for frou-frou drinks but I can't help it, these lattes are absolutely irresistible. I initially stopped into Broadacre because I heard they were carrying Stumptown Coffee (which is my all time favorite) but now I'm completely hooked on these darn lattes. If I can ever tear myself away from the honey lattes, I'd like to try one of their lavender lattes which I've seen customers swoon over as well.

Anyhow, the guys that bought this place are doing a great job. (The space was formerly occupied by Temple Coffee.) They're friendly, knowledgeable about the various roasts and make a great cup of coffee each and every time I've gone in. They're also always planning fun stuff like Second Saturday coffee bike tours, coffee pop-ups around town and hosting live music with local musicians at the shop. They're a great fit for the Grid. I may have to buy bigger pants if I keep visiting them on a regular basis but they're a welcome addition to the neighborhood.

Temple Coffee House

Temple Coffee House

"Over second and third cups flow matters of high finance, high state, common gossip and low comedy. [Coffee] is a social binder, a warmer of tongues, a soberer of minds, a stimulant of wit, a foiler of sleep if you want it so. From roadside mugs to the classic demi-tasse, it is the perfect democrat. "

~The New York Times, 1949

2829 S Street, Sacramento, CA 95816. (916) 454-1272.
www.templecoffee.com

I love my little cottage, it has everything one could need but sometimes just sometimes...I wish it had a backyard. Just a little one would suffice. Sure, I could trek over to Mr. S.'s. He's got a huge backyard, complete with a shady mulberry tree but sometimes it's nice to be able to lounge just a bit closer to home...that's when I like to take a jaunt down the street to Temple Coffee and sit on their patio. The inside of their S Street location tends to be pretty crowded with java junkies quietly tapping away on their laptops for hours on end (free wi-fi!) but there's usually at least one table open on the patio. It's a great spot to catch a few rays of sunshine while catching up with a friend or reading a book. It's like being in a mini-backyard. Temple also serves up a mean cup of coffee. I really like their Brazilian and Guatemalan roasts. But if you're feeling fancy, splurge and try a pot of their Bliss tea (peppermint tea with vanilla soy milk, coconut milk, and honey)...it's like a little afternoon dessert.

* Bring cash, as they do charge you a fee if you use your ATM/debit card.
* Patio is dog friendly.

Tsuda's in Auburn

Tsuda's in Auburn

103 Sacramento Street, Auburn, CA 95603.
(530) 823-2233. 
www.tsudas.com

Recently, Mr. S. and I snuck away to Auburn to do some small town exploring and while we were there a tiny wooden sign caught our eye..."Award Winning Coffee," it touted. Being big fans of Temple Coffee in Midtown, we just had to check out this ballsy little coffee shop and it's so called award winning coffee. Well, Tsuda's did turn out to have award winning coffee---we loved it...it also turned out that they serve Temple coffee. Ha! How's that for a kick in the pants?

I wish we lived closer to Tsuda's. The charming little coffee shop exudes a laid back vibe and the counter help is super friendly (the kids running the front kind of remind me of the guys from Clerks). They also make the tastiest (and biggest) coconut macaroons I've ever come across, which we enjoyed as we lounged in the comfy chairs and people watched out the picture window. It was nice and quiet in there...plenty of room to relax and nary a laptop or hipster in sight! Definitely, a little oasis in all the hustle and bustle.

Old Soul

Old Soul

1716 L St, Sacramento, CA 95811, (916) 443-7685

I like things simple---whether it's my meals (Japanese usually), my drinks (scotch neat or Jack on the rocks), my clothing (jeans & a tee if I can get away with it).

I had passed the sign for Old Soul the last time I was dragged to McCrapville...errr...Crepeville (sorry, reflex, I hate Crepeville). It was a small inconspicous sign jutting out into the back alley. I figured next time it was a nice weekend day and I had a morning to spare, I'd go exploring.

Since I had a coupla errands to run today in the area, I ducked in there. At first I was a bit surprised. It's pretty much a bare walls operation. Tim, the owner, a nice guy with a friendly smile, introduced himself and advised me that they were a wholesale roasting company but they did also serve the public. He also gave me a write-up, so I could read about the coffee that they were serving that day, while he poured my cup.

The "shop" is a large room with brick walls, a comfy looking couch and I think there was one small bistro set out front. To get in, you walk through a rolled-up garage door. Everything there is $2.00 and they implement the honor system (you make your own change from a large glass jar).

There's no stupid names for the coffee (you're not going to find a venti-caramel- whipped-half nonfat-mocha-chocoattiato with opium sprinkles here) and no long lines. Coffee's hot and served in a plain white paper cup, no frills... and it's pretty darn good! I liked it.

Along the counter, there were a few delectable baked goods (that I think they bake in-house). One immediately caught my eye--- the carrot pecan muffin. Mind you, I'm not a muffin girl. Most are dry, crumbly and illicit a "Pafleeh!" response from me as I spit it out and chuck the remainder in the trash. But Old Soul's carrot pecan muffin was awesome. It was buttery, not too sweet, moist and incredibly tasty... a melt, in your mouth muffin. God, it rocked! I hope it's something they have often because, in the words of our less-than-stellar governor--- I will be baaaaack!! I'm already jonesing for another one.

So, if your looking for some good coffee to sip or a bag of beans to brew, hit up Old Soul. I think their hours are limited. I tried to do an online search for more info, since I have never heard anyone mention the place before but all I could find was a small, recent article in the SNR. I lifted the address and phone number from that article, so I hope it's correct. (Just hook a left turn right before Crepeville, if on L Street. It's in that alley way between L & Capitol).

And be sure and try a carrot-pecan muffin! Old Soul is truly simplicity at it's finest.

Coffee Garden

Coffee Garden

2904 Franklin Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95817, (916) 457-5507

Squirreled away amongst some cute vintage homes in Curtis Park is the Coffee Garden. From the outside, it appears to be a quirky, little neighborhood cafe and its exterior does not deceive. The inside radiates a funky urbanesque vibe and serves up a nice cup of joe.

The front of the house sports comfy chairs and several snooze-worthy couches. There's a smattering of tables for its more studious clientele as well as free Wi-Fi. But meander back to the rear garden, it's what makes this locale special and sets it apart from its competitors. Much like Frances Hodgson Burnett's "Secret Garden," this little oasis offers one a serene setting to catch up on leisurely activities such as --- reading, knitting or just some plain old daydreaming. There are a few fountains interspersed throughout the patio to drown out the hubbub of the street, as well as a fair amount of greenery to insulate one from the chaotic flurry of the "real world." It's easy to see how a person could effortlessly while away the hours here without realizing it.

The shop is open from 7am -10pm daily, which is perfect for those of us who work banker's hours (or close to it) and wish to decompress during the twilight period or to laze about on a weekend. A sincere thanks goes out to my super, cool friends that divulged this little gem as I have a feeling that I'll be patronizing it frequently.