Coffee With Sinclair

Hello! I'm Sinclair, a former barista, just sharing my own personal reviews of different Southern California coffee cafes.  

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11/15 - Tierra Mia Coffee, Pomona

"El mejor café viene de tierra mía".

Tierra Mia is the perfect combo-they offer specialty coffee drinks you won't find at Starbucks, but at many of their locations offer the drive-thru coffee shop model that SoCal residents know and love. They have locations scattered all across Southern California, from La Habra to Downtown Los Angeles, and a Northern California location in Oakland.

Tierra Mia truly is a staple in Los Angeles speciality coffee culture, as it was born in South Gate in 2008. Tierra Mia is a Latino-owned business, with flavors like Mazapan, Horchata, and Cubano coffee.

The pastries, such as the Guava Cheese pastry, and the Churro muffin are to die for, and baked by Tierra Mia themselves. Personally, the Chocolate Chip muffin takes the cake out of all their options.

I can only speak to the Pomona location, as I have yet to visit their other locations.

Of their drinks, I have tried the Matcha latte, Lavender latte, and Pumpkin Spice latte. In the race for best PSL, Starbucks cannot hold a candle to Tierra Mia. Part of what I think makes Tierra Mia special is their range of flavors, but even the flavors they share with other companies, theirs is better. Starbucks is known for their Pumpkin Spice, but Tierra Mia's less sweet and more natural-tasting PSL makes it superior, in my opinion.

The Pomona location, on Indian Hill Boulevard, has a clean interior style, with ample seating inside and a nice patio outside. There is regularly a drive-thru line that extends onto the street much like In-n-Out, so going inside for a coffee is the best bet.

Compared to other coffee shops I've tried, Tierra Mia's espresso seems to pack more of a punch, which could be why it is so addicting. A late night final study sesh with their large Lavender Latte had me feeling electric for a few hours. To me, that makes it worth the money spent.

Tierra Mia is the place to go when you're looking for something a little different, a little more wholesome, but you can't quite make it out of car on your journey. The numerous locations in the greater Los Angeles area means you can pass on the red Starbucks cups for another holiday season.

[coffeewithsinclair]

11/11 - Dirty Penguin, Chino Hills

The one thing that can bring people into a coffee shop (besides good coffee, of course) is a great cafe aesthetic. The Dirty Penguin, a little cafe tucked away in Chino Hills, California at 14708 Pipeline Ave STE C. Its location is not noticeable from the street, which may be hard to find for those not familiar with the area.

The white-tiled walls and neon pink signage are the first thing you notice upon walking inside. Potted plants line the walls and ceiling, and the overall atmosphere is cool. One could easily see themselves taking brunch-worthy selfies anywhere inside the store, or arranging their coffee order for the perfect Instagram story.

Now, onto the drink and food selections: Dirty Penguin seems to have mastered the ideal modern coffee shop menu, complete with food choices like Avocado Toast, Bacon Breakfast Sandwich, and a delightful Lavender Toast. The Lavender Toast, a personal favorite, is a slice of toasted sourdough smothered in a layer of cream cheese and topped with crumbled granola, dried lavender, and a drizzle of golden honey. It makes for the perfect breakfast on a lazy Sunday morning.

For those who are lactose intolerant or have milk allergies, they do offer almond or oat milk upon request.

Drinks here are high on flavor, low on disappointment. Their carefully curated menu is bound to have something for every preference. Let's review some of the hits:

Sea Salted Caramel: A caramel flavored coffee topped with Sea Salt cold foam, this drink is offered hot or iced and tastes like a warm hug. This drink would go well with their classic bagel with cream cheese.

Rose Teapuccino: This drink stands out for multiple reasons, and I'll admit I am biased towards drinks with floral flavors. But the Rose Teapuccino is refreshing and a little different from the norm. It is essentially a London fog tea, made with Earl Grey tea and milk, but the rose flavoring and the addition of dried rose petals topping the drink make it dynamic. A great choice for those looking for a non-coffee drink, and it comes hot or iced.

The Charlie Brown is a crowd favorite, as an iced latte with brown sugar and vanilla bean flavoring, topped with a rich mocha drizzle. This sweet concoction would be great with their avocado toast as a study-break treat.

The Dirty Penguin, much like other coffee shops I've reviewed on my blog, is a great hangout for anyone looking for a peaceful place to get work done, relax after a morning jog, or refuel while running errands. I regularly see groups of moms eating there with strollers in tow, chatting while sipping coffee, or students working on their laptops. Outdoor seating is sparse, and indoor seating isn't super friendly for large groups, but if anything it adds to the coziness of the space.

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11/9 - Klatch Coffee, Chino Hills

Avocado toast, sparkling waters, and coffee galore: Klatch Coffee is a dreamscape for those needing a snack and study haven.

Located in Chino Hills' outdoor shopping center, The Shoppes, Klatch coffee offers both indoor and outdoor seating, with ample parking. The seating options aren't the only plus; a lengthy food menu including breakfast options, paninis, and fresh pastries means you'll want to hang out at Klatch for a while.

The Vanilla Bean latte is a classic drink of theirs, made with delicate vanilla bean syrup, roasted espresso, and your choice of milk. Anyone looking for a reliable pick-me-up would do well trying this drink out, hot or iced. Other notable drink choices include the Chai tea (served hot and iced), Cookies and Creme Frappe (blended iced drink), as well as the seasonal Polar Cold Brew.

Klatch Coffee has a delightful atmosphere, complete with large glass windows and a second loft-like level with limited seating that looks over the first floor. The sign above the counter reads, "Where coffee is the conversation", which couldn't be truer at this cafe. Next to the order window, customers can watch pour-over coffees being brewed fresh per order, adding to the coffeehouse scenery.

Upon entering, it's not unusual to see clusters of students in university sweatshirts hunched over laptops with a sweet drink close by. Klatch Coffee lends itself to a younger crowd, with its modern furniture and lo-fi music playing in the background. However, the wide menu options make it a solid choice for any crowd.

Food is key here: Their stronger nitro cold brew drinks would go well with their Turkey Pesto Panini, which comes with a small salad on the side. The food tastes fresh, including the ham and cheese breakfast sandwich, served on a warm, fluffy croissant. Those looking to satisfy their sweet tooth would need to order the coffee cake, like, immediately. The collection of artisanal toasts, such as the Goat Cheese and Honey toast, highlights the diverse food choices.

A stand-out menu item that would complete even the hottest summer day is the Strawberry Mint Sparkler, which includes lemon soda, strawberry pieces, and fresh mint leaves. After a day of outdoor shopping in a Californian heatwave, it's bound to hit the spot.

Klatch Coffee is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Stop by, take a seat, and relax with the perfect drink in hand.

[coffeewithsinclair]

11/5 - The Night Owl, Fullerton

Picture this: You're tired and weary leaving your 10 a.m. lecture class, and don't have anywhere to be until the afternoon when your lab class begins. The person you sit next to that you've been chatting up all semester (the one with the great smile) mentions that they're free right now if you are, but you don't have anything planned for this spontaneous adventure. What are you going to do, sit down in the Titan Student Union and get smoothies again? No.

I'll tell you what you're going to do, and that's take them to the Night Owl in Fullerton. A cute coffee shop tucked away in downtown Fullerton on the corner of Harbor Blvd. and Amerige Ave., it has the charm and menu selection to suit just about anybody. Whether you're a sleep-deprived college student, a parent needing a little "me time", or a commuter looking to kill time before hitting traffic on the 57, the Night Owl has you covered.

A longtime favorite of mine at their shop is the Lavender London Fog- it comes with soy for those inflicted with lactose intolerance like myself, but you can ask for a different milk if you'd like. The London Fog is a great light choice of drink with floral notes and perfect for anyone who's "just not really into coffee anyways".

The Nutella latte is a must-try, because nothing beats the flavor of chocolate with espresso. Hazelnut flavor is the icing on the cake with this drink, and I personally enjoy it hot or iced. Any of their pastries, but especially the almond croissant, are made for sharing with a date, or among friends while sipping on sweet drinks.

The feeling of the Night Owl is not only inviting, but intriguing too. The back entrance welcomes guests with a large mural of an owl perched in a tree, and upon walking in guests are greeted by artwork along the walls. The furniture cultivates an antique-like atmosphere, and the bright lamp sitting on an end table says "cozy" like nothing else. One could easily sit here pouring over a good book or catching up on emails. There is an outdoor patio by the back entrance that is great for meeting a group of people, or sitting down with friends and family.

The next time you're in Fullerton and looking for "that one place" to hangout, go for a surprise date, or just rest for a bit, don't pass on the Night Owl, you won't regret it.

[coffeewithsinclair]

11/1 - Able Coffee Roasters, Fullerton

Able coffee, located at 2736 Nutwood Ave. in Fullerton, California, is a special treat for anyone needing a caffeine boost after class or commuting to work. Its prime location next to CSUF's College Park building makes it popular on weekend mornings and afternoons when the post-exam crash hits.

Able coffee is more than just a regular coffee shop, it's a coffee shop with a purpose behind it. Able coffee roasters employs those with special needs in a setting that will empower them and give them skills they can apply to other areas as well.

The vibe in the shop is very low-key, with comfy seating and soft music playing in the background. The warm lighting and large windows in the store make it the perfect study spot for Titans looking to get off of campus, and the blue and yellow color scheme throughout the store gives it a very calming presence.

Must Try Drinks: Able's Pumpkin Spice Latte is perfect for the upcoming holiday season, and the Honey Lavender Latte with Oatmilk is a creamy, warm delight that would complement a pastry from Aloha Java just down the street. Able has their own pastries, indcluding a flaky,buttery croissant that is a perfect snack in

Able Coffee features a bookshelf with merchandise ranging from hats to t-shirts, as well as a wide array of stickers to help support their mission. The shirts and hats are definitely trend-worthy, and the stickers would make a great addition to a laptop or a reusable water bottle.

While the location makes it an obvious choice for CSUF students, Able Coffee is also right off the 57 freeway, perfect for commuters and those wanting to grab a coffee quickly before heading out to run errands.

Able is the kind of coffee shop you'll want to come back to again and again.

[coffeewithsinclair]

MEDIA FEST 2022- (not coffee related)

Hello everyone! Today I will be covering Media Fest, a conference held by the Society of Professional Journalists here in Washington D.C. Professors, Advisers, and Journalists out in the field have arrived to D.C. to share their experiences in the industry with students from all around America preparing to step out into their careers.

Today the featured Keynote speakers are Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, two journalists who teamed up to break the Watergate scandal during their time at the Washington Post.

It's a privilege to be able to sit in the same room as them, and absorb their knowledge of the journalism world. Woodward's advice to young journalists: "Don't get too cocky".

Today there will also be some standout sessions such as: "Get the scoop: How to Win Over Sources and Break News on Your Beat", "Freelancing 101", and "Keeping News Alive in Small Town America". There are also organizations tabling here today, such as Sinclair Broadcasting, Report for America, and USC Annenberg to connect with visitors and discuss opportunities.

So far, this conference has been a great way for journalism students to seek mentors, score internship opportunities, and take time to explore downtown D.C. (for those of us who haven't been, myself included).

Stay tuned for my livestream and Instagram story posts to follow!