destination.running

running for coffee & croissants...in brooklyn (mostly)

[destinationrunning]

destination: verve coffee roasters, |33 grand street pop up| williamsburg, brooklyn

mileage: 4 miles on foot (...+ 6 miles pedal pushing)

musical inspiration: winter mix

saturday's december heat wave (reaching 55 degrees) along with me not wanting to waste precious daylight underground led to a six mile pre/post-run bike ride to "pick up" my weekend running buddy for our destination to williamsburg. i haven't moved my two wheeler from it's comfy nook in oh, i dunno, maybe since summer time. (yes, i'm ashamed). thankfully i wasn't too rusty, though the tires on the other hand were lacking a little more air than i had hoped, they still got me to my destination in one piece.

the run wasn't much to write home about. we got a wonderful view of...industrial brooklyn. us gals held a steady pace and breezed right through the four miles with a little energy to spare. it feels good to know i can take a few days (…or a week) off and bounce right back to pounding the pavement.

a fellow coffee admirer recently recommended i take the opportunity to destination to verve coffee roasters, who recently set up a little holiday pop-up cafe (teaming up with rudy's barbershop and polar clothing company) in williamsburg. being a pop-up and all, they aren't planning on getting too comfy in brooklyn, which i find to be rather unfortunate.

this isn't rudy's first rodeo with the espresso + trim marriage - last holiday season they teamed up with stumptown coffee. the barber shop slash espresso bar tag team seems to be a trendy new wave washing over brooklyn at the moment (parlor coffee at persons of interest is still on the DR list). will it last? who knows, but i dig the collaborations. 

verve shares a decent sized space with rudy's barbershop and portland based clothier poler (rumor has it, they might be more of a permanent fixture). they occupy the front area of the store with a bit of counter space, a La Marzocco Strada EP and Chemex brew bar, a dedicated grinder for single origin espresso, and a little wooden coffee rail accompanied by a few sturdy stools. a cozy, sink-right-in-when-you-sit kinda couch comfortably welcomes a group of three, four if you're not opposed to being nice and snug. this perfect trio evokes a very north eastern winter meets airy west coast charm; everyone working radiates a sort of warm, neighborly, altruistic san francisco vibe. it's charming.

now, i'm not a coffee connoisseur by any means. i just happen to be a gal with a soft spot for coffee who needed a motivation to run and desires to share her adventures, all in hopes to inspire you to get out there and explore brooklyn's coffee culture (and to get your body in motion). so what i may fancy, you may not. such is life, right? oh, and of course experience and company plays a huge role as well, am i wrong?

that being said lets get back to the coffee.

i doubled up on the street level espresso - well aware that my source knows his coffee, i figured i shouldn't mess around. 

i've been very hesitant to order an espresso lately. honestly, i’ve got a special place in my heart for the espresso blend we serve up at my home base in tribeca. i ordered it anyway. i figured, if anything, i'll just order something else afterward. here’s one for the record: caffé vita has some competition.  it's not an espresso i usually favor; street level (which i was told is a blend of two beans from guatemala) finishes with a little after bite of citrus, which you must know by now i'm not a huge fan of.  but i'm telling you, they've created a fantastic balance; the citrus doesn't over power and make your tastebuds freak out.

and just because i'm a sucker for a cup of black coffee, i got one for the road. (health coach or not, coffee is my vice). today's easy going barista said she was brewing kochere from ethiopia. why not try it out? at first sniff, kochere had a lingering aroma of blueberry pancakes (instantly made me hungry) and notes i couldn't quite put my finger on until reading up on it: meyer lemon. that lemony, slightly sweet, not overly acidic lingering mouthfeel. didn't love it, didn't hate it. drank the whole cup and was completely content besides having a slight case of the caffeine shakes.

if you live in the neighborhood, stop by. if you don’t, run your butt over there and show your support (maybe bribe them to stay a little longer). they’ll be doling out coffee and camp//hipster gear through the end of january.

east coast love,

michelle

[destinationrunning]

destination: el rey, lower east side, new york

mileage: 6 miles

musical inspiration: the xx

i've crossed the williamsburg bridge before with the same bridge runner i mentioned in the previous post, but there's nothing quite like defeating a bridge on your own accord. 

most people want to tell you it's not about the destination, but the journey. i get it. this six mile journey over the desolate bridge was pretty remarkable and inspiring. but that doesn't mean the destination (this time around consisting of coffee + life talks with a dear friend) doesn't have to be put into consideration. 

i've stopped looking at which roaster cafés serve prior to running there. for instance, say by chance they offer stumptown and for some oddball reason i think their coffee is over roasted (ehem...just sayin'), the cafe already has a strike before i even get there. it's just not right, plus, i am a gal that loves surprises anyway. 

i've passed el rey a handful of times on my stroll down stanton street to yoga. if you blink, you'll miss it. there is a painted sign on a sort of pillar outside the door that whispers it's name. inside, however, a cursive, neon, turquoise sign screams: el rey. 

my old destination partner in crime would appreciate this place. for starters they are playing cold play (her favorite), but mostly because of the lighting. i'm sure i've mentioned this before, but sarah taught me a lot about atmosphere and lighting in my own space and i've come to notice it much more intensely in places i venture to on my destinations. it's soft, yet still bright; a bit like a brisk winter morning on a snowy day.

the menu is written on a large mirror lining the wall behind the baristas. it is true, mirrors do make a place appear and feel much more vast than they are. there are three high top tables and a drink rail lining the window (both inside and outside). 

moving on...

as i held my breath to see their roaster of choice, i quietly let out a sigh of relief when i noticed the big five pound bags of counter culture. honestly, you'd be shocked to know i'm not a complete coffee snob, but after a brisk december run, all i ever really crave is a delicious, warm cup of coffee and maybe some oj.

the heavenly looking baked goods are done in house. an assortment of cakes: carrot cake, coconut honey, and banana sesame lined the middle shelf. not sure what was up with me this week, but i just wasn't feeling like my coffee needed a sweet treat companion. guess i'll have to retrace my steps ;)

back to the coffee. counter culture is a great go to; it's not my favorite, but it's definitely right up there. personally, i feel like their rustico roast of choice is a pretty forgiving one (in the absolute best way possible). it offers a good cushion for baristas, especially those in training.  i feel like most cafes that offer counter culture serve rustico for espresso. it's a bit complex, but i appreciate the challenge it gives me to pick up on a flavor profile. it's the same profile i get from most espresso i fall passionately in love with: chocolate and stone fruit, maybe a hint of sugar...brown sugar. that molasses note that sneaks up at the end tastes a bit like brown sugar. it's no vita. honestly though, i don't envy any cafe that has to follow that destination run, but someone has to. 

can't make it in for a morning pick me up? that's alright. stop by after work for a craft beer on tap. i know if i ever get to opening a place it would be quality coffee during the day and local craft beer on tap in the evening (...or afternoon). 

doing good el rey, doing good. 

-michelle 

[destinationrunning]

destination: caffé vita, lower east side, new york mileage: 5 miles musical inspiration: some random pump it up mix

the only thing between my new nikes and caffé vita was the ultimate tourist trap: the brooklyn bridge. and who better to defeat that iron and steel beast on a windy, thirty degree morning with than the bridge runner herself, miss sal morrone. i wouldn't say bridges are my strength (unless we are starting at the middle of the bridge and going down) but they are without a doubt empowering. hello runners high! another bridge bites the dust. (clap, clap).

squeezed into a 120(ish) square foot space on ludlow (a street more known for their whiskey shots than espresso shots) you will find THE caffé vita.

on my first adventure to this coffee shack a few months past, i went a little out of my comfort zone and opted for the kyoto (an eighteen hour slow drip that packs a powerful punch). for a gal that can barely handle a double espresso without getting the shakes, i clearly had no idea what this liquid gold was capable of. i'm only slightly exaggerating when i say you could see my heart beat through my shirt when i stumbled out. this time around, i was a bit wiser. while scoping out the menu, the barista made it known he was eager to get our order and get on with his tasks (in the friendliest way possible mind you). after cautioning sal about the kyoto, we opted to play it safe with PacNors (yes, this is yet another name for the cortado//gibraltar).

while the coffee master was busy executing the order, i eyed the pastries. "ceci cela?" check. i'm not sure if i should be proud or not to know that i can now tell which bakery the pastries are coming from. either way, no harm done with a little pat on the ol' back. after clearly being indecisive, i could feel sal glaring at me with the "let's not be ridiculous, we both know damn well what you are going to order," look. sometimes i surprise myself, but nah, not today. pain au chocolat it is. trés bon, ceci cela. 

as for the PacNors? utter perfection. the corners of my mouth delightfully turned up and were pinned into dimples for the time being. yes, a perfect cup of coffee can tickle me pink. (i know i'm not the only one with a coffee vice). caffe del sol is their signature espresso blend. although rich and complex, it remains soft and smooth with a sweet caramel finish. sigh.

it's tough to describe this pocket sized roastaria. if it wasn't for the enormous neon punchinello sign glaring at you as your turn off rivington, i'd say it would be quick to miss. dark, but not too dark. busy, but not too busy. intimate, but not too intimate. fitted with just enough room for counter space (equipped with a la Marzocco GS2 espresso machine) and a slender drink rail, it's not particularly conducive for sipping on premisses, which i kind of loved. oh, they did, however, thankfully manage to make room for their small century old probot and gothot roaster near the back. priorities first people. 

a few interesting tidbits...

pioneers of the farm direct movement, this independent, locally owned eight years young company was born in seattle. they are constantly traveling the globe in pursuit of exceptional coffees that meet high standards of environmental and social sustainability.

it's not very often that you stumble upon a company that insists each and every coffee they purchase have a fully traceable path from farm to roaster. that's not just love. that, my fellow coffee admirers, is passion.

these in-house roasters take pride in what they do. using vintage probat and gothot roasters allows them full manual control over the process and the ability to monitor and adjust every stage of flavor development. sadly, each time i've wandered in it just so happens to be on a non- roasting day.

i am smitten. Vita, if i may, you have easily stolen my coffee loving heart and i hands down deem you unrivaled. (at least in manhattan; brooklyn, we should agree, is on a whole different playing field).

bowing out, 

michelle

[destinationrunning]

destination: ap cafe, bushwick, brooklyn

mileage: 5 miles

musical inspiration: fall mix

much to my luck, on my first destination run to bushwick, i've stumbled upon a diamond in the rough. 

a co-worker of mine, who is quite the coffee snob (really, aren't all us baristas?), has mentioned this place to me a handful of times over the past couple of months. his girlfriend lives close by and apparently it's all the rage (yeah, i know, an outdated term, but it's fitting). 

after losing my sense of direction a few times (blaming it on all the construction going on), zig-zagging from what  felt like one end of brooklyn to the next (thank god for google maps), i stumbled upon ap cafe. an open, airy, divinely minimalist espresso bar that has generously opened its floor to ceiling glass doors not too long ago to the lucky coffee-addicts and freelance crowd of bushwick. owners and designers, brothers Netic Rebel & Ryan Grant, along with friends Wes Mapes and Hugo McCloud, "wanted to take on something completely different and challenging" and went on to renovate their workspace by hand in just over six months; apparently all of them have scars to prove it. 

a large, open, concrete place that you wouldn't think twice about considering comforting on a thirty degree november morning, was a prefect escape from the brisk brooklyn air. thankfully, they aren't shy about blasting the heat in order to keep their customers warm and cozy. i could spend hours there. modern white chairs are lined up against hand crafted wood tables. a few grey stone benches pop against the radiant white walls. and the only things adding a subtle hint of color are a few succulents here and some wispy grass there. it's noticeable that customers were easily mesmerized by the indoor waterfall; watching water streaming effortlessly, silently, into a floor of smooth stones. it brings an ironic zen vibe into a place most will go to perk up. 

to my surprise, (or maybe not, i'm in bushwick i keep forgetting) customers are still ordering ice cold coffee through their chattering teeth. the baristas on the clock were warm, calming, and lovingly chill. if you walked in tense from the brisk air, you will soon be loosened up and later depart with a "have a warm day" farewell.  

then you add la colombe coffee to the mix, and i'm home. although the coffee menu offers up your classic espresso concoctions (with a couple odd ball, more exotic drinks), the infamous cortado was MIA. not too worry, because the macchiato, served up in a glass, was just the right amount in all aspects. i've raved about la colombe's signature espresso blend (nizza) before, but i must say, it's hard to find a cafe outside nizza's home base that gives the bean the love it deserves. ap really nailed this one, at least today's barista did. a slight touch of milk always seems to enhance the blends' fragrant, caramel and nutty notes. 

psst! added bonus: they have almond milk! 

as far as pastries are concerned, they carry your typical espresso bar baked goods (shout out to choice bakery). oh, and dough donuts. unfortunately (or not) the first time around i always have to go for the ritual: pain au chocolat. every bite of choice's over sized croissant was perfect and flakey. 

apparently they have a frequent visitors card. i'll be back for that.

...and maybe a dough donut. 

peace + love bushwick, 

michelle

[destinationrunning]

destination: konditori, cobble hill, brooklyn

mileage: 4 miles

musical inspiration: lumineers 

it's no secret by now that i have a weakness for a charming cafe, but a charming cafe on the weekend can have me loitering around for a bit longer than usual. most individuals that aren't tagging along with their children get annoyed with the quick pattering of footsteps and the minnie mouse voices, but honestly, i adore it. like today, there was nothing more darling than this little blonde hair three year old bundled up sipping a big girl hot cocoa and picking at a shared bagel all while hosting a squeaky conversation with her dad; just the two of them. makes my heart melt. 

at first sight konditori is bright, but still warm and comforting. the open area sits quite a few, but either way everyone seems to be content with pushing over to make room for more. there are six raw wooden tables surrounding the entrance area and a bar at each of the front windows with leggy metal chairs that look as though that same three year old might have assisted in painting. but i dig the brush stroke look. as you move toward the back past the coffee bar and beyond the juice bar there sits a foosball table which, to be honest, is looking a little dusty. 

"unforgettable" is playing & grandpa sweaters are surrounding me. aw, yes, here we go. 'tis the season; my favorite season. autumn typically has a life span of about three, maybe four weeks (that might be pushing it). then, before halloween has it's chance to spook us and the post thanksgiving sandwiches are assembled, we find ourselves firing up the christmas records and humming jingles on our way to work. (i'll let you in on a little secret, i'm that barista who doesn't get sick of Christmas music [ever], but promises to not be an ear soar until at least the day after thanksgiving). 

new guy on the menu (at least to this new gal): maple sap drinks - description came with a bit of a "uh, chick, you just answered your own question" look. whatever smiley, just trying to make conversation here, and you know what they say when you ASSume. just so i don't leave you hanging, it's basically any drink with maple syrup added. don't worry, you didn't scare me off, i'm now even more determined to make you smile. 

well, i'm back on my cortado kick (acting as if i ever really fell off that band wagon). konditori works with a brooklyn roaster to formulate an exclusive process for roasting their beans. they should really stop being so exclusive and let us all in on their secret because it's pretty damn good, at least their espresso is. (shhh...their sweedish roast drip is a bit watered down). not only are they good at keeping a straight face, the coffee slingers are fantastic at creating cortados. i'm not as desperate for coffee art work as i am for flavor, so when i didn't receive a heart decal i wasn't too upset about it. the rich, smooth almost chocolate-like espresso married well with the creaminess of the milk. and with that, i was more than satisfied. 

so, not only is this joint a sweedish coffee house built for gatherings or where one goes for coffee breaks: 

KONDITORI (noun) \Khan- da- tor- ree\:

1: Traditional Swedish gathering place to enjoy friends over great coffee, fine baked goods and confections. 2: Where one goes for a coffee break 

...it's also a juice bar! i know what you're thinking: "two of my favorite things in one spot?" yup. haven't lied to you yet, i'm not going to start now. 

färsk (sweedish for fresh, incase you haven't been brushing up lately), is the name of the juice area. i've been here twice and each time there is a new, engaging,spunky mixologist manning the juice counter. the baristas could use a little bit of whatever they are juicing up; it seems like what they are grinding over in their neck of the woods could be to blame for their slight pretentiousness. ironically though i get it, i've been there. maybe more baristas should join me on destination run, it's quite the eye opener.

oh, and the pastries? heavenly. (none of which are over $3  by the way). more gluten free options than i've yet to lay eyes on in a single establishment, and they don't look dried out either. i opted for the cheddar and chive biscuit (no, it was not gluten free). they also have about 20 glass jars housing an assortment of novelty cookies and a small selection of hand rolled kettle boiled bagels lining the back wall of the coffee bar. amongst all the typical pastries are the sweedish: cardamon bread (coffee bread with almond filling) and homemade coco balls. 

update: we got a giggle out of the barista! woohoo! (oh man, i'm really glad I'm doing the blogging and it's not the other way around).

konditori, we welcome you to cobble hill. i know it is your mission to aspire to combine the hominess of sweedish coffee culture with the edginess of brooklyn, and from these coffee infused brown eyes i'd say you're doing a fine job at it. 

with love + jitters, 

michelle

[destinationrunning]

destination: coffee mob, ditmas park, brooklyn

mileage: 3 miles

musical inspiration: avicii radio

at last...coffee mob! i've heard about this little treasure in ditmas park quite frequently lately and finally was able to cross it off the destination running list. 

seating is rather intimate, maybe enough for ten if you can get creative. there is some room to cozy up near the large front window, and three tables attached along the side wall with just enough for two at each. i'd say they've done pretty well with the size of the space they have. the lighting is what really strikes me first; the sun is angled perfectly through the window and the lights are dimmed, if they are even on at all, through large red globes on the ceiling. 

currently spinning on the vynl: "when you're strange, no one remembers your name..." - the doors

the record player adds a classic touch; knowing that you're being serenaded by hand picked vynl rather than a 'thumbed-up' pandora station or a barista's thrown together playlist is, in a way, humbling. 

prior to ordering i decided to again polish up my question asking skills. there were a couple random coffee items that provoked my interest that i needed deciphered:

one. lil cutie: besides your favorite customer (eh, maybe that would be lil hottie?), it's otherwise known as the perfect name for a macchiato that comes in the tiniest, "cutest" rather, glass mug you've ever seen. 

two. mojado: (yes, i googled it, and there are many meanings...) described by the CM baristas as a short americano or what will soon be known in tribeca as a "babycano"

stylish touch: water served in a tall glass with a stone coaster. classy. 

i was well aware that they carried baked goods from ceci cela, but was pleasantly surprised when above the pastry case there sat a wooden sign that read: clementine bakery. bonus points. of course though i went on to ask about them. (figured i was letting the dudes behind me off the hook with all my questions)... 

"they all look pretty delicious, but what's your favorite?" numero uno: apple turnover. i'm going to assume that the look on my face wasn't loving his suggestion (i'm not a HUGE fruit pie fan nor very good at hiding my expressions). he quickly recommended i try his second favorite which is the chocolate almond croissant. ahhh...now you're speaking my language! i'm pretty picky when it comes to my croissants (shocker, i know). a simple, buttery, flakey croissant is usually my go-to, but sprinkle on some sliced almonds and layer some chocolate in the middle and i'm sold. 

toby's estate has been their go-to. today though, they decided to switch things up a bit, at least with their espresso. lucky me! panther coffee from miami is the new guy around coffee mob and quite possibly in brooklyn in general. they started off using panther's east coast blend. it tastes like a rather light roast, but still quite creamy with a little hint of chocolate in there. it's a blend that i will be sure to try sans the milky addition, which means i'll have to forfeit my cortado next time around.  

over heard: (barista to customer as they walked in as the sun was shining through)..."you just brought the sun...you lit up."

a couple jugs of seemingly delicious cold brew find a home on the counter. the thick, dense, liquid gold looks serious. i wasn't looking to sprint home so i opted to leave that taste test for the next time around. 

the guys are mellow, good natured, knowledgable and down to earth; this all seemed second nature to them. obnoxious customers are handled effortlessly. patience truly is a virtue. you, dear barista in the purple sweater, are a customer service saint to put up with the sugar fiend you handled so well. as a barista myself, who will be headed to fuel tribeca's coffee addicts shortly after this post, i will try my damnest to keep in mind your calm, good humored composure. 

until we meet again, 

michelle

[destinationrunning]

destination: milk and honey, flatbush, brooklyn

mileage: 3 miles

musical inspiration: avicii radio 

instant thoughts upon sweaty arrival: 'it's in my honey, it's in my milk." - sorrow, the nationals. (instantly download if you have no idea what i'm talking about - also, shame on you). 

to be quite honest, i did not expect the homey, comforting ambiance that this cafe had to offer: soft lighting, industrial design, handmade wooden tables accompanied by metal chairs (sans cushions - that's one way to keep the wifi thieves at bay), a bit of jazz playing from a distant speaker and, one of my favorites, counter culture coffee. you might just be as perfect as they come milk and honey. 

i've learned from a dear friend of mine that i need to start asking more questions. today is one of those days i decided to work on it...poor barista. after asking him which muffins were in the case, he kindly list the varieties (i'm sorry, but if there aren't name tags sir i just can't assume what i'm getting is going to be a carrot bran muffin, am i wrong?).  i then followed up with my least favorite barista question "what's your favorite?" like i said, i'm working on it. with a slightly humbled, slightly irked smile he shrugged "eh...i like the blueberry one." guess what? i like the blueberry, too! though the muffin was delicous with just the right amount of sweetness crownded with a slightly crunchy top, i favored the fact that it wasn't an american sized muffin (aka. the size of my hand, spread out) it was a 'normal' or what some would call a 'mini' muffin. 

like i mentioned before, counter culture are their beans of choice at milk and honey. funny thing is, i was talking with that same dear friend i mentioned earlier who is currently in charelston, and as we were chatting about our cafe experiences this morning and sending photos from across the states, we realized we were both sipping on the same thing: counter culture made cortados. i've come to understand the beans a little better; I always let my drink sit a bit before drinking, it seems to somehow cut down on the acidity that i notice at first sip, why? maybe you can answer that for me? as far as the cortado is concerned, the drink isn't always the same experience everywhere you go. let's be honest, when it comes to cortados, size does matter and today it was a perfect size glass; equal ratio of rich espresso and creamy milk. 

as the crowd started to pack in for an early brunch (11am on a saturday is early in brooklyn), i decided to ship out. 

oh, yes, and when things are overheard that i find charming, i simply have no other choice but to share them with you: 

"i turned you back into a man, oh, and i turned your sword into a fairy wand." - ah, to be 5 again... 

tally-ho milk & honey, 

michelle

[destinationrunning]

destination: patisserie florentine, englewood, new jersey

mileage: 3.4 miles, Flat Rock Brook "Run in the Wild," 5k Trail Run

musical inspiration: michelle, moby & sarah, thievery corporation

a year ago today, michelle and i completed our first ever 5k, only a couple of months after we started running altogether. after moving upstate a few months  back i have been missing my dear friend michelle and our memorable runs. so when i found out that the same race was being held again this year i was 100% in.

i had been sick for 2 full weeks before the run and i must admit it was one of the hardest races i have done. my legs felt like jelly and the hills were dreadful however having michelle by my side (or in my front) was so sincerely comforting and motivating that i probably could have ran 10 miles more.

we laughed from morning till night and had the chance to rehydrate or dehydrate with a lovely coffee and pastry in the town of englewood, nj. company trumped the coffee however the delicate european ambiance was flawless. the almond croissant was just how i like it, crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. the pastry chef was assembling fruit tartlets in plain view and i have to say that she sure looked like she knew what she was doing. 

all in all, it was such an amazing day. being reminded of how lucky you are to have a beautiful, loyal and heartwarming friend was worth the tough climb through the woods. where michelle runs, i will follow.

so long for now!

-sarah sue

up until recently, sarah and i have been running together, consistently motivating one another to wake up at the crack of dawn to get each others feet on the floor and heart rates rising. after packing up and venturing upstate for the summer we don't get the chance to run together much anymore, so what better way to reunite than our one year race anniversary? together we conquered the woodsy path for the second year in a row, dodging it's natural hurdles (rocks, roots, and defeated trees). races like this are exhilarating; there's nothing like running wild through the calmness of the woods. add your bestie to the mix and you've got yourself a running party!

unlike the previous year, this year we were in search of a destination to share with you all. englewood only has a few coffee houses to pick from, prime retail seemed to have been snatched up by the green mermaid. luckily we stumbled upon a charming little place with a french flair, parisian music, and a bit of hebrew dialect accenting the background noise. 

behind the rows (i'm not even kidding, there were rows) of baked goods sat a stunning, silver, piston operated Astoria espresso machine - not something you typically see in cafes, especially outside the city. while the barista created our coffees, we gladly snatched up our croissants and parked it by the window. 

our macchiatos were served in petit glass flutes, accompanied of course by a house-made macaroon. as far as the coffee is concerned, i regret to say i'm not even sure on the type they use, maybe because it wasn't one in particular i'd travel back for. it had a slight citrus note to it - we decided on hint of lemon peel at the finish. though the espresso wasn't our preferred type, the croissants (the most important part of a patisserie, mind you) were definitely worth another trip. not until leaving did we realize they actually have a full breakfast menu, but next time we'll be sure to take full advantage. 

as we sit basking at the sunlit table awaiting our macchiatos and enjoying our well deserved pastries, i am reminded again why we started this whole thing; simply to have 'an excuse' to get in a bit of exercise, laugh, chat, listen, motivate and, most importantly, to inspire each other to be the best possible versions of ourselves we can be and that's exactly how it went. 

sarah sue  -  a constant reminder that soul friends exist.

-michelle

[destinationrunning]

destination: tip of the tongue, baked and brewed - prospect park, brooklyn

mileage: 6 miles

musical inspiration: bahamas

perfectly situated next to the prospect park q/b/s lines - these guys have a  genius spot for a cafe as the morning commuters hustle towards the metro and runners saunter back from the prospect park 5k loop to refuel. 

i'm going to go ahead and say i consider myself a regular there now; mostly stopping by to grab a coffee after my morning run but i've also had a couple meetings there because not only is the coffee exceptional, the atmosphere is ideal. a rustic look done right with the 'bar' area and walls made out of a paint chipped wall trim (or what looks to be wall trimming, correct me if i'm wrong), surrounded by a couple gorgeous high top wooden tables and swivel bar stools. each table is garnished with delicate flowers in miniature vases.

forty weight is their roaster of choice here and Tip of The Tongue and it's the first time i've ever tasted it - to say i'm obsessed would only be a slight exaggeration. their espresso roast at TOTT has a citrusy bite (which i'm normally not a fan of) but then it follows up with a sweet chocolatey finish. simply perfection. i've indulged in a macchiato, gibralter (iced and hot), iced tea, iced coffee (cold brew style. done and done.) as well as their lemonade. i've yet to be disappointed. 

not a coffee drinker? first off, thank you for being a non-coffee devoted destination running reader! thankfully though for your type they also offer coffee alternatives: fresh brewed iced tea and a daily lemonade - trust me, i've had both and they're worth the trip. iced tea is far from being over brewed and bitter and the lemonade is a perfect combination of sweet and sour. 

along with a slew of pastries, cakes and cookies they offer up a few breakfast items to the morning crowd and some daily specials to the lunch crew. recently they've had a baked blueberry french toast that looked absolutely divine. they always offer up an assortment of individual quiche or some scrambled eggs paired with fruit and a house-baked croissant. the lunch menu typically offers up a few daily sandwich options or you can be adventerous and opt for the cheese plate paired with a ginger tomato chutney! last weeks salad options were a watermelon and blue cheese salad or a 'crazy caprese' assembled with green zebra tomatoes, purple basil and a balsamic, black raspberry vinaigrette - both looked as beautiful as they sound. 

typically i'm there in the mornings and of course that's when the attached bakery is cooking up homemade pastries - imagine saying no to a homemade croissant fresh out of the oven. yeah, not happening. the aroma in this intimate 30ish person cafe engulfs each and every stomach that wanders through the door. the scones literally melt in your mouth, in particular the ginger scone that has little bits of candied ginger through out. 

genius idea: a to-go window. i've seen this a couple of times in brooklyn now and i think it's ideal for the rushed morning customer. though i'm not quite sure how it works at this cafe -  who gets served first? the customer daring to face the pastries or the not so rebellious one idling outside not wishing to fall victim to the array of baked goods on the other side of the window?

to top it off, the owner is a real people person and the staff is super friendly (and apparently neighborhood locals)- keeping their cool even as pushy customers feel they're entitled to talk down to the one in charge of creating their drink - tsk tsk. 

well done Tip of The Tongue. we definitely needed a gem like you to call home on this side of the park. welcome to the neighborhood! 

xx.

michelle

[destinationrunning]

destination: roogla, cobble hill, brooklyn

mileage: 5k 

musical inspiration: great gatsby soundtrack (it's pretty good...)

i've been here a handful of times now, a few runs and a few meetings, and each time has been a completely different but wonderfully pleasant experience. i actually came opening day for a meeting and we were gifted free coffee in hopes of getting us to return - although the baristas were rather suave, i assure you it was for no other reason than to keep business steady in the days ahead. the baristas are extremely knowledgable about what it is they are serving up. one in particular this weekend mentioned about how she used to work with a handful of local roasters one being forty weight, which, by the way, is a roaster that has quickly become my new obsession. roogla will be featuring forty weight coffee this coming week so make sure to stop by! on non-special occasions they stick with intelligentsia beans, which seem to be doing a fine job at bringing them their repeat customers. to be honest, intelligentsia slipped my mind for a bit. not many cafes i've been to recently feature them so it's become a nice treat whenever they pop up unexpectedly.

cortados, as you must know by now, are my go to when destinationing, but with new york's summer being right on par with the unmentionable heat and humidity, iced is my new go to. the roast of choice for iced coffees changes weekly (possibly daily?). the barista warned me it's a double strength coffee straight from the steampunk (oh yeah, they have a steampunk!) which is graciously poured over ice. the blend i had was a single origin from intelligentsia: los inmortales el salvador, for a mere three bucks! the single origin was a bit creamy, with hints of cherry and vanilla to it - let's just say no additives were needed. i've also had their cortado made with almond milk both hot and over ice with the intelligentsia analog espresso blend; it's rich, chocolatey smoothness each time leaves me craving more.

another thing they have going for them? these mini croissant type pastries they call rugelach. either savory or sweet, be it chocolate, caramel, feta or garlic, I promise you, you can't go wrong. oh, and they're baked in house!  imagine: the aromas of fresh baked bread intertwined with coffee beans. light bulb: a perfect bouquet of scents to bottle up in candle form! 

it's quiet inside roogla, apart from the baristas chatting about the company and the business of coffee. around four on a blistering hot sunday afternoon the place is home to myself and a few who roam in, grab their coffee and quickly saunter back out into the heat (or coffee less if there were hunting down a bathroom - they are toilet less). there are stools against the window which over looks smith street wanderers. on the other side of the cafe are a couple unique tables, one with bike parts strategically placed under glass. i'm not quite sure if they were created by "the artist at work: khalil chistee, who is creating furniture for roogla that you won't see anywhere else in the world," or if this is temporary and there is more stuff on it's way. either way, i dig it.

as i mentioned a bit earlier, they are owners of a steampunk. they are actually the second place that decided to offer up the steampunk option, first was the philly based la colombe at their lafayette and east fourth street location. rumor has it, kaffe 1668 is changing over from pour over to steampunk. hmmmm...looks like we've spotted the next trend to hit the coffee world.

all-in-all roogla, you're a lovely one! you might not be my ideal atmosphere to sit and make myself at home, but if you keep making coffee like you do i'll certainly be happy to make myself a regular. 

- michelle. 

[destinationrunning]

destination: little sweet cafe, downtown brooklyn, brooklyn

mileage: 5k 

musical inspiration: spring mix

before i go on to chat about the little sweet cafe...

a few of you may have noticed a couple slight changes to the blog. unfortunately, after sarah bid farewell to brooklyn and adventured upstate we found it rather difficult to be able to meet for our weekly run. on that sad note, destination running will be transforming into a one woman show. i've ran a couple new concepts through my mind and came up with this: each week i will be running to a new destination and like always, keeping you up to date with the ones worthy of your time and daily caffeine consumption but i am also looking for others who would like to share their destination adventures via destination running. simply do as we do - destination to a place you've been dying to check out, take some blog worthy photos and share with us your thoughts. also, guest runners are always welcome on my runs! :) 

now, let's discuss this petit cafe. first off, it is precisely that, petit. with a mere eight, possibly ten seats, it's the perfect size for this nook of brooklyn. i've walked by it a few times, the first being after one of mine and sarah's first destination runs. they are a perfect example of "a gem." which is what i typically use to refer to most of my favorite destinations. the music is faint, but still noticeable and the crowd is steady. a little too steady for the owner who made a point to mention to us not to blog about it because too many people are finding out about this establishment. not something you'd typically hear from a business owner, but to each there own. my appologies monsieur, i couldn't resist writing about your little french cafe and i will also go as far as to insist that everyone head on over to hoyt street and try it for themselves. (oops). 

they are serving up irving farm, which i will admit isn't my go-to for espresso. it just doesn't leave a lasting impression; flavorless would be accurate, but obviously it wasn't like i was drinking hot brown water. it was light and, well, not impressive. i'll be back, but next time i'm going to try something a tad more interesting in hopes for a more flavorful experience, which i know they are capable of. 

they have quite the range of food as well from pastries to crepes to sandwiches; everything you'd think a french cafe in america would offer. though the pastries looked devine, i was hungry for something a little more substantial and went  for the goat cheese, walnut and lightly dressed arugula sandwich (the original comes with apples, not a fan of fruit between bread though). you know how when some places say they put goat cheese on their sandwich and you basically have one chunk in the middle, slightly smeared and barely noticeable?  yeah, they don't do that here. each mouthful had a little nob of creamy cheese, a piece of walnut and slightly dressed arugula. tres bon! 

oh, and the little man in the photo? that's rafferty. i'm hoping he will soon be an avid destination runner along side his mom erica who, with previous destination runner sal, just moved to the area and were happily willing to meet me at what may be their new go-to coffee shop. anyway, this little charmer of a two year old (going on ten) approved of his berry and banana crepe and as the photo shows, the orange juice was apparently a home run, too! 

a perfect cafe to add to your ever growing summer destination list. 

x. michelle 

[destinationrunning]

destination : southside coffee, south slope, brooklyn

mileage: 4 miles

musical inspiration: bon iver pandora

strolling in, i quickly decided that southside reminds me a bit of breukelen coffee house; both representing a rather boyish-vibe (which isn't to be confused with "masculine-vibe"). far from pretentious and slightly rough around the edges, maybe 'laid back' might be a better way of characterizing it. 

while catching up on some of the cannes festival news and taking a stab at the daily crossword i occassionally pick up on the bearded barista greeting locals, including their mini-me's, with warm (though some playfully sarcastic) hellos, while reciting their order before they even have a chance to utter a good morning. the mark of a good barista.  

for me? iced espresso with a splash of milk. the dude behind me followed suit; well done, you will not be disappointed.

today's my first run in with george howell coffee, the alchemy espresso blend to be exact. my thoughts? rich, sweet, messy, and high in caffeine (that little note always comes as a nice surprise). here's a little curve ball: i'm a one-coffee-a-day gal. any more joe than that, in particular the cold brew variety,  and i become the ultimate chatter box, my hands get the shakes and my pulse is not only racing but quite possibly visible (maybe that's a slight exaggeration...). alchemy is what the roaster refers to as "stellar." i couldn't agree more. a clean espresso that i'm sure is delicious on its own, but for today just a touch of milk ignites more of its almond and cherry notes.  

perks of being a regular: the gal next to me was just handed a mini waffle ice cream sandwich by the barista. no, it's not on the menu and yes, i am extremely jealous. 

the customers, which i will assume are mostly locals due to the holiday, saunter in and out - some back in again. although the prime real estate near the windows seems to go quickly,  strangers don't seem to mind sharing their intimate tables. a comfy corner stashed with a couple large leather chairs along side a love seat plays home to a few patrons hard at work. though the cream colored walls are bare of art work, they offer up a background for a few not so decorative candles. can't say southside has my go-to cafe atmosphere, but the coffee certainly makes up for it. 

seriously, i can't be the only one still thinking about that waffle ice cream sandwich...

x. michelle

[destinationrunning]

destination: hungry ghost, prospect heights, brooklyn

mileage: 4 miles

musical inspiration: spring mix

'broadripple is burning' playing as i walk in followed by a few band of horses tunes, hungry ghost, you already won me over. 

this week i've learned yet again that sometimes life can catch you off guard and throw a speed bump in your path and with that i realized i have two choices: i can a) swallow my pride, learn to slow down, toughen up and focus on the positive or b) sulk around and throw myself a pity party that no one else will be attending. while the first couple days i may have thrown a tantrum (or two) out of pure frustration i decided from here on out this small set back isn't going to get the best of me! that being said, due to a couple hairline fractures in my boney left elbow, i'll be taking a bit of time off of running. for the next couple of weeks i'll be sharing some destination walking journeys. don't worry, sarah is still in tip top shape and will be bringing some running destinations your way, as well. 

today felt a bit like what i remember my SoCal mornings to be like; a steady mid 70's temp paired up with a lingering overcast, which the sun hopefully burns off by early afternoon. whether it burns off or not, it's still a gorgeous day for a walk in the park. never underestimate what a walk in the park can do for your health...and your spirit. 

my walk brought me to hungry ghost in prospect heights, which i've ran past numerous times heading up flatbush ave. it's a fantastic place to come get some work done or catch up with friends. baristas are humble, customers are a bit of a mix match; a few moms and nannies, some students jamming out on their mac book keyboards, others occupying one of the big comfy chairs with a book. other seating options: a currently vacant communal table, a high top bar where customers are face to face with themselves via rectangular mirrors, and a handful of stump-resembling tables bordered on one side by booth style seating and the other by chairs; all of which are gorgeous and quite  possibly hand crafted. 

my favorite perk? every time the sun peeks out from behind the clouds it illuminates the cafe with natural light. adding to that: wifi is free for customers, food looks and smells delightful (minus the burnt toast aroma that just sent the fire alarm screeching), and stumptown is brewing (yes, i am well aware many of you are fans). knowing my coffee options i obviously should have ordered the cold brew, but did i? of course not. i always find myself caving in to give stumptown chance after chance to prove me wrong. one ristretto ordered, same ristretto expiring on the table as I type this out. it was pulled perfectly by the lighthearted guy behind the la marzocco, this I know, but i just can't seem to find a soft spot for coffee with citrusy notes. the citrus today is intense, unlike any other I've had, and the flavor is there, no bitterness of the sort; just citrus.  

special surprise...kombucha on tap! wahoo! lucky for me they just changed the keg (assuming that's what they call it?) - nothing like a fresh kombucha to clean my palate and lift my stumptowned spirits.

all-in-all a perfect little cafe. whatever your means of transportation may be, i highly recommend you make it a point to check out hungry ghost next time you find yourself roaming around prospect heights. 

x. michelle

[destinationrunning]

destination: SCRATCHbread, bed stuy, brooklyn

mileage: 2.3 miles

musical inspiration: laughter & church...in tongues?

you can take the gal out of brooklyn, but you can't take the brooklyn out of the gal...

many of you might already know this, but sarah, a key ingredient in destination running, has recently shaped up and shipped out of brooklyn. though she will be terribly missed as a neighbor and fellow brooklynite, this will only make our weekly destination runs that much more special. 

this week's run to SCRATCHbread was definitely a memorable one. after quite the long evening of celebrating a dear friends 'dirty thirty,' we were in no shape to be running. sometimes though all you need a partner in crime to drag your butt out of bed, be it after three hours of sleep or nine, and force you out the door, in hopes that you can sweat any toxins out of your system. after a steady, slow run, michelle nearly coming face-to-face with concrete, and a distance of a little over two miles, we not so gracefully touched down at our destination. 

SCRATCHbread is a "walk-through" of sorts; a rather large window opens up with a bevy of their menu offerings on display. as the line builds up behind us, the two dudes behind the window keep cool, calm and collective, mind you, with smiles on their faces and genuine hellos. this little nook offers up a handful of edible items on their chalked-up stoopbrunch menu along with a green tonic, drip coffee and coldbrew - the latter two courtesy of stumptown. although they are known for their homemade breads, this time around we opted for the 'build your own' paper cups. sarah created a cup of creamy grits and raw kale with a kale+dandelion pesto, while michelle fashioned up a cup of kale caeser (surprise ingredient: smashed potatoes!) with spicy broccoli topped off with a spoonful of sicilian salsa verde. the perfect amount of food after a short run.

as far as the coffee is concerned we decided to share a cold brew, not knowing if our stomachs could handle the green tonic, and it was divine! like most cold brews, not much needs to be added to further perfect it. if you've been following DR for a while, you're well aware of our distaste for a rather acidic stumptown roast (sorry, but until proven wrong, that's just the way the cookie crumbles) however, we will raise the white flag and surrender to the fact that stumptown is one of the few who have perfected a cold brew. bravo. maybe it's because with most coldbrew-brewing methods, almost all acidity is lost, making it a slightly sweet, shockingly smooth juice-like beverage. coffee juice?  heads up: cold brew packs a mean punch of caffeine, pouring it over ice (and not drinking it on an empty stomach) will most likely buffer any jittery side effects.  

all-in-all another successful run, another destination checked off and added to the 'thumbs-up' list, and another write-up for you all to enjoy. 

-michelle & sarah. 

[destinationrunning]

destination: sweetleaf cafe, williamsburg, brooklyn 

distance: 5 miles

musical inspiration: spring mix

there might be a no dog policy, but no one is going to turn away a guy with a parakeet on his shoulder. a couple unexpected 'squaks' make you jump out of your seat a bit, but he (she?) only makes a quick appearance. welcome to williamsburg. 

sweetleaf is a fairly large, inviting, open space (sharing the same space with a real estate company - kinda weird) with a pretty laid back, masculine vibe. the two beanie and hoodie clad baristas fixing up iced coffees and taking orders are chill and friendly. the guy pulling espressos on the la marzocco is properly dressed in a white button up, skinny tie, black vest and newsboy-style cap. sure, it's more fitting for a west village cafe than a kent street cafe, but I dig it. purple rain quietly serenades the handful of t-shirt and sandal adorned patrons; spring has officially sprung people!

the run was a beautiful one today. sunglasses, t-shirt, shorts - it's spring! life is good...for a runner!  you really don't have any excuses with this weather (assuming it's here to stay this time) not to get your butt out there for a quick run! 

i decided before today's destination that it was going to be an iced coffee day. here at sweetleaf you are granted a few options: a) plain old jane iced coffee b) iced rocket fuel - condensed cold brew, chicory, maple and cream OR c) iced voodoo child - condensed cold brew, condensed milk, homemade sweet cream (i think there was another ingredient in there as well).  option 'c' gave me a stomach ache just reading about it so i went for the middle of the road and opted for the rocket fuel. i've officially decided, today, that cold brew is probably my favorite type of coffee. though i'm a pretty indecisive gal and typically what i consider my favorite today is likely to be forgotten tomorrow - i think it's safe to say this will stick. the sweet chicory and maple infused addiction is precisely that: an addiction. with rocket fuel they've done it right, not too strong nor sweet with just a splash of cream to enhance the flavors of the chicory and the maple. a perfect warm weather refreshment. 

with beach season right around the corner, i would like to announce that i've cut back on my one pastry per run ritual. but it's good to know that this place is stocked with gluten free and vegan options incase i have a weak moment. 

the cafe doesn't have one ounce of pretentiousness about it, which seems to be a trend in cafes recently. there are a handful of what look to be regulars scattered throughout  family tourists (the out of town type that come for the weekend to see their kids and grandkids). i got there around half past twelve and it was quiet and peaceful enough to read the paper. the expected rush started strolling in right around one, which seems pretty typical for a saturday. it's right about the time everyone in the neighborhood finally emerges from their covers after the prior nights escapades, that, or it's one of those coffee before brunch rushes. 

exciting extra: foosball table in the back! although i'm not any good at the "sport" in no way does that stop me from twirling around a couple sticks with robot looking figurines glued to them in hopes that together we knock the ball down the painted on playing field into the black hole of a goal. i get it. it's fun. better suited for a bachelor pad or a LES bar, but it's cool, at least today the 2 year old is loving it. 

though extras are exciting, sometimes all your really need is a quality cup of coffee and the morning paper...

-michelle

[destinationrunning]

destination: la colombe (the original), philly, pa

mileage: a philly 5k

musical inspiration: each other and a few chirping birds

this is going to be quite a long post so grab your morning joe and find a comfortable spot as we catch you up on our recent philly adventure...

earlier last week sarah approached me with a genius idea to get back to our DR roots with an inspirational destination run in philedelphia; an idea that couldn't have come at a more perfect time. after a long couple weeks of cramming i can proudly say i scored a big fat 'A' on my last ever final! (adding a couple new slashes to my long list of occupations: cdp/hhc -- certified drugless practitioner/holistic health coach -- WOOHOO!). so a celebration was in store and how better to celebrate than with my partner in crime in a city virgin to our nikes while doing something we absolutely love: destination running. 

i will shamefully be the first to admit that i've talked a bit (eh...okay, maybe a lot) of smack about philly, and i quickly put my foot in my mouth as we entered rittenhouse square. breathtaking. we barely made it down the first  street before we were jumping out of our seats pointing at places to check out for lunch, mind you it was only 9am.

destination running, as some of you may know, started for us on our rejuvenating california vacation last september where we decided while in san francisco that what better way to view a city than to run through it? better yet, being baristas we had a list of cafes to see so why not make that a destination and in between do some exploring and get in a good workout. this is what inspired us then and what keeps us motivated now. with no clear path in mind we set out to run to la colombe's first ever cafe off of south 19th street. what a beautiful adventure it turned out to be; zig zagging through the streets exploring what to us was unknown. this is the first time sarah and i actually destinationed sans music - i could get used to that, it was nice being able to fully grasp why so many call philly home and to be able to point out all the little things we noticed along the way. 

la colombe (don't be fooled, it is not columbian, it is french/american) has come up in a few of our posts with cafes serving up their namesake blends: corsica (drip) and nizza (espresso). so having had their coffee numerous times, we figured we should go straight to the source: the mothership that resides on the outskirts of rittenhouse square. some nineteen years ago, two fairly handsome young men by the name of Todd Carmichael (from seattle) and Jean Philippe Iberti (from france and better known as JP), revealed their first four classic blends to the world of culinary coffee. the cafe is rather large. three boys are enthusiastically kicking out a line of about twenty, that doesn't seem to be getting any shorter. you get the feel when you walk in that the shop is quite old and the clientele are those of habit, probably most finding the long line to be second nature by now. being used to new york's "double shot only" cafe etiquette, we were surprised when asked if we preferred a single shot, we're new yorkers, double us up fellas! we've had their nizza a handful of times and each time its been just as precise as the last - whether diluted with milk or black as night, it's caramel and slightly nutty notes find it's way of shining through. 

to top it off, what's a trip to philly without a trip the mütter museum, right? what. an. experience. to say the least. sarah knew more about what is known as america's finest museum of medical history than i did, so i was a bit, ummmm...shocked (maybe even startled) when i walk in to see to my left, displays of preserved collections of anatomical specimens (hearts, brains, even babies in jars and heads growing horns...that type of stuff) while to my right were rows on top of rows of skulls (preserved, mind you) of all shapes and sizes...and reasons of being there. the 19th century "cabinet museum" setting also played home to containers of organs exhibiting different types of cancers diseases and outcomes of excessive cigarette and alcohol consumption. too much? ehh...maybe. not suggested for those with a weak stomach, but this experience is absolutely mind blowing, and i highly recommend you invest in a visit.  

of course we had lunch after the museum. a bit queazy, but hungry none-the-less. though we came across numerous places to eat, this one little bagel joint, spread bagelry, with a line like that of la colombe, stuck out to us. we figured, if people are waiting, it's got to be good! montreal style wood-oven bagels (made fresh daily) lightly toasted with a thin layer of homemade roasted garlic and veggie cream cheese and a thick, fresh slice of tomato? yeah, our gut instincts were right on point.  

on that note. i could easily pack up my brooklyn studio and find a home in the little 'english village' or a studio situated on panama and delancey. sundays there are filled with couples strolling the park still in workout clothes doing their own destinationing to the areas' surrounding bakeries and farmers markets. sarah says it reminds her of a neighborhood in london, though i've never been to england i can easily see what she means...

thank you beauty, for bringing us back to our roots and reminding me why it was that we started this destination adventure in the first place... 

Xx

michelle (...and sarah!)

[destinationrunning]

destination: Havens Kitchen, Chelsea, NYC

mileage: 2.3

musical inspiration: sarah, crystal castles pandora, michelle, beach house

if heaven had a kitchen, this would be it.

michelle and i finished up a busy barista morning then laced up on a blustery april day. we ran from tribeca to chelsea with a few detours to make it a longer run. the run was, well... fun. we have missed each other, michelle and i, so anytime we have a chance to run together it feels good. (yeah i know, we work together and we are neighbors but when your in the daily nyc grind, its really hard to have those special heart to hearts that usually feel so natural after a good run)

we arrived at Havens Kitchen sweaty and full of serotonin. before we could even make it to the coffee bar we were sidetracked by all of the amazing culinary gifts and merchandise shelves. for anyone who likes to cook or eat, this would be a tough place not to spend any money. luckily for us, we usually only put a tiny bit of cash in our secret pockets, you can't run with a wallet and its probably kept us both out of trouble.

finally when we turned around to face the barista, i was blown away by the beauty. not the barista, the counter! (although he was a beautiful man and a really sweet one as well.) a gorgeous white marbled countertop covered in glass jars, long stemmed poppies, and a beautiful vintage faema espresso machine. i had been gluten free for the week so i decided to go with a GF pistachio cookie and a soy mocha. michelle had an almond milk mocha and some amazing homemade salted caramel.

everything was delicious but for this run, we seemed to be focused less on what we were putting in our mouths and more what came out of them. our  best friend time is precious and this particular chat was a special one. sometimes after riding the long blue winter waves, you just need to download with one of your nearest and dearest. we discussed daily anxieties, how to avoid them, as well as life in the womb, past lives and energy healing. there really is no topic that the two of us dont feel comfortable discussing (believe me!) sometimes you can take your good friends for granted. they are always there, and easily undervalued. however some days you are reminded what a gem you have found, and how you really just wouldnt want to live without them. michelle is my gem and today was one of those days.

my lack of focus on the venue is not because it wasn't wonderful, it truly was an inspiring place, but more due to the fact that the conversation, this day, was the show stealer. but let me tell you a little bit about havens kitchen...

it was a beautiful store front and espresso bar nestled in the front room of a very spacious test kitchen/event space. the idea behind it is that it is a community table, a place where chefs, entrepreneurs and everyone in between can teach and share their passion and special skills. you can take cooking classes, attend lectures and join them for the monthly supper club. like i said, its an inspiring place, however today, michelle's light shined the brightest.

-sarah sue