Blue Boat: A Coffee Bar in Leland

My days in Leland have gotten a little brighter. One of the new businesses that opened in our little resort town is called Blue Boat and it's a coffee bar! This is an action shot (above) of a pour over coffee brewing. There were 4 choices of beans for pour over that day and since I am not an expert in knowing which region I like my beans from, they allowed me to make my choice by scent.

I noticed on the Blue Boat Facebook Page that their barista, Kent, participated in a latte art competition in Traverse City last month. How cool. I would love to go to an event like that, proving that Seattle is going to be a great new home for me. My friend loved her pour over and I thought that my latte was delicious. It was rich and smooth and divine and it wasn't just because I detected whole milk.

My extended family loves this new coffee bar and we had Blue Boat logo-ed paper cups all over the house during the July 4th holiday. Some even saw actor, comedian and summer resident, Tim Allen in line for a cup. I had a chance to meet Tim Allen and welcome him to the area a few years ago. I plan to frequent Blue Boat coffee and expect that someday soon I will the voice of "Pure Michigan" order a latte. 

Zeitgeist Coffee: Caffeine and Conversation

Our first guest came to see us in Seattle, so a stop at an independent coffee house was a must.

When we knew Dan would be living on assignment in Seattle last year, I bought him the book: The Pacific Northwest's Best Trips (33 Amazing Road Trips) by Lonely Planet and it is terrific! The first weekend Dan was here, he followed their walk through downtown Seattle, to get acclimated, and it directed him to Zeitgeist.  

Since Dan's first Seattle coffee house visit was at Zeitgeist, we made a beeline to the South Jackson Avenue location for an hour of caffeine and conversation. 

That is their gorgeous cold brew coffee with milk (above).

Seattle: Starbucks Roastery and Tasting Room, a new Coffee Destination

Starbucks is elevating the coffee lovers experience yet again. This time it is honoring the process that makes what we love so much. The brand new Starbucks Roastery and Tasting Room on Pike Street in Seattle is a sight to behold. Giant copper vats. Pneumatic tube transport. A library of reading material dedicated to coffee. Oh, and you can have a cup of coffee too. (wink)

I was astounded by the whole concept. Coffee tourism, indeed. There is no doubt that everyone wants a latte from original Starbucks location across from Pike Place Market - the line is always endless! Remember when I had my sentimental coffee? 

I'm sure it was that enthusiasm that prompted Starbucks to create a real coffee destination.

The coffee bar is beautiful and offers far more exotic offerings than your local haunt. Iced Sparkling Espresso with Mint, perhaps? A Citrus Lavender Sage Herbal Infusion? Do you have time to enjoy a Brew Comparison Flight of coffee? 

I swear I'm coming back for 2 hours so that I can taste everything I want to. I just realized that Dan would probably really enjoy the 200 title coffee library, so he could camp out there while I'm upstairs in coffee heaven.  

This location offers special items for purchase that are logoed with the Starbucks Roastery brand - I bought had fun buying gifts for Starbucks loving friends. 

Some may think coffee as a destination is ridiculous, but I think it is wonderful. Do come visit!

Seattle: Volunteer Park Cafe and Cold Brew Coffee by Slate Coffee Roasters

I was looking for any port in a storm. Not really, but I had been at Volunteer Park looking at the dahlia garden for ages and I was desperate for a coffee and a snack.

It was later I realized that I was at the Volunteer Park Cafe - a little restaurant in Capitol Hill that several people had recommended I visit. Win-win. I was checking things off my list and I didn't even know it.  

The Volunteer Park Cafe was closing to regroup between their lunch and dinner hours but I arrived just in time to order a fresh pear cake and a bottle of cold brew coffee (who knew you could buy bottled unsweetened cold brew coffee?) by Slate Coffee Roasters at a table out front. I am the latest big fan of cold brew coffee. It is strong, but not bitter and has even more kick than a regular iced coffee. Where do I sign?

I would love to go back to the Volunteer Park Cafe and have a meal and really get to know the place. I'm putting it on the running list I have called "Seattle."

Seattle: Cutest Coffee Hut in Redmond

It's like a backyard playhouse for coffee lovers.  I had seen these cute little buildings in parking lots around town, but it wasn't until a friend insisted that I visit this coffee hut at the corner of Redmond Way and East Lake Sammamish Parkway (in the Shell Gas parking lot) that I became a believer.  In Michigan, large chain coffee houses are the norm.  Independent coffee shops are few and far between. Little coffee huts sprinkled throughout the suburbs are the stuff of dreams.

I parked right outside the Sammamish Point Espresso, and there was no wait to be served, I had a delicious latte and the barista was as nice as can be. She even gave me restaurant suggestions for my stay! After years of standing in line, this is an espresso experience I can handle.

Seattle: Sentimental Starbucks

Grande Nonfat Latte has been part of my vernacular for so long it is hard to remember that Starbucks had a modest beginning, just like all great American brands.  I've never seen "the first McDonald's" or "the first Baskin-Robbins" but when I had the chance to visit the first Starbucks across from Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, I had to stand in line and place my order.

There was a line out the door and of course it was orderly chaos inside, but I found that the wait time was not that bad.  The store is loaded with Pike Place Market Starbucks merchandise and everyone seemed perfectly happy to wait to drink a sentimental Starbucks.

Decaf Ice Cream

I know! You've never heard of decaf ice cream before.  I thought I would make my point about the perils of enjoying certain late night desserts, while sharing
my wonderful coffee ice cream recipe.

I love love love coffee-flavored desserts, especially Tiramisu (which contains espresso) or a simple bowl of coffee ice cream.  The problem is, I am very sensitive to caffeine and one great coffee-flavored dessert means that I will still be awake at 2 o'clock in the morning.

Why restaurants don't make decaffeinated desserts, I'll never know.  So I decided to promote this rather simple concept by posting my recipe for: 

Decaf Coffee Ice Cream 

Mix 1 (14 oz) can of sweetened condensed 2% milk, 1 (5 oz) can of evaporated milk, 2 cups of whole milk, 1 teaspoon of vanilla and 4 Tablespoons of instant decaffeinated coffee crystals (or 2 1/2 - 3 T. of decaffeinated espresso crystals) together and place in the refrigerator for at least an hour to chill. Once the mixture is cold, pour it into the freezer container of an electric ice cream maker and follow the ice cream maker instructions.  If the consistency of the ice cream isn't firm enough, place the container in the freezer to set. I sprinkled my decaf coffee ice cream with a few mini chocolate chips. 

Serve and enjoy during Saturday Night Live with no worries.  Good Night!

Anne's Holiday Coffee

I have been experimenting with different ingredients to make the perfect hot coffee drink and I have formulated a winner!  This coffee drink has a touch of alcohol for flavor, not kick.  You can easily have a cup and feel like you are indulging in a holiday treat, without the negatives of many of the high octane and whipping cream-filled holiday drinks.

Holiday Coffee

Brew 4 cups of decaf coffee.  While the coffee is brewing, mix together 1/2 cup of Fat Free Half & Half, 1/2 cup of 2% milk, 1/4 cup of brown sugar and 1 block of unsweetened Bakers chocolate.  Microwave this milk mixture a minute or two until the liquid is hot and the chocolate melts when stirred.  Add 2 Tablespoons of Jim Beam Bourbon and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla.  Pour the hot decaf coffee into the milk mixture and serve in pretty coffee cups.  Top with a puff of real cream Reddi-whip, if you wish.

This hot coffee drink is perfect to share with friends and family gathered for the holidays.  

(Note: The photo above is a coffee from a restaurant in Paris.  I drank my Holiday Coffee last night before I had a chance to get a good picture!) 

Latte Like

I love this a latte!  (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

Knowing my deep love (and dependence) on coffee in the afternoon, my friend decided that I needed my own "Aerolatte Mooo," a battery operated milk frother.

I must admit I was sceptical.  It was cute and everything, but how could this little toy really be worth using.  I tried it the other night and the results were so fantastic, it became worthy of a blog post.  Look at that foam!  Would you believe that I used skim milk?  Remarkable.

So my new afternoon ritual is this:  Brew some coffee.  Microwave skim milk in a glass pitcher.  Froth with the Areolatte Mooo.  Pour the hot milk into the mug of coffee and generously spoon meringue-like foam into my mug.  Shake on a little nutmeg and live the coffeehouse life right in my own home.  Thanks, Kim!    

12 Days of Valentine's Day: I Love You, A Latte

If you are looking for a sweet way to send a message to your Valentine, you might want to think coffee.  Take them out for coffee, mail them a coffee gift card - whatever you want, the message is the same.  I love you, a latte.

This beautiful foam heart was whipped up in the garden courtyard of the Victoria & Albert museum in London.  After a bit of browsing, we stopped for an afternoon snack and really loved sitting out in the fresh air.  This entire courtyard is open to the museum visitors - there is a giant water area,  grassy lawn, cafe tables.  It was so lovely outside, it was easy to forget about the historic artwork inside.

The day, the setting, the coffee - I enjoyed it all.  Happy Day 10.

Day 10: Find a way to show someone that you love them, a latte.   

Coffee & Conversation

I really enjoy a cup of coffee after dinner. At home, it is a nice time to move into the living room and talk over the day.

At a dinner party, I find it is when everyone truly seems to relax.

I thought I would share a recipe for homemade kahlua. I keep it in a pretty glass bottle and then decant it into a small pitcher for pouring when I serve coffee.

Everyone is always intrigued to find out that I made my own small-batch kahlua and enjoys having a little something special to add to their coffee.

Homemade Kahlua

Boil 2 cups of water. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of white sugar and 4 Tablespoons of instant espresso powder. Cool. Stir in 2 cups of vodka. Decant in a glass bottle with cap, drop in a split vanilla bean. Keep in a dark cabinet for 1 month. It will mellow and become silky and delicious. Enjoy!

Paris: Cafe Life

Does Grande Latte trip off your tongue? When in Paris, instead of heading for the Starbuck's drive thru, you'll find yourself sitting at a cafe enjoying a cafe creme.

I spent a delightful hour with my husband here at Les Deux Magot sipping coffee and planning our week in Paris. This is the famous cafe on the Place Saint Germain des Pres where Jean Paul Sartre would write for hours.

How would you order your favorite coffee in French? Take a peek at this helpful translation & pronunciation guide here.

Neighborhood Progressive Party

Tonight my neighbors and I are having the world's smallest neighborhood progressive. The guys are getting together to play cards, so we decided to host a progressive to let the children have some fun too. 

Our theme is "Sweet & Savory." We will start at my house with apricot-glazed pork tenderloin on biscuits and a mixed green salad. I am making my famous coffee punch (inspired by the DELIGHT cover "Holiday Parties") too. 

I'll have holiday music playing and I know the kids will enjoy looking at our candy-themed tree. Then we will tromp through the snow to the "Garden Club" girls' house next door for dessert and a Christmas movie. Now that's the holiday spirit!

Coffee Punch

Warm 5 cups of nonfat milk over low heat.  Add 1/4 cup white sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/3 cup of instant coffee (*decaf instant coffee might be a good choice) and a pinch of salt.  Stir until sugar dissolves.  Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until serving.  Serve in glass punch cups.  

T-shirt Trend

You know how I like lavender...and coffee...and chocolate. My friend, Tracy, just returned from San Francisco and pointed me to a clothing line dyed with the natural pigments in food. 

It seems very innovative and I thought that I should share it with you. The brand I believe she was seeing all over is Crazy Shirts, a company that originated in Hawaii.