kimberley d

today i came to check out the new tea house on 15th. verdict: i adore it. it’s very modern inside and they were playing z-trip. vials of tea cover the walls so that you can open them and smell each kind before you try one. they have 150 different types of organic tea. at the front they have warm samples of different flavors. some of them are formulated for specific purposes (hangover tea, relief for colds, prepare for sleep, extra caffeine, etc). i chose chocolate yerba mate which really didn’t taste like mate at all, but it’s good. when you order a pot of tea, they bring you a full tray with a timer and a warmer.

they also sell alcoholic drinks with tea, tea lattes, tea smoothies, chai combined with lattes, coffee, beer, wine, and sake. next time i’m going to come here for brunch and try the “tea service” which comes with 4 squares of tea sandwiches, a pot of tea, a truffle, tea cookies, fruit, and a scone. other food items include granola and yogurt, a wide variety of sandwiches and salads, cheese plates, ice cream, etc. they have a wide assortment of appealing pastries and surprisingly at least half of the pastries are vegan. some of them are by coco la ti da (formerly of earth & ocean). mmm, cute truffles.

did i mention this place is awesome? i apologize, fuel… much as i love you, i’m afraid this is the place i’m going to be dodgeballing from. plus, not that crowded = way faster free wireless.

Tasty coffee with happy foam art, friendly barista who advised me of Holman’s build-your-own-bloody-mary bar, Squarepusher on the speakers, free wifi, stylish architecture, design, furniture and art, a wall of magazines for sale including Aperture, Dwell, Adbusters, Ready Made, etc., delicious roasting smell in the air… kim-approved!

Quality coffee which features vivace-style designs with the foam on top. In addition to the usual suspects, they also sell sandwiches (both standard and wrap style), vegan treats, san pellegrino aranciata & limonata, and feature local art on the walls. Although it’s not a large cafe, it feels spacious due to the high ceilings and well-designed layout. Outdoor seating adds a comfy place to enjoy the sun.

go at least once before you die. you won’t regret it.

In addition to late-night sexypeoplewatching, Linda’s also has brunch. I am brunch-obsessed, so I try to eat brunch just about anywhere I can ;) They have typical fare, omelettes, pancakes, etc.. but it was better than I was expecting and reasonably priced.

I like Linda’s because unlike some of the other bars on the hill (coughCHACHAcough), it doesn’t feel nearly as uberhipstersnob/highschool- “I’m wearing the latest trendy outfit/hairstyle and OMG is that so-and-so from such-and-so band? He’s sooooo hot”). It’s more laidback… a place where if you strike up a conversation with a person you don’t know, you might have a real conversation vs. a “wanna come back to my place tonight?