#Momofuku Bakeshop

[k6u0]

焼き菓子類／Momofuku Bakeshop（清澄白河・森下）

インスタでおいしい店をまとめたような投稿をたまたま見かけた。ぼんやりスワイプすると、レモンのケーキを紹介する写真が目に留まった。モモフクベイクショップ、清澄白河のほうで週2回くらい営業しているみたい。すごい人気店なんだろうなと思って、お店のアカウントを見ると、フォロワーがとんでもなく多いわけではない。落ち着いてお菓子を選べそうだな。ちょうどその日に清澄白河のギャラリーに刺繍の展示を見にいく予定があったので、ふらふら歩いていくことにした。

初めて来た商店街「のらくろーど」。天気が荒れる予報があったり、平日や夜のほうが元気なのかな？という感じで、人通りが多くなく静かな雰囲気。しばらく歩くと、conatoというシェアキッチンが見えてくる。モモフクベイクショップは、水・土曜日はそこを店舗にしている。白い細長い店内に、ケーキ、スコーン、クッキーなど焼き菓子が並んでいる。かなり迷ったけど買ったのは、左上から時計まわりに、サブレ ももふく、りんごのレモンクリームチーズパイ、キャロットケーキ、スコーン。

インスタで見かけたレモンのケーキはおそらくなかったので、りんごのレモンクリームチーズパイを。クリームやチーズのせいかレモン感は薄め。上にゼラチン？がかかっているかクリームに入っているかで表面は結構しっかりしていて持ち帰っても崩れなかった。パイ生地もかなりしっかり、入っているりんごも大きめ。

スコーンは、オレンジ、ビターめのチョコ、ちょっとクセを感じる紅茶の味がする。ごりっと硬そうな見た目だけど、かじるとホロっと崩れるくらい柔らかく、焼いてもわりとふわっと軽い。

キャロットケーキは、スパイス効いててフロスティングもたっぷりでハズレなし。

別にお店の人と話したわけでもないのに、もう一回行きたいなーという感じがする。レシートをもらわなかったため、正確な値段はすみませんわからず‥。でも、全部で1,500円はいかなかった気が。

曜日によって場所が変わるのでSNSで確認を。

住所：（深川江戸資料館通り）東京都江東区三好１丁目５−４ 鉄板ダイニング ふぇるめーる、（のらくろーど）東京都江東区高橋14-25　高橋Yビル1F

営業日：水・土曜日

営業時間：（深川江戸資料館通り）11:30〜15:00 、（のらくろーど）14:00〜売切まで

https://www.instagram.com/momofuku_bakeshop/?img_index=1

[michaelfallcon]

Konbi: The Next Great LA Cafe Is A Japanese Lunch Counter

Photo courtesy of Alicia Cho

Blink as you drive by and you might miss it—hit the United Oil station and you’ve gone too far—but tucked onto a corner of Sunset Boulevard as it winds its way through Echo Park is Konbi, an extraordinary new Japanese sandwich and coffee shop. This part of the city is no stranger to good coffee; the original LA location of Intelligentsia is just down the way, and within a few miles either direction there are spots like Dinosaur Coffee, Winsome, Eightfold, Triniti, Dayglow, Woodcat, FrankieLucy Bakeshop, and many more, not to mention the Go Get Em Tiger on Hollywood, just past where Sunset curves west. And yet here, in this tiny little narrow room that feels flown in wholesale from Japan, owners Akira Akuto and Nick Montgomery have created a unique concept that’s already doing the rarest thing in spoilt-for-choice Los Angeles: drawing a crowd.

The first thing one notices walking in is the size. Much like the famous konbinis of Japan this cafe is long and narrow, pleasantly streamlined to keep the focus on the meal. Guests sit at a low lunch counter, facing into a long galley kitchen where the food is prepared. Coffee service at the front window is achieved in an incredibly efficient space. Their under-counter Mavam Espresso machine, Mahlkönig EK43 grinder, and Curtis brewer are all perfectly staged to minimize movement for the barista and keep the focus on customer needs as well as barista comfort. It’s like a tiny, efficient little miracle that this place works at all—and yet it does.

After the design, the second thing one notices is how quiet Konbi is. Even during the lunch rush, refrigerator doors don’t slam, kitchen wares don’t bang together, voices stay pleasant, and the atmosphere remains tranquil. This is all borne of intentional practice that is reflected in every corner of the restaurant—the walls are white, light wood abounds, and the space uses only natural colors.

Photo courtesy of Alicia Cho

Photo by Alicia Cho.

The menu at Konbi is tautly focused. Sandwiches take center stage, including the rightly lauded (and heavily Instagram’d) pork katsu sandwich, which pairs perfectly with a small cup of miso soup. I actually preferred the egg salad sandwich—fluffy, ethereal, served on perfectly light bread from Bub and Grandma’s. Williamsburg Japanese tea stars Kettl Tea provides the shop’s range of tea offerings, including iced sencha and a stand-out houjicha latte, a tea-based steamed milk drink which lands somewhere in the realm of a chai latte, albeit less sweet and more roundly complex, with earthy, toasty notes.

Coffee service at Konbi comes courtesy of Camber Coffee, a boutique roaster based in Bellingham, WA and featured previously on Sprudge. Beverage Director Jacqueline Vaca (Intelligentsia, DTLA Cheese) vows to only serve coffees that are approachable—high quality drinks with accessibility at the forefront. Currently, Konbi is the only Camber-exclusive account in LA, but don’t come looking for retail whole bean sales just yet. “Where would we put it?” Vaca laughs—the restaurant is just that small. Each cup sparkles, brewed with the kind of conscientious precision that can only come from expertise and careful attention. Vaca wants every level of coffee and tea consumer to feel welcome at Konbi, and so each interaction is intentional, focused on helping the customer get the drink they want with a personal and intimate service style that’s a perfect match for Konbi’s intentional, seasonal food and traditional pastries.

Photo by Alicia Cho.

Akuto and Montgomery both have strong restaurant backgrounds. They’ve worked as chefs in both LA and New York (including at Momofuku), but neither had worked in specialty coffee. Nevertheless, they intended to hold the beverage program to the same standards of excellence and knew they needed someone from the industry to helm it. They brought on Vaca as their Beverage Director, who first learned coffee in Melbourne 10 years ago. Today, there are only three full-time baristas on staff, and together they have an astounding 30+ years combined experience serving coffee, but they aren’t resting on their laurels. If someone is interested, Vaca has an open door policy about coffee education for everyone on the team. They’re all happy to pass along the wealth of knowledge that comes with such a remarkable level of experience.

Nick Montgomery and Akira Akuto.

Photo by Alicia Cho.

Akuto and Montgomery believe a “staff-focused” approach is part of what makes Konbi special. “This is an egoless environment,” Akuto tells me—a tiny boat the team is all on together, where anyone is free to make suggestions. “Our motto is to make Konbi better every day,” Akuto adds. So far it’s working.

After a wildly busy fall opening (the restaurant literally ran out of food), today the neighborhood has settled in around the shop, albeit with a firmly Echo Park vibe. Regulars have long since become friends, but you never know who is next though the door. The nomadic foodie crowd has officially discovered Konbi, and people come from all over the world now, sometimes with their luggage in tow, each one finding their place in the narrow little room to eat delicious daytime foods, take in the calm, intentional vibe, and drink great coffee.

Konbi is located at 1463 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Valorie Clark (@TheValorieClark) is a freelance journalist based in Los Angeles. Read more Valorie Clark on Sprudge.

All photos by Alicia Cho.

The post Konbi: The Next Great LA Cafe Is A Japanese Lunch Counter appeared first on Sprudge.

Konbi: The Next Great LA Cafe Is A Japanese Lunch Counter published first on https://medium.com/@LinLinCoffee

[mrwilliamcharley]

Konbi: The Next Great LA Cafe Is A Japanese Lunch Counter

Photo courtesy of Alicia Cho

Blink as you drive by and you might miss it—hit the United Oil station and you’ve gone too far—but tucked onto a corner of Sunset Boulevard as it winds its way through Echo Park is Konbi, an extraordinary new Japanese sandwich and coffee shop. This part of the city is no stranger to good coffee; the original LA location of Intelligentsia is just down the way, and within a few miles either direction there are spots like Dinosaur Coffee, Winsome, Eightfold, Triniti, Dayglow, Woodcat, FrankieLucy Bakeshop, and many more, not to mention the Go Get Em Tiger on Hollywood, just past where Sunset curves west. And yet here, in this tiny little narrow room that feels flown in wholesale from Japan, owners Akira Akuto and Nick Montgomery have created a unique concept that’s already doing the rarest thing in spoilt-for-choice Los Angeles: drawing a crowd.

The first thing one notices walking in is the size. Much like the famous konbinis of Japan this cafe is long and narrow, pleasantly streamlined to keep the focus on the meal. Guests sit at a low lunch counter, facing into a long galley kitchen where the food is prepared. Coffee service at the front window is achieved in an incredibly efficient space. Their under-counter Mavam Espresso machine, Mahlkönig EK43 grinder, and Curtis brewer are all perfectly staged to minimize movement for the barista and keep the focus on customer needs as well as barista comfort. It’s like a tiny, efficient little miracle that this place works at all—and yet it does.

After the design, the second thing one notices is how quiet Konbi is. Even during the lunch rush, refrigerator doors don’t slam, kitchen wares don’t bang together, voices stay pleasant, and the atmosphere remains tranquil. This is all borne of intentional practice that is reflected in every corner of the restaurant—the walls are white, light wood abounds, and the space uses only natural colors.

Photo courtesy of Alicia Cho

Photo by Alicia Cho.

The menu at Konbi is tautly focused. Sandwiches take center stage, including the rightly lauded (and heavily Instagram’d) pork katsu sandwich, which pairs perfectly with a small cup of miso soup. I actually preferred the egg salad sandwich—fluffy, ethereal, served on perfectly light bread from Bub and Grandma’s. Williamsburg Japanese tea stars Kettl Tea provides the shop’s range of tea offerings, including iced sencha and a stand-out houjicha latte, a tea-based steamed milk drink which lands somewhere in the realm of a chai latte, albeit less sweet and more roundly complex, with earthy, toasty notes.

Coffee service at Konbi comes courtesy of Camber Coffee, a boutique roaster based in Bellingham, WA and featured previously on Sprudge. Beverage Director Jacqueline Vaca (Intelligentsia, DTLA Cheese) vows to only serve coffees that are approachable—high quality drinks with accessibility at the forefront. Currently, Konbi is the only Camber-exclusive account in LA, but don’t come looking for retail whole bean sales just yet. “Where would we put it?” Vaca laughs—the restaurant is just that small. Each cup sparkles, brewed with the kind of conscientious precision that can only come from expertise and careful attention. Vaca wants every level of coffee and tea consumer to feel welcome at Konbi, and so each interaction is intentional, focused on helping the customer get the drink they want with a personal and intimate service style that’s a perfect match for Konbi’s intentional, seasonal food and traditional pastries.

Photo by Alicia Cho.

Akuto and Montgomery both have strong restaurant backgrounds. They’ve worked as chefs in both LA and New York (including at Momofuku), but neither had worked in specialty coffee. Nevertheless, they intended to hold the beverage program to the same standards of excellence and knew they needed someone from the industry to helm it. They brought on Vaca as their Beverage Director, who first learned coffee in Melbourne 10 years ago. Today, there are only three full-time baristas on staff, and together they have an astounding 30+ years combined experience serving coffee, but they aren’t resting on their laurels. If someone is interested, Vaca has an open door policy about coffee education for everyone on the team. They’re all happy to pass along the wealth of knowledge that comes with such a remarkable level of experience.

Nick Montgomery and Akira Akuto.

Photo by Alicia Cho.

Akuto and Montgomery believe a “staff-focused” approach is part of what makes Konbi special. “This is an egoless environment,” Akuto tells me—a tiny boat the team is all on together, where anyone is free to make suggestions. “Our motto is to make Konbi better every day,” Akuto adds. So far it’s working.

After a wildly busy fall opening (the restaurant literally ran out of food), today the neighborhood has settled in around the shop, albeit with a firmly Echo Park vibe. Regulars have long since become friends, but you never know who is next though the door. The nomadic foodie crowd has officially discovered Konbi, and people come from all over the world now, sometimes with their luggage in tow, each one finding their place in the narrow little room to eat delicious daytime foods, take in the calm, intentional vibe, and drink great coffee.

Konbi is located at 1463 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Valorie Clark (@TheValorieClark) is a freelance journalist based in Los Angeles. Read more Valorie Clark on Sprudge.

All photos by Alicia Cho.

The post Konbi: The Next Great LA Cafe Is A Japanese Lunch Counter appeared first on Sprudge.

from Sprudge http://bit.ly/2FzKdFt

[epchapman89]

Konbi: The Next Great LA Cafe Is A Japanese Lunch Counter

Photo courtesy of Alicia Cho

Blink as you drive by and you might miss it—hit the United Oil station and you’ve gone too far—but tucked onto a corner of Sunset Boulevard as it winds its way through Echo Park is Konbi, an extraordinary new Japanese sandwich and coffee shop. This part of the city is no stranger to good coffee; the original LA location of Intelligentsia is just down the way, and within a few miles either direction there are spots like Dinosaur Coffee, Winsome, Eightfold, Triniti, Dayglow, Woodcat, FrankieLucy Bakeshop, and many more, not to mention the Go Get Em Tiger on Hollywood, just past where Sunset curves west. And yet here, in this tiny little narrow room that feels flown in wholesale from Japan, owners Akira Akuto and Nick Montgomery have created a unique concept that’s already doing the rarest thing in spoilt-for-choice Los Angeles: drawing a crowd.

The first thing one notices walking in is the size. Much like the famous konbinis of Japan this cafe is long and narrow, pleasantly streamlined to keep the focus on the meal. Guests sit at a low lunch counter, facing into a long galley kitchen where the food is prepared. Coffee service at the front window is achieved in an incredibly efficient space. Their under-counter Mavam Espresso machine, Mahlkönig EK43 grinder, and Curtis brewer are all perfectly staged to minimize movement for the barista and keep the focus on customer needs as well as barista comfort. It’s like a tiny, efficient little miracle that this place works at all—and yet it does.

After the design, the second thing one notices is how quiet Konbi is. Even during the lunch rush, refrigerator doors don’t slam, kitchen wares don’t bang together, voices stay pleasant, and the atmosphere remains tranquil. This is all borne of intentional practice that is reflected in every corner of the restaurant—the walls are white, light wood abounds, and the space uses only natural colors.

Photo courtesy of Alicia Cho

Photo by Alicia Cho.

The menu at Konbi is tautly focused. Sandwiches take center stage, including the rightly lauded (and heavily Instagram’d) pork katsu sandwich, which pairs perfectly with a small cup of miso soup. I actually preferred the egg salad sandwich—fluffy, ethereal, served on perfectly light bread from Bub and Grandma’s. Williamsburg Japanese tea stars Kettl Tea provides the shop’s range of tea offerings, including iced sencha and a stand-out houjicha latte, a tea-based steamed milk drink which lands somewhere in the realm of a chai latte, albeit less sweet and more roundly complex, with earthy, toasty notes.

Coffee service at Konbi comes courtesy of Camber Coffee, a boutique roaster based in Bellingham, WA and featured previously on Sprudge. Beverage Director Jacqueline Vaca (Intelligentsia, DTLA Cheese) vows to only serve coffees that are approachable—high quality drinks with accessibility at the forefront. Currently, Konbi is the only Camber-exclusive account in LA, but don’t come looking for retail whole bean sales just yet. “Where would we put it?” Vaca laughs—the restaurant is just that small. Each cup sparkles, brewed with the kind of conscientious precision that can only come from expertise and careful attention. Vaca wants every level of coffee and tea consumer to feel welcome at Konbi, and so each interaction is intentional, focused on helping the customer get the drink they want with a personal and intimate service style that’s a perfect match for Konbi’s intentional, seasonal food and traditional pastries.

Photo by Alicia Cho.

Akuto and Montgomery both have strong restaurant backgrounds. They’ve worked as chefs in both LA and New York (including at Momofuku), but neither had worked in specialty coffee. Nevertheless, they intended to hold the beverage program to the same standards of excellence and knew they needed someone from the industry to helm it. They brought on Vaca as their Beverage Director, who first learned coffee in Melbourne 10 years ago. Today, there are only three full-time baristas on staff, and together they have an astounding 30+ years combined experience serving coffee, but they aren’t resting on their laurels. If someone is interested, Vaca has an open door policy about coffee education for everyone on the team. They’re all happy to pass along the wealth of knowledge that comes with such a remarkable level of experience.

Nick Montgomery and Akira Akuto.

Photo by Alicia Cho.

Akuto and Montgomery believe a “staff-focused” approach is part of what makes Konbi special. “This is an egoless environment,” Akuto tells me—a tiny boat the team is all on together, where anyone is free to make suggestions. “Our motto is to make Konbi better every day,” Akuto adds. So far it’s working.

After a wildly busy fall opening (the restaurant literally ran out of food), today the neighborhood has settled in around the shop, albeit with a firmly Echo Park vibe. Regulars have long since become friends, but you never know who is next though the door. The nomadic foodie crowd has officially discovered Konbi, and people come from all over the world now, sometimes with their luggage in tow, each one finding their place in the narrow little room to eat delicious daytime foods, take in the calm, intentional vibe, and drink great coffee.

Konbi is located at 1463 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Valorie Clark (@TheValorieClark) is a freelance journalist based in Los Angeles. Read more Valorie Clark on Sprudge.

All photos by Alicia Cho.

The post Konbi: The Next Great LA Cafe Is A Japanese Lunch Counter appeared first on Sprudge.

seen 1st on http://sprudge.com

[stunningvacationtips]

Enjoy the holiday season anywhere with a dog-friendly food crawl

By Melissa Lauren Taylor, reporter for Cesar's Method Inc.

There's no need to lose out on that unique sensation you get during the vacations simply since you are much from home or taking a trip with pets.

Airports and also international cities can still invoke that sense of warmth and get you humming "Child, It's Cold Outdoors," or your preferred holiday tune. Just how? With a pet-friendly food crawl. A food crawl is an experience where you see anywhere from two to 6 various food facilities (restaurants, bakeshops, gelato shops, and so on) back to back, attempting simply one product or meal from each place.

Food creeps are wonderful because they could be done anywhere as well as in any amount of time. Only have one hr prior to you have to jet back to the airport? Not a problem. Alternatively, if you have several hours free and are seeking a fun method to check out a city with your dog as well as get in touch with the neighborhood society, then you must jot down "food crawl" on your travel plan. Here's how you can do it on the fly:

1. Stroll around your resort or nearby the airport as well as you make sure to discover enhanced cafés serving seasonal price. A lot of cafés and also stores with outside seating will certainly enable you to have your pets at hand. And also, strolling a new city is a great method to summon daring power and also exercise your pet at the same time.

2. Download and install the Foursquare app as well as search for dog-friendly dining establishments near you. It could be a vital tool in assisting browse the neighborhood food scene wherever you are.

3. Ask your cab motorist or the attendant at your hotel concerning neighboring neighborhood faves that permit pets and also may be offering seasonal attacks. As soon as you come to a restaurant, if you do not see the sort of merry-making eats that you're seeking, ask the host or a web server about a vacation or seasonal menu.

Momofuku Milk Bar, with locations in NYC, D.C. and Toronto, Canada, supplies their "Thanksgiving Food selection" starting on October 28. If you occur to be taking a trip via that component of the globe, drop in for their ... wait on it ... Thanksgiving croissant (made with celery salt croissant dough) stuffed with dog-friendly turkey, gravy, and cranberry sauce. You'll likewise have the ability to obtain your paws on the not-so-dog-friendly however absolutely tasty chocolate-chocolate cookie, "fracture pie" soft-serve, and pumpkin pie truffles and cake. Reserve online for a fast pick-up in store so you can proceed to check out the city with your pet.

4. Obtain out there and ask for a suggestion! Visit a cafe and ask a person who appears like a local where to discover a scrumptious dish that you can show to your canine. At least, you could most likely find a facility offering a savory bowl of soup or a sandwich similar to residence around the holidays.

5. When all else falls short, buy a cheese plate, the global staple of holiday entertaining. No other recipe is so perfect for establishing the mood to go to a holiday event than a board of artisanal cheeses offered with honey, jam, and also fruit or a baguette. Many restaurants provide them, and you'll be feeling happy as you relish bites of apple and also brie drizzled with honey. Canines love cheese too, and it's fine for them to consume in moderate amounts.

6. If you can't locate a cheese plate, head to Starbucks and get a toasted graham latte, or the quintessential picks: the pumpkin spiced or pepper mint latte. Get hold of a pumpkin shaped cookie or a piece of apple extra pound cake and remember that it's the little things in life that bring us the most delight, also if the little trait comes from Starbucks.

Tip: Many Starbucks have "secret" vacation food selection items, so make certain to sign in with your barista concerning just what's readily available.

[justacuptohitthespot]

New York City List

Places I want to hit up (not in any order):

>>Updated 1/9/2022: And just like that, I’m back in NYC. Stay tuned!

>>Updated 6/25/2021: Back state-side. Will update as I re-visit NYC!

>>Updated 1/27/2017: Sadly, I lost access to my previous Tumblr account, Justacup2hitthespot, so I had to rebuild the blog onto this account. Also, I left NYC! I’ve moved abroad, but whenever I visit NYC, I will keep posting about new shops that I discover there.

Thanks for following!

Now that my friends and have all moved to various boroughs, we have more shops to visit!

12 Corners

2Beans

500 President Gorilla Coffee

About Coffee

Abraço [CLOSED]

Ad Hoc Collective

Alice’s Tea Cup

Amorino Gelato

Andrew’s Coffee Shop

Anesis Cafe

Angelica Kitchen [CLOSED]

Aroma Espresso Bar

Artopolis Espresso

Astor Row Café

Astoria Coffee

Au Bon Pain

Au Breve Espresso

B Cup Cafe

Bakeri

Bank Square Coffeehouse (Beacon)

The Bean Cafe NYC

Bean Scoop: La Gelateria Caffe

Bee’s Knees Bakery

Bell’s Coffee & Design

Berkli Parc

Besfren

Betola Espresso Bar

Bibble & Sip

Billy’s Brew

Birch Coffee

Blu Cafe

Blue Bottle Coffee

Blue Spoon Coffee

Bluebird Coffee Shop

Bluestockings

Bluestone Lane Coffee

The Boba Guys

Bonsignour

Bosie Tea Parlor

Bourbon Coffee

Box Kite Cafe

Bowery Coffee

Breadbox Cafe

Bread & Butter

Bread Factory Cafe

Búdin

Buongiorno Espresso Bar

By Suzette

C&B Cafe

Café Angelique

Cafe Bacio

Cafe Green

The Cafe Grind

Café Grumpy

Cafe Integral

Cafe Jax

Cafe La Cerra

Cafe M

Cafe Mocha

Cafe Noi Espresso Bar

Café Orlin

Cafe Panino Mucho Giusto

Cafe Pedlar

Cafe Pick Me Up

Café Regular du Nord

Cafe Reunion

Cafe Tarantin

Cafe Via Espresso

Cafe Zaiya

Cafetal Social Club

Cafetiny

Caffe Bacio

Caffé Bene (2)

Caffe Dante

Caffe Reggio

Caffe Vergnano

Caffe Vita Coffee Roasting Co.

Cammareri Bakery & Cafe

Cassetta

Cha-An

Chalait (2)

Charter Coffeehouse

Chat N Chew

Chikalicious Dessert Club

The Chipped Cup

Chock Full of Nuts Cafe

Chocolate Bar

Chokolat Patisserie

Ciao for Now

City Bakery

City of Saints Coffee Roasters

Classic Coffee Shop

Cocoa Bar

Coffee Foundry

Coffee Rx

COFFEED

Coffee House Club

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

The Coffee Project NY

Come Buy

Connecticut Muffin

Corso Coffee

Counter Culture Coffee

Crazy Bananas

Creme Cafe

Croissants Rica

Culture 36

Culture Espresso

Cup & Cup

D'Espresso

DAVIDsTEA

De Luxe

DEMARCO Coffee

Devocion

Dillinger’s

Dos Coffee

Double Dutch Espresso Harlem

Doughnut Plant

DraftFCB Coffee Bar

DTUT

dub Pies

Earth Cafe

El Cafecito

El Rey

The Elk

Elsewhere Espresso

Empire Coffee & Tea Company

Eric’s Coffee Shop

Espresso 77

Express Yourself Barista Bar

Everyman Espresso

FAB Cafe

Fair Folks & a Goat

Fantastic Tea Shop

Felix Roasting Co.

FIKA Espresso Bar

Five Leaves

Four Barre

Francois Payard Bakery

French Roast

Frisson Espresso

Gasoline Alley Coffee

Gentle Brew (Long Island)

Gimme! Coffee

Gizi Chocolate, Wine, Cheese, Espresso Bar

Gong Cha

Gossip Coffee

Gourmesso Coffee

Grace Street

Green Nature Coffee House

Gregory’s Coffee

The Grey Dog

Ground Central Coffee

Ground Support Coffee

Grounded

Happy Bones Coffee

Harney & Sons Tea

Hi-Collar

Hole in the Wall Coffee

Home Espresso Bar

Honeyhaus

House of Small Wonder

Housing Works Bookstore Cafe

The Hungry Ghost Coffee Bar & Cafe

I Am Coffee

Iconic Coffee

Il Caffe Latte

Intelligentsia

Ippodo Tea Co.

Irving Place Coffee & Tea Bar

Jack’s Stir Brew Coffee

Jack’s Wife Freda

Java Joe

Java Tea

Joe The Art of Coffee

The Jolly Goat Coffee Shop

Juan Valdez Cafe

Kaffe 1668

Kahlua’s Cafe

Kahve

Kamakura Coffee

Kava Cafe

Kobrick’s Coffee Co.

Koko Loko Coffee (New Jersey)

Konditori

Kopi Kopi NYC

Kopitiam

Kuro Kuma Espresso & Coffee

La Colombe Torrefaction

La Maison du Croque Monsieur

Landbrot Bakery

Laughing Man

Lavazza Café

Le Café Coffee

Le Pain Quotidien

Le Petit Café

Léna

Lenox Coffee

Limited

Little Collins

Liquiteria

Lost Weekend in NYC

Love Cafe

Lucid Cafe

Luna 29 Cafe

Macchiato Espresso Bar

Madman Espresso

Maialino

Maison Kayser

Mapi Espresso & Sandwich Bar

Mariebelle

Martha’s Country Bakery

MatchaBar

Matcha Cafe Wabi

MAZA Espresso Bar

McNulty’s Tea & Coffee Co.

Mia Chef Gelataria

The Mill Coffee Company

Momofuku Milk Bar

Monkey Cup

Mud Truck

Muddy Waters Cafe

Mudspot

myWayCup Coffee

Naked Earth

Native Bean

New York Film Academy Café

Newsbar

Ninth Street Espresso

NY Film Academy Café

O Cafe

Oren’s Daily Roast

Oslo Coffee Roasters

Ost Cafe

Padoca

Pamela’s Diner

Panya Bakery

Paradigm Cafe

Paradis To Go

Partners Coffee Roasters

Path Coffee (not a coffee shop, but brand)

Pause Cafe

Peet’s Coffee & Tea

Penelope

Pennylane Coffee

Perk Kafe

Perpetuum Cafe

Petite Shell

Physical GraffiTea

Piccolo Cafe

Pip’s Place

Plowshares Coffee Roasters

Podunk

Porto Rico Importing Co.

Ports

Press Tea

Prodigy Coffee

Propeller Coffee

Pushcart Coffee

The Queens Kickshaw

Rebel Coffee

RBC NYC

Rex

Rise & Grind

Roasting Plant Coffee

Roastown Coffee

The Roost

Rosella Coffee Shop

RouRou Cafe

Rustico

Saint’s Alp Tea House

SAMO Coffee

Saturdays Surf NYC

Seven Grams Caffe

Simon Sips

The Smile

Smith Canteen

SpaHa Cafe

Spot Dessert Bar

Spreadhouse Cafe

Starbucks Coffee

Steeplechase Coffee Shop

STIX

Stumptown Coffee Roasters

Sullivan Street Tea & Spice Company

Sweatshop

Sweetleaf

Sweet Corner Bakeshop

Sweet Revenge

Tarallucci E Vino

Taylor Street Baristas

Tea & Symphony

Tea Drunk

Teado

Teany

Teariffic

Teaus

Telegraphe Espresso Bar

Ten Ren’s Tea Time

Think Coffee

Third Rail Coffee

Three Seat Espresso & Barber

TKettle

Toby’s Estate Coffee

Tous Les Jours

Triple Shot World Atlas Cafe

Two Hands

Underline Coffee

UR Cup

URBO Grind

Vagabond Cafe

Van Leeuwen

Via Quadronno

Veniero’s Italian Bakery

VIP Cafe and Bakery

Vive La Crepe

Vivi Bubble Tea

Voyager Espresso

WTF Coffee Lab

Wave Hill Cafe

Wayside Coffee

Whynot Coffee

Wonder City Coffee & Donut Bar

Yippie Museum Cafe

Zibetto

Zinc Bar

Zucker Bakery

Zulu’s

[michaelfallcon]

Konbi: The Next Great LA Cafe Is A Japanese Lunch Counter

Photo courtesy of Alicia Cho

Blink as you drive by and you might miss it—hit the United Oil station and you’ve gone too far—but tucked onto a corner of Sunset Boulevard as it winds its way through Echo Park is Konbi, an extraordinary new Japanese sandwich and coffee shop. This part of the city is no stranger to good coffee; the original LA location of Intelligentsia is just down the way, and within a few miles either direction there are spots like Dinosaur Coffee, Winsome, Eightfold, Triniti, Dayglow, Woodcat, FrankieLucy Bakeshop, and many more, not to mention the Go Get Em Tiger on Hollywood, just past where Sunset curves west. And yet here, in this tiny little narrow room that feels flown in wholesale from Japan, owners Akira Akuto and Nick Montgomery have created a unique concept that’s already doing the rarest thing in spoilt-for-choice Los Angeles: drawing a crowd.

The first thing one notices walking in is the size. Much like the famous konbinis of Japan this cafe is long and narrow, pleasantly streamlined to keep the focus on the meal. Guests sit at a low lunch counter, facing into a long galley kitchen where the food is prepared. Coffee service at the front window is achieved in an incredibly efficient space. Their under-counter Mavam Espresso machine, Mahlkönig EK43 grinder, and Curtis brewer are all perfectly staged to minimize movement for the barista and keep the focus on customer needs as well as barista comfort. It’s like a tiny, efficient little miracle that this place works at all—and yet it does.

After the design, the second thing one notices is how quiet Konbi is. Even during the lunch rush, refrigerator doors don’t slam, kitchen wares don’t bang together, voices stay pleasant, and the atmosphere remains tranquil. This is all borne of intentional practice that is reflected in every corner of the restaurant—the walls are white, light wood abounds, and the space uses only natural colors.

Photo courtesy of Alicia Cho

Photo by Alicia Cho.

The menu at Konbi is tautly focused. Sandwiches take center stage, including the rightly lauded (and heavily Instagram’d) pork katsu sandwich, which pairs perfectly with a small cup of miso soup. I actually preferred the egg salad sandwich—fluffy, ethereal, served on perfectly light bread from Bub and Grandma’s. Williamsburg Japanese tea stars Kettl Tea provides the shop’s range of tea offerings, including iced sencha and a stand-out houjicha latte, a tea-based steamed milk drink which lands somewhere in the realm of a chai latte, albeit less sweet and more roundly complex, with earthy, toasty notes.

Coffee service at Konbi comes courtesy of Camber Coffee, a boutique roaster based in Bellingham, WA and featured previously on Sprudge. Beverage Director Jacqueline Vaca (Intelligentsia, DTLA Cheese) vows to only serve coffees that are approachable—high quality drinks with accessibility at the forefront. Currently, Konbi is the only Camber-exclusive account in LA, but don’t come looking for retail whole bean sales just yet. “Where would we put it?” Vaca laughs—the restaurant is just that small. Each cup sparkles, brewed with the kind of conscientious precision that can only come from expertise and careful attention. Vaca wants every level of coffee and tea consumer to feel welcome at Konbi, and so each interaction is intentional, focused on helping the customer get the drink they want with a personal and intimate service style that’s a perfect match for Konbi’s intentional, seasonal food and traditional pastries.

Photo by Alicia Cho.

Akuto and Montgomery both have strong restaurant backgrounds. They’ve worked as chefs in both LA and New York (including at Momofuku), but neither had worked in specialty coffee. Nevertheless, they intended to hold the beverage program to the same standards of excellence and knew they needed someone from the industry to helm it. They brought on Vaca as their Beverage Director, who first learned coffee in Melbourne 10 years ago. Today, there are only three full-time baristas on staff, and together they have an astounding 30+ years combined experience serving coffee, but they aren’t resting on their laurels. If someone is interested, Vaca has an open door policy about coffee education for everyone on the team. They’re all happy to pass along the wealth of knowledge that comes with such a remarkable level of experience.

Nick Montgomery and Akira Akuto.

Photo by Alicia Cho.

Akuto and Montgomery believe a “staff-focused” approach is part of what makes Konbi special. “This is an egoless environment,” Akuto tells me—a tiny boat the team is all on together, where anyone is free to make suggestions. “Our motto is to make Konbi better every day,” Akuto adds. So far it’s working.

After a wildly busy fall opening (the restaurant literally ran out of food), today the neighborhood has settled in around the shop, albeit with a firmly Echo Park vibe. Regulars have long since become friends, but you never know who is next though the door. The nomadic foodie crowd has officially discovered Konbi, and people come from all over the world now, sometimes with their luggage in tow, each one finding their place in the narrow little room to eat delicious daytime foods, take in the calm, intentional vibe, and drink great coffee.

Konbi is located at 1463 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Valorie Clark (@TheValorieClark) is a freelance journalist based in Los Angeles. Read more Valorie Clark on Sprudge.

All photos by Alicia Cho.

The post Konbi: The Next Great LA Cafe Is A Japanese Lunch Counter appeared first on Sprudge.

Konbi: The Next Great LA Cafe Is A Japanese Lunch Counter published first on https://medium.com/@LinLinCoffee

[mrwilliamcharley]

Konbi: The Next Great LA Cafe Is A Japanese Lunch Counter

Photo courtesy of Alicia Cho

Blink as you drive by and you might miss it—hit the United Oil station and you’ve gone too far—but tucked onto a corner of Sunset Boulevard as it winds its way through Echo Park is Konbi, an extraordinary new Japanese sandwich and coffee shop. This part of the city is no stranger to good coffee; the original LA location of Intelligentsia is just down the way, and within a few miles either direction there are spots like Dinosaur Coffee, Winsome, Eightfold, Triniti, Dayglow, Woodcat, FrankieLucy Bakeshop, and many more, not to mention the Go Get Em Tiger on Hollywood, just past where Sunset curves west. And yet here, in this tiny little narrow room that feels flown in wholesale from Japan, owners Akira Akuto and Nick Montgomery have created a unique concept that’s already doing the rarest thing in spoilt-for-choice Los Angeles: drawing a crowd.

The first thing one notices walking in is the size. Much like the famous konbinis of Japan this cafe is long and narrow, pleasantly streamlined to keep the focus on the meal. Guests sit at a low lunch counter, facing into a long galley kitchen where the food is prepared. Coffee service at the front window is achieved in an incredibly efficient space. Their under-counter Mavam Espresso machine, Mahlkönig EK43 grinder, and Curtis brewer are all perfectly staged to minimize movement for the barista and keep the focus on customer needs as well as barista comfort. It’s like a tiny, efficient little miracle that this place works at all—and yet it does.

After the design, the second thing one notices is how quiet Konbi is. Even during the lunch rush, refrigerator doors don’t slam, kitchen wares don’t bang together, voices stay pleasant, and the atmosphere remains tranquil. This is all borne of intentional practice that is reflected in every corner of the restaurant—the walls are white, light wood abounds, and the space uses only natural colors.

Photo courtesy of Alicia Cho

Photo by Alicia Cho.

The menu at Konbi is tautly focused. Sandwiches take center stage, including the rightly lauded (and heavily Instagram’d) pork katsu sandwich, which pairs perfectly with a small cup of miso soup. I actually preferred the egg salad sandwich—fluffy, ethereal, served on perfectly light bread from Bub and Grandma’s. Williamsburg Japanese tea stars Kettl Tea provides the shop’s range of tea offerings, including iced sencha and a stand-out houjicha latte, a tea-based steamed milk drink which lands somewhere in the realm of a chai latte, albeit less sweet and more roundly complex, with earthy, toasty notes.

Coffee service at Konbi comes courtesy of Camber Coffee, a boutique roaster based in Bellingham, WA and featured previously on Sprudge. Beverage Director Jacqueline Vaca (Intelligentsia, DTLA Cheese) vows to only serve coffees that are approachable—high quality drinks with accessibility at the forefront. Currently, Konbi is the only Camber-exclusive account in LA, but don’t come looking for retail whole bean sales just yet. “Where would we put it?” Vaca laughs—the restaurant is just that small. Each cup sparkles, brewed with the kind of conscientious precision that can only come from expertise and careful attention. Vaca wants every level of coffee and tea consumer to feel welcome at Konbi, and so each interaction is intentional, focused on helping the customer get the drink they want with a personal and intimate service style that’s a perfect match for Konbi’s intentional, seasonal food and traditional pastries.

Photo by Alicia Cho.

Akuto and Montgomery both have strong restaurant backgrounds. They’ve worked as chefs in both LA and New York (including at Momofuku), but neither had worked in specialty coffee. Nevertheless, they intended to hold the beverage program to the same standards of excellence and knew they needed someone from the industry to helm it. They brought on Vaca as their Beverage Director, who first learned coffee in Melbourne 10 years ago. Today, there are only three full-time baristas on staff, and together they have an astounding 30+ years combined experience serving coffee, but they aren’t resting on their laurels. If someone is interested, Vaca has an open door policy about coffee education for everyone on the team. They’re all happy to pass along the wealth of knowledge that comes with such a remarkable level of experience.

Nick Montgomery and Akira Akuto.

Photo by Alicia Cho.

Akuto and Montgomery believe a “staff-focused” approach is part of what makes Konbi special. “This is an egoless environment,” Akuto tells me—a tiny boat the team is all on together, where anyone is free to make suggestions. “Our motto is to make Konbi better every day,” Akuto adds. So far it’s working.

After a wildly busy fall opening (the restaurant literally ran out of food), today the neighborhood has settled in around the shop, albeit with a firmly Echo Park vibe. Regulars have long since become friends, but you never know who is next though the door. The nomadic foodie crowd has officially discovered Konbi, and people come from all over the world now, sometimes with their luggage in tow, each one finding their place in the narrow little room to eat delicious daytime foods, take in the calm, intentional vibe, and drink great coffee.

Konbi is located at 1463 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Valorie Clark (@TheValorieClark) is a freelance journalist based in Los Angeles. Read more Valorie Clark on Sprudge.

All photos by Alicia Cho.

The post Konbi: The Next Great LA Cafe Is A Japanese Lunch Counter appeared first on Sprudge.

from Sprudge http://bit.ly/2TPvmKe

[epchapman89]

Konbi: The Next Great LA Cafe Is A Japanese Lunch Counter

Photo courtesy of Alicia Cho

Blink as you drive by and you might miss it—hit the United Oil station and you’ve gone too far—but tucked onto a corner of Sunset Boulevard as it winds its way through Echo Park is Konbi, an extraordinary new Japanese sandwich and coffee shop. This part of the city is no stranger to good coffee; the original LA location of Intelligentsia is just down the way, and within a few miles either direction there are spots like Dinosaur Coffee, Winsome, Eightfold, Triniti, Dayglow, Woodcat, FrankieLucy Bakeshop, and many more, not to mention the Go Get Em Tiger on Hollywood, just past where Sunset curves west. And yet here, in this tiny little narrow room that feels flown in wholesale from Japan, owners Akira Akuto and Nick Montgomery have created a unique concept that’s already doing the rarest thing in spoilt-for-choice Los Angeles: drawing a crowd.

The first thing one notices walking in is the size. Much like the famous konbinis of Japan this cafe is long and narrow, pleasantly streamlined to keep the focus on the meal. Guests sit at a low lunch counter, facing into a long galley kitchen where the food is prepared. Coffee service at the front window is achieved in an incredibly efficient space. Their under-counter Mavam Espresso machine, Mahlkönig EK43 grinder, and Curtis brewer are all perfectly staged to minimize movement for the barista and keep the focus on customer needs as well as barista comfort. It’s like a tiny, efficient little miracle that this place works at all—and yet it does.

After the design, the second thing one notices is how quiet Konbi is. Even during the lunch rush, refrigerator doors don’t slam, kitchen wares don’t bang together, voices stay pleasant, and the atmosphere remains tranquil. This is all borne of intentional practice that is reflected in every corner of the restaurant—the walls are white, light wood abounds, and the space uses only natural colors.

Photo courtesy of Alicia Cho

Photo by Alicia Cho.

The menu at Konbi is tautly focused. Sandwiches take center stage, including the rightly lauded (and heavily Instagram’d) pork katsu sandwich, which pairs perfectly with a small cup of miso soup. I actually preferred the egg salad sandwich—fluffy, ethereal, served on perfectly light bread from Bub and Grandma’s. Williamsburg Japanese tea stars Kettl Tea provides the shop’s range of tea offerings, including iced sencha and a stand-out houjicha latte, a tea-based steamed milk drink which lands somewhere in the realm of a chai latte, albeit less sweet and more roundly complex, with earthy, toasty notes.

Coffee service at Konbi comes courtesy of Camber Coffee, a boutique roaster based in Bellingham, WA and featured previously on Sprudge. Beverage Director Jacqueline Vaca (Intelligentsia, DTLA Cheese) vows to only serve coffees that are approachable—high quality drinks with accessibility at the forefront. Currently, Konbi is the only Camber-exclusive account in LA, but don’t come looking for retail whole bean sales just yet. “Where would we put it?” Vaca laughs—the restaurant is just that small. Each cup sparkles, brewed with the kind of conscientious precision that can only come from expertise and careful attention. Vaca wants every level of coffee and tea consumer to feel welcome at Konbi, and so each interaction is intentional, focused on helping the customer get the drink they want with a personal and intimate service style that’s a perfect match for Konbi’s intentional, seasonal food and traditional pastries.

Photo by Alicia Cho.

Akuto and Montgomery both have strong restaurant backgrounds. They’ve worked as chefs in both LA and New York (including at Momofuku), but neither had worked in specialty coffee. Nevertheless, they intended to hold the beverage program to the same standards of excellence and knew they needed someone from the industry to helm it. They brought on Vaca as their Beverage Director, who first learned coffee in Melbourne 10 years ago. Today, there are only three full-time baristas on staff, and together they have an astounding 30+ years combined experience serving coffee, but they aren’t resting on their laurels. If someone is interested, Vaca has an open door policy about coffee education for everyone on the team. They’re all happy to pass along the wealth of knowledge that comes with such a remarkable level of experience.

Nick Montgomery and Akira Akuto.

Photo by Alicia Cho.

Akuto and Montgomery believe a “staff-focused” approach is part of what makes Konbi special. “This is an egoless environment,” Akuto tells me—a tiny boat the team is all on together, where anyone is free to make suggestions. “Our motto is to make Konbi better every day,” Akuto adds. So far it’s working.

After a wildly busy fall opening (the restaurant literally ran out of food), today the neighborhood has settled in around the shop, albeit with a firmly Echo Park vibe. Regulars have long since become friends, but you never know who is next though the door. The nomadic foodie crowd has officially discovered Konbi, and people come from all over the world now, sometimes with their luggage in tow, each one finding their place in the narrow little room to eat delicious daytime foods, take in the calm, intentional vibe, and drink great coffee.

Konbi is located at 1463 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Valorie Clark (@TheValorieClark) is a freelance journalist based in Los Angeles. Read more Valorie Clark on Sprudge.

All photos by Alicia Cho.

The post Konbi: The Next Great LA Cafe Is A Japanese Lunch Counter appeared first on Sprudge.

seen 1st on http://sprudge.com