Category Archives: Coffee Shops, cafes and bistros

Coldstone Creamery

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ColdstoneOriginally uploaded by Gexydaf

Coldstone Creamery at 2601 N. Pearl Street is one of those rare treats, but we had a great coupon and off we went. It was about 9:30 at night and they still had a pretty good business. Mostly couples, young and old. Dear daughter and I each got a small (called a ‘like it’). Mine was cheesecake (320 calories) with white chocolate chips and hers was birthday cake with sprinkles.

Coldstone’s website states that with their ice creams and mix-ins, they can create over 11 million creations! The first Coldstone opened in 1988 in Tempe, Arizona.

http://www.coldstonecreamery.com/index.html

Old Town Starbucks

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Old Town Starbucks

Originally uploaded by Gexydaf

What can I say? This is my 5th Starbucks since I’ve started this project. Sometimes I just need a quick new place that doesn’t require much research or many photos. Since most of us know what a Starbucks looks like, there is only an inside and outside shot. This particular Starbucks is located at 2112 North 30th Street Tacoma, WA 98403 in the Old Town area of Tacoma. It is pretty much a typical Starbucks, clean, friendly, reliable. The space is larger than I expected with a large room in the back. There is outside seating.

The Lovey Mamni Bakery

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So, dear husband and I are driving down South Tacoma Way on our way to see Captain America (which was really pretty good). I’m thinking about what I am going to use for a new place of the day. I’ve already done the movie theater and the fish taco place, so no go with our destinations. Then I look up and see Mamni’s Bakery at 9205 S Tacoma Way, Lakewood, WA 98499! Oh joy, I’ve been meaning to go there since my friend recommended it! We loopy looped around and went on in!

I can’t say I’ve been to a bakery like this before. Every individual item is wrapped. We purchased about 10 things and took them home to enjoy after the movie. After we got home dear daughter started asking what things were. Ummmm. Don’t know! They aren’t labeled! Though we can kind of tell by looking at them 🙂 The treat for tonight was very tasty indeed.

Now that we know where they are, we’re sure to be back!

  

 

Wagner’s Marketplace Bakery

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It is a rare photo of Wagner’s at the Olympia Farmer’s Market without any customers. Usually there is a crowd of folks picking out their favorite treat. Service is always friendly and fast and the bakery items are amazingly good!

Wagner’s website can be found here:
http://www.wagnersbakerycafe.com/

 

Tea at Green Spot, University Place

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One of my favorite group of friends gathered today at Green Spot Tea and Art Gallery at 3318 Bridgeport Way University Place, WA 98466. For lunch I had a pot of Ginger Tea ($2.00), a Verrrry Spicy Ranch and Grilled Chicken ($6.50) and a key lime tart ($3.00) for a grand total of $11.50. That is a lot of great food for the price! And I brought 1/2 the wrap back home with me.

I really like the decor at the Green Spot, it has clean lines and not a bunch of cute clutter like many tea stores. The hanging show of fabric based art was lovely.

The Green Spot’s Web Site can be found here: http://www.greenspottea.com/

Update: I went past today (8/20/12) and it was gone. Looks like a wine bar is moving in

Bluebeard Coffee, Tacoma

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I’ve been meaning to stop at Sixth Avenue’s newest coffee shop since it opened in April 2011.  Bluebeard is located at 2201 6th Avenue, Tacoma in the 1928 building which had previously housed Rector Antiques, Cafe WA and a Ford Dealership.  They really have a lovely, open space with plenty of natural light.  My iced Americano was very good.   Service was a tad distracted, but pleasant.  I might have had a treat, but there were only eight in sight.  But if I had known they were from Corina’s Bakery I probably would have had one any way!  Bluebeard roast their own beans, which can be purchased for home enjoyment.

http://www.bluebeardcoffee.com/

The not so cheerful folktale of Bluebeard can be found here.  I wish I had asked the guy behind the counter why they picked the name!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluebeard

 

 

 

 

 

Cascade Bagel

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This morning we were looking for a place to eat breakfast. We didn’t want to take the time and spend the money for a nice, sit down restaurant, I didn’t want fast food and dear husband didn’t want Starbucks or donuts. And then we had a brain storm! Cascade Bagel at 6115 Motor Avenue in Lakewood. We each got a toasted sesame seed bagel with cream cheese, his plain and mine garlic. They were delicious with a cup of coffee. While we were there, we also picked up a couple of bags of day old bagels. My only regret is that I didn’t ask for a tour of the cooking area, which apparently they will happily do for customers. Oh well, next time!

http://www.cascadebagel.com/

Organic Herbs & Spices, Plus Organic Espresso

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Organic Spice

Originally uploaded by Gexydaf

Today’s new place is the recently (maybe today) opened Organic Herbs & Spice Plus Organic Espresso. Located at Organic Spice Traders, 1127 Broadway Plaza, Suite 101, Tacoma, WA 98402. The owner is a nice guy and makes a very tasty organic Americano! The store features a wide variety of spice and herbs as well as the espresso stand.  There are also some tables to sit and relax.  While I was there I bought a small packet of cinnamon, which I’m sure will be tasty in my morning oatmeal. It is nice to see an interesting new business open up in downtown Tacoma and I wish them well.

http://www.organicspicetraders.com/index.cfm

Update, my daughter told me that the store is closed now. Makes me sad!

 

El Paraiso Fish Tacos & Mexican Food

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El Paraiso Fish Taco & Mexican Food at 2510 84th Street in Lakewood had been on my to do list ever since I read a review in the Tacoma News Tribune.

http://blog.thenewstribune.com/tntdiner/2010/12/21/fish-tacos-shrimp-and-sole-embedded-in-a-puffy-batter-at-el-paraiso-in-lakewood/

Today we had some time to spend before a movie so we stopped in and had the fish tacos. They were indeed very tasty and also reasonably priced. The setting isn’t fancy, but that is more than offset by the food, the price and the friendly staff.  And, if you are curious, Paraiso translates to Paradise!

El Paraiso Fish Taco & Mexican Food at 2510 84th Street in Lakewood had been on my to do list ever since I read a review in the Tacoma News Tribune.

 

El Paraiso by Gexydaf

Fine Dining at the Taco Bus

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Fine Dining at the Taco Bus by Gexydaf

Dear daughter wanted Mexican food and I wanted a new place of the day. Taqueria El Grande at 7202 South Park Avenue had caught my eye earlier because, well its a bus and the building next to it is an amazing orange color. But we had never been in and were surprised to discover that customers actually go into the bus. It was very clean and I loved all the chrome. The woman who took our order was really nice and service was fast. We could have eaten there, but we got it to go. One of the other customers was telling me that she only brings her closest friends to the Taco Bus and it was the only Mexican food that she would eat in Tacoma. I can see why, it really was pretty darned good. We’ll be back!