My wonderful hubby decided that tonight we needed a break from the piles of boxes and mess that our apartment has become in anticipation of our move. He swung by Little Caesar's and picked up pizza for a picnic in this gorgeous weather. Then, we spontaneously decided to head downtown to Kayak's Coffee for the first time.
When it comes to coffee shops, I never know what to expect. I might be a bit picky when it comes to coffee. One fatal flaw in my trying new coffee shops is that - for the most part - I don't like their coffee. In fact, I don't like Starbucks' coffee at all; I go for Vanilla Hazelnut Steamers (which are delicious!). Since Kayak's came highly recommended by a friend, we decided to try it out.
After locating some parking about a block down the road, K and I walked down Skinker Blvd to Kayak's, and I was instantly pleased by the atmosphere. Somewhat surrounded by Washington University, the coffee shop was a breath of fresh air. I have gotten so used to coffee shop atmospheres being contemporary and chic, and Kayak's was pleasantly different. The whole place was reminiscent of a rustic ski lodge: snowboards converted into light fixtures, stone pillars accented with dark wood and wrought iron accents, "Kayak's by Kaldi's Coffee" in large metal lettering on the back wall, and the large open windows facing outdoor seating and the street beyond. It was a fresh approach to the coffee house concept, and I was immediately impressed.
K and I ordered the same: a vanilla latte with a blueberry scone. I played it safe for my first visit, but the fresh mint toddy (iced coffee drink) was tempting. The scone was delicious, but not your typical Irish scone (with which I am much more familiar). The blueberry scone was dense and not as buttery or sweet as you might expect. K thought it was more like a combination of textures from a scone and a cookie - still delicious. The scones came in glazed and unglazed varieties: we tried both, and we were both pleased.
For those that don't know me, I like my coffee bold, smooth and sweet. For me to have unsweetened coffee is very rare and often unwillingly. My 8oz vanilla latte was served in a little black mug with a frothy design on top. K's 16oz was served in a to-go cup since they have no larger mugs. The first sip was bitter, strong, and smooth - the foamy layer wasn't at all sweetened. I was delighted at the smooth taste of the coffee beneath though. K's somehow ended up much sweeter than mine, but for once in my life, I didn't care. I actually didn't miss the sugar at all - and that is saying a LOT! I was happy to discover that Kaldi's coffee is smooth and flavorful without the need to douse the cup in a mound of sugar per usual. I was blown away.
K and I plan to go back soon. We agreed that it's our new "normal hours" coffee shop (as we have a favorite 24-hour place that sometimes gets midnight visits). I will also be adding Kaldi's coffee to my pantry - using less sugar is always a good thing!
