Yes, I am Crazy…

Ok, so here I am, “wasting” one of my few precious days off at yet another coffee shop. That’s ok, though, I believe it’s time very very well spent. You see, I’m crazy. I’m crazy about coffee. No, scratch that, I’m addicted to coffee. Ok, maybe obsession would be the best word. Well, maybe both work. You see, I have a couple hobbies that involve various coffee shops. One would be my quest to find the perfect latte. So far the winner of that category is Nina’s Coffee Cafe in St. Paul, MN. A-maz-ing soy latte. The froth sent me to heaven and back three times and the espresso made me experience a thousand glorious deaths. Oh, gosh, now I must go back there. Like… ummm… when is my next day off again…? Crap! Not soon enough…
The next coffee obsession I have is finding hidden gem coffee shops. You know- the ones that you accidently stumble upon and wonder why you’ve never heard of them before because they’re awesome? This obsession has a little bit to do with a website/business I’m trying to get up and running… but that’s neither here nor there. I’ll tell you about that at a later date.
Anyhow, my most recent amazing find is a place called Java Me Kraze in Becker, MN. It’s a delightful little gem that I will gladly make the 45 minute treck to visit any day of the week.
Let me tell you a bit about this place…
It’s AWESOME!
When you first pull up to the building, it looks fairly non-descrip. Just another small town “strip” type building with three businesses in it. Very utilitarian, no frills look to the building’s exterior. On the far right is a small sign for “Java Me Kraze”. Don’t let this fool you. Once you’ve stepped inside you’ll be a goner. So, if you are currently sitting outside of this building, reading my blog on your laptop, and you don’t really live anywhere near here, I would probably recommend leaving now. Do NOT step foot inside. Well, either that, or double your gas budget from now on. This place is addictive!
Warm, yet vibrant colors greet you as you walk in the door. The aroma of the brews and such pull you in further. You see extremely friendly staff, plenty of seating, and well-placed, easy-to-read menus with a variety of options, many of which are fairly unique (if you’re looking for something warm and comforting, I might recommend their ‘Java House’, it is an latte with honey, vanilla, and cinnamon flavoring. Or if you want to walk a little more on the wild side, the ‘Blondie’ might be just what you’re looking for with white chocolate, caramel, and root beer flavoring! Yes, I said root beer!).
The brewed coffee is also quite excellent. My favorite thus far being their Peaberry (a light roast consisting entirely of peaberries- click on the word for more in depth info on this coffee phenomenon). The flavored offering of Creme Brulee was also quite good as far as flavored coffees go (I’m not a huge fan, but L decided that it was amazing).
I’m also going to strongly recommend- no, make that ORDER you to try one or all of their paninis. OMIGOSH! The ‘Java Melt’ was really good (turkey, tomato, bacon, cheese, avacado, and mayo), but their ‘Kraze Grilled Cheese’ was to die for!!! Both L and I moaned in pure ecstacy upon taking our first bite. We then proceeded to devour the gooey yumminess in amazement that someone could make a grilled cheese sandwhich taste like that! (Oh- I almost forgot to tell you what’s in it: three cheeses -one of which is pepperjack for a nice bite- tomato, bacon, and mayo.) Sounds simple, no? But HEAVEN is what it tastes like. I just finished one (they’re healthy portions accompanied by chips and a pickle- yes, I love pickles) and just thinking about it is making me want another one, although my stomach cannot physically hold any more food…
Oh, and when you’re done drooling over the menu options for both beverage and sustenance, take a gander to your left. There is a seperate room with couches, chairs, long tables, small tables, and just a goll darn lot of seating in various configurations. And before I forget to mention it, they do have free WiFi, and even have a computer there available for you to use. A printer is also available for use at $.25 a sheet. Besides the food and coffee, which are downright amazing, this room is my favorite part of the shop. It’s available to rent for meetings and the like (there’s a projector screen and podium and everything!), but most of the time it’s just open for general seating and internet using. The ambiance of this room is utterly amazing. It’s very cozy and relaxing. I’ve spent many a long hour just curled up in the corner of one of the couches, pretending to do something constructive (kind of like right now… maybe… shhhh! Don’t tell anyone… they might make me work or something…. ).
But perhaps the most surprising thing about this place is the fact that L and I are often the only ones here! I’m not kidding. The first time we visited, we were the only ones there the entire time! The second visit we were joined in the large room first by a businessman stopping in to use the store computer really quick to MapQuest something before he left, and then, about a half hour after he left, a college student came in to do some research for a paper. I only know these things because I’m nosy and spied. Because of the size and set-up of the room I wouldn’t have probably noticed they were even there had I not been looking for such things. Oh, and I guess there were a few customers who came in and sat in the main portion of the shop up front near the counter, but their presence was only noticed when I went to refill L’s and my cups for the five-hundredth time (ok, maybe seventh, but it sure felt like five-hundred to my bladder).
So, I guess, all in all, what I’m trying to say is that this warm, inviting, spacious, yummy, coffee shop is a place you should definitely check out! Or maybe not… I might have to share it then… goll darnit! I knew there would be reprocussions to my actions- but I’m not known for keeping my mouth shut about these things… I wouldn’t want to disappoint people, now would I?
Peace! I’m going to refill my mug again and try desperately hard not to stop at the counter and order another panini…

~ by fightingtoforget on January 22, 2009.