EDITOR’S NOTE: To read the latest posts on Simon’s coffee shop adventures, visit his blog at www.hold-the-coffee.blogspot.com.

Simon is back this week, and I am reviewing another coffee destination in my home city of Buffalo.

My boyfriend, Matt, and I visited my parent's house for a three-day weekend earlier this month. More important than meeting my parents, I wanted to introduce Matt to some of Buffalo’s cool, hip assets. On Saturday Jan. 4, Matt and I scouted through the famous Elmwood Village. It's not actually a village, but a vibrant commercial district in northern Buffalo filled with locally owned shops, galleries, restaurants, bars and cafes.

I tried to fit SPoT Coffee's sign in the frame,
but if I backed up any farther into the street,
I am sure car would've hit me.

Matt and I spent more than two hours at SPoT Coffee at 765 Elmwood Avenue. I have to confess, SPoT is actually a publicly traded company with nine locations and blurs the lines between indie and corporate. Despite being headquartered at its Toronto location, the company has most of its cafes in the Buffalo area. Three are in the city, two in nearby suburbs, two in Upstate New York cities and one in coastal Florida.

I am sure some people might accuse SPoT of being a big corporate chain, but I don't think their size is that out-of-control, and from what I've seen, each location is very different from one another and tries to emulate a neighborhood coffee shop. (Granted, I've only visited a SPoT once before my visit to the Elmwood location, and that was a quick stop at the one on Delaware Avenue.)

Instead of reviewing SPoT, the company, I am dedicating this post specifically to the Elmwood Avenue location. (Expect the same treatment for other regionally chained coffee shops. I am looking at you, Pheonix Coffee and Erie Island.)

This beautiful mural of Elmwood Village was the
first thing to greet our eye's at SPoT Coffee.

Location:  Elmwood Village a place founded by hipsters, and taken over by college students and rich single people. It's the kind of place you meet someone for a day-long date and by the end of the day, you'll have sworn you walked a half-marathon. What's more, a strong portion of the shops and restaurants are located inside renovated and repurposed old homes and mansions.

Despite being located inside a one-story, single-use building, SPoT's high roof and streetside facade blends well with its surrounding buildings. 

Nearby curbside parking can be hard to find In Elmwood Village. Not so much the case at SPoT. There's actually two public parking lots within walking distance of the cafe. Parking lots might grind my gears, but they do serve well in accommodating commuters, much like myself.

Because the lighting was so dim where we were eating,
I lit the food using my second smart phone's flash.

Food and Beverages: SPoT carries the traditional wide range of caffeine beverages, smoothies, sandwiches, wraps and breakfast items, but it's also known for its selection of gourmet pizza, which presents a valuable option for a group of young hipsters who want to hang out together on a tight wallet.

Matt and I didn't order a pizza. He got a bagel with enough veggie cream cheese to clog someone's sceptic tank,and I ordered a hummus wrap, which you can imagine contained enough hummus to do the same. Together with two 16-ounce coffees and a side salad, we spent a little more than $15 and two quarters.

I am in love with those glass jars on the left.
They have packets of sweetener in them.

Space and Atmosphere: Matt and I were thrown off our feet when we first entered SPoT that Thursday evening. Like most coffee shops we visit, we were expecting a calm and personal atmosphere. What we found was pretty much a crowded date night with colorful walls, bright lights and music almost as loud as a college town bar. We don't normally go to coffee shops after 5 p.m., and I am sure that played a big reason for the unsettling atmosphere. 

We first sat at a small table adjacent to a woman and man of our age who were clearly on a first date. (I think it well because later I saw both walking together toward Downtown Buffalo.)

Don't be fooled. Nearly half were playing video games.

After several minutes, Matt and I found more welcoming space at a a bar stool area near the windows. The seven or eight people sitting there were all on laptops. The softer music, dimmer lights and nearby wall outlets allowed Matt to work on his online test for nursing school and me to therapeutically creep on people walking between stores outside. I've never seen a seating area at a coffee shop so blatantly designed for work. 

Unlike most coffee shop's I visit, SPoT's volume of seating and tables can accommodate groups of up to a dozen people. I know that Saturday I saw one group of nearly ten people crowded comfortably around a large table.

With SPoT's large space, it is no surprise I saw flyers for an upcoming open mic night posted around. (Too bad it was scheduled two days after Matt and I returned to Cleveland. Would've loved to try my stand-up comedy one more time.) 

SPoT keeps a Ken and Barbie doll posted on the women's
and men's restroom doors. Groundbreaking! 

Again, if you have suggestions of a coffee shop for a future entry, send it to me via email--shusted@news-herald.com--or on Twitter at @SimonSaysNH.

EDITOR’S NOTE: To read the latest posts on Simon’s coffee shop adventures, visit his blog at www.hold-the-coffee.blogspot.com.

This week I am broadening my hunt for indie coffee shops to include a secret gem on the city of Buffalo's south side.

(FULL DISCLOSURE: I am born and raised in Buffalo and I make infrequent visits to the Queen City to meet family and check out all of the up-and-comings in the city. Throughout the months, you'll see a few blog entries dedicated to indie coffee shops in Buffalo.)

Yes, that is my younger brother Adam
pictured in the blue hoodie.

Dogs Ears Bookstore & Cafe, at 688 Abbott Road, is part-bookstore, part-coffee shop and all not-for-profit goodness. It shocks me more coffee shops haven't applied for 501c3 status. I know I am not speaking only for myself when I say people love patronizing coffee shops that invest in civic matters versus profits.

For Dog Ears, all of the proceeds from the coffee shop go directly to support the Enlightenment Literary Arts Center, located upstairs in the building, according to their website. (I don't know what the center does, and quite frankly, I don't care. The name sounds wonderful.)

I visited the coffee shop with my younger brother, Adam, Nov. 27, during my trip back home to Buffalo for Thanksgiving week. It wasn't my first time at Dog Ears. I've shared a meal their once before this summer with a friend who is a producer for one of Buffalo's TV news stations, and I also visited the place a couple times when it had a different owner and was called Caz Coffee Cafe. That shop closed down in 2012 and the bookstore took over the entire building some months afterward.

Here's part of the bookstore in the back,
but half of the bookshelves are woven incredibly well
into the coffee shop's dining areas.

The new management hasn't taken down or altered the old sign above the door, which could fool people into thinking it is still called Caz Coffee. At least that was what I thought that Wednesday when I was searching the place on my phone.

Below is my breakdown of the coffee shop:

Location - For those who don't know Western New York--South Buffalo and especially this portion along Abbott Road--is not often a highlighted destination for young, hip people to hang out. Buffalo's Elmwood Village, Allentown, Hertal Avenue, Chippewa Strip and more recently Canalside, Amherst Street and Larkin District are the spots people scope out for a good time. (And I haven't been to half of those places, of course.)

Dog Ears is one of a few businesses nestled between residential streets and in close proximity to a major park and hospital. That's part of the charm of Dog Ears. It's a very walk-friendly destination for the thousands of nearby residents and employees in South Buffalo. It works well with neighborhoods, even when patrons--myself included--are forced to park along residential streets because Dog Ears has no parking lot.

Look at these massive monsters!

Food and Beverage - Dog Ears offers a wide range of lunch-time meals and hot and iced beverages for coffee and non-coffee drinkers. Most importantly, the beverages come in gargantuan mugs. So gregarious, that the camera on my smart phone couldn't stop shooting photos.

Not to be overly pious about the "not-for-profit" status, but my brother only spent 20 bucks and some change for both of our quesadillas and our 16-ounce chai latte and cappucinno. That's pretty affordable cuisine for an urban indie coffee shop.

Space - In addition of adding more seating in the back of the building, Dog Ears made some noticeable interior improvements to the coffee shop since Caz Coffee left. It integrated its bookshelves nicely with the cafe's tables, fostered more open space, and most importantly, introduced me to the art of eco-friendly design: turning used doors into tables.  They are both beautiful and reused.

Why don't I see this more often?

Yes! Those are indeed coffee beans inside the
rectangular indents of the door. Groundbreaking!

Despite the added seating, I would advise to bring no more than three friends with you to Dog Ears, especially when the outdoor tables are unavailable because of a blustery Buffalo winter.

Yes, I asked my boyfriend to model in the photo.

EDITOR’S NOTE: To read the latest posts on Simon’s coffee shop adventures, visit his blog at www.hold-the-coffee.blogspot.com.

Does it surprise anyone that the first indie coffee shop in my crusade is located inside the News-Herald’s coverage area?

What's surprising, however, is I hadn’t visited Beans Coffee Shop at 121 Main St., in Chardon, until my boyfriend, Matt, and I swung down there Saturday, Nov. 23, amid a typical Geauga County snow storm. (Coffee is best served with lake effect snow. Always.)

I’ve been dying to check the place out since a source asked to meet him there once this summer. It didn't happen because the coffee shop closes at 5 p.m. on weekdays. (It's even closed the whole day on Sundays.) On Saturday, the shop is open until 8 p.m., according to what Matt and I read on their website. Unfortunately, by the time we got to Beans at 4:40 p.m., the shop was just ready to close for the day. The nice clerk behind the counter said management still needed to update the site with its winter hours. Despite all that, Matt and I tried to make the best of our visit.

The place is great to visit, even for just 15 minutes, and below I've elaborated on some of its charms:

Location:
If I was weak-minded enough to give out star-ratings, I would give the historic Chardon Square five stars for its pedestrian-focused design and yet tranquil rural setting. Beans nestles very seamlessly into the strip of shops, restaurants and businesses around the square. Access to parking is easy from the street, which evades the winter torrent all too common in Northeast Ohio. It makes me wish I worked in Chardon Square.

Food and Beverage:

The coffee does come in mugs, but because
we got their so late we had to stick to Styrofoam.

Beans’ menu for coffee and non-coffee beverages is nothing to text your hipster competitors about. It is everything you would expect in a coffee shop that also serves ice cream. (Fun Fact: The ice cream is from Cincinnati-based Graeter’s.) With that said, Beans does offer a wider-than-expected menu of food options for breakfast and lunch. Despite visiting near the end of its operations, Beans had a fair selection of pastries. Matt and I indulged in a peanut-butter-and-chocolate brownie bigger than a stack of note cards, and together with two large coffees, we only spent six bucks and change.

Atmosphere and Space:

Maybe it was because the Holiday season was upon us with snowflakes dusting through Geauga County, but I felt a festive vibe at Beans that evening. The mocha-colored walls and warm accents invited closeness and conversation. Its ceiling fixtures and sky lights are warm and refreshing.  More importantly, Beans takes no modesty in decorating for the holidays. Beans is a great place to catch up with friends—maybe no more than a group of six or seven, mind you.  I didn’t have the time to see how well Beans does in a work-environment, but most certainly, my boyfriend did confirm the shop has working Wi-Fi.

Despite all of the design and decorations that went into its interior, the winner of the day was finding this gem of a coffee table pictured below, salvaged from old bricks and resurrected with modern glass.  Doesn’t everyone just want something like that in their living room?

I wish I shot a better photo.

P.S.: I am going to try to post each new blog entry on Sundays. Again, if you have suggestions of a coffee shop for a future entry, send it to me via email--shusted@news-herald.com--or on Twitter at @SimonSaysNH.

After a recommendation from my colleague Caitlin Fertal, my Thursday afternoon coffee treat this week was a Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino. Yup, you read that right. Not the Pumpkin Spice Latte, but the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino.

I love how Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte really tastes like fall. But when the weather is as warm as it was today, I'm not ready for a hot cup of autumn spices. Fortunately, for days like today, you can get the famous fall drink as the blended Frappuccino. (By the way, that website has some fun time-wasters, like a remix soundboard and a drink builder.)

The Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino reminded me of the pumpkin-flavored ice cream we made in the fall at the ice cream place where I worked in high school. It was a good, refreshing taste of fall when I'm not quite ready to let go of summer.

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

I know it's the season for Pumpkin Spice Lattes, but I've recently been cheating on this fall favorite with Salted Caramel Mochas.

But, honestly, how can you choose between these two?

The Pumpkin Spice Latte:

Espresso, pumpkin-flavored syrup and steamed milk. Topped with sweetened whipped cream and pumpkin pie spices.

The Salted Caramel Mocha:

Espresso and steamed milk, blended with mocha sauce and toffee nut flavored syrup. Topped with sweetened whipped cream, caramel sauce and a mixture of turbinado sugar and sea salt.

Both hot drinks are the perfect afternoon pick-me-up on cool (and rainy!) days.

I've made a weekly ritual out of stopping by Starbucks on Saturday afternoons, and the Salted Caramel Mocha has pulled me away from my usual Pumpkin Spice Latte. I wish the drinks weren't so expensive and calorie-laden because the seasonal nature of the beverages means I'm limited in how many opportunities I'll have to drink them, and choosing which one to order is already difficult enough ...


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

After Managing Editor Laura Kessel reviewed Arabica Coffee House in The News-Herald's Dining Out feature, I knew I would have to try one of the giant baked potatoes on the menu.

The potato I selected was covered with cheese, chicken and barbecue sauce - and it was incredibly filling. It was pretty good, but I might be more inclined to try a different one on my next lunchtime visit.

Be sure to check out Kessel's full review to see more of what's on the menu. The South of the Border potato that Kessel tried sounds pretty awesome.

I'm a big fan of Arabica at any time of day. I often stop by for a morning iced coffee, or in the afternoon for a frappe - which is essentially a milkshake. My one complaint is that the wireless is iffy. I've never been able to successfully log on and stay on, which has been frustrating because the atmosphere is generally otherwise perfect for getting work done.


Arabica Coffee House
4148 Erie St., Willoughby
440-942-5282
www.arabica-cafe/com
Facebook page

View 4148 Erie St in a larger map


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

I had a coupon for a free Dunkin' Donuts' Caramel Mocha Iced Coffee, so I did a taste test of the new drink. Watch my reaction below:



I said in the video that I would check how much it costs, but I can't find that on the website - probably because cost varies based on location. But if it's priced as I guessed ($2-$3), I might say this will be my go-to cold coffee drink, rather than my usual Starbucks picks (though the Mocha Coconut Frappuccino is really fantastic). I love the Starbucks drinks, but they are a little costly and calorie-filled. The Caramel Mocha Iced Coffee with cream, on the other hand, is only 180 calories for the small (which is the same size as a Starbucks medium [or "grande"]).

Dunkin' Donuts has several locations in the area if you want to try your own Caramel Mocha Iced Coffee.

Have you had the drink? What did you think?


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

The 3-to-5-p.m. hours are a little tastier this week as Starbucks brought back the Frappuccino Happy Hour. Through May 15, the frozen beverages are half price during that time.

I've taken advantage of this twice so far -- and in doing so, found my new favorite drink there: Mocha Coconut Frappuccino. I apologize for the fact that that link takes you directly to the nutrition facts, and I realize it's full of sugar and calories, but it's also full of deliciousness. This might sound over the top, but the Mocha Coconut Frappuccino might be the best blended coffee beverage I've ever had.

Do you like mocha? Do you like coconut? Do you like frozen coffee drinks? Do I need to do any more convincing that you should take a late afternoon coffee break by driving to the nearest participating Starbucks to try this?


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

I needed some caffeine when I was on the road yesterday and pulled into the first drive-through I came upon, which happened to be McDonald's. I was just going to get a Coke but decided it would be a good time to try the new Frappe, which appears to be the McD's version of the Starbucks Frappuccino. Regular readers of this blog will know I'm a fan of frozen coffee-type drinks, like Wendy's Coffee Toffee Twisted Frosty and the Frozen Caramel drink from Panera.

I got the caramel Frappe, which came piled high with whip cream and caramel drizzle. I loved the first sip. But as I drank and the drink melted and the whip cream blended with the coffee-caramel mix, it started to taste just like McDonald's vanilla ice cream with caramel blended in. McDonald's ice cream is fine, but it wasn't what I was in the mood for.

Some might argue that Starbucks' Frappuccinos are just like milkshakes, but they taste more like blended coffee to me. The Coffee Toffee Twisted Frosty is definitely ice cream, and Panera's Frozen Caramels are borderline.

I'll probably have a Frappe again, but it will be when I'm in the mood for a coffee-caramel milkshake.

--Cheryl Sadler
CSadler@News-Herald.com

I love frozen coffee drinks much more than that hot black stuff. I was pretty excited to see that Panera is offering a Frozen Caramel coffee drink. (Warning: That link contains nutrition facts you might not want to see.) The caramel is not nearly as sweet as the frozen mocha I have tried there before, so I got more of the coffee taste that I like, but it still had the flavor that I need to enjoy it. At $3.59, the beverage is a little pricey (what isn't these days?), but it was super refreshing and the right afternoon pick-me-up I needed.

My standby for a frozen coffee splurge is the Java Chip Frappuccino from Starbucks, though I also like the caramel and mocha varieties. If you dare, you can see nutrition facts for all of their concoctions. I say "splurge" because it's not possible to get one of those frozen cappuccinos for less than $3.

Unfortunately, my favorite frozen coffee cannot be found in this area of the state. But if you are ever in Columbus, you should give Tim Hortons' Iced Cappuccino a try. You might want to order the large, or you'll spend the rest of the day wishing you did.

If anyone has suggestions for other frozen or cold coffee I should try, leave a comment!

-- Cheryl Sadler
CSadler@News-Herald.com