Sawada Coffee :: Monday Grind

Military Latte ($5.50)

Doughnut Vault Poppyseed Doughnut

Green Tea Latte ($5)

Doughnut Vault Strawberry Vanilla Doughnut

I'm always on the hunt for green tea lattes and Sawada makes the mark in my books. 

I ordered a regular matcha green tea latte and it was good. Wasn't bad but nothing extraordinary - would have preferred if the green tea taste came through more (personally, felt the milk was a little overpowering). It only comes in 12oz which was $5. Personally, I feel like this is on the pricier side, but not completely unexpected. 

I don't drink coffee/expressos but if I did, I would definitely try the military matcha green tea latte! The military matcha green tea latte is a combination of a green tea latte with and expresso shot. It looks super unique and I haven't seen anything quite like it anywhere else. 

I came with a group of 4 girls to study for school and during the day it is very spacious and I wouldn't imagine you having any difficulty finding seating since the bottom floor is also opened up (but at night, it's a smoked meat place). They also offer free wifi (password: ilikecoffee). Downside is that there is limited daylight and is only available near the coffee bar and entrance (where it's usually filled first). 

Sawada Coffee also carries Doughnut Vault doughnuts. I tried the vanilla strawberry doughnut and couldn't eat it fast enough!

Sawada Coffee

112 N. Green Street

Chicago, IL 60607

312.754.0431

website

Neo Coffee Bar :: Waiting for Departure

Kyoto Matcha Latte (~$6 with tax)

I've been meaning to visit NEO COFFEE BAR for quite some time and finally had a chance to do so when I was downtown exceptionally early for my flight back to Chicago. While my visit was a very quick detour to the airport, I did enjoy my time there and would definitely return. I absolutely adore matcha green tea lattes and it's no secret that it's my staple order for Starbucks (ask my fellow team mates at my office!). However, NEO COFFEE BAR does matcha lattes traditionally. It's not some sweetened powder that's prepackaged and mixed such that one or two scoops added to steamed milk and it's good (like Starbucks) but the baristas here take their time to make a quality matcha latte by properly whisking the Kyoto matcha powder with the bamboo matcha whisk and slowly steaming the milk to the correct temperature. The Kyoto Matcha Latte was very smooth and didn't have any matcha powder clumps. I look forward in returning to try it again, along with the cafe's assortment of sandwiches and Japanese inspired desserts.

NEO COFFEE BAR

Unit 100-161 Frederick Street 

Toronto ON M5A 4P3

647.348.8811

website

Balzac's Coffee Roasters :: First Visit

Organic Hot Apple Cider

(medium $3.41 including tax)

Balzac's Coffee Roasters

122 Bond Street

Toronto, ON

416.597.1700

website