Caffeine Kick: Commonplace Coffee

Good morning! I hope everyone's morning has been great and your mug is full of coffee!

I recently had the chance to try out Commonplace Coffee in Squirrel Hill. The cute shop is located right on Forbes with plenty of street parking around it. In my experience, seating at local coffee shops is scarce, so my friend and I were a bit nervous about finding seats the weekend that we checked the place out. Thankfully, there were quite a few outdoor tables so we got one right away! 

After putting our stuff down on our table, we headed up to the bar to order our drinks. The menu was much larger than I expected with flavors and different coffee beans to choose from. My friend got an iced chai (pictured below) and I got a hand poured coffee called Kenya, Gucienda. My coffee was described as having a juicy, full bodied flavor with hints of lemon and stewed tomatoes. I found that description to be oddly delicious sounding so I couldn't pass it up. In addition to my coffee, I also got a cinnamon coffee cake. The flavor of my two item went perfectly together! It was just enough sugar and just enough caffeine to keep me shopping at the Avalon Exchange all afternoon. 

Caffeine Kick: Black Forge

Hello there! Happy Monday! 

Since Black Forge opened last year, I have been dying to go! It seemed like as soon as they opened, their Yelp and Instagram pages were full of amazing photos. Recently, I have had the chance to make the short trek over to Allentown and try it out with my brother-in-law. 

Just like Arnold's Tea, I was shocked at how many seats there were to choose from. However, it was different from the other Pittsburgh coffee shops that I have been to, in the sense that it was a lot edgier. The dark colors, art covered walls, and music gave this place a grungier vibe that felt very refreshing. 

I went a little rogue when ordering and got a coconut mocha...it was very sweet but overall delicious! My brother-in-law had their cold brew (his usual) and LOVED IT! The only thing I didn't like was the yogurt...it had a weird texture but I think that is just me, haha. 

Overall, I can't wait to go back! I love that they have monthly event calendars. I will definitely be checking out their open mic night and a brunch hard event! 

Black Forge 

1206 Arlington Ave

Pittsburgh, Pa 15210

What I ordered: a large coconut mocha

What I am going to get next time: cold brew

Caffeine Kick: Adesso Cafe

Happy Monday!!!

Today is a big day for me because I am starting my new job (more details to come soon)! I am so excited to start this new phase but I have enjoyed the past couple of weeks exploring as well. It just feels right being back in Pittsburgh. I've stopped by some classic spots like Eat n' Park, gone back to old favorites like Pittsburgh Popcorn, and tried out some new places as well!

The other day I was in the Sewickley area and I was in the mood for some coffee! I knew there was a Starbucks nearby but wasn't sure of any local shops in the area. So, of course, I pulled out my Yelp app and found this amazing gem, Adesso Cafe!

Adesso means "now" in Italian so I figured this would be a small and quick place to get some coffee. What I didn't know was how much this place had to offer!  Not only was the coffee great (and reasonably priced) but they also had gluten free pastries from Gluuteny! Twice a week they have sweets from La Gourmandine Bakery, which is one of my favorites! PLUS, they are going to have lunch options soon! I got all this info from the cheery man behind the counter. I can't wait to go back and try some different treats out!   

The only drawback for me was that they don't have any seating. Again, I understand that it just isn't that type of place but, to me, I like to sit down and enjoy my coffee when I go to a local shop. 

Even so, as I said before, I will definitely be back! I have a feeling during the warm Summer months that I will become a regular! 

Adesso Cafe

441 Walnut St

Sewickley, PA 15143

Caffeine Kick: Arnold's Tea

Happy Friday!!

I'm back in the Burgh and with that comes finding the best cup of coffee in the city! Luckily, I think I've already found it!  

Arnold's Tea is right on the main drag in Northside and it is huge!! So often local coffee shops seem to have an amazing decor but only a few spots to sit...this place somehow manages to have a super cozy feel while also having TONS of tables. The cozy feel doesn't stop at the decor. The owner behind the bar is so sweet and really accommodating with gluten-free pastries and alternatives options. 

Somehow...all of this was still out-shined by the fact that their plain drip coffee (with a bit of cream) was the best I have ever had!!! And let me tell you I have had a lot of coffee. For any Gilmore Girls fans, as I drank it I thought to myself that it would be what Luke's coffee would taste like. So delicious and addicting, haha. 

I can't wait to go back and drink 1,000 more cups of this coffee and try out their afternoon tea as well! 

Arnold's Tea

502 E Ohio Street

Pittsburgh, Pa 15212

Caffeine Kick: Cold Brew

Wake up, wake up!

Somehow, I have become even more addicted to coffee since moving to Chicago..or should I say since I started living the 8-5pm work-life.

I feel like it seems as though I am complaining but, honestly, I LOVE it! I feel like Lorelei Gilmore. I drink at least two cups every morning and usually get another one or two cups in after lunch. During the week, it is easy to fuel this addiction with the amazing Yelp cafe, providing me with as many lattes and cappuccinos as I can handle (which in reality is probably just two cups).

The weekend is a different story. In an attempt to spend the least amount of money possible, I only order lattes when I can use the Popular Pays app. Otherwise, I get drip-coffee, iced coffee, or...COLD BREW.

That's right, folks. I have been trying to jump onto the cold brew train. It took me a while to truly enjoy iced coffee and it is taking me even longer to get into cold brew.

Don't ask me why...maybe it is just something I do or maybe it is a coffee-drinker thing...but I kind of like the challenge of having to get used to a new type of coffee drink.

Here is my current coffee drinking progression:

1. decaf coffee at family functions during dessert
2. coffee from gas stations
3. drip coffee
4. a dabble with espresso shots during my semester in Rome
5. flavored lattes
6. Starbucks macchiatos (the Starbucks part is key)
7. flat whites during my semester in London
8. iced coffee
9. cold brew

Caffeine Kick: Intelligentisa Coffee

All week I have been wanting to try out the Intelligentisa Coffee Bar that is in my new neighborhood! With my first Sunday morning in Chicago being a cold, rainy one...I got coffee, of course, and it was amazing.

Intelligentisa is one of the larger coffee places I have been to. There were plenty of seats, outlets, and room to people watch. I got a brewed coffee (for free with the app "Popular Pays") and a pastry.  Both were delicious. The coffee was quite strong for me, but with a good amount of sugar, it was perfect. To make this place even better, they had awesome music playing! Right as I sat down to enjoy my coffee "Under Pressure" by Queen started playing.



I cannot wait to come back and try a latte and another pastry! I may even have to grab one of their cool mugs with "Intelligentisa" on one side and the Chicago flag on the other.