Somethin's Brewin' Book Cafe: Lakeville, MA

Cozy up amongst the walls of book lined shelves with a refreshing latte and a sweet n’ tangy homemade dessert.

Somethin’s Brewin’ Book Café located in Lakeville, MA offers up a grand menu of coffee’s, homemade pastries, sandwiches and their ever so popular latte’s.

Owner, Joanne gave me a brief history on the place. She’s lived in Lakeville since the 90’s and decided that once her children were born she didn’t want to travel as much for work. For about a decade she reverted to local jobs, mostly school/city counsel until one day she just decided to do it. Joanne knew she loved coffee but had no idea how to run a business. Well needless to say she’s succeeded. Located in the town of Lakeville’s first ever public library, it is a historical landmark and the coziest place to enjoy a good book and one of their signature lattes.

As for my experience at the café, I had arrived just after the lunch rush so I was the only customer there for about half an hour, which to be honest I preferred.  You have the option to dine-in or out, but having the place to myself just made me want to stay even more.

After I had ordered, a caesar wrap and caramel latte, Joanne brought it right to my table and we chatted for a bit about the history of the place and how it all came to be. Incredible doesn’t even begin to describe my lunch at Somethin’s Brewin’. The wrap was arguably the best I’ve ever had and the latte, sweet and energizing.

Now you would assume that most people just order a coffee, considering it is a coffee shop, however that isn’t the case here at Somethin’s Brewin’. Latte’s rule here and they offer up quite a variety, from your traditional latte to a snicker doodle (espresso, chocolate, hazelnut and caramel) and even one called the “funky monkey” (espresso, chocolate, caramel and banana). All of their coffee comes from Speedwell Coffee Company, local roasters out of Plymouth, MA and they are very proud to serve it.

On my way out I couldn’t resist grabbing one of their fresh lemon squares from the desert case up front and it was the perfect treat to complement my latte, highly recommended and made just like my mother’s.

Since it’s opening in 2005/2006, the coffee shop and café has grown and the cliental has been consistent and loyal to Joanne and her staff and with just one trip you will be able to see why.

Cara Sylvia

View Larger Map

Kiskadee Coffee Company

Kiskadee Coffee Company is tucked between a restaurant and an antique shop on Main Street in downtown Plymouth, Ma. The coffee shop was opened in 2007 and has only flourished since then. Despite its small size, the aroma is hard to miss and the coffee packs a punch.









I walked into Kiskadee on a Saturday around 3pm and was very surprised to see so many people inside enjoying a cup of coffee and conversation with friends. A few people were sitting at the bar on their computers. There were two women sitting at one of the tables discussing computers. And the biggest group of people was gathered at the couches sitting in a circle discussing things like their professions and their latest adventures. To my surprise, this group was a group of middle aged men and women. The coffee shop is also quite popular with the local high school and college students because they host open mic nights with Quincy College.




Being in the coffee shop, I immediately felt at peace what with the smell of the coffees, the paintings and murals all throughout, and the warm and artsy atmosphere. I was fascinated by all the paintings and works of art from the locals. The baristas were all very friendly and laid back and they seemed to know what they were doing.




When I walked up to order my coffee, I saw that the shop also served baked goods such as pastries, lemon squares, cookies, muffins and bagels. The menu had much to offer for beverages, from espressos to macchiatos to hot and cold coffees. I chose to stick with a light roast house blend of hot coffee with a shot of French Vanilla. All coffees are given to the customers black and there is a station where they can add sugar and cream. I drank it black which was delicious. It was not too strong or overbearing and had a slight undertone of sweet fruitiness to it.



Overall, I give Kiskadee Coffee Company two thumbs up! The coffee is delicious, the service is great and the atmosphere is cozy. It's the perfect place to relax, chat with friends or do some homework and get the creative juices flowing.



View Larger Map


By: Shannon Fernando-Cole

French Memories
64 S Main St, Cohasset, MA
 
View Larger Map http://goo.gl/maps/2SyCI

French Memories is a small pastry and coffee shop in Cohassest, Massachusetts. The atmosphere is authentically french, with freshly baked baguettes and pieces of art lining the walls. The owners of French Memories, Jean-Jacques Gabanelle and wife Anne, are originally from France. Jean-Jacques is the head baker and Anne is the shop manager. The delicious smell of pastries, bread, and coffee hit your nose instantly. The sound of the cappuccino machine pressing the espresso, the whirring of steamed milk, and clinking of ceramic mugs consistently mixes with conversations from customers enjoying a cup of coffee with breakfast. French Memories offers a variety of coffees in the morning, including their House, a French Roast, a brewed flavor, Decaf, and Guatemalan. Customers can also buy coffee bean bags of the Guatemalan, which is from a micro roaster company called "Redeye Roasters" located in Hingham, Massachusetts. 

When I visited the shop, it was late morning and fairly busy. Fortunately, there was an open table next to the large stained glass windows where I could choose to observe passersby on the street, or other customers in the shop. The amount of pastries and food to choose from seems almost overwhelming to a first time customer, and it took some time to look over everything. I finally decided on an iced coffee with a spinach and cheese croissant, and do not regret my decision!

While eating breakfast, I overheard regular customers talking about how delicious their food was, and an employee who referred me to the bakery has only positive things to say about the quality of the coffee and food at the bakery. My overall experience was great. I recommend French Memories to everyone and anyone looking for an unique European experience.

(Joan Wilder for The Boston Globe)

http://www.boston.com/ae/food/restaurants/articles/2011/02/20/in_cohasset_french_treats/

Java Jungle 

Coffee to drive you wild!

Located on the main road into the small beach town of Hull, Massachusetts is a small coffee shop called Java Jungle. Java Jungle was opened almost 9 years ago by local South Shore entrepreneur Janet Peterson. Patrons can eat-in, take-out, or drive thru. It is a very small coffee shop with a decor to match the name and a lot more to offer than just coffee.

The first time I went to Java Jungle, I was the only customer there. However, the second time I went there, there were two older gentle men sitting down enjoying their coffees and pastries. As soon as I entered the shop both times, I was greeted by the owner who knows almost all of her customers (probably because Hull is such a small town and everyone knows everyone). An older woman also walked in while I was there and before she even said a word, one of the servers already had her coffee and pastry ready to go for her, now that is good service! I also noticed that each time I went in there were only one or two servers working, instead of the 3-4 plus servers you see working in Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks. They also seemed to really enjoy working there (again, unlike the servers you see at Dunkin Donuts or any other major chain). 

My first order consisted of a banana-hazelnut iced coffee with a chocolate chip muffin, and both were delicious! However, the second time I visited Java Jungle I ordered a small hazelnut iced coffee which I enjoyed even more. Although I do take my coffee with cream and sugar, I'm sure any of the coffees served here are delicious without any added extras, as they are roasted to order from Excellent Coffee Roasters in Rhode Island. 

Although Java Jungle is mainly a coffee shop, it offers much more than just coffee. Pastries, sandwiches, soups, and bagels are all part of the menu also, and are all made fresh daily. I did not try any of the soups or sandwiches but they all looked delicious, and they are all hand-crafted with fresh ingredients. 

                                                                                    


The final verdict: Java Jungle is a great little coffee shop to try. Both the coffee and baked goods are delicious. You definitely wont find this kind of fresh brewed coffee, freshly baked muffins, or hand-crafted sandwiches at your local Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks. I would definitely recommend Java Jungle to anyone who is planning a trip to Hull this summer. What could be better than enjoying a delicious iced coffee on  Nantasket beach? 

Java Jungle is located at 175 George Washington Boulevard in Hull, Massachusetts. 

View My Saved Places in a larger map

By:Chelsie Gardner

Mirasol's Café, North Dartmouth, MA

Mirasol’s Café is located at 439 State Road, North Dartmouth, MA. It is just outside of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth campus and is Latin American-influenced. The outside is decorated brilliantly with bright colors of pinks and yellows and has greenery painted all over the entrance. There is a nice little sitting area just outside the shop. It is very pleasant to look at and makes you feel very welcome.

My boyfriend, Ron, and I entered Mirisol's, excited to try something from our first official coffee shop that wasn't a Panera Bread restaurant. We looked at the huge menu, considering the cafe's famous CHiPPi, and both of us decided on the Espresso-Based Smoothies. I chose caramel and Ron chose chocolate. For a small Espresso-Based smoothie, it cost me $5.20, including tax. To me, this is a bit pricey as I am used to buying coffee and tea from the local Dunkin Donuts stores, but I soon realized that this coffee was expensive because it was Jim's Organic coffee and made its way to my cup from the country of Honduras.

 "That's so cool!" I thought to myself, now interested in where my coffee comes from after spending most of this semester in the Secret Life of Coffee. I pointed this out to Ron and he became interested too since he never really realized that coffee is second to oil in the world market (this was the topic of our conversation while drinking our smoothies).

I walked around the café a little, looking for a seat while Ron waited for his coffee to be made. Just behind where the line forms at the front counter is a counter where cream, sugar, straws and an "excess coffee" cup was located. I questioned why there was a little container for the extra coffee that spills over when you add too much cream, but I never thought to ask the workers.

Just above the container, there was a sign that said "Café de Honduras." It told the café visitors that during the month of April, all the Jim's Organic coffee being sold at Mirasol's was from Honduras. I am now very interested in this and want to do my own research on the coffee of Honduras.

Next to the "Café de Honduras" sign was another sign that read "Unattended children will be given a medium Chippi and a free puppy." Mirasol's is famous for its CHiPPi drink. This is basically an iced coffee drink with tons of caffeine in it, so this sign really got the message across. Imagine your six year old with a medium Chippi! This is a very clever sign. Clrearly, Mirasol's is not  for children.

While in the café, I noticed a bunch of stereotypical "café" things. For example, there were lots of college-aged students, including Ron an myself, chatting and sipping out delicious coffee beverages. There was a man, sitting near the window on his laptop. Near my little, two-person table, there was a girl silently reading a book. I noticed that she wasn't drinking or eating anything and I wondered if some people came here just to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. In the background, there was Latin music playing which added to all the Latin decoré. 

After we finished our drinks and our conversation, Ron and I headed to his car. We pulled out of our parking spot and headed around the back of the building to find the way out since there was a car blocking the exit. Turns out there was no exit there. On our way back to the front of the front, I noticed an ice cream truck-type van. It was a Mirasol's on wheels! How cool!

The route for Mirasol's "CHiPPi Mobile" can be found at this web page: CHiPPi Mobile

View Larger Map