"4 Starters"

Well I checked out another local coffee shop last night and it was a "forgettable" experience.  When I say that I mean it wasn't great but it wasn't horrible either (because sometimes those experiences make the best unforgettable stories! :-))

We went to "4 Starters Coffee Cafe."  It has changed names and owners in the last year and seems like it is still struggling to find its identity.  The decor seemed thrown together and crowded: moose heads, grizzly bear decor, a clock that changed neon colors, and a hodge podge of different seating including a backyard table and chair set.

                      

The menu included paninis, soup, ice cream, smoothies, baked goods, and oh yeah (almost like it was an after thought) coffee.  The coffee and hot drink selection was not very extensive.  I ordered a mint mocha latte and it was alright but once again "forgettable."  The place seemed less like a coffee shop and more like a thrown together cafe.
 
Location may be the hardest thing for this little local cafe to overcome.  The cafe is located on the end of shopping center that's away from the main road. You really have to be know it's there or be in the shopping center for something else to even see it.

The sign on the door said the cafe stayed open until 8pm during the week (which seems pretty early considering how close it is to a college campus) but the one employee that was working started vacuming and moving things around us at 7:30.  She seemed to be pushing us out the door so we left around 7:45.

One positive thing about the place was that because of it's location there were maybe only 3 other people in there. So maybe if you're wanting to hide out, to study or read in peace it's a good spot.

Ever Hear of Chider?

Nothing is better than something hot and tasty on a cold, windy day! I'm not the biggest coffee drinker but was looking for something hot while visiting a friend in Cincinnati. She brought me to Coffee Emporium. (http://www.coffee-emporium.com/) We went to the East Hyde Park location (one of five in the area). 

I knew the place was going to be good when the coffee shop was housed in a old lime green two story house with artistic landscaping and signage. The shop isn't very big. When you first enter the room is full of unique flavors of loose leaf tea leaves from floor to ceiling along one section of the wall. Along another wall are containers full of unique coffee bean flavors. Right above the fresh baked goods, was a dry erase board with the day's specials. Since I was overwhelmed with all the choices of hot drinks I looked at the board for some help!

The board listed a drink I had never heard of before: "Chider": a mix between Chai Tea and Apple Cider. I like both of those drinks so I thought "I'll give it a try." Am I glad I did, too!! It was super hot and oh so yummy.

After picking up our drinks we headed upstairs to a "study room" filled with tables and chairs. Although not very comfy you could tell alot of students come to study and it was pretty quiet while we were there. Local art filled the walls to give it a very warm feel.

Next time I'm in the Cincinnati area, I'm planning on going back either to that location or another one in the area to see what other new delicacies I can experience!

Do you know of any local Dayton coffee shops, I must try out?