Tag Archives: Latte

Go Get Em Tiger!

Posted in Beverages, Explore by

Go Get Em Exterior ATG FINAL

Where: Go Get Em Tiger
Location: 230 North Larchmont Boulevard
Cost: pricey

Perhaps this is a clear sign that I’ve had entirely too much sunshine in my native lifetime spent in the City of Angels, but I do enjoy the fun, albeit cliché, “play on words” trend when frequenting a local spot. There’s something just so much more enticing about saying “hey, let’s go grab a treat at Sprinkles” rather than “the cupcake shop” or “meet at Toast in 10?” rather than “that breakfast place on 3rd Street?”

Los Angeles is notorious for this. There’s Milk (a cafe); Graffiti (a coffee shop); Taste (an American cuisine restaurant); Vanilla and Frosted (competing cupcakeries); and Son of Gun (a seafood spot) — I think you get the point. And I’m sure I found the winner of them all….Go Get Em Tiger! Oh, and if it’s not clear, their mission…caffeine.Go Get Em Exterior ATG FINAL side by side

Currently, the reining champion of the best iced latte in America (according to The New York Times), Go Get Em Tiger opened its doors on the increasingly charming Larchmont Boulevard last month, joining its sister spot G&B Coffee as an alternative to those who can’t make it downtown.

When I heard that the best iced latte in America was also conveniently located in LA, I knew my coffee addiction would find me there sooner than later. In fact, it found me clear across town 2 days later to get in on the hype.

I might lose cool points as a true connoisseur of espresso, but I have no shame in admitting that I’m not a fan of lattes without milk (soy, almond, whole or whatever “milk mood” I’m feeling that day) and some sort of flavoring (vanilla typically being my weapon of choice). The point being that I don’t ever drink plain lattes, hot or cold. Ever. And because of this quirk about myself I instantly went for their Sweet Iced Latte, insisting on upgrading to their signature almond-macadamia milk (instead of the whole milk it normally comes with). Unfortunately, their version of sweetened wasn’t with the subtleties of a little vanilla syrup, but with simple syrup. Needless to say, it was a SWEET latte (even for me!)…and I can’t blame them, it’s what I ordered.

This was probably a case where all I needed was their trademark milk and the espresso over ice. The sweetener distracts from the main attraction, what’s creating the all the caffeine-induced buzz right now, the almond-macadamia milk. I very much-loved the frothy texture of the milk and supreme care that went into crafting my designer latte, but likely would’ve been able to enjoy it more without the added sweetener to get the chance to let the nuttiness of the beverage come through.

Go Get Em Tiger Interior ATG FINAL

Aside from this hiccup, what I instantly loved about Go Get Em Tiger was its welcoming ambiance. I’ve been to many coffee bars in LA that felt so pretentious I wouldn’t step foot into one – other than to quickly grab the awesome coffee (because, of course, it’s yummy!) and leave before anyone sees me in said establishment, supporting said pretentiousness. Yet, Go Get Em Tiger is a place I would actually spend an afternoon with my laptop and a latte nearby blogging away, or to meet a girlfriend to catch-up over coffee.

go get em treats ATG FINAL

At $6.00 for a standard sized iced latte, this isn’t a place I’d drop into frequently, but more of an indulgence when I’m feeling especially rich and want to treat myself. If I’m quite honest (price aside), my favorite places to grab a latte on-the-run are still The Sycamore Kitchen (on La Brea) or Blu Jam (on Melrose or Ventura). This doesn’t mean my relationship with Go Get Em Tiger ends here. I do want to head back to do what I should have done the first time I was there, and that was to let their famous fresh almond-macadamia milk do all the talking.

I’ll keep you posted.

Go Get Em Collage ATG FINAL INTERIOR

As far as the naming convention of what really just comes down to a simple coffee bar, perhaps the sentiment is that I, too, tend to feel like I can conquer the world once I’ve had my caffeine fix. With the right latte in hand and caffeine slowly coursing through my veins, on some level I tell myself I’m ready for the day. I can Go Get Em Tiger!

Go get em tiger latte ATG FINAL 2

UPDATE: Catch my thoughts on Go Get Em Tiger, Take 2. I’m afraid I can’t behind the hype after all.

Blog Signature Official_FINAL

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What I’m Lovin’ Right Now

Posted in Beauty, Fashion, Food, Inspiration by

“Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.”
― Maya Angelou

I’m in the mood for a little sharing of wisdom today. I came across this great quote from Maya Angelou and the moment I read it, it spoke to me. The more I thought about it, the more the words rang true – and not purely from the perspective of building an intimate relationship with someone (which is sound advice), but in every single relationship in our lives (that so-called “friend” that always flakes on you comes to mind). This message, while pertinent to all, is particularly important for us gals – who have a tendency not to honor our worth at times and just take what we can get.

This theme also runs through a great blog post I came across yesterday, Hannah Brencher’s 25 Things Every Woman Needs To Know. She poignantly and humorously touches on this concept throughout her entry and reading her words brought some light to my day. I hope Maya and Hannah’s advice bring a spot of inspiration to yours as well.

Here’s what I’m lovin’ right now…

Blend

  1. 25 Things Every Woman Needs To Know.
  2. A little bold liner, red lips inspiration.
  3. One of my favorite photos of Wendy Nguyen from Wendy’s Look. Simply Breathtaking.
  4. Apple Pie Sandwiches. Recipe from tasteofhome.com.
  5. Essie Nail polish in Bangle Jangle – perfect for fall!
  6. Franco Sarto Celeste Riding Boots.
  7. Light Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Recipe via People.com.

Beaches: The Sequel

Posted in Explore, Fun, Treats by

Location: 30000 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu

Only in Los Angeles can you still enjoy a beach day…in October…two weeks into “Fall.” In celebration of what we thought was the last hurrah of the heat wave that just wouldn’t leave (and seems to be making a comeback even as I type this), the “wind beneath my wing” and I headed back to “Beaches” to enjoy the sequel to our first time gracing the Malibu shore. This time, Zuma Beach.

Armed with my latte from Cafecito Orgánico and this month’s book club selection – the next five hours were spent sipping, snacking, reading, catching up with my guy, listening to the sound of the waves, and breathing in fresh air (well, as fresh as you can get in L.A., I saw you roll your eyes).

With the temperatures hitting the 90’s again this week, maybe we can squeeze in one last visit and make these “Beaches” posts into a franchise like Hollywood execs would undoubtedly milk the hell out of do today. I can already see it. The film version would star Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey’s kids carrying on the dramatic legacy of female bonding, eventual friendship, and death; and then their kids, and then their kids, and so on and so on. If this story line goes into development anytime soon, I claim rights to the idea – you read it here first!

In the meantime, you just might get an All That Glitters franchise out these “Beaches” posts if this heat wave can’t take a hint that the party’s over, it’s being a total attention whore, and it’s time to let Autumn take center stage.

Cafecito Orgánico, Malibu

Posted in Explore, Food, Fun by

Location: 29169 Heathercliff Road, Malibu

Two exciting ways to start a weekend?
1). Trying out a new coffee spot for the first time.
2). Trying out a new coffee spot for the first time while on the way to hang out with your favorite person at the beach all day!

Cafecito Orgánico sits in a small shopping center in Malibu just off PCH. Of course, what drew little ol’ me towards the small cafe was the fancy schmansy name and the fact that I desperately wanted a latte next to me on the beach.

I have to say, I got a bit of the Graffiti Coffee Bar vibe from here. Again, a very simple (though not nearly as dramatic) interior are about all you get visually – but the awesome coffee art they draw in your latte makes up for the lack of punch in the store design. They’re proud to boast that they, too, use only the finest of beans (which reads awesome coffee, but expensive).

I had no huge issues in particular, just a few slight annoyances that came up that put this place in the blah category. Cafecito Orgánico is yet another establishment that doesn’t offer vanilla syrup (which is a sin in my book). The menu lists random drink names that I’ve never heard of and doesn’t offer a description which prompts you to have to bug the poor Barista about what the heck a “global warming” is?

In the end, I went with a “cafecito” at their suggestion. Boy, was it strong! This is in large part because I’m sure my 5 year association with Starbucks and their infamously so-so espresso has likely ruined me in truly appreciating the delicacies of fine Central American artisan coffee, and very much because I’m a girl that has to have some flavor in her latte (hence my annoyance with no vanilla syrup in-house).

A cool thing that makes this place stand out is in their use of modern technology. Upon ordering my super duper small beverage for a mere $4.00; an iPad screen was flipped my way that gave me the total, asked if I wanted to include a tip, and if I wanted the receipt emailed, texted, or printed out for me. Pretty neat.

In the end, I can’t say I’d make it a point to have to stop here on the way to the beach in the future. Nothing against Cafecito Orgánico, but I like my syrup in addition to saying I’m drinking high quality coffee beans. I’d rather head over to Graffiti Coffee Bar where at least I’m paying an arm and a leg for a latte, but I also get my vanilla flavoring AND an always much needed opportunity to enjoy the warmth and gaze longingly at the fireplace…in 90 degree weather.

Blu Jam Cafe

Posted in Food, Treats by

Location: 7371 Melrose Avenue, Mid-City

Blu Jam is an awesome place for breakfast if you have some time on a leisurely Saturday to wait up to an hour for a table during their busiest time, but I was in a rush on my way to the office and decided to perk up my Monday morning not too long ago with a quick stop here for the best latte fix on Melrose! I don’t know what it is that they do differently to their caffeinated beverages, but I suspect is has something to do with that blender behind the counter. It’s the last place the mixture of espresso beans, milk, and vanilla powder meet before the perfect shade of tan hits my not so eco-friendly plastic cup. Rich in taste, creamy, and cool. $4.50 well spent. And while not much cheaper in theory, a superior alternative to those who are currently pissed upset with Starbucks for screwing over disappointing their Gold Rewards members last week by removing soy milk and syrup on the house to its most loyal caffeine addicts. Here’s to supporting local small businesses and sticking it to “the man.” 🙂

(Shhh – don’t tell “The Bucks” but Blu Jam’s coffee is better anyway).

T’was a happy dance on a Monday. Well, as happy as you can be for a Monday morning (strike 1); sitting in traffic (strike 2); contemplating what you want to do for the weekend, but realize you still have 5 days to go (strike 3).

Have a great week and may it be full of caffeine!