Lyon Street Café: A Grand Rapids Favorite

There is something very calming about being back in Grand Rapids. In a way, returning to all of my old favorite spots makes me feel as though I never left. Almost instantly after unpacking all of the bags and boxes that traveled home with me from Ann Arbor, I made a visit to Lyon Street Café for a cup of coffee and some conversation with my best friend, Emily. 

Lyon Street is relatively new to the Grand Rapids coffee sphere (opening just last year), but has earned its place as one of my absolute favorites. Not only is the coffee delicious and the baristas exceptionally friendly, but the café hosts a very appealing variety of dessert options (many of which are gluten free and vegan). As someone who is currently vegan and considering the possibility of making the permanent lifestyle shift, I find these offerings to be very refreshing. 

Next time you're looking for a place to catch up with a friend or get some work done, be sure to settle in at Lyon Street with a mocha and a cupcake. You definitely won't be disappointed.

Adventures in NYC

New York City has been a part of my dreams for years and, thankfully, I had the opportunity to explore it this Spring Break with a few wonderful friends. Our stay was short as we arrived Saturday morning and left Monday afternoon, but everything we did and saw made it very worthwhile. Below are some of the highlights of such a stimulating trip (disclaimer: it's mostly food and coffee).

Toby's Estate Coffee

I have a lot of favorite coffee places, but Toby's Estate's Flatiron Espresso Bar on Fifth Avenue earned a spot in my top five almost immediately after I stepped foot inside. The baristas were all extremely friendly, the black and white color scheme inviting, and the coffee delicious. Not only that, but the espresso bar was also connected to a Strand bookstore, flower shop, and Club Monaco. Unfortunately, I already had to haul back a duffel packed too full multiple blocks back to the ferry (having a love for fashion can be painful) and didn't have the room or arm strength to accommodate the many books, flowers, and shirts I really wanted to buy. For anyone planning to try it out, I highly recommend the Maple Sage Latte.

(I noticed later that I had pinned a picture of this shop to my "future travels" Pinterest board, which is even more exciting considering I wasn't aware I was checking off a destination. You can follow my inspirations here)

Penelope

Brunch is a must on any form of trip or vacation, at least from my perspective. On Sunday night, we  all gathered around Ryan's Macbook and began the search for a place that would meet all of our expectations. Penelope on Lexington Avenue was the choice and it was delicious.

I had the Punkin' Waffles on the bottom left and the Sweet Potato Fries in the middle. 

Doughnut Plant 

We walked by Doughnut Plant on our way to visit the Chelsea Hotel and immediately knew it was something we had to try. We were right and ended up making two trips. During the first trip, I had the Brooklyn Blackout Cake Donut which was, in complete honesty, the best donut I have ever had. On the second trip, directly before our return back to the ferry and the beginning of a long drive back to Michigan, I had the Pistachio Cake Donut which is pictured below. It was also pretty delicious, but not quite as good as the Brooklyn Blackout.

Other notable stops include: 

Stumptown Coffee in Ace Hotel - Which had a very cute grab-and-go atmosphere 

MoMA - Where I saw Van Gogh's "Starry Night" live and in person and took a cheesy photo in front of Warhol's "Campbell's Soup Cans"

Shake Shack - Where I tried a mushroom burger due to lack of vegetarian options and was surprisingly impressed

L'Amico - A cute Italian restaurant on Avenue of Americas

NYC is a very inspiring environment and I can't wait to return!

A Caffeinated Tour of Ann Arbor: Lab Cafe

When I am exploring new places, I almost always gravitate toward coffee shops. There is something about being in a space with a lot of people working, conversing, and sharing a love for coffee (and other beverages, I suppose) that is extremely stimulating. Throughout my first two months here, I've probably spent a bit too much money on the Ann Arbor cafe experience. However, I am entirely  unashamed. Over the next year, I will be highlighting some of my favorite locations in the city I now call home starting with Lab Cafe. 

One of the best things about Lab is the atmosphere. The comforting feeling I got when walking in the door may be partially attributed to the fact that it is a relatively small space. There are only a few tables placed somewhat close together and several chairs around a coffee table, but there is beauty in feeding off the energy of those around you. 

As a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, I find it important to note that Lab sells Madcap Coffee (as noted in the first photo). Seeing a few bags of Oktoberfest on the shelf made me feel at home. 

I recommend trying the Honey Lavender Latte when you visit, it just might change your world.