time for coffee...

Blend's Iced Soy Latte

I've been getting steadily and increasingly back into the coffee kick ever since i moved to portland.  coincidence?  perhaps.   
Insert witty comment on NW coffee and/or rain here.

There are at least two great coffee shops within a mile of our house.  There used to be a great breakfast/lunch/coffee spot within a few blocks.  But, it is closed. Many have mourned yet continue to deeply miss its unique presence in north portland.

in the afternoons these days i usually head to Blend on N. Killingsworth & Greeley, right next to the food carts.   It's comfy and relaxed, with a steady business but never without seating for myself, my coffee beverage of the day, and my book and/or laptop.

today was a double iced soy latte and a copy of my-buddy-from-highschool's, aka Rosecrans Baldwin's book You Lost Me There.  The coffee was a good balance of unsweetened soy and clean yet textured espresso, the crowd was quiet yet busy and friendly, and the book is touching and engaging.

UPDATE: 30August2010: i had a pastry today at "Blend".  It was a cinnamon twist thing and looked like an elephant ear combined with a croissant.   It was tasty despite having obviously sit in that case all day, at least today.  And of course i had my usual summer iced soy latte.