TO LUBIĘ

Specialty Coffee From Dominican Monks In The Old Town

After the entertaining game of parking in Warsaw old town I was very much ready for good coffee. Stopping at one shop simply by chance turned out to be an outstanding experience. It kinda felt like opening that old wardrobe in Narnia movie. Coffee shop named 'To Lubię' which means 'Love it' is a treasure box indeed.

Even though there is an open area with umbrellas so common for most cafes, we felt like sitting inside. Was it windy or a bit chilly, I can't really remember. Anyway, the cafe itself is a tiny room on the ground floor and a slightly larger one upstairs. It totally feels like home in there!

I was so envious that lady was first to sit on the window sill! Man, it must be comfy up there. Actually, it was already reserved for the later time also, so I had no chance anyway. What a great way to utilize a window area. I've seen some before but this one looks like it actually is popular.

I couldn't stand the temptation to go up this cool old staircase. As if climbing up a tower. Oh, it actually is one. The shop is located in  the Dominican church tower. How cool is that!? However, second floor is couple tables, toys for kids, toilets and windows to enjoy the old town. I am a fan already. Yet, coffee must stand up to the challenge too, not just the facility. 

The menu has a shape of a small booklet, clear enough for my beginner's polish language))). Coffee comes as espresso, milk variations, additional tastes of honey, cinnamon, chili pepper  and so on. Hot or cold. These guys buy their beans from Kofi Brand, a local Warsaw roaster who works with specialty coffees. We had Brazilian Arabica and it was good. I mean it had both bitterness and acidity in a balanced manner. I enjoyed my double espresso, for it cost only 1 złoty more than a usual one. Ladies had americano with milk and my little son got his favorite meringue.

Coffee in To Lubię deserved to be on my list of favorites. Yet, what totally nailed it were the desserts. Oh my word, these guys do some magic cuz both chocolate cake and prunes pie were delicious. Moreover, baked apple pie with ice-cream on top made us speechless. 

To spice up the impression I will just add that one can buy wine and honey drink in bottles there. Apparently Dominican monks still make that popular in Poland honey drink. It is a great way to warm up in winter just like hot wine. Not sure about summer recipes though. Now you simply have to come feel the atmosphere, sip some good coffee and forget about all the trivial stuff while having dessert!

Relaks and relax more

A hidden jewel 

Minimalistic design, soviet looking apartment buildings, tiny park among those, trams and cars passing by. Life goes on. People rush to their workplaces. Happy ones with flexible schedule take their dogs for a walk during the day.

About a month ago I had some unplanned free time and spent it in a park on the other side of the street . If only I knew there was such a sweet place nearby! 'Relaks' on Puławska 48 is a bit hidden from the main street. more than that, a so to say food triangle of a hamburger point, Italian restaurant and a vegetarian cafe would be the first to see through your vehicle window.

Anyway, Relax was on my list of places to visit on my move to Warsaw. I found it in coffee blogs this past fall. One friend of mine mentioned it couple days ago and I realised that I kinda forgot about my list of coffee shops to visit. Time to go find a new place is always a challenge so I just waited and waited for the chance. And here I come with my fam and a good friend of ours.

Unless you walk in, nothing really captures your attention on the outside. Simple sign, no expensive advertisement, blinking lights or music playing to catch your attention. Walls are covered with posters from several decades back into history. I could spend a day just reading those and meditating on the events of the polish past, for it has much in common with other eastern Europe countries.

Barista Dema moved to Warsaw from Kyiv and could tell my accent right away. He shared his excitement of working in an atmosphere of professional attitude to coffee. It was so good to meet somebody from your native land! These guys buy best beans, brew them and decide on what they are gonna sell in Relaks. We chose 1) Costa Rica roasted in Denmark and brewed in Kalita drip, and 2) Guatemala roasted in Krakow and brewed by Fetco automatic drip. I enjoyed the first one more. It seemed to have a stronger acidity and brighter taste.

As one might spend a good deal of time at Relaks, they offer some snacks, deserts and non-alcohol drinks. As i set on a couch with a cup of coffee I saw people living their lives in this place. There are business talks happening, shares being bought and sold through laptops, articles written, magazines read and so on.

Chalk board with a menu and shelves with coffee and alternative brew equipment are pretty standard nowadays for places like this. Yet that one with trophies from various contests does add certain respect for the business for you see the owner knows his stuff really well. It is more than money making, it must be a passion.

I loved every minute of my stay even though a dog licked on the quiche I naively left on the table while chatting with barista. Heating was a little to strong that day and I was hot. However, Relaks is on my list of favourites now. It ads a positive note to first days of spring that is still grey and foggy here in Warsaw. I heard there was one more Relaks downtown...

P.S. love that cup in the picture!

LIDL supermarket coffee adventure - part1

Ever wondered where to find good coffee? Went to a store nearby with a choice of 5,10, maybe 15 well-known brands. Bought some that looked pretty. Opened it at home, it smelled great at first, yet turned out so bitter you couldn't have it without lots of milk and sugar? Every next day it got only worse.

You go for another brand, get lucky once in a while, but still no consistency. The search gets frustrating and you decide to just stick to one brand and kind that is simply ok or not too bad.
So what options do we have? Swallow it or keep searching? I found out a specialty coffee world for myself and would strongly advise you explore it too. However, it might cost you time and money.

Any other options? You know, there actually might be some. What if times are changing and big supermarket chains feel the desires of consumers and meet them by offering us some better stuff than before?

The picture above is Colombia 100% Arabica in a wooden box. Looks pretty cool, ha? And that is no special shop, simply Lidl in Warsaw. I am about to find the coffees that stand out and catch your eye on the supermarket coffee scene and are available for any customer.

Krakow and Coffee Proficiency

Krakow has indeed a lot to offer, and probably that's why it is usually crowded with tourists. Those old churches are huge and make an unforgettable impression on you! Having several extra pairs of feet to never stop walking around would be perfection. What about coffee though? I'd like to start with a place I was intentionally looking for.

After having my first Costa Rica Las Lajas by Coffee Proficiency, it became my favorite so far. That happened when I was rushing to an airport to pick up a speaker from US I would later interpret for. I might tell about that specific experience separately, but I can just say for now that it tasted and smelled like fruit. No bitterness, light acidity and the aroma... OMG! I don't know the magic these guys do, but it makes coffee truly outstanding.

Of course, I longed for more of it. At first, on a family vacation last winter, by some divine stirring, while walking Florianska St. the eye caught a familiar name on a coffee pack behind the glass of a desert shop. Immediately my feet stopped and turned that direction. The place looked like a cafe with bright colors, sweet and tasty treats, but had something more precious inside. Barista, equipment and, of course, THE coffee. We got into talking. The guy knows his business, or rather passion. On the first visit my wife and I had Ethiopia Yirgacheff. I often start with it cuz it is a familiar taste to me and I can try to compare it with other roasts I had before.
One year is a lot of time for my memory to remember the details, yet I probably looked like a happy kid whose dream just came true. Here it is! Coffee worth drinking, talking about and paying for. That winter night gave a start to a long term relationship with Coffee Proficiency magic.

On a second visit we had two other coffees, both pour over and aeropress brewed. It is a great feeling when you face a professional. So good to relax and just have him do his routine perfectly well. At times I like to sit/stand close and watch the whole process of coffee being made. This time was different. Also, when I have an option for filter coffee or an alternative brew method, I usually go for it. Like espresso more? Give it a try.

Next happy chance happened this past fall. Short trip, limited time, yet I had to stop by. And here it is (Przemysłowa 3, Kraków), I got to the very heart of the magic. Roast facility, office, shop and cafe same time. Pretty cool approach to interior. Haven't seen one like that before. One can sit on the second floor and watch the master roast. How cool is that ?! My friend and I had Ethiopia as usual, then Kenya. Awesome. Served in a glass carafe with two cups makes it perfect for two people, paying 5 zl a cup, just a bit over 1 dollar.

Still, that wasn't all. Surprise, they offered me to try a coffee shell drink. What? Really? Why not, let's see what it is...My word, it tastes like a dry fruit drink! Not really like coffee at all. I wonder if it has any caffeine. Not brewed in a usual way, just shells and hot water. In this particular case I had Cost Rica shell. What a coincidence. Of course it tastes like fruit! I bet the farmer has it grow on fruit trees somehow))). Trip to that farm is on my list indeed.

Time flew fast, an hour or two, hard to tell. My phone's battery ran out, yet I managed to find a guy with a mac and he was very kind to charge it. So hard to leave. I guess I could live there. Ok, back to reality, the bag is full of coffee, enough to survive for a month and treat my colleagues at work with premium espresso blend of 4 different kind of beans.

This place is a must stop on my way if (or rather when!) it crosses Krakow. Quiet, great atmosphere, friendly and tasty. Place to sit with a book or phone, relax and enjoy the heavenly taste.

Maybe I should note some negative traits of the place too to be fair. You know, I really don't have those in my mind. But in case you like cozy and home feel places, this one might look like a garage. I wonder whether ladies would appreciate the shop. I think I saw several girls hanging out and couple men actively discussing some business. I guess it is great if coffee comes first. I would have to go again and give it a fresh look some day.