Once we got back to Bend, the weather was just sunny and hot. There was not a cloud in the sky, and the sun was pounding. And we had to go downtown to check out Bite of Bend. On our last morning there, we had to stop in for some powerful and cold refreshment at Thump. We got a Toddy style iced coffee. It’s a method of cold brewing coffee, and there is a brewing system that you can purchase that was invented by a dude named Todd. I believe Thump said they cold brew theirs for 16 hours. It’s similar to our first cold brew coffee love, new orleans style, but without the chicory. All this time and effort is so that you can reduce the acidity and the bitterness that hot brewed coffee can produce. This was a good cup of cold brew.
The shop is pretty cool. They have “wishes” hanging from the ceiling and they’re pretty cute. But something about it was just off for me. It wasn’t exactly the most warm and welcoming and the baristas had some palpable attitude. It wins a lot of “best of bend” awards for coffee shops, and perhaps that’s gone to their pretty little caffeine-filled heads. Right around the corner, there was an awesome little coffee shop and roaster, called lone pine. If they had cold brewed iced coffee, we would have totally gone there. In fact, J wanted to take our Thump iced coffee and go drink it there, and just give some dollars so we’d be able to sit there. We’ll definitely do that next time.

While in Yachats the day before, we’d discovered this sweet coffee house across the way from Luna. On our continuing journey north on the coast to our next destination, Depoe Bay, we had to stop for some morning treats at Green Salmon Coffee and Tea House. So this place is, um, y’know, run by hippies. There’s no other way to say it. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But it’s not a hipster coffee house. It’s a hippie coffee house. They run their shop in as green a way as possible. Among others, they buy locally, compost everything, collect rainwater for cleaning and watering, have a solar power system, heat using local wood, and have a no plastic pledge, etc. They actually practice what they preach. And there’s nothing sleep or modern about this place. It’s warm, homey, and has tons of mismatched furniture. And I like it that way.

They’re all about the fair trade and organic coffee and tea here and they have plenty you can pick up to make at home. But it’s the drinks that they make here that set this place apart. They have tons of coffee, hot chocolate, and tea concoctions, with strange combinations, that really make this place special.

Ok, no, I lied. It’s their damn pastries that make this place so special. Everything is made in-house using local ingredients, whenever possible. And look at these things! They’re huge, cheap, and oh so delicious! You can’t tell how big these things are, but trust me, they are the size of your head!

Here we have J’s Oregonian at the top – espresso with lightly sweet steamed oregon hazelnut milk. At the bottom is my Hokusai Cocoa – rice milk hot chocolate with japanese matcha green tea. Both were delicious! The day before, we’d gotten a Tsunami to-go – strong, brewed iced coffee with a sweetened float of condensed milk. And behold their blueberry scone. I’m not that well versed in scones, but this was not your average scone. It was more like a giant triangular muffin, and it was beyond delicious. It was big enough to keep both of our sweet tooths satisfied.

The service is ok. The guy with the ponytail wasn’t the most friendliest. I think he sensed that we were not hippies or locals, so he didn’t exactly warm up to us. One of the girls who works in the back actually making things was one big giggler. All she did was giggle both times we were there. Like non-stop. I wonder what was making her giggle so much? And exactly how much of it was she smoking? Another girl who waited on us was much friendlier. While I’m sure they’re happy with the tourists that stop in and the money they drop, it really does seem like a local hangout. We even overheard someone telling a customer he still had $1.77 on his account. I know that if I lived in Yachats or nearby, I’d stop by here all the time! And I’d probably gain 10 lbs from all the pastries!

On one of the mornings while I was in chicago, I actually had time to play real-life “i work in downtown chicago” lady and took full advantage. I had discovered the night before that I could walk to a nearby Intelligentsia for a coffee. Whee! They do everything themselves (roast the beans, grind, etc.) and brew their coffees using these little ceramic coffee drippers, by pouring in the water using these special water kettles. It’s all a big to-do. Such a to-do that you have to wait in long lines for it.

But that’s ok. I didn’t mind the wait. Since going to an Intelligentsia happens maybe once every year or so, the wait is fine by me. This visit was my second trip to an Intelligentsia, ever. The first was at the Silver Lake location. This chicago location is small, but very cute. There are a few tables and a small counter.I got a large latte and I drank it all! It was absolutely lovely! It is strong and wonderously creamy. My body was practically in shock because of how strong it was. But it was all worth it! I got a danish too. Even their pastries, or at least the ones they carry, are good!