Masala Chai Latte at Coffee Bar

Walking into Coffee Bar made me feel like I was walking onto a movie set about a place where only intellectuals go.  I felt accepted and also not good enough to be there at the same time, which is a hard feat.  Everyone was on a laptop, most of them Macs.  The music put me at ease but also built me up.  I felt like I was going to meet someone there that would change my life, or at the very least engage me in some intense conversation.

I thought I could just do the simple thing and order a chai latte, but there were around 3 different kinds.  Embarrassed, I asked the difference between the two.  I was told that the Masala Chai has caffeine, so that is what I went with.

They had other intriguing drinks on the menu like a Lavender latte and a Lemon Chiffon latte, the latter I would love to try very soon.  As I was walking to our table, an attractive guy stared into my soul and I thought he was going to say something profound as he walked by, but that was it.  This place is intense, and I love it.

The chai ended up being a little watery, but the decor and atmosphere more than make up for it, and I have more drinks to try.  I'm making a future date with myself to read a book and try a new drink very soon.

Coffee Bar
682 Mt Rose St Reno, NV 89509
(775) 800-1090
6AM-9PM 7 Days a Week

Chai Tea Latte from Hi Point Cafe

I ran into a friend from college the other day and we decided to meet for coffee.  I suggested a place close to her, Dunkin Donuts.  I really wanted to try their flavored hot chocolates for the blog.  As it turns out she ended up on the other side of the valley, and suggested we meet at Hi Point Cafe.

I'm not gonna lie, I felt like I was cheating on Swill for a bit.  It's very similar set up, both independently owned coffee shops running on Square and locally ingredients.  Okay, that last bit might just be made up...but it sounds great doesn't it?

I looked for my go-to fake coffee, the Chai Latte.  The Chai Tea Latte was all I could find on the menu, so I ordered that.  It was, as suspected, more of a tea than a latte.  That is not really my jam, but it was great for what it was.  It was a great little cafe, wonderful for chatting and getting coffee if you are in the Kings Row area.  The only thing I'm not really fond of is that they close at 4:00 PM, so you have to make your dates pretty early if you want to hang out.

Hi Point Cafe
3687 Kings Row, Reno, NV 89503
(775) 787-2477
Monday-Sunday 7:00 AM-4:00 PM 

Pumpkin Chai Latte from Swill

Tis the season for Pumpkin!  I know that society has sort of tricked you into thinking that pumpkins are strictly an October thing, but that's just not true.  What do you always have for dessert for Thanksgiving?  Pumpkin Pie of course!

Of course, I'm down for Pumpkin things October and November.  I like for Pumpkin to have it's time to shine.  Recently it's just gone completely overboard though, and so I got tricked into this Pumpkin Chai by a friend that works for Swill.  However, the pumpkin was so understated that I almost didn't notice that it was there.  It was the perfect amount of pumpkin and spices, and the environment was (as always) very warm and welcoming.

There has been a change of the guard at Swill recently, and as of this writing the only real difference I see is now the employees are wearing "Swill" aprons.  How very Empire Records of them.  Hopefully nothing major changes and we can keep our "Central Perk" the way that it is.

Vanilla Chai at @Reno_Dunkin

Their slogan is "The World Runs on Dunkin'" and after tasting their Vanilla Chai I can certainly see why.  Most chains are really watered down and not very flavorful at all.

I recently swore off Starbucks after my dirty chai tasted more like actual dirt than anything else I've ever put in my mouth before.  I was so upset to  throw away a $7 drink that I downloaded the 7-11 app and never looked back...until I had to pick up some donuts as a last night gift for my play.

I decided to go ahead and get a Vanilla Chai while I was there to get me through the long day.  It was a good size and under $3.00.  It was so great.  It was smooth and yet had a great "bite" to it.  I would drink one every morning, but I'd be as fat as houses.

But honestly, it is the amazing customer service that is going to keep my coming back to this location.  Everyone who helped me was very nice, apologetic when they didn't even need to be.  When I told the guy to just make the donuts assorted, that I didn't want any specific order or kind, it was like I was a hero.  I'm sure they have to deal with people who haven't decided what they want yet and it takes forever.  I got a majorly large bag, took my two dozen donuts and drink, and was out the door in 20 minutes.  They worked their tails off for me, and I will be back sooner than I care to admit.

Dunkin' Donuts
435 Sparks Blvd #121, Sparks, NV 89434
(775) 356-2720

Monday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Tuesday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Wednesday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Thursday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Saturday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm

 

Vanilla Chai at Swill

I know, I know...another Chai.  You know, when I first tried one, I thought it was like drinking potpourri.  I totally hated it.  Then I really started to like them as an alternative to drinking real coffee, which I'm normally not a fan of.

I asked for my regular Chai the first time at Swill.  The cool guy behind the counter asked if I wanted a regular chai or a vanilla chai.  I said "Well shoot, if you are going to give me a choice I'm going to try a vanilla!  I didn't even see it as an option."

He seemed pretty amused by that, and several minutes later I got it delivered to my table.  It was amazing!  So smooth and creamy, and yet that potpourri flavor that I hated and first and came to love was amazing in this one.

I'll for sure be back for more of this one, and maybe try out some other things.  If they can make it taste this good, maybe regular coffee will taste good there too!


Swill Coffee and Wine Bar
Moana West Shopping Center, 3366 Lakeside Ct, Reno, NV 89509
(775) 823-9876

Monday	7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Tuesday	7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Wednesday	7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Thursday	7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Friday	7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday	7:30 am – 2:00 pm
Sunday	7:30 am – 2:00 pm

Chai Latte @HubCoffeeReno

Now that I'm back in town, getting together with old schoolmates is starting to come about, and it's been awesome.  It's so exciting to see what everyone grew up to be.  Maureen gave me some advise when we were in sixth grade; part my hair on the side.  It never occurred to me to change something like that up, and it changed my whole life.

Now she's a super awesome hair stylist at L'Essence Day Spa and Salon, and I would seriously suggest that if you need some awesome new hair color to make an appointment with her.

She has some of her cool transformations up on her Instagram,

We met up at Hub Coffee Roasters since she's a super busy momma, and I decided to go with my old standby of a Chai Latte.  Mo was nice enough to get it for me, so I'm going to have to get something for her next time we see each other.

The Chai was good, and very pretty.  In the end though, I don't think I like it as much as I like the one from Bibo's.  I know Hub is supposed to be better according to Yelp and Facebook reviews, so I'm willing to go back another time and give them a shot.

It's still a solid second in my book, and I would for sure go there again.  Their river side location was great for people-watching, and catching up with my old friend.  The parking lot was a little strange, but I got it figured out the second time around the block.  All in all, a great time with some great coffee.

Hub Coffee Roasters-Riverside
http://www.hubcoffeeroasters.com/

Visit: 727 Riverside Dr, Reno, NV 89503
Hours: Mon-Sat 7am to 8pm
Sun 7am to 6pm