(cafebounjourseattle.com) – Green Lake

How I heard of this place: Just the day before, on a walk past Cafe Bonjour with a handful of friends as we approached our cars, I happened to notice a new cafe on the corner, just one block up from the lake. After having finished our lunch, my dining companion wanted a cuppa java to warm us up on our much-anticipated walk around the lake. We had heard about one new cafe, adjacent to a Dog Grooming Spa, and I had remembered this one was just across the street. The large, empty space intrigued us and we made our way in.

Type of cuisine: Coffee shop – with limited espresso beverages on the menu (at least in this first month, having opened on 18 December 2010), pastries, sandwiches and paninis for breakfast and lunch, as well as salads can be found on the menu.

Ambiance: A very large, open spaced establishment welcomes you as you walk by the floor-to-ceiling windows on the corner unit, and enter. Seating on leather sofas or at tables with chairs are found along the right side of the space as you walk through the double doors. To the left, a large area is set up for children with colorful floor tiles and plastic table/chair set-up. Books, games and other items are also available to entertain children as their parents and care-takers enjoy a cup of coffee or a small meal.

What I ordered: I ordered a 12-ounce single ristretto non-fat peppermint mocha ($2.70) and my dining companion – at my suggestion – opted for the Polar bear mocha ($3.30), a 16-ounce white chocolate mocha with coconut.

What I loved: Of the two beverages, the polar bear mocha got the vote! Creamy, sweet and steamed just so. The peppermint seemed to have been left out of my mocha and the milk warmed to a degree hotter than the typical 160 degrees, which gave the milk a more roasted flavor (and burned my tongue).

Cost:  Average ($2.70-$3.95)