(thewoodscoffee.com) – Bellingham, Washington

How I heard of this place: A few years ago, my sister Mojgan was visiting our parents in Bellingham and couldn’t stop raving about the perfect coffee shop; a cafe in the middle of Boulevard Park, overlooking Bellingham Bay and serving delicious java! Ever since, this has become our Woods Coffee (one of ten locations in Whatcom County).

Type of cuisine: Cafe fare – coffees, teas, blended, iced and hot beverages. Tasty treats from sandwiches to scones and muffins. Pastries, gluten free as well as the real stuff.  

Ambiance: Cozy, comfortable, homey. The Boulevard Park location has high ceilings with loft seating upstairs for those wishing to be out of the way of the leather sofas and bustling crowds placing orders.

Outdoor seating just ten feet away from the bay can be enjoyed in the summer

and in the winter near the double-sided fireplace.

Rustic feel with a modern vibe.  

What I ordered: This beautiful June day, one of only seven to have hit 70-degrees since the beginning of the year, I enjoyed the 16-ounce size, or Cedar sized, Avalanche ($4.50) – a blended concoction of espresso, white chocolate, vanilla ice cream, caramel and coconut. My sister started with a triple Cedar latte ($3.35 plus $0.65 for the additional shot of espresso) and an Almond Poppy Muffin ($2.35) and finished with a Cedar latte ($3.35).

On a return visit, Tuesday, June 21, 2011: My sister and I returned to take care of some wedding details and preparations over a cuppa joe and a snack with my friend, Roxanne, who was visiting from Seattle for the day. I ordered a single ristretto, Spruce-sized (12-ounce) mocha (3.20) with non-fat milk. My sister selected the Cedar-sized Americano ($2.65) Breve ($0.75), or a misto, as some like to call it. For our snack, we ordered a toasted bagel with Italian cream cheese. Roxanne enjoyed a tasty-looking breakfast biscuit with ham, eggs and melted cheese.

On a return visit, Wednesday, April 17, 2011: A local favorite, my good friend from High School and I met up for coffee, a snack and a lot of catching up! Together, we enjoyed one pizza twist, a Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookie, one small Vanilla Latte and a small Orange Mocha.

What I loved: I always love the sweet and icy Avalanche!  I did sample the muffin, which was light, flaky and lightly buttery, without being too sweet.

And again, the amazing Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookie. O.M.G.

Why I loved it: The environment, the view, the proximity to a walking path, frisbee players and a playground make this the ideal spot for coming to people watch, to study, enjoy conversations with friends, or share a romantic day out with your sweetie.

It’s the best thing that could have come from an abandoned pottery studio in the midst of Boulevard Park.

Cost: Average ($3-$5 per beverage)