(Untitled)

[friedlinguini]

Over the past year or so apricotica and I have nurtured and developed a benign chemical dependence on coffee. These days, she usually makes herself a mocha au lait in the morning while I grab some of the free stuff at the office, wondering what would happen if I used a 16-ounce mug and pressed the Coffee and Hot Chocolate buttons successively

Comments

[mellivora]

As soon as you said you were looking for a local, Starbucks alternative, I knew you'd end up in one of those crazy Vietnamese coffee houses. I think I went on a group ride last year that started in front of this place, actually. It was hard enough rolling up to a group of 30 guy riders, so I knew I didn't have the balls to walk in there and try and order a nonfat latte.

[friedlinguini]

There are more of them?!

[mellivora]

East San Jose is, like, the Vietnamese capital of the United States - there are more Vietnamese residents in San Ho than in any other city outside Vietnam. There was a big kerfuffle recently in San Jose city government over whether to name an area "Little Saigon" or "Saigon Business District." People were so upset over the thing there were hunger strikes. Seemed most Vietnamese hated the "Saigon Business District" as proposed by a Vietnamese city council member and instead preferred "Little Saigon."

Anyway, my point is there are probably dozens of Vietnamese coffee places, and come to think of it, about a thousand cheap pedicure places (be sure to tell Adrien that).

[friedlinguini]

I noticed the Vietnamese presence early on. I hadn't realized what sort of cultural role a coffee shop might play, though. Especially at that time of day and with an Italian name.

[mamarhi]

There's an independent place near my house that is fabulous. The owner is very sweet and the coffee is wonderful. Maybe we should take you all out for coffee and introduce you to the places we know. :)

[ex_apricotic791]

Yes, please!!!

[friedlinguini]

That would be fantastic. We need to know more places to go for random things, and hanging out would be an added bonus.