coffee Archives - Olio in Iowa

January 12, 2015

Des Moines Essentials: Coffee Shops & Cafés

In December I published my list of Des Moines Essentials—all of my favorite places to eat, drink, shop and explore in Iowa’s capital city. As promised, I’m expanding upon that collection with a little more detail and some recommendations from the places I love.

Since it’s typically -10 degrees here these days, what better to start with than my favorite Des Moines coffee shops and cafés. These cozy haunts are the perfect place to grab breakfast with a friend or settle in with a latte and a good book:

La Mie (Shops At Roosevelt, 841 42nd Street)
For the most delicious French pastries you’ve ever seen this side of the Mississippi, you’ll want to stop by La Mie. Fair warning: if you’re planning on visiting for Saturday brunch, they get busy quick. Get there early.
My favorites: Fromage omelet, ham & cheese croissant or grilled brie sandwich

Mars Cafe (2318 University Avenue)
Mars was my first coffee shop love in Des Moines and it’s yet to be dethroned. While I no longer live in the Drake neighborhood, I still try to make it back to Mars for some quality time in my favorite window booth every once and awhile.
My favorites: the Sputnik, Mar’s signature latteContinue Reading…

November 26, 2014

On practicing gratitude

On Sunday morning, I was running late.

I’d woken up groggy and overtired and hadn’t let my hair dry all the way before stumbling out of my building into the late November air with my bag slung haphazardly over my shoulder.

I was late and seriously in need of caffeine as I sped toward the drive through. Drumming my fingers on the steering wheel, I fidgeted and watched the too-few minutes slip by on my car’s digital display. I hastily ordered and wheeled my car swiftly around the corner. I was annoyed—looking back probably visibly so—as I waited for the car in front of my to pull away at a snail’s pace.

My window was already down, arm extended, credit card in hand, by the time I reached the double glass panes. So when the smiling barista turned and told me my coffee had already been paid for, I just blinked at her.

And, at least momentarily, all of my annoyances, my impatience and my petty stressors vanished. Because some stranger, probably the one in the teal minivan ahead of me, had reminded me the importance of practicing gratitude—even if it’s just for a free cup of coffee.Continue Reading…

November 14, 2014

The Week: November 14, 2014

We had our first dusting of snow this week in Des Moines, and while I was mildly disappointed that there hasn’t been more of it yet, I’m in no real rush to commit to a full-on relationship with my parka just yet. That doesn’t mean I can’t start enjoying some tiny doses of holiday spirit though… While I spend the weekend curled up with a book and some hot chocolate, here are my favorite bits of Internet from this past week:

The first thing I did when I heard it might snow was pull the recipe for this delicious vegetable soup.

How to brew (and drink) the perfect cup of coffee, according to science.

One of my long-time favorite authors, Dave Eggers, wrote a new short story for The New Yorker this week.

By now I’m more than a little obsessed with Serial and this Mental Floss story only has my brain spinning even more.Continue Reading…

August 29, 2014

The Week: August 29, 2014

It’s been a rainy, gloomy kind of week so I’m hoping for some sunshine this long weekend. I’ve got a few fun things planned (and maybe even a mini road trip), but more on those later. In the meantime and while I’m off adventuring, here are my favorite bits of Internet from this week:

Some of the best I’ve ever read for remembering not to overthink it.

One of the best gazpacho recipes I’ve made in quite some time.

A gorgeous view of Paris through the lens of a Pentax 67 camera.Continue Reading…

January 8, 2013

DIY: Flavored Coffee Syrups

Anyone who knows me well knows that there aren’t many things in this world that I love more than coffee. While I usually drink my coffee black I also love trying uniquely flavored lattes and different coffee syrups.

So before classes started up again and while I still had some extra time on my hands, I decided to try to make my own, homemade coffee syrup. I did a little searching and found a few easy recipe that didn’t seem too intimidating. For my first attempt, I decided to keep things simple and stick with a traditional vanilla syrup.

What you’ll need:

2 cups water
2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extra

Mix water and sugar together in a pot over low heat and stir continuously until the sugar completely dissolves. Stir in vanilla extract & voila! I poured my completed vanilla syrup into a oil drizzler (which I found at Target for $4) and designed my own DIY label.

Maybe next time I’ll give a raspberry or caramel syrup a try – stay tuned!