Hey there steemians!
Lately I have been coming across some really great cafe's, dessert, and food spots that have really caught my eye and my taste buds! As much as I am all about putting your phone away and relishing in the moment, I also want to share the experience with my steem pals and show you some of my new favorite spots. As you all know, I love a home cooked meal/treat, so I don't eat out all of the time, but when I do find a spot that catches my eye and has great yums, I am all about it.
When trying a spot for the first time, there a few things that are important to me. Ambiance/vibe, quality of food, and service. When I say ambiance, I don't at all mean that it has to be fancy, but I do definitely pay attention and appreciate a unique and purposeful aesthetic. I love walking into a spot that is vibrating with people enjoying themselves and their food. The vibe a spot gives you in the first couple minutes can give you a peak into what your experience is going to be like. Quality and taste of food is of utmost importance to me. There are tons of whole-in-the-wall places I love and am loyal to because of the superb quality of food. And lets face it, service can either make or brake a place. I have worked in customer service for almost 10 years, so I really value when a place goes above and beyond to create great exchanges and an overall great experience for their customers.
Now that you all know what is at the top of my list when it comes to trying new spots, I want to start sharing some of these places with you and encourage you to try them if you ever find yourselves in the Bay Area!
The first spot I want to share with you is one that I stumbled upon, on my way to a bookstore in downtown Oakland! If I know I am going to get a bite out, I will do some research and find something online, but I also like to just stumble upon places by "accident". This place was just that. I had been in the area plenty of times recently and had not seen it before, so I was excited to try a place that was new.
It is called SWEET BELLY DESSERTS.
Now, I am not super big on sweets, but the quaint, clean, minimalistic aesthetic really called to me and drove me in. The place is very small and has about 4 tiny tables, each sitting 2 people max. Even though the space was small, the simple decor and the clean vibe made it feel quaint and comfortable, rather than cramped and uncomfortable. They had plants everywhere, which I love. I feel it always makes a place feel welcoming and lively. When I got there, there was a few people there, sitting down and enjoying their treats. At first, I didn't know if this was an ice cream, cookie, donut, cupcake or pastry spot, but as I approached the menu on the counter, the cashier told me that they are known for their ice cream/donut combinations! They had lots of options as far as ice cream flavors, donut flavors, and toppings. They had some eclectic flavors which is always something that calls out to me and I want to try. As I ordered, the cashier told me what goes best with what, and offered some suggestions. I am so glad she did because what I ended up getting far exceeded my expectations.
I ordered the lavender ice cream, with honey and sea salt on top, with a small matcha sugared donut on top. It was one of the best desserts I have tasted in a long time for many reasons! One of the reasons why I stay away from desserts is because they can be way too filling and leave me feeling sluggish. This dessert in particular was just the right amount of flavor and sweet, and just the right size. When I finished I was thoroughly satisfied, but didn't feel too full at all. The honey and sea salt paired amazingly with the lavender ice cream, and the warmth and decadence of the matcha donut all brought it perfectly together.
This place checked off on all three of my priorities when visiting a new spot! I loved the ambiance and aesthetic, the dessert itself was delicate and delicious, and the the girls that worked there were awesome and very helpful. Overall a win-win! I will definitely be stopping by again sometime soon!
And here is a picture of me after enjoying my dessert..HAPPY CAMPER :)
THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING & STAY TUNED FOR MORE :)