Matcha Bar

Matcha, a ground up powder made of high quality green tea, has been the new health craze in NYC. From matcha lattes to matcha baked goods and even matcha smoothies, NYC has a coffee equivalent craving for all things matcha. Matcha Bar has opened a Manhattan location which makes it much easier to get your matcha fix.

ABOUT

Opened by Max and Graham Fortgang, they're one of the few matcha-focused cafés that are changing the matcha game with quality and service. They serve their own brand of ceremonial grade matcha (the highest grade) that they get from Nishia, Japan. They're extremely welcoming and are happy to answer any of your matcha-related questions. If you're looking for good quality and real matcha (not Starbucks), this place is a good place to start.

INTERIOR

The window seat is the best seat in the house, with pillows and lots of room for a group. The large windows, which are open on nice days, let in the perfect amount of natural light. It's smaller than their Williamsburg location but still has the same chill, retro-esque vibe that makes them unique.

DRINKS + TREATS

They have different types of matcha drinks and there's something for the traditionalist and the new-comer.

A few unique drinks include:

-Peaches and cream matcha (w/ almond milk)

-Cucumber mint matcha

-Cinnamon maple matcha

I have yet to try all their treats, but so far their matcha macaroons and matcha cacao bars have my heart. If you're craving something more savory they also have sandwiches avaliable.

**Large iced matcha + large iced peaches and cream matcha (w/ almond milk)**

Join the matcha family by using the hashtag #matchafam, grab a stamp card and a couple matcha bar stickers while sipping on your delicious cup of matcha goodness.

You can find Matcha Bar Chelsea at 256 W 15th St, New York, NY 10011

x Yzabelle

Café Visits: Bibble & Sip

Want the perfect latte art in the form of an animal? That's what I found here at Bibble & Sip. Tucked in-between a busy avenue and hoards of restaurants, my friends and I found this little treasure.

What caught my eye was their logo and slogan, cute and sassy? Count me in. Their play on words are ingenious, and we did BS the whole time (no, not that kind). When you walk in you're hit with a pleasant aroma-- drip coffee and baked goods. Everything is baked on the premises and a majority of their desserts are tea-infused. If you love earl grey and/or green tea you're in luck. Matcha or earl grey panna cotta, cream puffs, cakes... i.e. a tea lover's heaven. If you're not getting your treats to go make sure to come in at a good time, seating can be hard to find.

Definitely get their lavender latte and matcha jasmine latte it is worth the hype. You can really taste the jasmine and lavender in the drinks. Other than their signature drinks, they have an extensive menu of different types of coffee and tea. I could just hear the apple green tea calling me...

I was a little jealous of the girls next to us with their cute latte art. But I think they requested a specific design (bears!), so that's something I'm going to ask for next time.

Check out Bibble & Sip at 253 West 15th, bwtn Broadway and 8th avenue. Also check out their Facebook, twitter and Insta. They post up photos pretty often, and everything looks so delicious.

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Café Visits: FIKA

For those who know coffee I'm sure you know that New Yorkers run on the stuff. And even though there are about two Starbucks' on every block or so, my heart lies with the smaller, more independent coffee places. Referring to my very first post on my blog "Coffee Shop Vibes," I feel these coffee shops can provide a different kind of environment, one that I don't really find with chains. What I also really love is that because they're more independent, often times you won't get the same look or feel; these places really make it their own, with the customers leaving their mark on the cafe, whether it is the music or energy.

This long ramble brings me to FIKA. Not only are their products good, but they also have aesthetics to a tee. Boy, am I happy that this location opened up. I love this one, more so than the others because of the space, cool jams, and industrial modern design. Cue a combo of 90s Eric Benét, J-pop, and chill lounge music. With the changing weather (hello sunshine!), the space will be even more gorg with their wide-open windows.

FIKAs are popping up around Manhattan, with another location a few blocks away from this one. If you visit, I recommend the Swedish cinnamon bun- one of the things that they're known for.

What kind of café settings do you guys seek out?

This FIKA location is located around West 15th and 6th avenue, directly across the street from Think Coffee.

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