Being a responsible citizen takes energy. Often more than I naturally generate. So, I turn to my friend coffee to close the gap between my natural self and the cat-like reflexes required to spot great accessories or hot spots. Bottom line: even the glam need coffee. And, drinking coffee and espresso should not be like taking medicine! No. It should be an oasis – a warm blanket of goodness – elevating us to our best selves. Unfortunately, that goal is often missed. And, when one is in that vulnerable state of needing caffeine and the espresso is substandard, it is like a slap in the face. If I wanted to wake up that way, I’d try to take a cub from a mother bear or a tiara from a child beauty pageant mom.

While in beautiful Palm Springs, I found Koffi Cafe hit the mark. The honey vanilla lattes were smooth, flavorful, and not too sweet. Koffi offers two types of espresso – so you can select light or dark roast in your drinks. (Why isn’t that required by law?) The baked goods are fine but it is the coffee that really shines at this café. There are two locations in Palm Springs, and both had modern décor, with a nod to the mid century, and a vibe that is current and fresh. (A welcome relief from the rehabbed vintage furniture with springs that poke in unexpected places that are practically a licensing requirement in most one-off cafés.) Staff was very friendly and I even witnessed them being kind to the Eccentric. Lovely. (There was a Ren Faire in town and Ye Olde Coffee Boothe must have been closed).

Relevance: Palm Springs, coffee, espresso, midcentury modern, honey vanilla lattes