saratoga

Charcoal latte outing

February 25, 2025 in General Fashion tagged outfits / saratoga / spring 2025 by Bay Area Fashionista

wearing: multi-color earrings / necklace / mocha sweater (under $50) / suede bucket bag / spring nail polish / black wide leg pants (avl in petite, reg., and tall) / black boots (old, also love this pair) /

There is a popular coffee shop in downtown Saratoga named Sue’s Gallery Cafe. It was featured on “Zip Trips” which is a local TV show that showcases neighborhoods in the Bay Area and surrounding areas. It airs on local channel two, KTVU. I love this show because it features places I have been, as well as places I didn’t know existed. I grew up here and there are still nooks and crannies I’ve never heard of. This TV show is amazing for showing those locations!

So, when Zip Trips came to Saratoga, I knew I had to watch the episode. One of the places they talked about was Sue’s Gallery Cafe. It is a popular coffee shop which is always busy and attracts locals as well as visitors. One of the customers they interviewed was the one and only Ronnie Lott! If you are a football fan, and a niners fan, you know who he is!

Ronnie Lott told Zip Trips he loves Sue’s Gallery Cafe, and he enjoys their Charcoal Latte! So, my husband and I made it a point to try the famous drink. I mean, we are huge football fans, how could we not try Ronnie Lott’s recommendation? The episode aired last summer, so it took us awhile! We tend to make coffee at home, that’s why it took us so long to finally try the Charcoal Latte!

We decided to grab one Charcoal Latte and one Vanilla Latte; my good ‘ol standby order. I have to admit, the thought of Charcoal in my coffee was a little bit scary, but since it’s served and enjoyed by many, it must be edible! So, this felt like an adventure!

OK, without further ado, here is my take. It tastes slightly different than a regular latte. But, if you sipped it without looking at the color, you may not notice it isn’t a regular latte. Since I tend to like vanilla, I am not sure it will be something I order often. Although, my husband did like it, and he ended up drinking it while I drank the Vanilla Latte. Sue’s Gallery Cafe makes incredible coffee anyway, and when I go there, I have always ordered a Vanilla Latte, so I might just stick with my favorite. That being said, the Charcoal Latte was good.

Have you tried this trendy coffee drink? What are your thoughts?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

5 favorite restaurants in Saratoga CA

May 8, 2023 in Travel tagged lifestyle / restaurants / saratoga / staycation by Bay Area Fashionista

pictured: Fettuccine Bianco from Bella Saratoga

Saratoga is a bedroom community nestled in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains and adjacent to San Jose and Los Gatos. It is filled with families, and mainly home to people who work in the tech industry. The town originated as both a farming community and a destination for San Franciscans to go to in order to escape the city. There used to be springs here, which reminded people of Saratoga Springs in New York; hence the name, Saratoga.

In present day, Saratoga is a flourishing town with a quaint downtown known as the “The Village.” This small area is made up of local shops and restaurants. There are so many good restaurants, which are all family owned. No chains! In writing this post, I feel like I am excluding so many good places to eat, but please know, these are just my five favorite restautants in Saratoga, the other restaurants are also delicious! There are no bad places to eat in town, Saratoga is very fortunate. Love that!

So, next time you are in Saratoga, here are five of my favorite places to eat; of course, all of the restaurants downtown are delicious! Please note, these are in no particular order.

Darla Cafe

Darla Cafe is new restaurant which recently opened in Saratoga. They serve breakfast and lunch. I am in love with how they prepare their potatoes! If you are looking for a good brunch place, check out Darla Cafe!

Mint Leaf Saratoga

Mint Leaf Cuisine is my favorite Thai restaurant. The food there is delicious! All of their appetizers are not only delicious, but they are also presented in an artful manner. This is a feast for both your eyes and your palate. Yum! Bring your appetite to Mint Leaf Cuisine! The pineapple fried rice and the scallops are my favorites.

Bella Saratoga

Bella Saratoga is a delicious Italian restaurant. This is where I like to go for special occasions, such as an anniversary. Everything they make is delicious, but my favorite dish is the Fettucine Bianco. It is to-die-for!

Florentine’s

How in the world do I not have a photo to share? We have been eating at Florentine’s since before we lived in the South Bay. My great aunt loved this restaurant, and we had many family celebrations there for graduations, religious sacraments, birthdays, and more. This is a casual, everyday Italian restaurant and it is a family favorite of my immediate family, as well as my cousins. I am kicking myself for not having a photo! How did that even happen? We eat here frequently! Everything on the menu is amazing. My favorite is the ravioli, and the Bolognese is a big hit too. The triangle shaped, herb bread served while you wait is also a big winner. Yum!

Masu Sushi

Well, you know I love sushi! Masu is my favorite sushi restaurant. The fish is always fresh, and the sushi is always made just right. They have a few outdoor tables here, which are ideal in the spring, summer, and early fall. They even have one large table which is perfect for our family of five. Love that!

Well, there you have it. All of these restaurants are located in downtown Saratoga on Big Basin Way. In addition to these five restaurants, there are plenty of other fabulous places to eat. If you are in the mood for Indian cuisine, Mandala is delicious. If you are looking for an extra special experience, La Fondue or Plumed Horse are classic destinations. La Mere Michelle is also delicious. They offer casual French cuisine; I love how they prepare their carrots, yum!

Thanks for stopping by, Mangia!