Tag: cafe

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Food & Beverage Local Business Spotlight

My Go-To Coffee Spots in Ventura County

I feel like I am always trying new coffee spots, especially during the semester when I need a change of scenery. Sometimes I just do not want to sit at home and study, and I focus better when I get out of the house. I decided to check out three coffee shops in Ventura County: Ragamuffin in Oxnard, Caje in Ventura, and Honey Cup in Oxnard. Even though they are all pretty close to each other, they each have a pretty different vibe.

Ragamuffin, Oxnard

Ragamuffin is located within The Annex at The Collection in Oxnard, and the first thing I noticed was how much seating there is. It feels open and not cramped, which I really liked. Some coffee shops can feel crowded fast, but here there is a ton of space to actually sit and stay for a while.

Another thing I liked is that The Annex has a lot of other food spots inside. So if you go to Ragamuffin for a drink, you can walk across and grab food from somewhere else. That makes it convenient if you are meeting friends or planning to stay longer.

I ordered a vanilla matcha and it was really good. The vanilla did not overpower the matcha, which I liked. It tasted smooth and balanced without being overly sweet. It was simple but still really good and I will for sure be ordering it again.

Caje, Ventura

Caje is honestly one of my favorite coffee shops in Ventura County. The vibe is so cute and since it’s downtown, you can grab your drink then walk around Main Street for a while.

I tried their lavender matcha and I loved it. Lavender can sometimes taste too strong but theirs was balanced well. You can actually taste the lavender without it overpowering the matcha. Out of everything I tried, this one was definitely my favorite.

I also felt like I was able to focus more while studying at Caje. They have seating that is more tucked into a corner, so it feels a little more private. I did not feel as distracted, which is a bit surprising since it is downtown and usually busier.

Another thing that makes Caje stand out is that it is also a cocktail bar so you can go during the day for coffee and go at night for a cute cocktail. I think this makes it stand out from other coffee shops within the area.

Honey Cup, Oxnard

Honey Cup is a smaller coffee shop, so there is not as much seating. It is not really a place you would go to study for hours, but it is still really cute and inviting.

They have good coffee, but the cinnamon roll is what got me. It is honestly one of the best cinnamon rolls I’ve tried. It was soft, flavorful, and not dry at all. When I go back, I will for sure be ordering it again.

Final Thoughts

After going to all three, I realized how much the environment changes the entire experience.

Ragamuffin feels more open and convenient. Caje feels more trendy and has my favorite matcha. Honey Cup feels smaller and more cozy, with the best cinnamon roll.

They are all in Ventura County, but give off different moods depending on what you are looking for that day.

Categories
Food & Beverage Local Business Spotlight

Rabalais’ Bistro

Rabalais’ is a New Orleans style rasurant in the heart of the historic downtown Santa Paula. It is a family owned resurant that has been opened since 2011. I go to Rabalais’ at a few times a month and every time, the food has been amazing. What I have always known Rabalais’ for their amazing beignets.They have so many amazing desserts and pastries. They also have amazing food, my favorite things to get there are their gumbo, their French toast, and their Louisiana Po’ Boys. Every time I go they have nice staff and a beautiful restaurant.

When sitting down at the restaurant, you can be sat either inside where you can seeing many unique things like pictures of Santa Paula’s history, theirs a couch area where you can go and lounge and maybe get some work done, but one thing that I find cool is that they have a piano by the entrance where anyone can go and play any song they know. When you are stilling outside, it a nice area where you can enjoy the nice air and see people walk by, maybe take a look at the local shops that are near there. It is also a great place to sit because it is located on Main Street, which is where Santa Paula host most of their fun events.

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Food & Beverage

The Oxnard Cafe You Need to Visit Next!

Xielo Artisan Desserts is a dessert shop located in downtown Oxnard, CA that specializes in authentic Mexican pastries, crepes, and raspados (shaved ice). Xielo is a MUST-TRY for anyone with a sweet tooth. If you’ve been looking for heavenly desserts… look no further!

I took my first trip to Xielo on a weekday afternoon and was greeted with a line of people out the door, a telltale sign of good food, if you ask me! The line moved quickly, and I was soon able to step inside to admire the cozy cafe. The cafe was charming with a brick wall on one end and a large image of the Guadalajara Cathedral on the other end. There were glass cases on the counters that displayed a variety of pastries that looked so delicious I wanted to taste each one!

The staff member taking my order was polite and patiently answered my questions. I decided on the Nutella crepe and took home a variety of pastries for my family including guava empanadas, an apple bar, a slice of pastel de requeson (cottage cheese cake), and of milhojas (puff pastry) cake.

The crepe was made in front of me and my order was ready quickly. I was pleasantly surprised by every bite I took of the crepe which was filled with strawberries, bananas, xielo cream, and Nutella. It was lightly dusted with powdered sugar. The crepe was soft and had the perfect amount of fruit. It wasn’t overly sweet; every bite was truly heavenly. 

Crepe wth strawberries, banana, and nutella

My family also enjoyed their desserts, and I am already planning my next trip to Xielo. There are a ton of other items on their menu that I’m excited to try, such as jericallas (Mexican custard dessert), estrellitas (star cookies), and savory crepes. For you coffee-lovers out there, Xielo also has traditional Mexican cafe de olla. I, for one, am especially excited to visit on a warmer day to try out their raspados.

Don’t hesitate to stop by Xielo Artisan Desserts the next time you’re craving something sweet. Grab one of your favorite Mexican treats or try out something new— you won’t be disappointed!