battle of the coffee shops

I perfectly understand your love for Starbucks, kathisharpe.

However, apart from being "a very comfortable place," could you share precisely why do you "really adore Kaffini's?"

Thanks a lot!;)

It's just one of those places that you walk into and instantly feel at home. Welcome. Invited to sit back and relax, work, converse... anything.

Starbucks makes a lot of the concept of "third place" - you have home, you have work/church/etc, and then you have a place where you can go and "be" (think pub)... I think Kaffini's pulls this off better than any Sbux!

Coming from someone like you, who works for Sbux, Kaffini's really seems to be a very good coffee shop.

Where could this great coffee shop be found, if ever? What's the best beverage they serve?

Thanks a lot, kathisharpe!;)

It's fab. I generally drink plain ol' coffee, unless I'm at work and it's free.

There's a Kaffini's in Jamestown, NC -- and a new one is opening in Randleman, NC.

Wow, that coffee house is simply amazing, especially considering the fact that, apart from its great coffee and equally great place, it serves its plain coffee for free.

Coffee enthusiasts in your state must surely have another thing to be truly happy about.

I could really only hope, though, that I could visit such a fantastic coffee shop very soon.

Thanks for your excellent post, kathisharpe!;)

If I may ask, though, Rachel, why do you prefer Starbucks over the other coffee shops?

Thanks and enjoy your coffee!;)

Well I think the coffee is better! but it might be in my head because everyone else thinks that,

Now I know why you prefer Starbucks over the gamut of coffee shops currently in operation.

Among the better coffee drinks that Starbucks offers, however, which do you think is the best or your favorite? Why is it your favorite or why do you consider it to be the best? Thanks!;)

"second cup" really seems to be a great place with very accommodating personnel and inviting atmosphere, especially given your statement that you're just like "having coffee at a friend's house."

Where, if I may ask, is this excellent coffee house exactly located?

Thanks a lot, bluesapphire1978!;)

That's quite an amazingly interesting trivia, Lucy.

When you say "their coffee tastes better so i say it's the best," though, are you only saying that Gloria Jean's coffee is better than that of Starbucks, or are you saying that Gloria Jean's coffee is better than Seattle's Best's, Figaro's, and other coffee shops in the Philippines?

By the way, what particular coffee product of Gloria Jean's are you exactly referring to?

I haven't really tried the whole range of coffee products that Gloria Jean's offers, but I must say that their Espresso is quite strong and very effective in making me alert.

Happy myLotting and cheers to great coffee houses!;)

I meant it's better than Starbucks. Anyway, i forgot what it was that i ordered. I'm not much into buying expensive coffee and i'm not really a coffee addict. Sorry, i really can't remember what flavor it was... i wish i could but... i really can't. haha.

Need not apologize, owstalaga--no harm done. After all, it's really normal to forget trivial things like that.

Anyway, thanks a lot for taking time to respond to my questions! I truly appreciate your honest post.

Happy myLotting!;)

That's a really nice alternative, to be sure, especially since you clearly have a free hand in making your own desired coffee, without even spending a cent or more.

However, would I be correct in saying that you have not visited any coffee house? If I'm incorrect, though, could you kindly share the coffee houses you've visited and exactly what you didn't like about such? Your response would truly be of help to the participants of this discussion because they would perhaps have an idea of what coffee shops to avoid.

Thanks for sharing your highly regarded viewpoint and Happy myLotting, bluewaves!;)

Since you like the coin-shaped chocolates of Starbucks, I would presume that such are really delicious, and I would most probably try it out next time I visit Starbucks.

Costa Coffee seems a fantastic coffee shop as well, based on your sharing alone, fab315. To tell you the truth, though, this is actually only the first time I've known that such a coffee shop exists. Specifically where is it located? How would it compare to Starbucks, especially in terms of the prices of its products?

By the way, kindly pardon my ignorance, but precisely what is a Frescato?

Thanks a lot and Happy myLotting!;)

You haven't heard of Costa Coffee before? I'm here in Bahrain so probably they don't have a branch there in Philippines as Starbucks is the famous one there. Anyway, Costa Coffee is a coffee house company based in the UK. They only have shops in the UK, Middle East, South Asia, China and Central and Eastern Europe. It is a nice coffee shop, comparing it to Starbucks I think both are in the same standard and quality when it comes to serving and coffees.

Frescato? hmmm..it's like a shake actually, an icy cold drink, in different flavours, like lemon, melon, chocolate, raspberry..etc..-forgot the others- and it's healthy. Everytime I go to Costa Coffee I always have one even in the morning LOL!!

ciao! c",)

Now that clearly explains why I'm not even remotely familiar with Costa Coffee.

Anyway, thanks so much for taking pains in fully explaining what exactly a Frescato is.

Too bad I wouldn't be able to try it for now, given that there's no Costa Coffee here.

Happy myLotting and stay fabulous, fab315!;)

You're welcome. The explaining part was easy, it's like eating peanuts! LOL!! Too bad I can't send you the Frescato thru balikbayan box as it will melt..by the time it arrives there it'll be water..*hehe* Take care.. STay happy.*smile*

ciao! c",)

Yeah, that's too bad, fab315. lol...

Always stay happy, too, and never fail to flash your lovely smile!

Thanks for your much appreciated contribution and Happy myLotting!;)

We certainly have Starbucks here in the Philippines, marciascott. In fact, we have lots of them, especially in the metro.

McDonald's has a pretty decent coffee, to be sure. It even has a coffee shop here in the Philippines called McCafe, if I'm not mistaken. When you order coffee from McDonald's, do you order it straight from the fast food counter or from McCafe, if ever there is one there?

Thanks a lot for your honest response and Happy myLotting!;)

When you say, "I've tried most everything else," are you essentially saying that you've tried most everything else that Starbucks has to offer and, for you, their cappuccino is the best, or you're saying that Starbucks is the best among most of the other coffee shops you've already tried because of their cappucino?

Thanks a lot for the much appreciated clarification, adquirante!

Happy myLotting!;)

I must say that your revealing post alone is enough testament to your coffee addiction. lol...

I'm easily inclined to agree with you that Starbucks is truly a nice coffee house, not only because of the variety of beans it offers, but also because, as you've correctly pointed out, it has a laid back atmosphere, which is really relaxing and highly conducive for studying, reading, chatting, or simply hanging out.

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is also a good place where you could just chill out with your friends, while happily enjoying their great offerings at the same time.

I must admit, however, that I haven't been to UCC and Bag of Beans yet.

Thanks to your great post, overdosed, I may perhaps consider visiting such coffee houses pretty soon.

Happy myLotting and enjoy your cup of coffee!;)

I have to visit Our Father really soon, Perry2007, if only to see how cozy a place it really actually is.

If I were to order, though, what valuable piece of advice would you give me? What are their more popular products? Would I have to bring a fortune (exag, of course) or are their products reasonably priced?

Thanks a lot and Happy myLotting!;)