Thursday, July 28, 2011

a GF Tea House? Yes...in Lafayette!

BiBi's Patisserie - a Tea House a-n-d Gluten Free



Wall mural quote: "The creation of a thousand forests
                                       lies in a single acorn"



not your everyday patisserie...



not your everyday tea house...













except maybe on the front porch...
& the exterior of the lovely old wooden house...
restored now inside & out, painted a blue & white...











my gluten free finds for the day...
an oatmeal raisin cookie, the last one -
left me by the previous ladies ahead of me,
knowing I wanted just 1 to take home for someone at work...
and for me a carrot cake/cream creation & 1 more to save,
because they're dearly healthly baked...
tho I cannot continue living on desserts & coffees?!
(or as the LifeStyle paper says I will 'not' be dressed to impress anybody at all?!)

Link to Patisserie/TeaHouse webpage...
www.BiBisPatisserie.com
(note: as of today, only a Google Page away from setting it up...
so I'd say go see their Facebook page or find them elsewhere online)

Link/Info to Baker/Owner Nathan's Twitter...

Nathan Raffel
@Bibibakers Cajun Country!
Acadiana Proud, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Organic, Non-GMO, Preservative-Free, Sugar-Free, and All-Around Delicious Since 2009 :) 1321 W. Pinhook Rd Lafayette, LA
 
Location...
1321 W. Pinhook
Lafayette, LA
337-534-0173

Owners & Bakers...
Hannah Eilaham-Raffel & Nathan Raffel

Hrs...
Mon Closed (as most bakeries usually are)
Tues - Sat 7:00am - 5:00pm
Sun 7:00am - 3:00pm
Link to their Facebook page - go & "like" it soon...
http://www.facebook.com/pages/BiBis-Patisserie/178026902248064

And if you don't, here below is their FB "Info"...

We started baking for our diabetic parents two years ago. Then our friends would buy our extra muffins. The rest is history!!!

BiBi's, not your average bakery.

Here is a sneak peak at some of our summer offerings. There are lots of new options and soon all of Acadiana will be enjoying them!!!

Summer 2011 Menu
All items are gluten-free and sugar-free

Cookies: Banana Carob, Carob Chip, Double-Carob Chip, Chocolate Chip, Black and White

Muffins: Southern Pecan, Lemon Poppy Seed, Strawberries 'n Cream, Chocolate Filled Chocolate, Banana Nut

Cakes: White Cake, Red Velvet Cake, Chocolate Cake

Cinnamon Rolls: Orange Zest, Classic Cinnamon

Bundt Cakes: Espresso

Breads: Naan, Biscuits, Seeded Boule, Pain au Raisin, Croissant, Bagels, Banana Nut, Kalamta Olive

Tarts: Various Fruit Tarts, Chocolate Raspberry, Carob Ganache

Danishes: Various Cajun Power Fruit Treat flavors, Cheese and Raisin

Swiss Rolls: White Swiss Roll (Swiss Alps)

Brownies: Classic Brownie, Chlorophyll Mint

...if you think this is amazing...wait till you see the rest... with the help of our amazing new employees we have been creating new pastries almost daily. Happy, yet? I know we are...may the races for the batter bowl begin!

>><<     >><<    >><<    >><<

Buy Now - ShopAcadian.com & your $10 gets you $20 value of treats from BiBi's...
https://shopacadiana.com/deals/bibipatisserie

 



(note: Shop Acadiana is something new to me, so will have to investigate more about that -
shopping & local, both a good thing...)*

*Oh Yeah--I got a coupon, 1 of 21 coupons when I hit the 'Buy Now' button with hardly 30 min's left on the clock to the end of the deal - so in 90 days I have to use it or lose it I guess & I'll get to go in to get my $20 value at $10...daughter-in-law visiting, on GF diet--we're all set...here we come GF Tea House for some treats & bonding time?!


Espresso Bundt Cake...Oh my--I am captivated...
if it weren't so late as I type this I would sooo be in the car to buy one...
sigh...but there will be a tomorrow, when I can also drink coffee again too?!
(photo credit: borrowed from Facebook page, go now look at more photos...
& I'll see you there in the morning too, asking after your favorite?!)
:oD...mmm...mmm...continue ad fin...

>< <> >< <> >< <> >< <> ><
Link to The Ind, local newspaper, article under Finds from back in March--how did I miss that, but I know I was watching the old wooden house getting finished & waiting to drive by to see that Open Now sign as I'd pass it a lot going to the Oil Center or on to Downtown...

Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Written by The Independent Staff

SUGAR(FREE) HIGHTrying to stick to a strictly vegan and/or organic diet, but still want to down a muffin or two every once in a while? If so, then you may want to look into a little up-and-coming bakery service called BiBi’s Patisserie, which specializes in allergen-free and gluten-free baked goods. The brainchild of two recent UL Lafayette graduates, this unique pastry enterprise is, for the moment, delivery only, but there are plans for a full bakery and complementary coffee shop opening in the fall. Try the gluten- and sugar-free strawberries & creme muffins; their moist texture and soft center will make you forget all about regular sugar-laced muffins. A baker’s dozen of these can be purchased from their website, 2countrygrls.etsy.com, or by email at bibispatisserie@gmail.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , for $20. Also, UL students get a nice 10 percent discount for the remainder of the spring semester. — Wynce Nolley
note: Hey I'm a UL grad too, but not as of this past spring semester?! I do like you're not only supporting local business but local grads & local healthy/vegan/GF/SugarFree/Organic baking--hard to believe that's all possible (then to find the place modern inside is even better?!)

                       ###

A Gluten Frere Travel Site? Yes, there is...

Vegan World Order Site? Yes, there is that too...

Wandering Goat Coffee Co? Yes, it's there as well--all this & more at BiBi's Patisserie/Tea House...



 



Gluten Free Bakeries Map? Yes, there is & not just the big boys like Whole Foods either...

note: You Go Mike?! & Good Luck too with the GF beer?!
So far in LA only Truely Free Bakery & Deli in BR, LA is listed...
someone needs to add BiBi's Patisserie in Lafayette, LA right?!

(+have just tweeted Mike about Nathan & hopefully the 2 of them will find each other on Twitter?!)

Link to Mike's Twitter/Info if you want to keep up with more about Switch 2 Gluten Free...

Gluten Free Celiac
@Switch2GF Kansas City
Mike's celiac life while switching to a gluten free diet. Questions? Comments? Compla...Suggestions?
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
And if one map isn't enough for you, here's a VegGuide.org Google Map - with filters Just restaurants & Vegan-Friendly... (7 eateries show up with these filters...)



Monday, July 25, 2011

Bottom to Ass to Bottom + an Ass in the Audience

MidSummer Night's Dream







official description...

AUI/AURA presents
Shakespeare's immortal tale of love among both mortals and fairies comes to the Lafayette stage in a bright, romantic staging by AUI/AURA.

The show features a cast of 30 actors, including young actors new to the stage and well-known theatre veterans of local productions. The core company consists of cast members in their teens and early 20s, who've been working together since the summer of 2010.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM after two highly praised 2010 productions – DR. HORRIBLE'S SINGALONG BLOG (Note: THE FROG's production - was left out, but it was played right before Dr. Horrible's Singalong Blog & I saw them both & blogged on them earlier) and BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL.

Dates/Times...
July 23, 2011 / 7:00 pm Opening Night
July 24, 2011 / 3:00 pm
July 28 - 29, 2011 / 7:00 pm
July 30, 2011 / 7:00 pm
July 31, 2011 / 3:00 pm
Aug 4 - 6, 2011 / 7:00 pm Closing Night

Location...
Cite Des Arts
109 Vine St.
Lafayette, LA
291-1122.

Price...
$10.00
(Note: Wow--is that all?!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Facebook/Event page link...
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=131893180224382

The production is...

Directed by Cody Daigle and Cara Hayden. 
* thanks as always Cody, now I must meet Cara - the C's rule in drama looks like around these parts
------------
Set design is by Duncan Thistlethwaite,
* the marble looking steps all over/up & down helped a lot w/the feel of space
   & movement in this play
------------
Costume design is by Gina Baronne. 
* loved all the costumes, but who doesn't love fairies
------------
Hair Design is by Studio One 2 One. 
* Pucks hair with the branches must of been tough
------------
Original music by Mychael Zulauf and Kelly Griffin.
* didn't realize it was original music, liked the guitar playing - 
   but to keep with the period could of been nice to find a more ancient instrument


The cast is:


Theseus--Michael Munzing
Hippolyta--Kate Schneider
Titania--Ruth Diaz
Oberon--Mychael Zulauf
Egeus--Robert Sidman
Philostrate--Kay Manuel
Lysander--Phillip Spear
Demetrius--Nick Dooley
Hermia--Morgan James
Helena--Martha Diaz
Puck--Erin Segura                  * loved the Puck performance & the twigs in the hair
Bottom--Gerard Ducharme    * loved the Bottom to Ass ears, not to mention the d-r-a-m-a when back again to Bottom once more - does comedic moves well for sure
Snout--Jacolby Glaude          * if this is the 'wall' guy, then I met his parents & he would of done

                                                 'em  proud
Flute--Phillip Smith
Starveling--Marianna Piazza
Snug--Michael Mouton
Peter Quince--Joseph Diaz            * enjoyed leader of the play within the play group
First Fairy--Megan conner
Mustard Seed--Zachary Mishlove * think I actually know (of) his parents
Peaseblossom--Annette Diaz
Cobweb--Naomi Roberts
Moth--Hannah Corkern
Titania's Fairies--Cindy Hebert, Kelly Griffin, Annie Dronet, Shannon Kenast, Ali Roberts
Oberon's Faeries-- Kaan Dere, Cody Dunstan, Danielle Sowle Champagne










Gerard Ducharme, as Bottom, rehearses Tuesday evening for an upcoming performance of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at Cité Des Arts. 

Link to local article in The Advertiser Written by Matthew Jacobs...
(writer's contact e-mail: mjacobs@theadvertiser.com)
http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20110722/LIFESTYLE/107220340/Local-theater-troupe-brings-Midsummer-Night-s-Dream-Cit-des-Arts-stage

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Link to more pictures of the rehearsals...
http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=DG&Dato=20110721&Kategori=PHOTOGALLERIES04&Lopenr=107210804&Ref=PH
Note: #14 my favorite shot...of Bottom, Nick Bottom, turned into an Ass (some would say Donkey) with those Oh So Wonderful Ears?!


Leslie Westbrook, The Advertiser
Actors rehearse Tuesday evening for an upcoming performance of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at CitŽ Des Arts. By Leslie Westbrook July 19, 2011
(Note: Thank you so much Leslie for taking this photo?!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Link to learn more about the play/the movies...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Midsummer_Night's_Dream







Movie links...
1935 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026714/ (the) James Cagney was Bottom, The Weaver
1999 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0140379/ Kevin Kline played Nick Bottom & Stanley Tucci a perfect Puck



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Link to if you care to compare Shakespeare language to English (today)...
http://nfs.sparknotes.com/msnd/characters.html
Credit: Crowther, John, ed. “No Fear A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” SparkNotes LLC. 2005. http://nfs.sparknotes.com/msnd/ (accessed July 11, 2011).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A fav quote of Puck...

Puck:

Captain of our fairy band,
Helena is here at hand,
And the youth, mistook by me,
Pleading for a lover's fee.
Shall we their fond pageant see?
Lord, what fools these mortals be!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Link to Shakespeare Quotes...
http://www.enotes.com/shakespeare-quotes/lord-what-fools-these-mortals

A Midsummer Nights Dream Act 3, scene 2, 110–115

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



reconstructed Globe Theatre in London
where Shakespeare would of performed his plays
back in ye olden days to the common
who could of paid a penny to stand in the pit below the stage
if ale & peanuts were sold one can imagine the noise from this section

(photo credit: thanks be to Wiki)

+ that Ass in the Audience

should I even mention him, is it worth the drama, to bring up that tiny spot of negative...
am thinking he'd started drinking (or ?) before he got there & on a Sunday afternoon as well...
made it unpleasant to sit next to him & behind him & me, 2 rows behind that - could hardly not notice his antics/his rudeness...

At times I feel like standing up & being the Mom, but not this time - they're all big boys, or as that saying goes if not then get off the porch (or out of your seat & call over the Usher man to come see the disturber out...)

Why do people come to a theater thinking they can act/sound like they're in a bar...
When did rude-ness overtake this person's sense of self worth...
or how could his friend he came with not notice & not say something, quietly to him...

Was equally amazed at the boy's calm & presence in front of my row to put up with it when directed at him, more than once - for the sake of his date maybe? then he's for sure a keeper girlfriend?!

Still thinking maybe someone shoulda put him in the corner with the Ass's ears on to see if he'd take the hint, but prob wouldn't have...

Of course all in all if this were Shakespeare's Theatre--there would be all kinds of such behaviours going on right if it were truly taken place in the Bard's time?! hmmm...but it's not, so let's not?!

So I may go again for Closing Night so I can enjoy the show on the stage more than the show 2 rows down from me...

And finally, do we want Cite des Arts to be an Alamo Drafthouse--I'm thinking 'not'?!
Please & Thank you?! (after the show, maybe - or on Indie Movie Night...)

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_

Link to The Ind article about 1 more weekend of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (am going to Closing Night next w/e or else...)
And if you'd wanted even more Shakespeare then 'As You Like It' was also on at AcA this w/e with the kids who took summer camp for 2 weeks - which was all the time they had to learn, build, make, act?!

http://www.theind.com/arts-a-entertainment/86-aae/8766-second-verse-same-as-the-first

(note: I think I'm a bit jealous of Anna Purdy, she's everywhere doing everything in Lafayette & getting to write about it as well in the local newspaper?!)




photo credit: thanks Wikipedia once again

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Lucchetti d'amore at Carpe Diem

Lucchetti d'amore = Locks of Love

Locations throughout the world...
they're locked together as a love sign, with the key - of course - thrown away...

One in particular loved & remembered location is by an Italian named Silvia now living in Louisiana who is one of the couple who opened Carpe Diem Gelato Espresso Bar in Downtown Lafayette...

It could be she's remembered--Ponte Milvio in Rome...where lovers, tourist's or locals, lock padlocks that are written on/engraved on/drawn on/decorated with ribbons or perhaps just a bike lock that they then lock onto chains/strings/ropes/bridge railings or around the lamp posts along the way, then the keys are tossed into the Tiber river...

Or as I remember one other in Italy at Via Dell'Amore, which I've walked down from the town of Manarola to Riomaggiore in the noted 5 Villages tourist spot of park like trails by the sea going from town to town along the coast, usually referred to as Cinque Terre...





me in lover's chair by rails of lovers locks overlooking the sea
I'd walked between all 5 villages over 2 days & was probably not feeling so lover-ly...
Another smaller version I recall was accidentally found in Prague, covering a metal fence/railing over the river there along a walk not far from a block long wall covered in graffiti - called the Lennon Wall I think I've read it's all & may still have photos of (though it's not called the I Love You Wall as there's one of those in Paris - which we did find & I did take photos of, when I was there on a Girl's Trip...)






photo from Wikipedia page...
description: Love locks on Velkopřevorské náměstí, Prague. Near Lennon Wall.
author: Nstannik - date: 12 June 2011



my photo of Lennon's Wall in Prague - it's ever changing I've heard too, as one paints over another after another...before or after passing this block long stretch of wall is when I remember passing a fence/railing over a narrow view of the river that was covered in locks--but apparently I didn't take a photo of it, as I was often told I take too many photos whilst on vacation...hmmm...(anyone heard of a 'money shot'?!)

;o) :o) ;o) ;o) ;o) ;o) ;o)

No matter the locations around the world, now there's one here in Lafayette, LA though not a real bridge & not a real river or even a Bayou or the Gulf of Mexico - it's at the corner of Jefferson & Convent inside the corner of what holds the Joliet Boutique Hotel...



On the wall a mural of the famous Italian bridge in Rome, trees on either end, a dove - of peace, of love by a local artist - flies out of a tree on one end & next to it stands a lone lamp post with, at the present, 1 length of black chain holding in the center the First & very special (as well as special ordered, just in time from England I think I was told) little black antique lock with the names of the owners on the other side...

Silvia & Erik





I don't know how to zoom in on my Droid phone--yet, sorry?!

The tiny key? I saw in the fountain bottom, until Silvia reached into the water to push it futher down into the fountain bottom where it was lost down a hole--so no one can reach in now, it's as if tossed into the river or into the sea...







How Romantic can this young Italian woman be--have you tasted her Gelato?! It's so full of love as is the shop - the Espresso is another area of love for their Ninja style Barista, Thomas (he's another story?!) & his crew...

So her home country tradition continues here, or more importantly the love does in this gesture that will be so wonderful to watch grow into a tradition....
I personally think they need to offer some tiny antique locks in a basket up for unaware lovers who walk in for Gelato & Espresso only to find Locks of Love...





Beware if you start actually looking for the perfect love locks, you could be at it awhile?!
Here an example of an antique floral Slaymaker padlock - am guessing the locksmith is named Slaymaker, not a very romantic name for your love lock choice...but if you go with the old expression of you 'just slay me' then maybe you're on the right track (tho I thought that meant you were funny?!)

And back to the Carpe Diem Gelato Espresso Bar painted wall of the bridge & lamp post beside the fountain--If you don't know the story she's placed a plaque at the other end of the mural from the fountain & lamp post to tell you all about it - or enough for you to go search all over the internet as I have, for the photos alone?!

><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>
Here are some links for you to read more, if you're interested - or in finding out how this tradition got started from possibly a made up event in a novel which became a cheesy movie afterwards by the same Italian author...

Wikipedia - Love Padlocks...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_padlocks

Another possibility of their origins is China...
from one webpage this theory is offered:

"The tradition probably originated from China where the love locks can be seen at several locations alongside the Great Wall of China and also in many temples and on the steps/paths leading to sacred peaks..."


NYTimes wrote about them back in 2007...
Locks of Love Clutter Rome's Oldest Bridge by Ian Fisher - August 5, 2007
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/05/world/europe/05iht-rome.4.6991537.html

The 'lucchetti d'amore' phrase found in this article (since I don't know Italian)...

No More Locks of Love at Trevi Fountain - msm with wire reports - 4/21/2009
http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,620173,00.html

(where when we went there I don't remember seeing them, but so many people & we were only having fun watching folks toss coins into the fountain over their shoulders nevermind locking locks onto anything close by - which I read was a church gate nearby, not naming churches...)

****************************
Links to local newspaper photos -
where Yes, someone did get to zoom in on 'the' Love Lock of Silvia & Erik...

 


The Ind article by Robin Hebert w/photos (ie the wall mural, by Wayne Ditch & the 1st love lock - great how the photographer made the photo b/w with aged edging to go with the antique lock)
http://www.theind.com/shopping/8699-carpe-diem-it

The Advertiser photo gallery, 50 photos of GrandOpening (or PreParty--cuz there's cake left?!)
http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=DG&Dato=20110718&Kategori=NEWS01&Lopenr=107180803&Ref=PH&odyssey=mod%7Cgalleriespic%7Cumbrella

?! ?! ?! ?! ?! ?! ?! ?! ?! ?! ?!


Link again to Carpe Diem Gelato Espresso Bar - Facebook Page - Info...
http://www.facebook.com/carpediemgelatoespresso

their Webpage...
http://www.carpediemgelato.com

their Twitter...
http://twitter.com/#!/CarpeDiemGelato

Note: Ninja photos have been taken of the whole crew, as well as Ninja names & weapons of choice have been given or included - these people cannot possibly call this much fun, work?!

Ciao?!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

a Be You Babe

 



Be You
Silvia Bertolazzi
• July 14, 2011

Silvia is the beauty and one of the brains behind Carpe Diem! — The new Gelato and Espresso bar in downtown Lafayette. She is full of enthusiasm and passion — and it's contagious. A few moments with Silvia and the world is a more positive place, don't take my word for it, go and meet her...

read more about Be You - Silvia - here...
http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20110714/ACADIANA01/107120346/-1/ACADIANA

Note: I love Aileen's (aka @thatspeaker) Be You column & about these questions - have tried to answer them & it's a Creative Writing Exercise for me... pages & pages later & I'm still not done--alas I will prob never be a Be You Babe?! ;o(

read more about That Speaker (aka Aileen Bennet) - here...
http://thatspeaker.com/

 

That Speaker/Aileen Bennet's book: Using People

Do not judge this book by it's cover...
I've read it, starting w/table of contents (you'll see)--blew me away...
Still pondering, "There is No Box" rather than "Think Outside the Box"
Buy the Book, Read More - a short/fun read w/photos...
I am determined to meet everyone (aka 'the subjects') in the book, only met 2 so far & counting?!
(the Nun & the Gossip-ee, as opposed to the Gossip-er)
And one day (to look forward to) I may hear her actually give this presentation live too...
Oh too, I have also inadvertantly found photos of her milking a cow--yes a real one & pretty funny, still think the local dairy ought to use them in an advert at the very least?!
Thanks That Speaker, for all the Fun?!



Monday, July 4, 2011

Carpe Espresso

Carpe Diem Gelato Espresso Bar



address:
812 Jefferson Street
Lafayette, LA 70501

location:
underneath boutique hotel The Juliet
at the one corner of The Filling Station
and the other corner of Bonnie Bells Bistro
across the street from the old courthouse & the statue of General Alfred Mouton



Carpe Diem may be Sieze the Day for some
but for me it's Carpe (Sieze the) Espresso?!

Soft Opening (as they call it in the biz) Tuesday July 5th 10:00 AM

Before this though there have been lots & Lots of previews & taste tastings - I made one of them, this past Saturday taste tasting, enjoying not just 1 but 2 beautifully 'pulled' (again, as they say in the biz) espressos...

First one by Cuvee coffee roasters, out of Austin, TX (aka the Hill Country) - a citrus or even almost smokey tasting espresso...(or I was given these descriptions & I can relate to the citrus after tasting it - not bitter exactly, but it's there on the back on the tongue...)

Second one by a guest roaster I was told until after I tasted it, when I could say what it was not but couldn't put my tongue/tastebuds on what it did taste like - except it hit the sides of my tongue for some reason...then come to find out, surprisenly, I was told it's a Community Coffee roast?!

I would of never guessed it, as I'm now guessing not many working behind the coffee machines at a CC's can pull a proper espresso...now this Barista, Thomas, of course - thankfully - can?!

from my Droid2 phone - was so excited for my 1st espresso from Carpe Diem?!

Links...

Carpe Diem - Lafayette, LA
Webpage (looks under construction still last I looked) http://www.carpediemgelato.com/
Twitter twitter.com/CarpeDiemGelato

Cuvee Coffee - Spicewood, TX (west of Austin, TX in the Hill Country)

Am very happy to see they're supporting the coffee farmers in Guatemala - I know good people from there & would like to know am helping in anyway the coffee farmers there to keep growing?! Now am curious about the 'Volcan de Agua' - is there a volcano (of water,) or is just in the farm or the name & abouit Hunapu is that a Goddess or God or just a city in the highlands near Antigua...(I think I must ask my friends actually from Guatemala for more inside scoop on this subject?!)

And this coffee/espresso was at Carpe Diem on the counter when I was there for the taste testing - how could you forget this label?!

product description from Cuvee webpage reads:

"An espresso blend created exclusively for Once Over Coffee in Austin, Texas.  This coffee is heavy in body with very mild hints of fruit acidity and loads of sweetness."


Coffee Machine Link...
La Marzocco - made in Florence, Italy





Here are photos from their webpage of the most likely 'Cadillac' uber model of the La Marzocco coffee machines... I was told you can tell by the lion inset into the corner of the outside case, that it's the 'one'?!

There is a machine like this in Carpe Diem, don't know the model--but know it can 'pull' a marvelous espresso (or so far, I've had two?!)


Am ready for Tuesday, have my $1.00 Off coupon ready to finally use at Carpe Diem as it'll be Open...
picked that coupon up at the Int'l Festival before they were even open, lucky me, along with my Carpe Diem tote bag that I think my sister has run off with...that day met 1 of the owners, Eric & his Mom from Norway (of all the places, as I lived there in Stavanger for 2 yrs) - later would meet the other owner, Sylvia at Americas Coffeehouse talking opening things over with Thomas, the Barista I would find out during taste tasting this past Saturday...it's a small world in Lafayette, LA - but it's gonna start feeling a bit more like a Euro world or at the very least Italian once Carpe Diem Gelato Espresso Bar opens up?!

I am in it for the Espresso...Oh the things I'm gonna learn about coffee?! Gelato will be the nice side dish to go along with it - unless it's in the coffee, which I'm told will be the choice for an Affagado...I've had this before, again of all the places in Stavanger, Norway downtown at Delizia's Deli & Ice Cream shop (which was, again, Italian) - that time they used only vanilla ice cream with a shot of espresso poured over it...here I'm told I'll be able to pick any of the gelato flavors to add to my shot of espresso - Oh my the flavors my tongue has yet to taste...mmm...


*Note: photo to be inserted - my actual Affagado from Delizia's Deli & Ice Cream shop, as soon as I can find it again...I have a lot of pics of coffees that I've drank & loved over the years & thru out many travels thru many coffee countries too right?!

Coffee Recipe Link...
A decadant recipe for a gorgeous looking Affogato - drown me now?!

Honeycomb 'Humming Bumblebee' Affagato
borrowed from Super Barista Alliance Australia webpage
(see link above to go visit them & check out this gorgeous recipe)

Note: am hoping Carpe Diem Barista, Thomas, will try--if he's up for some further adventures in Affagato's?!

Carpe Diem Gelato Espresso Bar Hrs:
Mon - Closed (just like the bakers do)
Tues - Wed 10 - 6 pm
Thurs - Sat 10 - 8 pm
Sun 9 - 3 pm



Coffee Science also going on at Carpe Diem - thanks to Thomas the Barista...

It's a Kyoto-style cold drip coffee device - what I like to call a coffee experiment?!
Must check this coffee drink out, saw a guy with a cocktail looking glass trying one while I was there & he said it was good - have read some mention of this cold coffee being like a bourbon of the coffee world, so will see soon enough?!

Being named Kyoto it must mean Japan is involved in it somewhere along the way - must investigate more as could be some long lost relative there could get me one cheap, if I'm interested, one day?!
(note: again pic is from my Droid2 - a bit fuzzy, could be I'd taken it after my 2 espressos...)

Oh if you want to actually buy one of these coffee lab babies - let me know, would love to come around for a visit to your place if you do?! - found 1 on Amazon.com for $198.00 (really I thought they'd be a lot more expensive & maybe this 1 is, but the taste testing will be the thing to find out if it's worth it?!)