Archives for “Coffee & tea” tag

I am not much of a morning person, but sometimes I dream that I will become one and then I will start my day at the Goblet. (If you have seen some of my other articles, you might have already noticed I live around here.) It is also a fine place to work a bit, because of the wifi and the endless coffee menu – if you have a mac, since there are no free plugs.

What wins me over at Goblet is that it is, and it always was, a stylish place, which due to location was never overhyped. Situated on the first floor of a nice old yellow house, it opens into three rooms – one red, one yellow, and the one with the bar, looking out front and back of the building.

Open from 09:00 until 01:00, it’s also a great after-work spot with a quite an impressive cocktail menu. Depending on the bartender the music can be really fresh, and sometimes the evening sips into a party, such as the (in)famous rock’n'roll bacchanalias . On Tuesday it’s Two for Tuesday – 2 for the price of 1 for a selected cocktail.

In the summer Goblet opens one of the best gardens in town, with salon furniture spread around the backyard like a livingroom in the open. What adds to the experience here are the stacks of old magazines, especially the few from before ’89.

Hardly in the most romantic place, albeit under the so-called “Lover’s bridge“, but right on one of the busiest road arteries in town (Bulgaria blvd.) – it is a surprise that the yard of Radio Café is actually a pleasant place to be in the summer! Sitting down on the low garden furniture, enjoying the puffs and the green grass and sipping on cocktails, you can almost imagine that there isn’t a boulevard behind the bushes.

One thing that helps are the high music levels: a plus of this location is that they can make a lot of noise, which they do. As most indoor bars and clubs close during the summer months, this becomes an even more intense party location. The other reason I recommend it is that it is among the few places profiled in an indie/Britpop/post punk/new wave direction, a type of music I personally prefer to drink my beer to…

OK, as almost everywhere in Bulgaria the music choice tends to be a bit dated – even in fashionable areas such as indie it mostly rests with the classics…  But who cares when everyone is jumping and singing out loud, and is generally up-the-cherry-tree, as we say? Parties happen easily here, and they also have live shows – follow their facebook for events.

“Pchela” means bee and may be the confectionery is named that way because of the impeccable bee love for sweet.

The place offers wide variety of cakes to try, always fresh and tasty. It is also known for having the best boza in the city. This confectioner’s chain allows you to enjoy the sweetness of your day without a sign of quality drop all around the city.

I often go there if I need a cake to take, because they keep a wealth of cakes, as well, or only to enjoy a piece of one with friends. I would say that the prices are far from reasonable, because they are unreasonably cheap.

In the place you could also find chocolate figures, which I consider a perfect present – everybody loves chocolate, right?

There are a lot of Turkish sweets – cloyingly sweet and soaked with syrup. They would offer you also ice cream and I love to take one in a cornet or just choose one ball and put it next to the piece of cake so I could mix them.

This is a favourite place for meeting friends and non-official meetings, or just to satisfy my “sweet thirst”.

The menu in the house is totally worth going there – so original and delicious. Although I’m definitely not a vegetarian cuisine lover, that place has so much to offer. There is something for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but my favourites are the desserts.

Their cakes, chocolate truffles and biscuits and other delicious sweet treats are all homemade in their kitchen. The fragrance of chocolate and cinnamon fills the air, together with the bouquet of different teas. The house offers white, green, black, fruit and herbal tees in various mixtures. You’ll definitely find a tea for your own taste, mood or desire. There’s even a tea shop.

Another thing worth mentioning is the atmosphere of the place. In the non smoking tea house there are not too many tables, but I’ve always found a free spot. The art sensation is brought by the temporary exhibitions that are held there. Photo or picture exhibitions make the place look like a gallery and are part of the interior. Nowadays there is held the painting exhibition “Cities, people and animals” by a Bulgarian female artist (28.09 – 30.11.2011).

The last to be added is the music – jazz, soul and chill out. In this magnificent atmosphere often live music is played too.

Jazz, art and sweet fragrances make you hungry to come again!

The book café on the last floor of Orange Center is back after renovation. Just in time for the freezing temperatures in Sofia (at night it goes to -22°C but hopefully that’s going to be a short cold wave).

I love this place because it’s the perfect setting for a number of occasions. I can have my morning coffee or tea there, reading the paper. A business or a personal meeting during the day may also be a good reason to stop by. It’s also perfect to relax after a long day of work (before hitting the bars). On the weekends I can spend the whole day browsing the shelves for books to read for free or just bring my own and enjoy the comfortable couches.

Occasionally they organize book readings, exhibitions, presentations and other interesting events. Don’t expect anything amazing from the menu but it has all I need – coffee, pastries, juices and some other refreshments at very good prices for such a location.

The other floors of Orange are also a must-visit. One of the few places left in town where you can buy audio CDs and listen in advance to some of them with the headphones installed there.

More good news: free wireless and no smoke in the air, something not that common in Sofia yet. For the smokers out there, check the article on Bar Nargile. Orange is also very close to a couple of parks (check the articles on Sofia City Garden and the backyard of the Palace).