Normally, all chain-type restaurants are immediately negated from my blogosphere. However, as I had never sampled anything from this more Western-based coffee chain, I decided that this is one chain worth blogging about.
After my epic coffee fail with the French patisserie in the Paris Las Vegas, I was in search of something to cleanse my palate and give me renewed hope for a good coffee experience in Las Vegas. What I found while wandering around The Venetian was The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. This chain is a Los Angeles-based coffee chain that began in 1963 and has built up its realm in 750 locations in 22 different countries. That kind of longevity should speak volumes of the product they offer as it is, but I needed to see for myself.
I had my reservations, I admit. The prices are a bit high, but we are out West in a tourist-driven city. It is to be expected. But after the Latte of Disgust the previous day, I was a bit reluctant to plunk down the cash on a whim. But I needed a caffeine rush, so I decided to take a chance.
This was a much better experience. Sometimes being a part of a chain isn’t such a bad thing. I stepped up to the counter and placed an order for a small hot mocha latte with dark chocolate and a shot of peppermint for my friend. She loathes all things coffee and has to have something with a flavor, preferably mint, to stomach it. For myself, I went for a dark chocolate ice-blended mocha latte with non-lactose milk (finally, somewhere that doesn’t just give the option of soy milk for those who are lactose intolerant).
The moment of truth arrived when I was handed my drinks. I delivered one to my friend, who savored hers with a chocolate croissant from Bouchon Bakery. She let hers cool down to the temperature she likes, then took her first sip. And I think she actually died and went to caffeinated heaven. She loved the texture, flavor, and taste of the mocha I created for her. WIN!
As for me…I’ve had dark chocolate ice-blended drinks before at another coffee chain I adore that is based out of Minneapolis (Caribou Coffee, anyone?). What The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf gave me was a different style, a different texture, a different flavor. And I was so happy that I couldn’t compare the two of them, because both are distinct and wonderful in their own way. The non-lactose milk was a much-needed break from soy milk (as someone who has a gluten allergy, not all soy milks are safe!), and added a completely different spin on what I normally would have had soy milk with. I loved it. And I drank it down with such zeal. I couldn’t stop raving about the deep chocolate flavor, the hint of espresso that kicked in after each sip. It was iced coffee done right, done well, and up-to-par. My faith in Las Vegas coffee had been restored.
And who would have thought a coffee chain would be the one to do it? If you happen to be out West and spot one of these coffee shops…go in and buy one of their many drinks. Make one of your own. Do with it what you will. Because you are guaranteed to have a delicious drink at the other end.
Well done coffee. I applaud The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf chain for their commitment to excellence when it comes to their product. I will most certainly be back next time I venture out West.
The Celiathlete 