Every coffee shop should smell and look like Coffee Talk. When you walk in the door of this roomy Kaimuki joint, it smells like coffee, sure, but with an undercurrent of toasting bread and baking sweets. A real coffee hangout needs to hit all the gluttonous vices and I’m always disappointed when a coffee spot only serves beverages and a tiny little case of sweets.

First–the coffee was great. No, more than great, it was fan-friggin-tastic. In the winter I like my flavored drinks, and the pumpkin pie latte was perfect. Spicy, but not cloyingly sweet. My friend got a toasted marshmallow hot cocoa that was so authentic that if they used a syrup you can slap my face and call me Bessie.

The regular brew was good too, not over-roasted and perfectly smooth. On a subsequent trip, I went completely off-course and tried a lychee iced tea, and although the green tea base was a little strong, once the ice melted it was just divine.

And the baked goods? I had to make several trips back to confirm that they’re excellent. A pumpkin bread pudding was perfectly moist and was topped with a lovely surprise—peanut butter chips. Tried the fat-free oatcake and it tasted delicious and not at all like the cardboard-y fat free stuff I’m accustomed to.

I think I spent all my commission for this story on trips to this place, if that tells you anything. Next time I’m going for lunch to check out the sandwiches and soups and other little culinary delights. I just couldn’t afford a third trip this week…

Coffee Talk is at 3601 Wai’alae Ave, Kaimuki – (808) 737-7444

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Categories: Food
Tags: barista, coffee, coffee house, Coffee Talk, cup of joe, Features, Hawaii, Hawaii coffee, honolulu, java, Kaimuki, Oahu, The Art of Coffee, Waialae