Coffee By The Books • Pasadena, CA

With buttery richness, the espresso almost perfectly compliments the hazelnut syrup I requested with this cappuccino. Looking at the picture, you could see immediately that Coffee by the Books cares about presenting this European specialty with confident flair. when in Pasadena, take the time to stop off and support this espresso connoisseur.

Linnaea's Cafe • Garden Street in San Luis Obispo

It's hard to believe a person could go wrong trying to find a coffee shop with exceptional atmosphere in the quaint downtown shopping center of San Luis Obispo. Linnaea's offered excellent cappuccinos and the house specialty was large homemade waffles served with warm syrup. My drink was beautiful (as exhibited by the picture above). The espresso maintained a full body finish, smooth and cream after taste, and the milk was foamed to perfection, rich and densely frothy, just the way I like it. Don't miss this fabulous cafe on Garden Street. Stop in and tell Linnaea I sent you.

Linnaea's Cafe • Garden Street in San Luis Obispo

Pacific Whey • Costa Mesa, CA

I don't have anything nice to say about this cappuccino. The most mild comment I could make is that it only cost me $3.75 and that I would not choose to drink this same cup were it given to me. The espresso was drawn long and added to to watery milk with inadequate proportion and disregard for flavor. This tells me that Pacific Whey cares nothing for the quality of their "Italian Style" Espresso drinks. So, next time you're walking South Coast Plaza, wondering where to drop your money for much needed caffeine, try the next store down.