Friday, December 30, 2005

Happy New Year!



caffe d'bolla will be CLOSE from Saturday, Dec. 31st through Monday, Jan. 2nd.

We will OPEN Tuesday, Jan. 3rd.

We are thankful for the support people around us gave us this past year. Come join us on our espresso and tea journey!

Happy New Year!

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Good Cause for Paws and a Treat for You!

We have sent out email to our friends before Christmas and told them all about our "Good Cause for Paws and a Trea for You!" this holiday season.


We, along with hundreds of homeless dogs and cats, invited them to join us to help homeless pets. Yiching went down to the animal shelters and got a list of items the dogs and cats need the most: dog & cat toys, dog & cat treats, blankets, and bundled newspapers. ALL donations will go to the homeless pets.

If you have received our email, or just read this message, and would like to donate, remember to bring the items in before the end of the year this time. As a thank you, you can enjoy a 12oz. caffe latte on us.
Some of you have already brought great presents for the dogs and cats in the shelters. Thank you! Please continue to help the animals in need.

Friday, December 23, 2005

Merry Christmas!

We will be closed at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23rd through Monday, Dec. 26th to chill with our dogs at home for the Christmas weekend. We will OPEN Tuesday, Dec. 27th.

Thursday, December 22, 2005

Lemon Sorbetto is Yummy

Yiching Says--

I'm glad people are still loving the gelato in this 28ish degree weather. More people are bringing the gelato home in the pints, too. I've been diggin' lemon sorbetto recently. We use real lemon juice in this thing and OMG it's super delish. Everyone should try it.

Sunday, December 18, 2005

Synesso

John Says--

It's been almost 1 month since we first got our 2 group Synesso Cyncra installed.



I've been waiting a year and a half for this machine and I won't be the first to tell you that it's a joy to use.

Stable temperature profile means getting that 'sweet spot' in the espresso every time.The groupheads are individually adjustable so you can use two different blends, or with some experimentation, you can extract different flavor profiles from one single blend.

It only took a little experimentation to narrow down the perfect espresso.



What's best, it's a semi-auto, so none of that automatic BS.
An involved barista is a happy barista!

so with the Synesso in place, I will continue to sharpen my barista skills.
It's me against the world, one cup at a time, and baby, I'm ready to kick ass!


...C'mon, have a sense of humor. :)

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

John the Technician!?

Yiching Says--

John claims he's adjusting the espresso machine and keeping it sound. He takes it apart and says he's "working on it." Hmm...

Monday, December 12, 2005

Power Outage sadness



Yiching says--

While I was steaming a Chai last night there was a weird noise and then the power was out at the caffe. One of the chefs upstaris ran down and screamed, "what happened? what happened?" and ran out.

We later on found out that our little block was out of electricity. The lady from Charlie Chows came by our door and was apparently angry because she had customers who just finished eating and walked out without paying. And then she said something I couldn't quite understand.

By the time we left the power was still not back. A customer told us some pipes broke and then there were power line problems of some sort. When we arrive this morning our computer was completely messed up, and we had to replace some supplies. I was swearing the whole morning.

But anyway, John's trying to transfer the data from our old computer to a new one we just got today (if the old one would stay hang on there and stay alive...), and we're resetting our machines and getting new supplies. We're closed today but we will be open tomorrow morning.

Thursday, December 08, 2005

Holiday Pizzelle

We made some fresh traditional pizzelle so you can come and try some and/or bring some home! These are made with anise. When we were making them at the caffe in the morning, people would come in and say, "Did I smell black licorice?" It's yummy.



P.S. Pizelle: The word pizzella (singular, pizzelle is plural) literally means "small round and flat bread" and in this case, a thin, pretty, round and yummy cookie!

Friday, December 02, 2005

Earl Green

Yiching says--

People ask what my favorite tea is. I usually tell them I go through phases, which is true. I don't think I have one favorite tea, but I do particularly love Green and Oolong. I think it's mainly because I grew up with these two types of teas. My mom makes them all the time at home and we'd just drink tea like crazy.

With that being said, my favorite tea this week is Earl Green. "The classic citrus aroma associated with Earl Grey comes from an essential oil pressed from a rare citrus fruit called bergamot. We use fragrant "Pouchong" tealeaves from Taiwan to create an Earl Green unlike any other. Notice the sweet, lingering citrus elements that harmonize with the high grown notes of lilac and wild orchid." It's super yummy!



For those of you who received our email the other day, be sure to read it, find and use the little offer in it... the offer ends this weekend!

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Happy Thanksgiving!

We will be closed this Thanksgiving weekend (Thur.- Sun.) to enjoy a tasty meal and spend time with our massive and fuzzy dogs. We will OPEN on Monday November 28th.

If you've received an email from us today you know you're special. There are, however, some email we sent out that were returned. So if you believe that you should have got something from us but didn't, please let us know.

Read the email and look for an exciting offer!

Happy Thanksgiving!


Hey the Malamute blinked!

Sunday, November 20, 2005

Filter Water Flood

Yiching Says--

We came in this morning and saw some water by the back hall way, and I thought, "Hmm. The boys upstairs must be doing some serious cleaning." And then there was some further in, and then there was some in front of our back entrance, and there was some more in the store... and I yelled, "What the #@%*&^!"

We soon found out that a new water filter for the ice machine that had been installed a couple of days ago somehow exploded. Water was shooting out from the side of the filter.

John called our landlord and the nice guy rushed in to make sure it was not his restaurant upstairs that's leaking. He also tried to calm us down and said he'd had that happen to his restaurant before. Thanks Bob.

So we are temporarily closed today for emergency repair and cleaning. John is talking with the guys who installed the filter right now and whoever made the bad filter had to be responsible for the mess. Boooo.

We will OPEN tomorrow morning.


Well at least the water was all clean and we super cleaned our floor with it.

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Super Cool Tea Mugs

We have been thinking about our individual hot tea brewing methods at the caffe. After lots of thinking and researching, we got these coolest-ever tea mugs. It allows our top quality full tealeaves and botanicals to fully unfurl and steep, and you can totally see the beautiful leaves and herbs in your cup while they are steeping! We love it! Come and try your favorite teas in one of these super cool tea mugs.


Look at the beautiful Oolong tealeaves, flowers, and other citrous fruits in the Citron Oolong!

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Crazy New Biscotti

They've finally arrived! We got a new line of biscotti today and they are fabulous! The flavors are amaging and the biscotti themselves look wonderful. Yum! Come get some with your espresso drinks, or any drink, or by themselves!

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Big Plant

There's a new big plant by the back entry way of our building. It looks huge and we love it!



Ok the pic cannot do it justice.

Thursday, October 27, 2005

Sick Days

Yiching Says--

A lot of you have asked about our trip to Japan. It was wonderful, and we will be posting something about it in the near future. However, for right now, we have found that we are sick. John thinks we caught the flu on our flight back, but I believe it was all from the day in Kyoto where it rained all day... beautiful, but wet day.

So if you haven't seen us this is why. We have to take this weekend off to recover. We will be back at work on Monday, October 31st. We've been drinking a lot of water, tea, and hot soup, so hopefully when you see us Monday we will be all well and talking loud.

Friday, October 21, 2005

We're Back!

The trip to Japan was wonderful. The sites we checked out were great, and we'll tell you all about it later on.

We're back! Come see us some time soon!

Sunday, October 09, 2005

Going to Japan!

We will research business opportunities in Japan from October 11th through October 20th. caffe d'bolla will therefore be closed 10/11-20.

We will OPEN Friday October 21th, 2005.
We look forward to seeing you soon!



Please also be on the lookout for some exciting offers in the near future!

Friday, October 07, 2005

Happy Hippo!

Happy Hippo has finally arrived at caffe d'bolla! They are super fun and super yummy. Come get yours now!



Tuesday, October 04, 2005

Plumbing Repair

Yiching says--

Experiencing minor problems with drainage system at the caffe. Problem located quickly and is being taken care of.

We will OPEN tomorrow morning. Don't kick me.

Sunday, October 02, 2005

October 2nd

Yiching hurt her arm/elbow and knees and is recovering from the ingury. You can learn more about the simple, yet weird story about her injury here

Sorry about the inconvenience. We will OPEN Monday morning.

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Strange New Signs

You might have noticed the new signs our friend Andy made us if you've been in the caffe recently. AND if you have not noticed them please do now.



Friday, September 16, 2005

d'bolla Chai Gelato!

Our newest gelato creation-- d'bolla Chai!



You know our Masala Chai rocks. Now come and try our Chai Gelato-- only at caffe d'bolla!

Monday, September 12, 2005

Azuki, Mango, Coconut and Lychee!

We have been experimenting with different ingredients for our gelato. For the past week we came up with Azuki (Japanese Red Beans), mango, and coconut gelato and lychee sorbetto. Yum!







Sunday, September 04, 2005

Labor Day Weekend

caffe d'bolla is closed on Sunday, Sep. 4th and Monday, Sep. 5th in observance of Labor Day. We will OPEN Tuesday morning.

Friday, September 02, 2005

After the Surgery

Yiching Says--

A few days after my surgery, I can finally wiggle my fingers and stop whining all day long. (Thank you guys for listening to me whine and allowing me to be cranky!) My hand is still a bit sore, but overall it's well on its way to full recovery. The only problem I have now is that I can't bend my middle finger. Hmmm.

Monday, August 29, 2005

1000 hits!

Yiching says--

I just found out that our website just got its 1000th hit!

Sunday, August 28, 2005

Hand Surgery

Yiching says--

Guess what fun thing I get to do on the 29th. I have a hand surgery scheduled. Yup, another one. This time on the left hand. I hope I will never get used to this, but I shall be fine this time.

caffe d'bolla will be closed on Mon-Tue, August 29-30th. We will OPEN Wednesday morning.

It should look something like this, but on the other hand:


Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Espresso and Green Tea Gelato

We've been experimenting with gelato flavors. Here are the latest two that have been taste-tested and proven delish! The Espresso gelato is made with our fresh brewed espresso shots and the green tea gelato is made with japanese matcha (ground green tea leaves) powder. They are of the best quality. Enjoy!


Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Bambi Cup Madness

Yiching says--

I have been obsessed with this Bambi cup I aquired from a second hand store for 50 cents. It's the cutest cup EVER. It's a bit tiny, but I drink coffee, juice, tea, and water in it. I'll even practice pouring art in it. I think the Bambi cup is the best cup of the month.

Saturday, August 20, 2005

Aug 21st

caffe d'bolla will be closed on Sunday, August 21st, for roasting sessions. We will OPEN regular hours on Monday, August 22nd.

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Micro Roaster

After thinking and testing and thinking and testing, we decided to purchase a micro coffee roaster where we can create our own unique blends of espresso and coffee. Our vision is to be able to control the process from bean to cup, and that requires a lot of learning and patience, yet plenty of excitement and fun.

We will soon be roasting small batches of select beans for our customers. We will be "roast to order" so your beans will maintain ultra fresh! We're currently doing plenty of blending and testing. We should be ready for public comsumption in about a month.

Sunday, August 07, 2005

Funky Paintings

Yiching says--

Several artists have told us they'd bring their paintings to display at the caffe. Liar. Liar. Liar. OK, they were liars except for one, where she displayed her lovely paintings here for a few months, and then she moved, along with her paintings. *tears*

So the wall was again NAKED.

Then some more people said they'd bring their art work by. Boooooooooooo!

So I decided that I had to do something about the situation. I HAD to do something about the naked wall. I started learning, and I started painting. I'm going to display my paintings at the caffe. I said it and I'd do it.

So next time you stop by the caffe and see the funky paintings on the wall, enjoy the funky and weird paintings. But please be nice and not laugh at them too loudly... it might hurt my feelings.



Thursday, July 28, 2005

Did We Mention GELATO?

It's official! caffe d'bolla now serves gelato.

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

The Looooong Day before Gelato



We finally got the equipment Tuesday afternoon. Yiching kicked the delivery truck and cursed at the driver. She yelled, "You are *@x^%$ LATE!"

caffe d'bolla will be closed on Wednesday, July 27th, for gelato preparation and perfection.

We will OPEN Thursday, July 28th, with loads of excitement and yumminess. VIPs please find exciting gelato offer in the most recent email.

Yay for gelato.

Friday, July 22, 2005

Gelato Soon!



Yes it's True!
caffe d'bolla is adding GELATO!

caffe d'bolla will be closed
from Saturday 7/23
through Tuesday 7/26

We will OPEN
Wednesday 7/27

Monday, July 18, 2005

The Fantastic Box of Mystery

After waiting and waiting...

We received a big-ass FedEx shipment today.
A box full of wonder and mystery!
Something fun for all that will resonate deliciousness by its mere presence.



What could it be???

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

102 Degrees!

So the weatherman said it was going to reach 102 degrees today. While it was about 100 degrees yesterday, our curbside sign was literally sliding off the frame because the heat had melted the glue on it. I wonder if the whole sign is going to melt today.

On our sign there's a picture of a "strawberry yogurt" bubble tea with chewy pearls. Similar to this one:



Refreshing!

Thursday, July 07, 2005

Wrist Brace

Yiching finally got a wrist brace for her carpal tunnel sydrome after days and days of whiningness. And just to prove that she can still do her job, she poured a little rosetta right after she put the brace on. Not her best, but it will just have to do for now.