Zahori Cafe

It's really the simple things that become life's little pleasures.  And there are few moments I enjoy as much as wasting away an afternoon (or entire day) in a quaint cafe or indie coffeehouse.  Most weekends in DC, you could find me at Politics & Prose with a cafe mocha; while in Buenos Aires I'd spend hours hovered over cafe y medialunas (espresso and croissants) in either Vivaldi or Florida Garden Cafe.  As a self-proclaimed connoisseur of cafe culture,  I'm always in search of that perfect haunt where I can relax, sip, read and "work" (I use that term very loosely).  For me, settling into a routine in a new city and new life also involves searching for a local cafe I can call my own.

After being confined to my piso for the past few days due to my mysterious illness, I decided it was time to venture out and hopefully find a new cafe.  Today I discovered Zahori: a bakery-cafe combination that is a five minute walk from my piso, and is located on Paseo de España.  While it doesn't offer much in the ambiance department, it makes up for it with its menu.  The menu offers much of the standard Spanish tapas found in every bar and cafe here.  However, all the pasteries and breads are baked freshly in-house and are absolutely delicious.  But what makes this cafe truly unique that it has an entire menu devoted to hot chocolate - 24 different varieties:  chocolate a la taza, chocolate bombón, chocolate blanco, chocolate irlandés.  And the list goes on...

So I settled in a corner spot to enjoy a hot chocolate and fresh croissant while reading and people watching.  I observed that this spot must be a local favorite because although its small and not much to look at, it seemed rather busy compared to its larger and more posh counterparts.  Always follow the locals...they know all the hidden secrets.


Besitos, 
B