Coffee is good, but good coffee is great!

This Friday night was date night with my husband and we found ourselves in a little-known coffee house in Fullerton. Down a small alley on a not-well-traveled side street off Harbor Blvd. is Max Blooms Cafe Noir, a newly opened treasure. Entering into the store is like going back in time.

Part museum, part coffee house, the love of 1940's era is everywhere: from the vintage photos of Fullerton, the antique typewriter as well as the antique piano that is still played in the establishment today, the joint oozes atmosphere. You expect Mickey Spillane to step out of the shadows any minute. Mixed about with the authentic film-noir era movie posters, you will find an eclectic collection of movies for sale. It's a sort of rental system, buy the movie for $15, and they buy it back from you for $12. A bank of theatre seats faces a television and a shelf of books ranging from "Husband-Tested Recipes," an old paperback cookbook from the era, and a ton of books on old films and directors. It's the kind of place you can spend some time exploring. There's even a map to point out pieces in the collection.

Everywhere you look is a testimony of the labor of love that is Max Bloom's. And the coffee? Oh, the coffee!

Like nothing you have tasted. Roasted personally by owner Stephen Sprague, it is smooth, and toasty without a hint of bitterness. I am still dreaming of the amazing mocha latte I had. It was perfect. Smooth, creamy, with a touch of chocolate, and in a mug, no less! My husband had the regular coffee, and it was just as good. And where can you get a cup of joe for $ .89? Coffee is a passion for Stephen, and it shows.

Coffee is serious business. He explained to me how to make the perfect cappuccino, and why they don't travel well. (the perfect capp is 1/3 espresso, 1/3 milk and 1/3 foam...so you can't make it to go). He can make you a latte, though. And it will be the best you have ever had.

And, with bakery treats and a refrigerator stocked with old-fashioned sodas, they have something for everyone. But don't forget your wallet, because Max Bloom's only takes cash.

If you are tired of big-chain coffee, maybe you need to stop in and see Max Bloom.

Max Bloom's Cafe Noir

220 N. Malden Ave

Fullerton, CA 92832

(714) 871-2600

CASH ONLY

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T, who loves coffee

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The Lessons Of Friendship

Hi everyone! I'm Mrs. Tantrum, T asked me to help keep an eye on the place while she is at something called camp. I am worried about her as camp is a scary place from what I hear. I am also worried because she asked me to post for her. I mean she is on ALL TOP, and I am just ALL MEDIOCRE...has she lost her mind? I don't know, if you aren't certain, and aren't easily offended by a fierce potty mouth head over to my regular house Momma's Tantrum to see what I usually am up to. 

I met T over on Twitter. She has been a blessing in disguise on those days when Bacon is giving me convulsions because of his Asperger's. He is 4 and was just diagnosed last October. The whole thing of finally finding out "what was wrong" was a HUGE relief, as it meant that I was not a FAILURE as a parent. It did mean however re-learning EVERYTHING I thought I knew about parenting a child. 

T is AMAZING. (I know you all know that already, but I want to tell you again.) She helps me on the days I need someone to say, "I get it. It is hard, but it will get better! Remember to breathe." She also reminds me to eat my vegetables and have a yummy Frappuccino from Starbucks every now and then. (Not that I ever need a reminder to go to Starbucks, but I do need a reminder to mix it up now and then!)

I only have one with HFA, I cannot imagine the kind of days that T has with 3. The days when they are all losing it, and they are at home during lessons with no where for her to go. Those are the days I try to let her know that I too understand, and to let it out. Those are the days that I wish that there wasn't thousands of miles between us! Those days are the ones I wish she was a couple of doors down so I could take the kids and let them all lose it together. 

Try to remember whether you have a "neuro typical" kid, or a "non-neuro-typical" kid the most important lesson that I have learned from T, to be there to lift up your friends. Be there to lend a hand when they need it. Be sure to ask for help if YOU NEED it. Above all, be present and be sure to learn as you go. There is nothing wrong with asking for help, it is actually better to ask for help than to suffer through things alone. 

Mrs. T, who is guest posting for T who is alone in the wild w/teenagers!

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Bad Parenting 101

In retrospect, maybe it's not a good idea to tell my little one that no her dad cannot cuddle her, he needs to go to Starbucks and get me mocha so that I don't kill my children in their sleep.

She knew I was joking, but I asked her about it, anyway. Maybe I am too flippant for my own good some days.

T, who needs Starbucks and whose mouth hurts

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