DGD
Maya Cafe was on my list to visit after seeing it on a TV show the day after it opened. I had also checked out their blog, so I was looking forward to the latte art made by the barista. The exterior of the cafe, with brick paving at the entrance, was stylish and inviting. The warm exterior walls with blue and white accents added a nice touch. The cafe, filled with the owner's passion, was meticulously designed with attention to detail, and you could feel the dedication that went into opening it. The owner's smile was also lovely, radiating a sense of something special. The cafe had a youthful vibe, filled with dreams and hope, just like the young owner. The other staff members were also pleasant. Despite being a bit past the opening, the cafe had a decent crowd with one customer already seated and nine more coming in. The customers included two groups of three older ladies and several solo male customers. I was free to choose my seat, so I opted for a spacious table where I could see the entire cafe. The warm spring sunlight streaming in through the windows created a cozy atmosphere. Being a non-smoker, I appreciated the completely smoke-free environment. I ordered a canelé and a cafe latte. I ordered the canelé right away since I had planned to eat it, and for the drink, I asked for a recommendation. The staff suggested the latte since they could do latte art. Worried about it being too sweet, I chose the least sweet cafe latte. While waiting for my order, I sipped on some water. "Mi... Mizu..." (from Fist of the North Star) I joked as I drank. The canelé and cafe latte arrived. The leaf latte art was well done and almost too pretty to drink. The latte had a slightly bitter and rich flavor, with a hint of sweetness. The canelé was fragrant and had a moist, chewy texture. It was not the crispy type, more like a canelé-flavored dessert, but I enjoyed its texture. The aroma of the canelé was particularly enticing. It reminded me of the canelé-style baked custard from Hokkaido's Kitakararou, although the canelé at Maya Cafe had a more appealing aroma. When compared by scent, Maya Cafe's canelé came out on top, but in terms of texture and taste, they were both excellent. Enjoying the canelé with the cafe latte, which contained milk, created a delightful combination. I had a wonderful time at Maya Cafe. Stay tuned for the next episode: "Lately, I find myself reminiscing about the past." - Toki