“I appreciated the atmosphere that Kreuzberg offered, especially because of the new wave rock music that played in the background and the ample space in the cafe. This is the ideal spot for anyone, especially students, to settle down and get some serious work done.”
Kristine Xu
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Kristine Xu is a journalism freshman and Mustang News food columnist.
With autumn in full swing, I suddenly developed an insatiable craving for warm coffee and sugary pastries. As if on cue, my appetite knew it was that time of year again for seasonal drinks and indulgent desserts. My coffee shop of choice: Kreuzberg, CA.
I talked to a cashier about my preferences, and she recommended a pumpkin spice latte and a hybrid pastry called a cronut, a cross between a croissant and a donut.
The cashier plucked one from the pastry display, placed it on a green ceramic plate and handed it to me with my receipt. I scoped out the rest of the cafe and noticed the various nooks and crannies that filled up the rest of the unique cafe. For the most part, there weren’t many people in the restaurant.
There were, however, various assortments of chairs grouped around scratched up wooden tables, large brown leather couches in the corner and even stairs leading to a second floor seating area.
Additionally, the unique orientation of Kreuzberg left the cash register, pastry display and coffee makers in the heart of the restaurant.
The walls of the cafe were tastefully decorated and the dim lighting added to the overall atmosphere. One of the walls was even painted in the cubism style of Guernica, a famous Picasso painting. It was surrounded by other large pieces of art, one of which was a wall-sized QR code, which led to the coffee shop’s website.
I placed my food on a small wooden table near one of these massive wall murals.
At first, the cronut looked dry and unappetizing, but after a bite, I realized why so many people gave it such glowing recommendations. The texture of the cronut is reminiscent of the actual classic breakfast item, complete with the flaky layers and soft chewiness. Additionally, the outside of the cronut was deep-fried and sugared the same way as any regular donut. I slowly peeled the layers off to savor every morsel and make it last a little longer. Soon, my fingers were coated in fine granulated sugar.
I then picked up the large white cup with both hands and relished the warmth it radiated. There was even a tiny stirring spoon resting on the matching saucer with a tiny chocolate chip cookie nearby. Before I did anything else, I picked up the cookie and dipped it into the frothy foam, making sure not to mess up the intricate laurel design that looked both delicious and too pretty to drink.
The first sip of the latte was creamy, smooth and not too hot. There was just a slight hint of the pumpkin flavor, and with each sip I took, I could feel the warmth travel from the tips of my fingers to the very core of my body. Pretty soon, all that was left were the dregs at the bottom of the cup.
Despite Kreuzberg’s lack of nutritional value in its treats, the cafe still offers a handful of vegan choices for the health conscious. In addition, the cafe even offers delicious grab bags for $7 at the cash register, filled to the brim with random delicious treats at a fraction of the price.
I appreciated the atmosphere that Kreuzberg offered, especially because of the new wave rock music that played in the background and the ample space in the cafe. This is the ideal spot for anyone, especially students, to settle down and get some serious work done. Whether to study for a midterm or meet up with friends for coffee, there will always be the perfect occasion to swing by and visit Kreuzberg.