How do you measure a cup?: ChocoLaté

My favorite coffee place of all time in Atlanta is ChocoLaté on North Decatur Road. Whenever I suggest places to hang out with friends back at home, I say here because of many reasons. First, the location is perfect, right in the heart of Emory University district, where I reside (besides the fact that now I actually live and attend school in Boston). Unlike big franchises like Starbucks, it's independently owned and operated. Since its opening in 2002 (pretty new), ChocoLaté has evolved into the coffee shop of the entire Emory community where neighbors know each other and socialize on a daily basis--whether as a student or businessman, ChocoLaté is the place to be when you crave for a good cup of Dark Chocolate Mocha or something simpler like cappuccino. The place is inviting and casual with comfy couches and hand-painted tables and chairs. It's usually packed during after school hours, between 3 to 5 P.M. The shop is definitely one of my high school nostalgias--my friends and I always used to come here after school only to realize that our teachers also decided to stop by. I love and support small businesses like this because they use fair trade organic coffee beans, and with ChocoLaté particularly, the beans are custom roasted by a master roaster with 20 or so years of experience. The baristas are super friendly and always willing to suggest what to try.

I highly recommend their specialty drinks, most of which include all types of mocha you could imagine--after all, it is called ChocoLate. During summer, I always get icy frappes to escape from the hot, humid Southern weather--Rich Chocolate was my favorite in high school, but I have tried Kona Mocha and Cookies and Cream. Yum! All the drinks here can be served with any kind of milk you prefer. With most of the frappes especially, you can ask for them either coffee or milk based. Prices are very reasonable, too. Their small 8 oz of coffee is $1.89, and medium 12 oz mocha is only $3.55--not bad for organic beans. I adore this place and highly recommend it to anyone. If you feel like grabbing Vietnamese/Thai food, you could have lunch or dinner at Saigon Cafe right next to it and go to the coffee shop afterwards for dessert. They have really good cakes that complement the drinks!

I got medium soy mocha today; you can also request for a mug instead of a paper cup as shown in the picture--they've been pretty good about keeping it green.