“To me, the smell of  
fresh-made coffee  
is one of the  
greatest inventions.”
Hugh Jackman

I’m not a coffee drinker. In fact, I despise the taste of coffee. The aroma of coffee, however, is something I thoroughly enjoy. Maybe it’s because it reminds me of the many times my paternal grandmother stayed at our home after various hospital visits during my childhood years. My parents were tea drinkers, but my grandmother needed her morning coffee, so the aroma filled our home each morning she stayed with us. Despite my distaste for the beverage, I cherish the smell.

My son, Brendan, informed me that a Philz Coffee shop had recently opened in West San José, just two miles from our home. When I need a break from writing in my home office, or when above average temperatures lead me to seek places with air conditioning, I often escape to a local coffee shop to do my writing. There are several in our neighborhood that I’ve enjoyed, but at Brendan’s recommendation, I checked out Philz last week. What a treat!

Until last week, I had never thought of putting cinnamon into black tea. Trust me,… it works. I ordered an iced black tea with cinnamon at the recommendation of Angelica, the personable barista on duty that afternoon. It was delicious — so much so that I made the mistake of ordering a second one. I didn’t sleep that night. Never before had I been affected in that way by caffeine. Lesson learned.

I’ve now been to Philz five times in the past two weeks. One iced black tea with cinnamon is enough for one day, but I savor it, so it lasts for several hours while I work on my writing project. Yesterday I treated myself to a vanilla scone, as well. That, too, exceeded my expectations. What keeps me returning to Philz, though, is not just the tea or scones. It’s the vibe.

I can’t say anything negative about Starbucks, Paris Baguette, Rose Café, or Peet’s Coffee. These establishments have served me well for many years. When I walk into Philz, however, it just feels different. I feel a sense of belonging. Two of the employees already know me by name, even though I’m a relatively new customer. The service they and their colleagues provide is both professional and cordial. The level of hospitality they offer is above and beyond what one would expect from a local coffee shop. 

There’s even something different about the other customers. I’ve noticed that people clean up after themselves at Philz, something many customers don’t do in other coffee establishments. Many of them are also quite engaging, displaying a conscious awareness of others in the room. Such warmth creates a strong feeling of community.

It’s a simple thing, I know. A neighborhood coffee shop. But yes, that’s what I’m grateful for today.