Amici Espresso

Great downtown coffee shop. I left a tip already but the vanilla chai is absolutely the best in town. I have tried them at all the other coffee shops who often use a powder mix or something. I don’t know what they do here but it’s great. Plus it’s a very good atmosphere. Its very clean. Of course the wifi is free. The customer service is always great. Never had anything bad to say.

So, there was a blizzard the first night my boyfriend and I were in Iowa for our Christmas extravaganza… And we got snowed in. Snowed. In. I suppose if you’re reading this, you’re probably from around Des Moines, so getting snowed in isn’t this magical wonder filled event that’s never happened to you ever before in your life. Me, though? I’ve lived in Southern California since before I was born, and this «snowed in» business was amazing.
Anyhow, we shoveled our way out of the driveway (another brand new experience for the journal), and bravely trekked from Ankeny to Des Moines for some food and touring. The last time I was in Iowa, I saw a lot of Ames, so this time I wanted to see more of the capital… and I was not disappointed. The funny thing was, at least on that first day, that nothing was open. Also, my Unilocal application kept telling me there were restaurants everywhere, but we couldn’t find the entrance to any of them. It was as though the city had cloaked itself in order to protect its mystery from outsiders. I know that sounds strange, but it seemed strange. Around the time that Dan and I were getting cold and scared, and getting ready to eat our own arms, we saw this place. And they were open.
We walked in, and the smell of coffee and pastries was overwhelmingly welcoming. It was like… winter’s version of a desert oasis, filled to the brim with deliciousness and happiness. I’d almost begun to believe we would die out there in the snow, but we hadn’t. We made it.
Also, since the blizzard had kept so many people away, the pastries were being sold 2 for a dollar, or some crazy cheap price like that. So, naturally, I bought 5 things. I don’t even remember if any of it was particularly good, but you don’t turn a blind eye to cheap food. I also, naturally, got a cup of peach tea. It was really good. I opened up the cup to see what kind of tea delivering device they used, and lo and behold… loose leaf in a bag. That was pretty great, not to mention a bit surprising.
This place also appeared to be a bar of some sort, but we didn’t get to check that part out. I only want to comment on what a great idea it is to pair a coffee house with a bar. It fills all sorts of coffee and alcohol needs that might not have been met otherwise. Oh, Des Moines… your brilliance astounds me.
Other than that, the place itself was warm and comfortable, and the girl working was very nice, and the music they were playing that day was good. The bathroom smelled kind of bad, but, well… It was a bathroom. I can’t fault them too much for that. I’d take away half a star at most, and it wasn’t worth it to me to drop a full star.
I might not ever see this place again, but the experience will live on in infamy… and this Unilocal review.

This place feels like a businessman’s coffee shop. The décor is clean and the music is quiet. It was nice. I tried a mocha (as usual) and was pleased with it. Not too sweet and plenty chocolatey. It was also cheaper than the other coffee houses I’ve tried in the city.
I’ll go back! Good stuff.

Open and airy atmosphere with friendly staff and good selection of coffee fixes that won’t bankrupt you! Plenty of tables for conversations and gatherings and abundance of electrical outlets (free wifi!) for those who are attached to their laptops. Only down side I see is the small selection of cakes and snacks available in the café!

Seriously good! For reals!
Thank you Amici for contributing to my newest fix… your almond latte — sugar free and skinny to boot! It was just heaven in a coffee cup and burn-​free jacket. And thank you for allowing me to leech on your wi-​fi while I waited to report for jury duty, all the while sitting in a comfortable, hip and bright setting. Can’t wait for warmer weather to arrive and your outdoor seating to open up.

The whole bean coffee is very good; I make it at home and drink it every morning. It’s also VERY convenient to have a drive-​thru coffee joint downtown. The service is always good and the employees are usually quick in preparing the drinks. In addition to the whole bean coffee, I recommend getting a Frazzi FX protein shake after hitting the gym. Fairly low in calories with a good amount of protein. And quite tasty!

This place is has a drive through accessible off Mulberry St which is just plain awesome. In the maze of one way streets, you can pull up and order an iced coffee to go and blitz out of there in a Iowan second. When you aren’t pushed for time, stroll into the store and order from the counter. I ordered a large iced coffee, seriously one of the best in town.
They offer small sandwiches and stock almost all of the naked juices, so you can get your boost and vitamins to go.