Rumors — Restaurant in Danbury

I've had oodles of lattes and pastries in my time (arguably too many), but Rumors has some of the best of both I've ever had. My mom and I stopped here for a bite on Monday around mid-day. The location is arguably not ideal, depending on your perspective. We were coming from Redding so our trip involved navigating around 84 and then slowly making our way down a busy county highway to make sure we didn't miss it (sometimes I let my Google Maps rest so I can live on the edge a bit). It's a little chaotic but also convenient in that it's a pretty direct route. I also enjoyed the fact that there was an intriguing canine grooming facility right next door though I didn't have the good fortune of encountering any of its customers.

Rumors is very cute inside; I feel like every coffeehouse is sort of unique/quirky in the same way, and this was no exception. There was a giant furry spider decoration encircling an entryway to the bathroom, a lending library and - my personal favorite - a TV showing videos of puppies and kittens. The only way to improve it would have been to have actual puppies and kittens roaming around, but I can only imagine the potential health code drama that would ensue. No matter.

I ordered their seasonal strawberry rose latte, along with an almond Danish. The latte was perfect - it had the perfect balance of flavor without being too subtle or too overwhelming. The Danish was more than up to the task of matching that performance too. Danishes aren't my go-to pastry; they're often too flaky/crumbly, basically the bakery version of a Nature Valley bar, and like their croissant relatives, often don't have their filling evenly distributed. This had great consistency in both texture and taste, and every bite was scrumptious and flavorful. Despite trying to cajole my mother into getting a latte, she adamantly refuses to drink coffee products and instead opted for a hot chocolate (served in an owl mug that I was pretty jealous of) and a cheese Danish. She enjoyed both and hopefully will be providing her own account of this experience.

Great discovery - it's always pleasing to find an establishment that matches (and possibly...

A really friendly place to frequent either alone, with friends, or with your partner! The baristas and owner are very LGBT+ friendly and try to make sure their cafe is a respectful, safe place for everyone.

The general interior has a lot of warm colors and feels homey with a variety of seating and tables so that each area feels special. The walls are decorated with art from local artists, most of which are available for purchase. The owner has a bit of a Star Wars theme going with some of his decorations.

Each barista has their own unique taste of music that they play while working and the owner is a very nice guy that's easy to converse and get along with.

They can make any of their specialty drinks into iced drinks, which is super nice, and they offer vegan baked goods among regular ones that are just as tasty! A good place to go if you want coffee or tea with something sweet to eat.

It can get loud at times when it's busy/packed but will always quiet down relatively quickly. They have a large array of table-top games that customers are free to play while they're here, so it's great for small groups. They can do small, private events, just call and speak to the owner about it. I believe they also do to-go orders if you call in advance, but don't quote me on that.

Dog-friendly as long as the dog isn't very big, is well-behaved/friendly...

I had been taking classes nearby for nearly a year without a cafe in proximity I liked. Alas, today I was on my way to Starbucks. To my good fortune, I noticed this cafe along my way. There were a couple tables outside, a man's bike parked, large windows that framed what looked like tastefully furnished seating inside. I had to kill time, so I ordered a couple espressos and a coffee - perhaps not the best decision given it's late afternoon, but I had them all black, and they were brewed quite well. They are new since November and don't offer much yet beyond crepes on the weekends, waffles, baked goods, gelato, that sort, but there are gluten free options (not for me, but figured it's worth mentioning) and I was told they were trying to bring in more food. Anyways, it appeared the man with the bike was a regular customer, given that he biked in mid-day traffic, and it appears I might be...