"Okay, you’ve just walked in. First impressions? Even from the outside, you know you're in a much different kind of space in a much different neighborhood than most Parisian coffee shops. Lomi, one of the city's premier coffee roasters, occupies the ground floor of a modern building designed for social housing in a developing section of the eighteenth arrondissement. Inside, though, it's high-design exposed stone walls, reclaimed wood tables, and vintage chairs. Who else was there? The calming environment attracts young professionals or students at work. Since the training space and tasting room are on-site, you're likely to cross paths with coffee distributors and industry folk. The raison d’être : the coffee. How was it? All the usuals, from lattes to expertly pulled espresso, plus some wildcards like café fromage—double espresso served with blue cheese (nibble on the small piece, sip the espresso, and let it melt the cheese in your mouth; you'll be surprised how well they pair). Was there food, too, and if so, worth getting? Simple savory snacks and hearty sweets (croissants and scones in the morning, cookies and other treats in the afternoon). How about the staff: what did you think? The staff were focused and professional, not very chatty. Who should go here? If you're conducting a coffee crawl to see the city's major players, Lomi is a must." - Lindsey Tramuta
