Cozy. Artsy. Sophisticated. Welcoming. Delicious. Expensive.
I used to come here often to study while I was in undergrad. They have plenty of tables (cramped into a small space, but that's okay!) to work from. There's a longer table in the middle that seats about 8 with a string of outlets for your electronic devices. There's also a large table in the cute little loft area upstairs. There are outlets on the floor beneath the table. It's a lot more quiet in the upstairs area so if you can manage to snag a spot, then do it!
Drinks are yummy here. They're quite pretty as well. I really like their soy chai tea lattes. It's rich in taste but doesn't taste syrup-y like the soy chais at Starbucks. Their Nutella Latte is alright. I don't know how they prepare it but it has a greasy feel and aftertaste. I think the Nutella latte is better served cold but make sure it's stirred well. During the summer, they have awesome ice tea mixed drinks. Definitely a thirst quencher! Their hot chocolate is rich and decadent. The perfect solution to the sweet tooth.
The food is....eh. It's seriously overpriced for what you get. They have various wraps, salads and desert items. The wraps and salads are tasty, but dinky in size. Desserts are alright too but I'd rather go a few doors down to the Cheesecake Factory and get a hefty serving of a fabulous and beautiful cheesecake for similar prices.
Best part of Sambalatte - in my opinion - is the live music. Let's just say I stopped studying a lot and took long breaks just to immerse myself in the performances. The performers are super talented. There is (or was...I don't know if she's still there) that used to sing and had her dad accompany her on the acoustic guitar. Super cute and super amazing. There is (or was...) an older gentleman and lady as a saxophone/keyboard duo. They play awesome jazzy music. It literally makes dance in my seat.
This place is dog friendly as well! They have two dog water bowls outside that are labeled "good dog/bad dog". So adorable! There's a lot of seating outside. Perfect for a warm sunny day. If it's cold, they have warmers outside.
Overall, I really love this place! Makes me happy and it'll make you happy, too. Happy people are good for the world.
Oh! Make sure you get a Sipping Rewards card! Every 15th drink is free, add-ons are free and you get a free drink on your birthday!