My Favorite Coffee Shop in Houston: Salento's in Rice Village
Grilled Club Sandwich with Butternut Squash Soup at Salento’s in Rice Village.
Last week, I delivered a Collector’s Packet I prepared for a dear friend and art collector.
Ordinarily, this would have been a quick errand; however, I had a really great idea to go to my favorite coffee shop to work on some creative content.
I first discovered Salento’s during my 1L year in law school.
It quickly became my favorite place to enjoy excellent coffee, pastries, breakfast, lunch, wine and dinner. (Ha! Everything).
Salento’s became my creative oasis when I had to study or needed a break from studying. ;)
During my law school days, I sought out various eclectic coffee shops to bunker down and “camp out” for hours. Salento’s was my way of finding inspiration when I did not have the time to express myself creatively.
Even then, Salento’s was my way of seeking, finding, and personally creating moments of inspiration in the mist of the day-to-day grind.
I sat down at a two seater, near the entrance windows—a favorite seating area where I have sat countless times in the past. The entire front entrance wall is covered in nearly floor to ceiling windows, letting in tons of beautiful, natural light.
I brought notes, my written calendar and headphones to focus on creating batch content for that week, but brought out a personal travel journal instead to capture the feeling of returning back to a sacred and favorited environment.
In many ways, Salento’s kept my dream of being an artist alive all throughout law school, preserving my creative spirit, although most of my mental, physical and emotional energy was focused on my studies.
Even though, at the time, it often felt like I was going in the opposite direction of my soul’s deepest desires, small actions of just going to this local portal to Europe, kept me connected to the subtle things that sparked joy within me.
A seemingly small decision to visit a favorited coffee shop, boosted my mood, my motivation to not only keep going but also, to enjoy the journey.
Then, and now.
I ordered a flat white and pulled out my journal.
When I first sat down, I noticed a slow, seductive jazz song playing in the background.
A sweet and slow, sultry molasses-like voice was singing, with a vibe similar to “Summertime in the City,” although it wasn’t that song. The song was romantic, melancholy, and soulful.
By the time I reached for my phone to open up my Shazam app to identify the name and the performer, the moment was over, the music switching to a jazz piano playing with gentle Congo drums. This song sounded like a romantic salsa.
I intuitively came here for inspiration; and without a doubt, I found it.
I forgot to Shazam that song as well.
Journal entry:
“A flat white made with love.”
Things, gestures made with love make all the difference. Living and exuding light makes all the difference in someone’s life. Never underestimate the light you give. We all have the ability and the opportunity to create a ripple effect. Lord knows, we need more light and love, today and always.
The server presented me with my coffee, saying, “a flat white made with love.”
It looked absolutely beautiful. And tasted delicious.
It’s my go-to favorite coffee these days, containing the perfect balance of strong flavorful coffee, with a touch of foam, with my added undisclosed amount of tablespoons of brown sugar.
Perfect.
“There’s something about finding a place you absolutely love, that makes you feel closer connected to your true self. The self that’s been saying, “it’s about time.””
Salento’s was and still is, my gateway back to that feeling I felt in Madrid, Spain—the feeling of being connected to my own presence, my own, true self.
Inspiration is like that. Art is like that.
It is a reminder of who we truly are.
It reminds of our magnanimous, expansive essence, that sometimes, life, and our daily habits and routines distract us from experiencing.
It’s always there, just one, small decision away.
That decision may be to take a short stop to a favorite coffee shop or pub to read a book. That decision may be to turn off the tv and play some music at home. That decision may be to place the phone in another room, and watch a Hulu movie with your favorite person or pet.
Life is the little things.
Art is enjoying the little things that spark joy.
Wishing you a great weekend.
