Bites Nearby: Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, Rancho Bernardo Patch picks a great place to eat either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii

It's a getaway without going too far. Located in the Plaza Rancho Peñasquitos at 9878 Carmel Mountain Rd., this isn't your typical coffee shop. Relaxing, tropical music plays as you sit beneath one of the two faux palm trees along the brightly colored walls. They serve breakfast all day—eggs, sausage and cheese on a croissant, for example—or you can enjoy one of their many fruity drinks. There's even a kiwi and strawberry tea called New Zealand Sunnyslopes.

And, of course, there's coffee.

Staffers say everything on the menu seems to get ordered but named some customer faves:

• Monkey Mocha: dark chocolate and banana latte.

• Bad Ass Mocha: Comes in dark or white chocolate.