Sawada - Chicago
Two titans joined forces for one of the most unique coffee shops in Chicago, as Hogsalt Hospitality (Au Cheval, Maude's Liquor Bar, High Five Ramen) partnered with world-renownd barista and latte expert Hiroshi Sawada on his first ever U.S. coffee shop.
The result is a hip, artsy cafe tucked inside Green Street Smoked Meats in the West Loop, where a ping pong table doubles as a table for laptops and where a skateboard is utilizes as a pour over device. There's also a good ol' fashioned pinball machine, all overlooking the barbecue restaurant down below.
Sawada has won prestigious competitions for his lattes, particularly the art and intricacy that goes into each one. This is evident in drinks like the green tea latte and the military latte, each swirled with delicate ribbons of foam, milk and flavorings that make that perfect for the Instagram era.