Continuing along in Anoka, the historic Mississippi River town just north of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Emily and I next stopped at the Avant Garden espresso bar. Although it’s off Main Street, we found it by walking through their graffiti covered alley, stumbling onto their back patio. We know how to make an entrance. Avant is an uptown meets north metro coffee shop and bistro restaurant that was founded in 1995 and is now owned by three sisters. Home of the ‘Anoka Mocha’, they have a very welcoming, super comfortable space that has wi-fi and, fun fact, has open mic every Thursday. Whether you like hot or cold [no really, I’m asking, I like to try new things and I’ve become quite the blended latte connoisseur] Avant doesn’t disappoint.