Handpicked is a labour of love from owners Nara Lee and Han Sol Kim, whose passion for coffee is obvious in every part of this compact Mt Albert cafe. It’s located on the busy main street — spot it by the collection of tables and chairs outside — but inside it’s calm, quiet and homely, encouraging patrons to slow down over a real vanilla latte (one of their “signatures”) and a plate of creamy mushrooms. Take home some of the beans they roast in-house.