[caption id="attachment_1580" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Inside Memento"]<a href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/dsc01242.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1580" title="Memento Inside " src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/dsc01242.jpg?w=225" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>[/caption]

I happened into the coffee shop <a href="http://karolinkabulgaria.wordpress.com/2009/06/10/new-coffee-shop/">Colours &amp; Flavours</a> on Saturday during the snow in need of a coffee, a little warming up and to say hello. (I am sorry to say: it had been weeks since the last time I'd visited. Shame on me.)

It was lovely to stop back in. The shop has moved indoors--no more outside tables. It's now a cozy coffee bar rather than the breezy outdoor cafe it was this summer.  I couldn't imagine it any better if I had to.  And I was worried about what the little hole-in-the-wall shop would do come winter. Silly me. Silly me.

But why would I expect anything less? I mean these guys know coffee and tea. The place also has great style--the interior, the colors, the cups and even the products for sale.

Well it was a lucky thing I stopped in Colours &amp; Flavours because I learned that the owners have re-imagined the classic coffee shop, bar and lounge and are opening a new day-night spot called Memento.  I was invited down to see the new place and then I ended up staying for a glass of wine and some great conversation. Memento is being billed as:
<blockquote>Sofia's first multi-concept franchise. Come and relish the finest selection of coffees, teas, wines, aperitivo and cocktails. Chosen by experts and served with love.</blockquote>
It's lovely too. Memento is at the corner of Rakovski and Gurko in the glass building across from the puppet theater.<!--more-->

[caption id="attachment_1585" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Glasses of wine at Memento"]<a href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/dsc01241.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1585" title="Memento and wine " src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/dsc01241.jpg?w=225" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>[/caption]

The interior is light, fresh and clean.  There's nothing dark, brown or paneled to be seen. The bar is open and there's a good selection of wine, cocktails and even tea and coffee.  Late on a Saturday afternoon it was perfect.  And it was easy to imagine it full of customers.

Memento is having it's official opening this week--my understanding is on the 16th and 17th of December.  I'd check this place out sooner than later. It's not going to remain a secret very long.  I am not even sure I should be writing a review here--how am I ever going to get a table?

S o this it what it all comes down to: my sneak peak on Saturday afternoon makes me exited to round up a group of friends to meet up downtown for a coffee after shopping or for a cocktail before heading out for the night to dance. But I guess there's a chance that we could go with the best intentions to have a coffee and end up staying for cocktails.

At this point, what is the most attractive about Memento is the location, the staff, the service and the selection of drinks they are offering. I also like the emphasis on quality.  Quality coffee, tea, wine.  Good service, good music, good lighting. Simple and easy and as a result edgy and unfussy. In my mind this makes Memento the best of both worlds: a place you're happy to meet friends but also cool enough that it feels exciting and new.

Ultimately, if Memento is anything like Colours &amp; Flavours, I am sure that I will be a very, very happy repeat customer.