I knew Alexander Coffee from my hometown. They had a huge presence there until they suddenly disappeared in 1996, maybe due to the violent events of that year in my country. Years later I arrived at Bolivia and found them thriving. The name, the sunny logo and the dates fit; with branches in La Paz, El Alto and Santa Cruz, Alexander offers now one of the best coffees in Bolivia.

At $3.5, Alexander’s American Breakfast was the most expensive set breakfast offered. It included three eggs, hash browns and bacon (or ham or a small steak) as the main dish. Accompanying it were toasts, bread or a croissant. The cholesterol rich part of the meal was good, and provided the much needed indulgence on the forbidden item at least for the following month. However, I asked for a croissant that arrived reheated in a microwave and resembled a chewing gum. A fruits salad (or a fruits juice) added a fresh and natural spark to the meal; the fruit salad was big and representative of the season – though it was presented in an unattractive fashion. The coffee offered with the meal was the local "destilado," I asked a short espresso instead, which turned out to be the best part of the meal. My companion chose a big cappuccino ($1.2), and a chocolate filled croissant (around $1). The coffee was excellent, but the pastry – again – was chewy.

The service was good – fast and professional. However, the billing was awkward. As soon as the food was served, the bill was put on the table in clear sight; in certain circumstances that may be uncomfortable.

A distinctive feature of Alexander’s branches is their attractive setup. Heavy furniture, dark colors, soft lightning and acceptable background music ensure a pleasant visit. Unlike most South American coffee shops, Alexander is divided into smoking and non-smoking areas, though the division is often ignored.

Alexander offers also Bolivian coffee bags, grounded or in beans. The beans offered are called "Madidi" and "Caranavi," names denoting the part of the country where the coffee was grown; both areas are in the tropics, north of La Paz. The Madidi turned out to be quite tasteless and acidic despite the very mild method I used to prepare it (French filter) while the Caranavi was acceptable. Both were certified to be organic and had a nice aroma but a weak texture. Claiming to use "Fair Trade" practices, Alexander sells them at premium prices (in Bolivian terms), a pound bag costing four dollars. A catering service of food and coffee is also available.