Pavement Coffee House: Boston, Massachusetts

       

     As I walked down Newbury Street in Boston with my friends Jessica and Cassandra, I hardly expected to see a rustic coffee shop hidden in the mix of designer stores. Pavement Coffee House was just what I needed to find on that rainy day. It was nestled in the downstairs part of a brownstone right next to a Pinkberry, but the flow of costumers were clearly not there for frozen yogurt. The four ceiling-to-floor windows gave me a clear view of what to expect as I began to enter the cafe, but it was all for naught as I was again awed by the perfect ambiance that resonated throughout. There were window seats to my left with small tree stumps being used as tables for the coffee lovers. As you headed more toward your right you hit small intimate tables as well as the counter. The counter had wood paneling lining the outside and the chalkboard-like menu boards balanced this perfectly. 

                I stepped up to the counter trying to act as though I was a local (although the look of wonderment on my face was clearly showing otherwise). I scanned the menu. With prices comparable to many other coffee shops, the prices were around $3 for any latte, cappuccino, or steamer. I ordered a vanilla steamer from their huge selection of Counter Culture Coffee and lunch sandwiches and salads. I was a mere foot away from the bubbly employee who began making my steamer. With a toss of the vanilla bottle behind his back, giving the glass a splash of vanilla, he was the perfect bartender—of coffee that is. I again tried to make it seem as though I was a local but quickly failed doing so as I asked where the lids were when I received a cup with no lid. The employee was extremely nice as he pointed over to the wood framed counter with sugars, stirrers, and lids. I blushed as I knew my “local” façade had been broken.

                Every table in the coffee shop was taken. There were men meeting younger men for coffee telling them the in’s and out’s of life, there were woman with children trying to get that much needed shot of espresso before heading back out for a long day, and there were hipsters by the bucket load. There were mustaches, oxfords, secret coffee drinks only they know of and “I-don’t-listen-to-anything-mainstream” kind of bands playing on every iPod in the place. I was not complaining. So as I said goodbye to the man with the great blazer and impeccable shoes, (this was a mental goodbye of course seeing as we did not engage in conversation whatsoever) I headed out the door, happy, content and ready to go back. If ever in Boston you must surely make a stop to any three of Pavement Coffee House’s locations on Gainsborough Street, Boylston Street or as I visited, Newbury Street. I’ll see you soon, Pavement CoffeeHouse! 

Kahve: New York, New York

        Nestled quietly on 9^th Avenue in Hell's Kitchen, a few blocks west of Times Square, Kahve (the Turkish word for coffee) Coffee Lounge was the perfect break from the bustle of tourists. With it being open till 10 on weekdays and extra late weekend hours, you can always find time to stop in for a moment. The narrow, only a few tables space was the perfect place to do work. Locals claimed most of the tables doing work that the week had left them, reading, or checking out the variety of attractive patrons who stopped by for an espresso fix. I and four friends sat in a homey corner, admiring anything and everything. The exposed brick wall, the antique-looking mirror, the chalkboard menu boards, it all fit together to create a small town cafe feel. (Luckily for us, it's right here in our jungle, NYC.) The drinks were exactly as they should be, no Starbucks version of macchiatos, lattes, or chais. The (so beautifully hipster) barista behind the counter recognized the locals, made the newbies feel like locals, and put the Starbucks addicts in their place. Maybe it was the coffee sacks used for seats, the warm almond chai, or the calmness in a busy city, but something about the place had me falling in love. (It also could well have been the attractive man with the cute dog parallel to my window seat.) Whatever sparked the love, had me locked in my seat. I contemplated ordering another drink just so I had an excuse to remain there. But sadly life must go on. (Actually my friends had to drag me out by my hair. I'm sure the cute man with the dog found that highly attractive.) It was the perfect morning stop and would be for you as well. Now I'm back to campus where the men aren't as quaff and Starbucks coffee just isn't cutting it. Be a local, tourists or not, and head over to Kahve.

Folklore Coffee & Company: Elizabethtown, PA

Nestled in the sleepy square of Elizabethtown,PA, Folklore Coffee & Company is the perfect way to start or end a hectic day. With simple décor and a spacious set up, Folklore has enough space for just you and a friend, or you and a study group (but who really studies now-a-days anyway). With much of the lighting resonating from a string of light bulbs lining the windows, the ambiance has a warm, sleepy feel, or romantic had I had someone there to experience that with. I sat at the window with my addictive Nutella Hot Chocolate and my friend Charlotte.  As the town fell asleep, we were waking up.

They had a number of drinks including, hot chocolate, coffee, chai, tea and many more. Their name is apparent even on the menu board as their drinks are titled anything from Hansel & Gretel to Papa Bear, The Sleepy Hollow and Random latte. It is this nice touch of nostalgia that adds excitement to ordering your drink. Despite how late we arrived, the employees were more than happy to make our drinks. Our drinks were ready in a mere five minutes leaving the majority of our time to be spent in fellowship, not waiting for our order. There was the perfection combination of dull conversation and a fantastic playlist of The Lumineers, Mumford Sons, as well as a combination of hipster bands I've probably never heard of. Open from 7 to 10 everyday but Sunday, there is plenty of time to check out the adorable cafe  Folklore keeps the guests coming with live music, children’s story time, and the option of renting out the space. With such a big venue, there is no excuse not to head into Folklore to sit for a while. Had I not forgotten my purse in the cafe (not realizing it until I was at the gas station down the street) it would have been the absolute perfect evening.  Kudos to the honest patrons who let my pocketbook remain in my seat unharmed during my absence.

Caffe Bene: New York, New York

There is a strong misconception that real New Yorkers don’t go into Times Square, well if that is true they sadly haven’t experienced Caffe Bene. Nestled on the corner of Broadway and 49^th, Caffe Bene is the perfect stop to forget about the tourist infested streets right beyond the floor to ceiling windows. Mixing rustic urban architecture with the classic feel of a New York coffee shop, the café could be patented with the hugely famous term “hipster.”

The front room housed the in-and-outers, the upstairs collected the coined business men and women mixed with the hum of couples seeking their usual seats; the back room, however, was my personal favorite. The back of the café was compiled of two full wall bookcases filled with cookbooks, classics, encyclopedias and much more. Large tables allowed for group studying, and small tables allowed book nerds like me to sink into the bookcases, eaten by pure delight.                

As if the atmosphere wasn't enough, Caffe Bene offers food that will put a smile on your face (if of course the bookcases and well-dressed men surrounding you didn't already do that). Their trademark item, the waffle, seems to be a simple food, but by Caffe Bene’s terms is not. Chocolate Waffles, Red Velvet Waffles, Pistachio Waffles, Strawberry Chocolate and the special combo of a waffle and coffee—what more could you want? If you do want more or you don’t care for waffles (blasphemy) there are wraps, sandwiches, salads and every dripping-with-caffeine drink you could ever imagine, including a Red Velvet Latte. (Insert Foodgasm)  After I got over the impeccable shoes of the man sitting diagonal from me, I was able to have some great sweets laced with conversation. Caffe Bene was a stumble upon that will now become a must go. Whether you are just stopping to grab a drink or you need to study, Caffe Bene has the means to accommodate.

        I can hear the I-phones unlocking now, plans being canceled, and Times Square meeting a few new faces, because Caffe Bene is the place to stop and refresh.  

On Orange: Lancaster, PA

Whether you’re in the city for Sunday morning service or admiring galleries, the perfect place to stop for lunch lies right “on Orange” street.  On Orange is nestled between art galleries and a small bookstore, “Winding Way Books.” Open from 7 am to 1:30 pm every day, On Orange gives you gourmet breakfast just when you want it. In search of the perfect Sunday lunch, my family and I stumbled upon On Orange only to spend an hour of our time falling in love with the old apartment feel of the building, the filling but not excessive plates, the nearly full but no line amount of customers, and the loving-their-job staff.

                After getting through the embarrassment that I didn't know how to say the name of the dish I wanted to order, I was soon on my way to eating away any discontent I may have had. The ChilaQuiles (you try and say it) came in a bowl and left down the front of my shirt. This isn't the dish for the mild salsa buyers; it was a fiery dish of tortilla chips simmered in Spicy Red Chili Chorizo Sausage Sauce,

Queso Fresco, and over-easy eggs. To say the least I quite enjoyed myself as I licked the bowl with my side of toast. They have a wide variety of dishes from omelets, gruyere grilled cheeses, the ever-popular Lancaster favorite of cream chipped beef, to never-before-served sandwiches. The light conversation in the air paired with the large windows and cream colored paint matching the light, friendly dishes that On Orange had to offer.

                The corners were filled with young couples (notice that I came with my family, no lover in sight; not that I’m bitter), the elderly, the middle aged and the families of Lancaster. The staff was just as diverse as the customers. They were young, middle aged, artsy, grunge, friendly and always smiling. A personality for everyone. 

                This holiday season will be a busy one and as you are out Christmas shopping or admiring the streets of Lancaster City you might want to do yourself a favor. Head on over to On Orange, where you’ll be greeted immediately and have waters on your table before your thirst can even croak. Come with an open mind and leave a new regular of On Orange. 

The Grey Dog: New York, New York

It was Parent Weekend here at Hofstra, this meaning free dinner: ate elsewhere; free concert: didn't go; free brunch: slept late and called it lunch. I did, however, participate in the Parent part of Parent Weekend. This being said, my parents and I decided to make our own agenda. We headed into the city, East Village to be exact. We found ourselves at the Grey Dog. With three locations you have no excuse but to have a cappuccino, an espresso, a beer, or an I-am-skinny-and-pretty-in-order-to-make-your-self-esteem-go-down water to complement your meal.

The wide framed double doors were left open during our Saturday night Grey Dog experience, raising the appeal quite a bit. The Grey Dog is a good kind of claustrophobic --the sitting-upon-strangers-fighting-for-a-table-most-intimate-meal-you’ve-had-with-family kind of claustrophobic. The walls are mostly exposed brick which I have previously expressed my love for. I’m convinced that the workers all paint in their free time and drink special concoctions that make you sweet, funny and rather attractive. If any of you guys are available, call me. Area code (I’m); Number (totally but not really) Extension (kidding).

The food is food that makes you that perfect amount of full. Where you stand up at a normal rate, not the “All you can eat” restaurant stand where you cautiously grip the table with one hand the other on your chair, moaning all the while as your legs hold the newly added weight. When you order, you give your name thus leading to a special moment of hearing your name yelled throughout the restaurant until you promptly alert the employee that those dishes are yours. And with how the food looks, trust me it will be promptly. I had an Arugula salad with Avocado and Chicken. It was meant to get Salmon but I’m a diva, so what are ya gonna do. My mom had the #1 (in order to figure out exactly what that is you will have to give yourself the pleasure of heading to Grey Dog). Lucky enough for my mom she was able to get that on gluten free bread. (Insert cheers from my mother) All the while, my dad ravishing over his portobello mushroom sandwich. Topped off by a cheese board to be shared among the three of us, we left very happy people.

If you like good food, an artsy atmosphere and an overall quality experience then make sure to head to University Place, West 16th Street or Mulberry Street in Manhattan to get your fix of Grey Dog. Warning: you may and will most likely become addicted, so much so you will want to become a regular thus leading to you ultimately moving to NYC. So thank you Grey Dog, for the over populated city that we all love so dearly.

The Shoppes at 301: Lancaster, PA

The Shoppes at 301 North Queen located on the corner of Queen Street and Walnut Street in Lancaster City is not like the cafes surrounding it. With a flare of Southern France and a hint of NYC hysteria, Café at 301 is not just a café, it’s an experience.                 

As soon as you enter you are surrounded by a mix of French class and Southern hospitality. The tablecloths are mix-matched ranging from chicken to flower print. This isn't the café for sitting with just drinks. If you feel the need for that though, you can claim a seat up at the coffee bar. The conversation travels throughout the café, led by the owner herself. Personable, the owner mingles among the customers speaking of café inspirations, the quaint nature of Lancaster and NYC. I spoke of all three with her but lingered longer on the latter. 

The food is “this-looks-like-you-can’t-afford-it-but-surprise-its-actually-quite-reasonable” kind of food. The portions are French style, meaning they are sized like they should be—not the American way. My dad had a PBJ with bacon. Yes, you heard me right. As you can presume there was not a crumb left on the plate. After eating my “almost-too-pretty-to-eat” meal, I was the perfect amount of full. That is until I went home and ate Nutella straight out of the jar but that’s simply the American way. Your lattes and cappuccinos are there for the picking but the salads, open faced sandwiches, cheese and olive assortments, pastries, desserts, etc., are what make the café into something truly special. If you have a spare moment and are in the mood for a delicious meal only paused for fascinating conversation then you should try out The Shoppes at 301 North Queen.