Piccolo Cafe: New York, New York

              It’s not all commercial coffee for Midtown West here in NYC.  Settled on West 40^th Street between illuminated metal buildings and the sounds of a 9 to 5 work day, Piccolo Café leaves you with a different taste in your mouth. Having won the 2011 Craved Award by Seamless for Best just-like-mom’s food, you can be assured that the commercial atmosphere of Midtown West stops on the street. The exterior, a seemingly hand crafted wood appeal leaves you wanting to see more. Although there isn't much more to see as you walk into the tiny café you find yourself just as satisfied. Six seats in total, I was overjoyed as I snagged one for myself. Although their drinks and food options were endless, I stuck to a small coffee needing an extra kick to keep me up to speed with my NYC surroundings. The man behind me, who looked dashing in his business attire, seemed to be just off the work day, settling down for a unique “just-like-mom’s food” dish from Piccolo. I promptly noticed his wedding ring and thought to keep to myself, also my lack of self-confidence may have helped in this matter but we will keep the blame on the wedding ring.     

                  Although I sat in a corner staring out at the NYC streets, I felt very much on my own. My coffee equal parts bitter and sweet, equal parts logo free, plain white cup and high end coffee taste. With aged tin on the wall to my left and a collage of Italian papers plastered on the wall to my right I felt perfectly content. Their door stayed open during my visit, leaving their music mixed with a bit of the sounds of NYC that people over pay for daily, myself included. Being that the first song that began playing as I sat down was “Gold on the Ceiling” by the Black Keys, I’d say the mix of the “streets of New York” was a perfect fit. I’ll admit even as I sit here in this café attempting to write this review I find myself attempting to figure it all out. Figure out their unique combinations of food, the simplicity of their coffee why the only guy in here without a wedding ring isn't hitting on me and what exactly these Italian newspapers say. (So far I can read “Jazz” which in Italian is “Jazz.” Inside look at how well polished my Italian is folks.) If you find yourself stuck in the commercial badger of Midtown West, find your peace in Piccolo. Open Monday through Friday 7:30am to 8:00pm and 10:00am to 8:00pm on Saturday and Sunday at four different locations, I’d say you have a vast opportunity to make it down to this café at some point within your hectic work week. With frayed ropes, vintage décor and wooden stools I felt as if I was in a small mountain town’s corner store. The corner store feel, with the wood accents, personable employees, slowed down time but with the upbeat nature of the city which at the end of the day is all we need in a city. It looks as though it has been finally figured out “How to slow down time.” All you need is $1.50 for a coffee, a good book, and a few slowed down hours. 274 West 40^th Street, make a trip, read Italian, eat good food. (Oh and “Questa Settimana” means this week. Find it on the wall. You’re welcome for the Italian lesson. I charge by the hour.)

Mudhouse: Charlottesville, Virginia

             

Situated at the end of a row of cute outdoor dining, locally owned shops, and mingling young adults is the Mudhouse. Charlottesville Virginia was the perfect stop for my family and I as we looked for a break from driving. Grace Potter was signing at the music venue over the water, providing us with background music as we walked down the main strip of shops and restaurants. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was in a movie. I would have felt rather ambiguous had this been true because my hair just simply wasn't up to par compared to the plentiful Southern hipsters that lined the streets. Everyone was sitting outside, drink in hand, enjoying the evening breeze. As we began to lose the sound of Grace Potter and the sun was dimming, we reached

the quaint sign of the Mudhouse. Had it not been for my dramatic stopping-dead-in-my-tracks turn around, my family would have passed right on by. Within moments we were inside breathing it all in. Local students from the University of Virginia filled a few of the seats, middle aged adults preoccupying the rest. Everyone had a well-rested look to them as if the cafe was also a well prescribed anti-aging cream (if only). But alas I had to go keep on aging leaving with a few pictures on my phone and a chai in my hand.    

                The staff was quick to help me as soon as I entered. They didn't ask me if it was my first time there, making me feel self-conscious, they just welcomed me with a smile and let me fall in place where my feet met the counter. Their drink menu was simple. Nothing over the top, nothing new, just classic coffee drinks made well. The walls were a stripped down look giving the overall appearance of just that-- a stripped down coffee escape in the middle of a young town. The colors were dark enough to keep you in the dark roast altered mood of your cup of Joe but lined with windows to keep your day dreaming active for hours to come.

                The menu was simple. Simply coffee, because who needs strange flavors and strange names when a simple latte or cappuccino, when made right, is all you need to lift your mood. If you find yourself in the quaint town of Charlottesville Virginia you would be doing a disservice to yourself if you skipped a coffee break at the Mudhouse. 

Old City Coffee; Philadelphia, PA

It’s so easy to become overwhelmed in Philadelphia, from the historic must-sees to the shopping that lies on each street corner. What I was searching for in Philly was coffee. As my friend Mariah and I ventured out to Philly for the day, we knew we wanted to spend most of the day in Philly’s Old City. Once we reached the point where our faces were melted off, lying in a puddle next to some tourist’s feet, we set out to find Old City Coffee. Old City is one of my favorite parts of the city because of the quaint feel, brick buildings and quiet side streets. It is on one of those quiet side streets, Church Street, where you can find the Old City Coffee. This is a must stop while in Philly, and as I walked up to its front door I could already see why. With two chairs separated by a small table outside of the door, elevated on a small block of cement, your perfect outdoor seating was there for the claiming.

As I opened up the heavy front door, I realized the quaint feel of Church Street was not just for the viewing but for the experience. There were a few people ahead of us which was comforting since Mariah and I were standing in awe of the menu. They had espresso in all its forms, enough teas to make the devoted tea lover stop dead in their tracks and a collection of lattes to make everyone happy. Once we had acquired our drinks, and after I had awkwardly walked around the tiny front room taking pictures, we headed to the back room. It was a much bigger space than the front and the large windows in the front let us adore the outside weather without dealing with the heat. Whether it was the employee who stopped by on his day off or the stream of regulars who caught up with the girls behind the counter, I was able to tell that this was the café to be at. It wasn’t too crowded nor too quiet and it wasn’t too touristy which was quite the pleasure. (Being a tourist myself, I tried my best to act like a local throughout my coffee’s lifespan, but my awe and adoration was probably visible in my wandering eyes).

As we said goodbye to the dapper middle aged man reading the paper, the two women on their business meeting, and the line of coffee grounds enticing costumers into their caffeinated arms, we left feeling recharged and ready to explore the streets of Philly. If you ever find yourself in Philadelphia I would advise you to make sure to stop by Old City Coffee for a drink  or a quiet rest from the city of Brotherly Love. 

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.