Wednesday, February 22, 2006

coffee talk


What is your favorite local coffee shop? As I frequent many of these places I have certain reasons I go to one place rather than another. I use to be a faithful Radina's goer. I liked the coffee the atmosphere, wireless internet, music choice, art displayed. This year I have transitioned into spending most of my time at Bluestem. I can't really tell you why. I think I discovered I liked the coffee flavor better, the music is really good. There is more distance inbetween each table which prevents me from eavesdropping. A lot of my appointments choose to meet me here, plus there seems to be more foot-traffic here (i'm at bluestem now, so wireless is obviously an attration). I like the idea of going to Panera, but it is a little out of the way. It is definitely a good spot if you don't want to smell and if you don't want to bump into students. I don't really like Hastings, too many distractions with all the books and magazines to look at, plus the music choices aren't my favorite. Of course there is the beloved Union Station in Union with the 'Starbucks'. The air quotes are because the coffee really doesn't ever taste like the real deal, I'm not exactly sure why. However, kudos to the dude that changed the music, he's my hero. The xylophones are gone! And now there are awesome mixes of Sufjan Stevens, Coldplay, Ben Harper, and many more of my own personal favorites. I'll be spending more time there because of this. So, where do all of your locals frequent? And for those of you out-of-towners (funny movie by the way) why do you go where you go?

5 comments:

Heather said...

Well, Radina's is my favorite. I love their coffee and I really like their mocha's because they use a gormet chocolate that is wonderful, plus they have the best fresh squeezed lemonade I have ever tasted in my life.
Also I love the couches and the plants and actually the fact that it is smaller and the tables are closer together communicate to me a home like feel and also that they would like me to stay a little while.
Panera is too comercial for me and I can't seem to get over the fact that I once "revisted" Panera when I got the flu shortly after being there -TMI I'm sure.
Bluestem - I don't get it. I do like to stop in and see what art they have, but as for food and pastries, I don't love it, coffee just seems ok to me and the bright colors and straight back wood chairs at uniform tables have always communicated to me, have a seat, get to work, work quickly and please leave so others can have your seat.
That's just me.
Union Station...Haven't noticed the new tunes but I am so thankful, I'll check it out. Because the weather is cold and I hate cold I haven't wanted to park and walk to the Union, meter parking adds up, and yes, the coffee is a joke.
My hang out is Radina's.

Blythe Lane said...

Well, you don't have to twist my arm to talk about my favorite coffee spots!! (These are in order of preference.)

Winans--my new "heaven on earth" is at the current top of the list. One, because if I were going to own a coffee shop, this would be it. Second, all around great atmosphere --Great color (burnt sienna), great coffee selection, some funky wall art by local artists for sale, free wifi. And, it's off the college student coffee shop path! I can't tell you how many times I've walked into other places here and gotten frustrated. Sometimes, I just wanna say "go back to your library where you belong!!" LOL

Gourmet Vue--on our campus corner. Also very charming interior and free wifi. Good regular coffee, too! They sell Seattle's Best which is Starbucks owned but they don't burn their beans when they roast them like Starbucks.

Panera--I like it because usually I can work and run into people AND eat. I enjoy their food as much as their coffee. I can drink as much black coffee as I want here too! Also, free wifi (are you sensin' a theme here?)

Starbucks--I love the atmosphere more than anything. I know it's commercial but I enjoy commercial every now and then. I love that Starbucks kind of started the American coffee shop community that we're experiencing now. If you're ever looking for an interesting read, Pour Your Heart Into It was a fun read. I don't really care for their black coffee. If I'm at Starbucks I'm treating myself to the Decaf Nonfat Extra Hot Caramel Macchiato.

Borders--I go to Borders when it's probably going to be a long day and I am going to need some variety. Get up, stretch, leaf through some magazines, wander around the books or cds...go back to my table and study. Not my favorite coffee but I do enjoy their sugar free selection.

Of course, any of these places are always even so much more enjoyable with deep conversation! I do meet most of my appointments at a variety of these throughout the week. I would say that I'm a "regular" at at least 3 of these!

Carmen said...

Well, I don't frequent the coffee shops a whole lot, but I must say that I strongly dislike the funktified smell that lingers on my clothes after a visit to Bluestem. :)

I haven't been there in a while, but I do like the atmosphere of Union Station.

Blythe Lane said...

Tag, you're it! Go to

http://welcometomylittlecorneroftheworld.blogspot.com/2006/02/7-things-tagged.html

Athena+ said...

Ok, so I am a Hastings girl. I think it is the first place I started going to and it is close to the house. I love the idea of reading a book or magazine for free while having coffee.

At the moment I like Blue-stem more than Radina's. I think it is becuase of the table distance. Also I like the fru-fru food at blue-stem.

In South Carolina like Coffee Undergroud. I like it for the art pieces and the design elements.