7+ Cleveland Alternatives to Starbucks
Darby says one of the best things about Cleveland is that you can get 7 different good cups of coffee without walking into a Starbucks.
I haven't yet found a suitable coffee shop here in Jersey. Most people just drink Dunkin Donuts coffee, like they're actually falling for the Double D's "image rebranding." I'm from Cleveland. I don't buy it. So I spend a lot of time daydreaming about my ideal 7:
1. Truffles has an overstuffed flower garden on its patio and desserts that will force you to walk them off at nearby Edgewater Park.
2. Talkies. Oh, Talkies. The only coffee shop with a big screen. Right before I moved I met a friend and her 2-year-old there. Coffee shops aren't usually fun for the Big Wheel set, but the barista was kind enough to put Cartoon Network on in the film room - a lovely gesture. Try the elegantly simple, simply elegant Bogey and Bacall - a double shot of espresso poured over vanilla ice cream.
3. City Roast. (The Stone Oven, another of my favorite old haunts, also uses City Roast coffee.) I will now describe to you the perfect lunch: picture yourself holding, in one hand, a fresh, hot falafel sandwich. Next to you, wrapped in waxed paper is a substantive chunk of marble halvah, and in a little styrofoam container you have about 16 glistening kalamata olives. Oh, and a cup of City Roast coffee in your other hand. On the balcony overlooking the West Side Market. In fact, if I could somehow find employment enticing would-be relocators to Cleveland, this would feature prominently on the tour.
4. Common Grounds. I liked this place better during its first few years (back when it was owned by Veronica Darby, formerly of the Brick Alley) - it had a more artsy feel than its current guise as a smoky teen hangout. But it is 24/7 (or was last time I was there) and for those (ahem, east siders) who have never experienced Kamms Corners, you're missing out on a quintessentially Cleveland neighborhood.
5. Cafe Limbo was a favorite of mine when I worked at the Shaker Heights Public Library. This converted house on Larchmere is cozy, quirky, and full of dark gleaming hardwood. Beyond coffee: once they served me a big glass of hot milk with rose syrup. It was the most luscious, fragrant pink thing that February in Cleveland had to offer.
6. The Phoenix roasts their own and it shows. Need I say more?
7. Arabica. I hesitate to add this, because Arabica's coffee isn't actually good. However, sometimes it doesn't matter what you're drinking when you crave that bohemian, studenty atmosphere. In which case, going to Arabica University Circle is RBCA-approved.
+. You tell me. It's not like I went to every java joint in town....
I haven't yet found a suitable coffee shop here in Jersey. Most people just drink Dunkin Donuts coffee, like they're actually falling for the Double D's "image rebranding." I'm from Cleveland. I don't buy it. So I spend a lot of time daydreaming about my ideal 7:
1. Truffles has an overstuffed flower garden on its patio and desserts that will force you to walk them off at nearby Edgewater Park.
2. Talkies. Oh, Talkies. The only coffee shop with a big screen. Right before I moved I met a friend and her 2-year-old there. Coffee shops aren't usually fun for the Big Wheel set, but the barista was kind enough to put Cartoon Network on in the film room - a lovely gesture. Try the elegantly simple, simply elegant Bogey and Bacall - a double shot of espresso poured over vanilla ice cream.
3. City Roast. (The Stone Oven, another of my favorite old haunts, also uses City Roast coffee.) I will now describe to you the perfect lunch: picture yourself holding, in one hand, a fresh, hot falafel sandwich. Next to you, wrapped in waxed paper is a substantive chunk of marble halvah, and in a little styrofoam container you have about 16 glistening kalamata olives. Oh, and a cup of City Roast coffee in your other hand. On the balcony overlooking the West Side Market. In fact, if I could somehow find employment enticing would-be relocators to Cleveland, this would feature prominently on the tour.
4. Common Grounds. I liked this place better during its first few years (back when it was owned by Veronica Darby, formerly of the Brick Alley) - it had a more artsy feel than its current guise as a smoky teen hangout. But it is 24/7 (or was last time I was there) and for those (ahem, east siders) who have never experienced Kamms Corners, you're missing out on a quintessentially Cleveland neighborhood.
5. Cafe Limbo was a favorite of mine when I worked at the Shaker Heights Public Library. This converted house on Larchmere is cozy, quirky, and full of dark gleaming hardwood. Beyond coffee: once they served me a big glass of hot milk with rose syrup. It was the most luscious, fragrant pink thing that February in Cleveland had to offer.
6. The Phoenix roasts their own and it shows. Need I say more?
7. Arabica. I hesitate to add this, because Arabica's coffee isn't actually good. However, sometimes it doesn't matter what you're drinking when you crave that bohemian, studenty atmosphere. In which case, going to Arabica University Circle is RBCA-approved.
+. You tell me. It's not like I went to every java joint in town....
posted by Christine Borne at 7:05 PM
8 Comments:
What's great, is, I haven't even hit (or have only hit once or twice) half this list. I've been meaning to make my way down to Talkies for a long time.
Common Grounds is indeed 24/7 still. What a godsend. Used to spend many many late late late nights there. Now seems the older I get, the more I appreciate it during the daylight hours, when it's mostly empty. And quiet.
thanks for including us on your list! we are proud to roast our own coffee and we are also proud of our baristas who can pour heart shaped lattes! next time you're in, order a latte and see if they can do it.
oh, i should have probably included that i am the owner of phoenix coffee's lee road and superior avenue locations. julie hutchison owns the lakewood store.
I hate to say it, but the last few coffees I've had from Common Grounds have been HORRIBLE. My personal joke is that they must wash the ashtrays in the coffeepots...the flavor of the coffee was just *off*.
Fear not, my fellow Kamm's residents and Coffee People everywhere. Savor The Moment, right around the corner on Rocky River Drive, is really good. If only they were 24/7!
(And I'll second the Truffles mention...yum).
hmmm - i like the arabica at lccc...
coffee is good enough for me (better than in the office) and has good service
You should check out Poor Richards, Veronica Darby-Nekvinda's new restaurant!!
http://www.thepoorrichards.com/
its the coolest new thing...
You should check out Poor Richards, Veronica Darby-Nekvinda's new restaurant!!
http://www.thepoorrichards.com/
its the coolest new thing...
Thanks for the list... I am currently an east side attending John Carroll U. and I cant find a good coffee shop atmosphere for the life of me (its about more than the coffee)
Common Ground is great. I have been a regular there for about 4 years. Yes the coffee isnt the best... maybe beacuse they grind 100 filters at a time and it goes bad... but they have recently taken on a new sense of pride in their work and it is getting better. The place is disguised as a teen hang out, however there is a very awesome group of regulars (adults who actaully spend money there) that make it worth all the while... if you can meet those people.. you'll never leave... I havent.
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