iYo Cafe

Address: 234 Elm Street

T-Stop: Davis

Neighborhood: Somerville
Wifi: Free unlimited

Hours: MF 7-11 Sat 8-11:30 Sun 8-10

Similar to Dwelltime, the spacious, open setup of this new spot in Davis is a great place to be productive, and the unlimited free wifi is an added bonus.  About two weeks old, they’re still getting a handle on how to make the right brew, but I have confidence that they’ll get it down soon (I’ve already noticed some improvement in taste).  The owners are two friendly entrepreneurs who engage their customers and know their clientele, having set up a back (study?) room complete with a full wall blackboard.  I'm also a fan of the décor: interior brick walls, dramatic track lighting, high ceilings, a wall bench and a long row of tables.  Besides coffee and tea, they have pastries, fresh fruit smoothies, make your own waffles and self-serve frozen yogurt with a full toppings bar.  Large groups of co-workers, teens, and families pour in regularly with a tritely intrigued look, but generally walk out satisfied and smiling.  Though their busyness can likely be credited to the exciting recent opening, I doubt it will die down anytime soon.  I have faith that it will become a popular hangout spot come Fall.

Thinking Cup

Address: 165 Tremont Street

T-Stop: Park Street
Neighborhood: Downtown

Wifi: None

Hours: MTh 7-10; F/S/S 7-11

The infectious energy of Thinking Cup extends beyond its glass windows, drawing the eye of many Tremont Street pedestrians.  The café’s no Wifi policy probably explains why this is such a lively hangout spot, bustling even at 5:30 on a Wednesday afternoon.  I paid $2.94 for a 16 oz. cup of the rich, flavorful Stumptown Coffee and was able to snag a barstool at the countertop (which contained a glass encased copy of the Boston Gloe circa 1938!) overlooking the Commons.  Its dim lighting, antique mirrors and rustic tables gave Thinking Cup an appealing, authentic feel.  Noted detail: Thinking Cup tastefully pulls off the often tacky “order” and “pick up” signs reducing the probability of an awkward customer encounter, which I greatly appreciated.  Though it was pretty hard to get work done here, I would definitely pin it as an excellent spot to meet up with friends downtown.

  

Countertop of old Boston Globes! 

Bourbon Coffee

Address: 1815 Mass Ave
T-Stop: Porter
Neighborhood: North Cambridge
Wifi: 2 free hours with purchase
Hours: MF 6-10; S/S 7-10

Although Bourbon’s generic exterior and careful layout is reminiscent of a mediocre coffee chain, this was definitely among my top picks, mainly for its taste, convenience and values.  True to its tagline “naturally crop to cup,” each of Bourbon’s three US locations (DC, Cambridge and New York) directly imports five distinct Bourbon Arabica coffee blends from five different coffee-growing regions in Rwanda.  At $2.13 my exceptionally fresh and sophisticated 12 oz. brew was basically a steal, likely the best I’ve tasted yet.  I found the indigenous African artwork and crafts to be much more subtle and fitting than other coffeeshops’ gloating “fair trade” ads and photographs.  With several nooks and tons of room to spread out, Bourbon is an ideal spot for an interview or meeting; a group can easily work on a project here without bothering other busy customers.  I definitely recommend stopping in (en route to Berry Line?) to at least try their incredible coffee!

  

Darwin's Ltd.

Address: 148 Mt. Auburn Street
T-Stop: Harvard
Neighborhood: Cambridge
Wifi: Free unlimited
Hours: M-Sat 6:30-9; Sun 7-9

A short voyage from the Brattle Square T entrance, the mood of this café reflected its slightly distant location.  Easily accessible yet far enough from the square’s tourist-filled center, Darwin’s Ltd. is a hybrid of cozy cafe and dynamic sandwich and produce shop.  The slightly lofted seating space on the café side made it easy to settle in quickly, and the varied décor (antique rugs and lamps, a handful of large comfortable chairs, and some standard tables too) gave it an original ambience.  Besides a good $2.05 12 oz. brew, Darwin’s features free unlimited Wifi, $1 refills and an impressive array of tea flavors.  The scent of freshly baked morning pastries morphed easily into an aroma of fresh artisan breads and spreads over the few hours I spent there.  The setting’s feel was a mix of lively and at-ease, and the crowd was a mix of ages and purposes (a handful schmoozing, but a bunch working as well).  I liked the chic vibe and communal feel, and would definitely return soon for another productive day!

Trident Booksellers & Cafe

Address: 338 Newbury Street

T-Stop: Hynes Convention Center

Neighborhood: Back Bay

Wifi: Free Unlimited

Hours: Daily 8am-Midnight

My trip to Trident nearly threatened the future of this blog: I am convinced that even if I commuted there daily, it would never get old.  While a café in a bookstore may not seem novel, Trident boasts a full menu and much more seating than is initially apparent (outdoor, indoor, coffeebar, communal tables, you name it).  My $2.68 18 oz. iced coffee was refreshingly strong and the employees were cheerful but not in a “happy-go-lucky” way.  Offering unlimited free Wifi and openly welcoming groups and book clubs to meet in their space, Trident is a genuinely friendly venue.  Plus, the low music and surrounding chatter cancelled each other out to produce a workable white noise.  I love spending time in bookstores and, though this space is far less intimate, the idea of Trident reminded me of a great bookstore/restaurant in Jerusalem, Tmol Shilshom.  I returned a few days later for a delicious (and very reasonably priced) Sunday brunch with Biz, and I am very eager to go back next time I’m on Newbury.  Though there is still much to explore, Trident is easily my top pick thus far. 

Boston Common Coffee Company

Address: 10 High Street

T-Stop: South Station

Neighborhood: Financial District

Hours: MF 6-9

It’s a rare occurrence that I find myself with time to kill near South Station, but I (shockingly) allowed too much time between work and my bus to New York last Thursday.  Boston Common Coffee Company was a bit of a throwback: located in the heart of the city’s fast-paced financial district, it does not seem to compromise its ambience to lure in high power execs.  Its style, however, is a bit too standardized to feel as “chic” as I feel like it’s trying for; the audible pop rock, packaged foods and apparel for sale make it feel like it could be easily replicated (and to be fair, it is a chain: its two other locations are in the North End and by Downtown Crossing).  My 12 oz. iced coffee, at $2.30, was a bold taste but not entirely worth the price.  The employees were laid back and chatty; when I asked about the $4 minimum to pay by card, one barista smiled and said “whatever, it doesn’t really matter.”  I really liked its deep countertop workspace overlooking the people traffic of High St., but the prominent music made it hard to concentrate.   Though it really did not stand out, it’s a convenient one to keep in mind if I ever miss my bus.

    

Dwelltime

Dwelltime Coffeebar and Bakeshop 

Address: 364 Broadway
Neighborhood: Cambridge (Inman Square)
T-Stop: Central
Hours: MF 7-7 Sat 8-6 Sun 9-6
Wifi: Free when on; off during lunch hours

Though closer to Inman Square than Central, this coffee bar is a quick ten-minute stroll through the quaint side streets of Cambridge.  With its broad windows, natural light, and open rectangular shape, I liked that Dwelltime’s style was reflective of the city’s smart casual feel.  A middle island “barismo” surrounded by about ten small, scattered tables, the room’s layout felt like a wide stage with different vignettes playing out simultaneously.  I like their Wifi policy: free connection except during peak hours (11am-3pm) to foster a social feel when the café is serving lunch, and the setting was a nice place in which to do work.  Dwelltime also features a clear view into the pastry chef’s kitchen (the menu changes weekly!) and high-tech features like a TV menu display and payment on an iPad.  The long bench along one wall made nearby conversations more audible than expected and, at $3.22, my 12 oz. small (heavily iced) coffee felt a bit overpriced for the taste, but the bar-like feel and coffee on tap definitely make this spot unique.