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.    

 

Cafe Arpeggio

Cafe Arpeggio

Address: 398 W Broadway
Neighborhood: South Boston/Dorchester
T-Stop: Andrew
Wifi: None

“Explorer” that I am, I took a wrong turn down Dorchester Ave rather than turning up Leeds St. toward Dorchester Street.  Let’s suffice it to say that my polka dotted iPhone case and J. Crew headband were not in good company throughout the 1.2-mile detour featuring autobody shops, construction sites and a car whose license plate read “SNIPRS”.  Once I hit West Broadway, though, things looked a bit more welcoming, and by the time I reached Café Arpeggio I was in the mood for a nice cold drink.  The 20 oz. “small” was nothing special, but a decent enough bargain for $2.34.  Initially drawn to the name of this café because of my background in classical guitar, I was disappointed to find no apparent association to music theory (though according to its website, the New Bedford location features a weekly open mic night).  Though the décor could be seen as shabby, I got a haimish vibe from the thrown-together variety of tables and chairs, worn-in couch, and interior brick wall.  Regardless, it’s pretty evident that Arpeggio’s owners care little about ambiance and presentation.  Café Arpeggio is definitely the sort of place that has its few local regulars, and I imagine it would be a fine spot for a brief lunch break or to kill time, but I would not recommend going out of your way to get work done here (and there's no wifi).  Conveniently located a mere few steps from the 9 Bus to Copley, my trip back downtown was much quicker than the route there.

     

              Inside                                 #ScenicRoute                                    West Broadway

Voltage Coffee & Art

Voltage Coffee & Art

Address 295 3rd St

Neighborhood East Cambridge

T-Stop Kendall/MIT

Hours MF 7-7, Sat 9-7

Wifi 1 hour free with beverage

Though I had heard only good things prior to this outing, I was a bit nervous about Voltage from the pictures I had seen: would the expansive, white, art-dotted walls make me feel like a noisy intruder in a sterile art exhibit?  Nothing of the sort.  Voltage Coffee & Art is more like a creativity studio with a subtly situated espresso bar serving meticulously made pour-overs and uniquely flavored lattes.  The music was nice but not overpowering, the minimal colors and patterns were chicly simple, and the phrases I caught from conversations were young and intellectual.  The scattered floor plan fostered  sporadic people watching without losing concentration, giving the place an overall easy feel.  Though personally I wouldn't go there with a stack of heavy reading, I highly recommend Voltage as a space to do research or work on a webpage.

                                     

           

South End Buttery

South End Buttery

Address 314 Shawmut Ave
Neighborhood South End
T-Stop Broadway
Music None

En route to SOWA market, Ali, Biz and I stopped at this top-rated cafe for an iced-coffee to go.  Though I had my qualms about the Sox hat dress code and the small scale shop felt a bit too crowded, I was impressed by everything else.  The  16 oz. small iced coffee had a distinctly strong and refreshing taste, making the nearly $3 bill well worth it.  The vibrant mix of devoted students and young couples on the corner of Shawmut and Union Park in Boston's endearing South End was a great way to start a Summer Sunday.