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.