The Mind of Boz

Big bay windows, a patio with a power outlet, decent coffee, decent network. What more can you ask for ?
Cafe Cabaret is on Adams Ave in Normal Heights (Adams and E. Mountain View). It's big enough for about 10 tables inside, plus a couch, and there are another half dozen on the patio. During the day it's very quiet (though that's true for most places -- telecommuting isn't as popular as the media would have you believe). Today the network has been funky, but I've been here on days when it's entirely solid.

One of the real bonuses to this place is a patio with a power outlet (you'd be surprised at how few cafes have this combination. . .). The only downside is that the outlet is right under a tree that sheds pretty seriously. Perhaps it's better at other times of year.

As for food and drink they have the standard collection of coffee and espresso drinks. There's a fair bit of baked goods, a few sandwiches and salads, and some breakfast fare. Pretty standard stuff.

There's power underneath the windows that face Adams, and also behind the couch and in the back room. Basically it's available anywhere you'd want it.

Oh yeah, and the girl that's usually behind the counter is a friendly smart-ass (my favorite kind). And she's kinda cute, Mr. O. . .

Now that I'm on a mission, it's not so hard to write these posts.

But they're boring! At least, they read as boring to me.

What do people want to know about cafes?

- where they are
- is the wifi free
- when are they open
- are there enough outlets

Those four questions don't make for a terribly interesting post. I suppose I could review the coffee, but truthfully I put enough cream and splenda in my coffee that it usually tastes like creamy splenda with a hint of coffee. As Mike D. put it, "I like my sugar with coffee and cream"

I'm going to keep doing the cafe posts, since it's making me explore more cafes. But I think I'm going to try and come up with other stuff to say too. Stay tuned, it might get interesting. . .

Oh yeah, and post in the comments if there are other things you'd like to know about the cafes.

There exist a few cafes in Hillcrest that I don't visit all that often. Mostly because they're, well, really gay. Which is not to imply that I have any problem with gay. More that I prefer ogling women that might ogle back. David's is one of these places. It's on 5th just south of Robinson, so truly the heart of Hillcrest. There's a lovely patio, free internet, and a fair number of outlets. Inside, there's a piano with a note about 'only people that know what they're doing should play.' Gotta appreciate the honesty!

The other thing I noticed and liked was the availability of $.50 brownie bites, for those of us with a sweet tooth that don't need a 4lb cookie.

I'm not as familiar as I should be with South Park. Everyone says it's a cool little neighborhood, but I don't have any friends that live down there, so I don't have any reason to visit. Until now. My friend E. just took me to Rebecca's cafe on 30th and Juniper. Cool spot. Feels like Claire D'Lunes (eclectic furniture, art, tchotchkes), but with free wifi. And they're open 24 hours Thurs/Fri/Sat (does that mean they close at midnight on Sat? or Sun? ). Looks like there's no shortage of outlets (three prongs, no less), and I haven't had any issues with the wireless even though there were a lot of people when I got here.

I guess I have to start hanging out in South Park.

Anyone that knows me, knows I hang out at Korova. Well, now Korova is Cream. New name, new ownership, same cafe. Still free wifi, still beer and wine after 5. The new owner is doing some renovations -- tore down the wall between the front room at the back room, added another restroom, replacing the marquee out front. There's even talk of adding air conditioning!!

For those that haven't been, it's on the corner of Park and Monroe on the northwest corner. Lots of tables, a few couches, a fair number of power strips spread around (since there are only a couple of outlets). The network is fairly consistent, though when it gets busy it slows down a bit.