The Coffee Lounge

In this Starbucks-dominated market, it's always great to see a new local alternative start up. The folks at Coffee Lounge are committed to doing it right. The location is spacious, with plenty of tables and a big, cushy chair in the corner. Unlike many places, they don't mind if you linger so it's a great place for students to get away from their campuses, workers to get away from their offices, and get work done. The WiFi is easy to connect to and hasn't let me down yet. There are few parking spaces up front, it's true, but I've never had a problem finding a space, and there's more parking around back. Best of all, however, is the distinct impression that the staff wants to make your experience there a good one. Anthony, the owner, is obsessed with making the best espresso drinks possible and it shows. He's methodical in his technique (he even uses a calibrated tamper to make sure he applies the correct amount of pressure), and buys excellent beans, which are ground on command. He's even memorized my admittedly-specific preferences and always asks that I try my drink before I leave, to make sure it stacks up. I regularly go rather far out of my way to visit Coffee Lounge, and for good reason. If you love espresso and are looking for a small shop that gives a damn, look no further. Oh, and tell them James sent you. ;)