Segue Cafe: just your average cup of coffee

 Today I feature another coffee shop that was found via GPS search. I was downtown by the Metrodome, and this was the closest one. Segue Cafe is a non-profit company that gives back to the community. Local artists display their work and musicians play occasionally on weekends. The atmosphere is very eclectic; with lots of unique tables, chairs and couches, this space certainly is a one-of-a-kind find. You can also follow them on Twitter for updates on events and specials.

They also offer baked goods and lunch-type foods. I spotted some delicious-looking scones in the bakery window by the counter!

The location was interesting; it is near a CVS Pharmacy, several Real Estate places, and some apartments. Though the residents of these apartments will have a coffee shop to frequent, others will have trouble parking without paying a lot, and there isn't much else around to walk to after sipping coffee or munching a scone. However, it was a special spot in the middle of a bare location in Minneapolis.

Many students set up shop there, with a latte and a Macbook Pro. The mood was certainly very "young working student" feeling.

A quote to enjoy while sipping your coffee and writing your paper (or whatever kind of work you are doing).

The table is an old door! There was also a 50s' style television with an aquarium in it, and tables coming out of the walls (notice the picture above).

 I tried an Americano and a Cafe Au Lait. They came in to-go cups, though they did have mugs available. They were both nothing to brag about. Though they were fair-trade and organic, they were nothing special. Starbucks even has better coffee (and I'm not the biggest fan of Starbucks coffee). The Americano was fairly burnt-tasting and the Au Lait was bland and tasted too much like milk.
The atmosphere was wonderful, however. If you're looking for a chill place to study, with an interesting vibe and friendly service, this is your place. I'm sure other options, like the Chai or Mochas and Smoothies, would be better than the bland coffee drinks I tried.

The price breakdown:
Small Americano: $1.62
Small Cafe Au Lait: $1.87

Fairly cheap; another reason to go. For a work-condusive atmosphere and friendly staff, it's definitely a place to stop!

J. Arthur's Coffee: through the lens of Instagram

The next place on my list is the lovely J. Arthur's coffee shop in Roseville, conveniently located in a strip mall in the suburbs to brighten up the place. 

They originally opened in 2008 to be a training seminar and meeting space for employees of ACR homes nearby, and a place for those with disabilities from ACR to come enjoy a "cup of coffee and a friendly atmosphere." They soon opened to the public, and ever since then have been a space for working, meeting, and just hanging out. 

There is a large open area with comfortable chairs, tables of all sizes, and a fireplace. I know from doing homework that people like to spread out, and there were many larger tables conducive to this, as well as the small tables for two to enjoy a coffee date. It almost felt like walking into someone's living room. There also, however, happened to be a coffee counter.

Sophomore Alex Densmore came with me, and she has often expressed her love for the J. Arthur's atmosphere. "I forget that I'm at a coffee shop, I start thinking I'm back at home on my couch. It's the best feeling," she said. 

They also have a meeting room, where there was a meeting going on. This space can be used for business meetings or private parties, and has doors that close it off from the rest of the shop. 

Occasionally, they have live music playing in the space beside the fireplace. One of my friends has come to perform here in the past, along with other more famous people and rising artists in the Twin Cities area. 

The employees were all very friendly, and when I asked about what I should get, they were very informed about their coffee and the way different things taste, how they mix together, and different methods of brewing and things that I wasn't aware of. These are smart people working at J. Arthur's.

I ordered a dirty Chai, a chai latte with a shot of espresso. This may have been the best choice I have made all day. The chai was very sweet, but just the right amount of sweetness. It contrasted with the bitter espresso very nicely. It tasted like cinnamon in the best ways. Other orders included a regular chai, a mint mocha, and a vanilla latte. I expected the regular chai to be extremely sweet because of the way it tasted in my dirty chai, but it wasn't too sweet. It is one of the best chai lattes I have ever tasted, if you have a sweet tooth like me. The mint mocha was also perfectly balanced between sweet and bitter, as was the vanilla latte. They know how to do it here.

They also know how to do that, which is very impressive. It definitely added to the enjoyment of the coffee. Side effect: a strong urge to 'Instagram' your drink and stare at it for a good 20 minutes before daring to mess up the design in the espresso. By then your drink will be cold, fair warning.

The price breakdown: I paid just over $3 for a dirty chai in a decent sized cup. The chai and the vanilla lattes were about the same, and the mocha came in at just over $4. 

So, fairly priced. A high class place in my opinion, but the price doesn't show it. I enjoyed my experience very much. 

I also started to feel like I was back at home drinking a fancy drink at my dinning room table. I felt so comfortable there, and I got so much more homework done there than I ever have in the library. So, students and workers, that's a plus!

The Blue Door: a secret delicacy

You will find the Blue Door Pub on Selby avenue off of Snelling, next door to an antique shop on one side and a long block of residential houses on the other. It seems as if someone stuck a restaurant in the middle of a neighborhood and called it good. The atmosphere screams "you don't belong here!" and "welcome to our home!" all at the same time. Surprisingly, this vibe leaned toward 'welcoming' for me, overwhelmingly so.

A friendly neighborhood reminder not to get too crazy on your night out.

The booth next to us, after the patrons left. Someone got creative with the chalkboard!

These photos do not speak to how small the pub was. Just about the size of someone's living room and kitchen. The bar area was on the left from the entrance, and a little window by the door was where a hostess was ready to seat whoever crowded in front of her first. There were far too many patrons, and it was loud the whole time. Our table was right in front of the door, and the cold air kept coming in, as well as hungry (and thirsty) Blue Door regulars. The small space sure was worth it for the food, though.

 A blurry picture (it was dark inside) of the Sweet Chili Lime Wings from the appetizer menu. They had bones, which adds to their authenticity. Though I was hesitant at first, these were delicious. Their interesting flavor combinations proved satisfactory twice!

 Another blurry picture (apologies) of the Latin Kisses, which were Jalapeño peppers stuffed with cream cheese, wrapped in bacon and sprinkled with their famous Karma sauce. To someone who counts themselves as a "picky eater," these may sound dangerous. But, be assured, if you like bacon, these will satisfy you! They were surprisingly delicious and rich. These two appetizers fed 3 people comfortably. Though the dishes themselves were a little more than averagely priced, they fed us well for what they were worth.

Clearly, we enjoyed them.

The price breakdown: 

Wings: $8.50

Latin Kisses: $7.50

Total: $16 (feeding 3 people, which is about $5-6 per person) 

While this was not a complete meal, it is a good choice for a late night snack, similar to half-price apps at Applebee's and probably cheaper than a breakfast run to Perkins. The atmosphere alone was worth the trip and the price. Definitely a young crowd, catered toward those who can handle small, loud, dark spaces. Such a unique find. 

Coffee shops I've never been to and bands I've never heard

Most people get excited when they discover something good or interesting that no one else knows about, like a restaurant or coffee shop or a band with good music. It's human nature to want to be first to know something, or to have the satisfaction to say "I knew about that before it was popular." Somehow, it grants satisfaction to know that you were first.

For college students and 20-somethings, expect extra excitement when they first discover something unique. Don’t be surprised if they want to take in every concert or taste every new coffee flavor. And because this group desperately needs to conserve money for school, bargains are essential.

With this dilemma in mind, and with the weekend approaching soon, Hole in the Wall presents FREE concerts at local coffee houses or restaurants around the Twin Cities; these are bands that no one has ever heard of (and by 'no one' I mean 'me'.) This list is drawn from the CityPages concert calendar.

**Thursday, February 28th:

Rob Meany & Terramara at Harry's Cafe
Joe Dalton, MTheory and The Gary Munson Band at Wild Tymes
Fleetwood Mac Attack at Famous Dave's in Uptown
Blueprint at Minnesota Music Cafe
Vinyl Tap, Greg Grease, Prissy Clerks and The Erikson's at Amsterdam Bar & Hall

**Friday, March 1st:

Hot Pants at Amsterdam Bar & Hall
James Buckley and Bryan Nichols at Icehouse 

Cornbread Harris at Loring Pasta Bar

Ray Evangelista at Hunan Garden

Eric Bloom and Steve Garrington at Red Stag Supper Club

**Saturday, March 2nd:

James Buckley Trio at Icehouse

Adam Granger and Pop Wagner at Aster Cafe

The Union Suits, Pleasure Horse and The Ear Strippers at Acadia Cafe

James Wallace at The Red Stag Supper Club 

Saints of Circumstance at Memory Lanes

Now hopefully you all have found something you want to check out this weekend. Personally, I'm eyeing Adam Granger and Pop Wagner, and because Aster Cafe looks pretty cool. And maybe also Rob Meany & Terramara at Harry's Cafe. 

If you have heard these bands and want something new, check out CityPages list of college bands you need to hear. They are local bands of college kids are about to make it big. Check them out!

Also, look for another post this weekend about a new place for me: The Blue Door Pub.

Stay tuned! 

Friday night: hipster college student style

It's a Friday night, and I decided to finally do a real 'hole-in-the-wall' experience and go somewhere I had never even heard of before. I just typed in 'coffee shop' into my GPS, and I ended up here. 

Coffee Grounds is a local coffee shop with an eclectic style and cool vibe. They are a St. Paul original, located on Hamilne Avenue in the Como area close to Hamline University. Follow them on Facebook, 1,100 likes and counting! 

 They have local bands come and play, and I was lucky enough to be there for the monthly Last Friday Jazz Series. The band playing was called Cat'Tet, a local jazz group that performs often at the shop and are a local favorite.

Some of the more adorable details that made this spot somewhere to remember.

Also, I was loving the remainder of the Christmas decorations left up to spur memories for those of us who still feel nostalgic about the holiday season.

I tried the Peach Paradise tea and the Thai coffee. The Peach tea was good, but ordinary, nothing special. The Thai coffee, however.... I could go on and on. 

I have tasted this kind of coffee before, and let me say, no one does it like Coffee Grounds. It was the perfect balance of sweet and bitter, good for the coffee lover but not too strong for those still unsure of their taste buds for coffee. It was like October in a cup; I was brought back to the fall days of Pumpkin Spice lattes and cinnamon mochas. But at the same time, it was something I could enjoy in February without missing fall too much. Simply delicious. 

The atmosphere was very friendly and small-town style. Everyone seemed to know each other, I almost felt like the odd one out. But the service was friendly and laid-back, and the music made for a calming mood in which to do homework. 

The people there listening to the band were all very friendly as well. I went with my roommate, and I think they could tell we had never been before. One man came up to us to talk, and right away he said "I promise I'm not creepy, and I won't stay long." Too funny.

There was also space available for small businesses to sell jewelry or things for consignment. Local artists also had space to put up their artwork for sale. Very local and neighborhood friendly.

Here's the truth: I would come back. For the atmosphere, for the company, for the music, for the coffee. The college student atmosphere was at a 10, definitely. 

The price breakdown: 

Thai coffee, medium size: $4.11

Peach Paradise tea in a pot: $2.50 (with unlimited hot water refills) 

As far as price, I'd say this is a pretty average joint. Not too pricey, but not too cheap either. Classy, but not high class. Worth it. 

Now you can say you know what happens in the life of a cheap college student on a Friday night. As a bonus, my art history reading isn't half bad. I will now let the sweet sound of jazz fill my ears as I focus on my delicious coffee. 

Cupcake-tastic

Hello hungry Twin Cities residents! I'd say it's about time for a treat.

In my last post I talked about a mildly expensive, though large-portioned option for dinner: Old Spaghetti Factory. Today, it's time for dessert to have a say in the matter. In this case, it's not just a "say," it's a loud yell and a sucker punch to the stomach (in the best way possible).

Cupcake is a gourmet cupcake bakery located on University Avenue in Minneapolis, close to the University of Minnesota campus. It's owner, Kevin Vanderaa, has been crowned the Food Network's 'Cupcake Wars' champion, and has kindly brought his delicious and now famous endeavors to our humble Twin Cities.

Cupcake was listed as 2nd in CityPages' Top 10 cupcake shops in the Twin Cities, and is ranked high in many other news sources' countdowns as well. Overall, I'd say it's worth the hype.

 In addition to being DE-licious, they were pretty too! And the location is a very artsy/run-down place, perfect for hipster couples' dates.

 Talented at making yummy cupcakes, and has a sense of humor. Mister Kevin Vanderaa has it all.

The Chocolate Strawberry Cupcake and the Raspberry Romance Cupcake. Seriously, to die for.

This place is in a great location, it's unique to the Twin Cities, and its delightful atmosphere and yummy cupcakes make for a college-student approved experience. Here's the catch:

Each cupcake was roughly $3.89. This is the limit of my food budget for the week. So, frugal college students, save this for an extra special occasion. Or get your significant other to take you there and pay. 

Experience = college-student approved.

Price = TOO HIGH. 

I guess you're allowed to ask for $4 for a cupcake if you were on TV for your expertise in the subject. Seems legit, right? 

A little Valentine's treat

The very first place I will post about is the fabulous Old Spaghetti Factory in downtown Minneapolis, a lovely location on Park Ave, close by the Guthrie Theatre and the river. Not a very hole-in-the-wall place, granted, but a treat nonetheless. 

The inside of the restaurant is beautifully decorated, and the building used to be an actual factory, so there is piping in the ceiling that makes for an elegant and old-style feeling.

All the main courses come with a side salad and unlimited bread for the whole table (Olive Garden style, oh yeah!) The salad was small, but decent, and the bread was delicious, but crumbly, as you can see.

I ordered the Manager's favorite, which was a spaghetti and your choice of two sauces: I picked marinara and mushroom. It was average at best, but I'd eat it again. Which is why I took half of it home to have for another meal later. 

Each meal, in addition to coming with salad (or soup) and unlimited bread, also comes with your choice of chocolate or Spumoni ice cream after the meal. The ice cream was TO DIE FOR. Seriously, so delicious. 

Overall, a lovely experience. Although it had somewhat of a "fancy-restaurant" vibe, the atmosphere is very calm and chill. The service was good; our waiter even offered to take a picture of the group (it was blurry though... they will have to update their "how to take pictures for guests" section of their wait staff handbook).

I'd go again. Maybe I would order something different, and maybe we should plan better so as to miss the Valentine's day rush, but it was good food, service, and price.

The price breakdown: I paid $10.56 for salad, bread, two servings of spaghetti and one scoop of ice cream. That fed me for two night's worth of dinner, plus I would have normally had to pay extra for an ice cream, sometimes at least $4. So, even though it was a little pricey, you do get your money's worth. Bonus: spaghetti is even good as leftovers. College-student approved!