Brew

I like Brew. A lot. First, I’ve never been subject to as many cheerful greetings anywhere else. That goes a long way with me and the staff seem to be universally friendly. The food and drink options are solid, with an emphasis on local libations. And the atmosphere is perfect for somebody as hip old as I am, even in the evenings when they serve more beer than coffee. It also feels very…European I guess, to serve beer in a coffeehouse. And feeling like you’re in Europe without having to deal with effete Euro-trash is always a bonus. The coffee is Higher Grounds and despite working above a coffee shop, I gladly walk down the street to get my black gold from Brew. There’s a decent offering of vegetarian dishes so that your PETA-card-carrying friends can come too. They also routinely have live music and the french toast and mimosas served up on Sunday mornings are definitely worth stopping in for. Since they serve everything that my diet consists of: coffee, beer, and sandwiches (tacos on Thursday nights!!), this is one of my go-to spots downtown, especially if I’m pinched for time.