Cuppa Joe

It's coffee time.

Almost every weekend my friend Mary and I meet up for coffee, sometimes breakfast, and catch up on the previous week's events. Girl time - it's something I really look forward to, appreciate, and knowing that it's coming helps get me through a tough week.

We've gone to many places, some good, some fair to middlin. Here is a short list of some of what I think are the good venues:

1. Olivette Diner - this diner is small, warm and unpretentious. It's the perfect place to sidle up to the counter, or snug up in a booth, and shoot the breeze for hours. It sits in a strip mall just east of Lindbergh on Olive. We've cozied up in the back for hours and were never given the evil eye to pay up and move on. Coffee is always good, hot and plentiful, wait staff is friendly, prices are cheap, and the food is just greasy enough to be called "diner fare". Oh, they don't take credit - cash or checks only. Sometimes the cook gets crabby and starts yelling, which only adds to the charm.

2. Cafe Ventana - Mary found this little gem, and it's a great place. Located on Pine, off the beaten path in the CWE, you wouldn't know it was there unless given directions. They have great specials that cater to the SLU students, and are also very cyclist-friendly. The decor is a bit more upscale than a Bread Co, but still comfy. Seating ranges from counters, tables, and couches, and original artwork is showcased and for sale on every wall. They mix a mean chai, and their selection of fresh fruit is eclectic (pomegranates, starfruit, prickly pear) and they make fresh beignets.

3. Soulard Coffee Garden - Love this joint. It's located in Soulard, and has a unique feel to it. Kinda like home. It's like a diner but not greasy, laid back, good selection, various places to sit (downstairs, upstairs, deck, patio/garden), and good portions of food. It's comfortable. A little dirty, but not in a bad way. Great coffee. And when I'm not in the mood for breakfast, I can order up lunch at 8:00 in the morning. Flexibility - that's important.

4. City Coffee House & Creperie - this place cracks me up. Pretty much from open to close, they are packed. Located in the heart of Clayton, it sports tiny little tables, no room to walk, and a small order counter - cramped beyond belief. Sometimes, the line is so long it's out the door, and if you're at a table close to the line, you'll be eating your crepe with someone's ass in your face. The thing that wins me over about this place are the crepes. Fantastic. Buckwheat. Fruity. Meaty. Tarty. Tasty. Just good stuff. So if you can handle the chaos, it's worth the wait.