Jaho Coffee & Tea - Latte Art, Cozy Couches, and More!

Jaho was recommended to me by this class's own Janna Mach, I'd like to say a quick thank you before hand. You're wonderful and so was this cafe.
For a student looking for a peaceful place to sit down and get work done whilst having a coffee and a little something extra, this cafe is perfect. It has an incredibly cozy vibe and plenty of spots to sit at and over all motif that I want to say borderlines on steam-punk and and modern art. It manages to be great blend of the two that creates an atmosphere you'll just want to sink into.
As with any overly fancy cafe, the menu can get a bit pricey but it's up to you to find out if it's worth it. They have latte art that adds an something to make you smile whilst in the rush of work and pastries (macrons and such) for you to pick at and frankly I'm still excited about it all as lame as it sounds.
The music can be a little much after a while but to those who bring their own music it shouldn't be an issue and if you're a lover of the poppiest of pop music then you'll be just fine.
Personally, I'd recommend the cafe to you, reader, because it's just a nice place to nestle into and get work done. I would love to know what you think.

651 Washington St

(617) 236-1680

Trident Cafe!

Trident Cafe was recommended by multiple people, when I discussed the idea of writing a blog about local cafes. It's on Newbury Street and pretty accessible so naturally I added it to my list but I don't really have much to say now, having been there.
 The idea of a book store coffee shop is a bit over done, although there's something about Trident that draws you in. It's not that the food is amazing because it's definitely not the best, especially not for the price, and the service can be pretty awful at times too. (The servers are fairly rude and don't care if the customers notice.) Maybe it's the book store itself, having that kind of wonderful selection and knowing you can sit, sip and read. That's what it is for me at least. Knowing that I can go to Trident excites me even if it isn't the best cafe in Boston. 
The store in itself has a pleasant atmosphere that most bookstores have. People wander between the shelves silently like they were in a place of worship, rather than a shop. The magic about book stores is that for some they are in their private heaven. 
However, the cafe experience is not nearly as divine as it is normally quite crowded and noisy. The food selection is pretty varied from meals to snacks. The store is open between eight in the morning to as late as midnight some days which allows people to wander in whenever for breakfast, lunch or dinner. 
The drink menu is fairly standard for cafes; soda, coffee, frappes, ect. But they have a unique juice menu that features drinks like Gail's Kale (blend of kale, apple, celery, cucumber, beet, and lemon ) or Back Ache (A ginger fizz made with ginger root, apple and seltzer). 
Trident also has theme nights like Coloring Book Night or Trivia Night. Over all the cafe is incredibly difficult to pin down as bad or good since there are so many pros and cons. However, in my personal opinion, if you're not going to browse the book store there's really no point in going.

338 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115

(617) 267-8688

Amsterdam Cafe- Sadly, No Tulips Included

I'm all for multitasking, and I love when the cafes I go to multitask as well. The Amsterdam Cafe is a mini-restaurant, cafe, and it serves frozen yogurt!
Amsterdam was one of the first cafes in South Boston to capitalize on the frozen yogurt business and for a time was the main game in the neighborhood where you could get it prior to the frozen yogurt and ice cream places boom in recent years.
One of the best features about this place is its vast menu where you can get cake and cookies to chips and fries to sandwiches and soups. A lovely quality for someone who likes to mix it up on there lunch hour. It also has a variety of coffees and teas, hot and cold. As well as tonics and the like.
A cool thing about this cafe is that it's accessible to everyone, as it is featured on grubhub. It delivers and the food is super affordable.
Overall, I would recommend it. The cafe has a nice environment and the people working there can be nice if you treat them right. They're extremely kind to regulars and the spot has a lot of personality. If you do go I'd love to hear your opinions.

483 E Broadway, Boston, MA 02127

(617) 464-6488

Fornax Bread Company - It Counts... Right?

I wouldn't recommend traveling here on a Saturday morning since the line will be out the door but this is probably my favorite spot in Boston despite its distance from home. Basically, you'll just have to trust me that this place is worth the trip.
You can probably infer from the name that this place has amazing bread but in case you weren't completely sold I should probably mention that it's also a bakery. The walls are lined with fresh loaves of bread and if you sit in the right spot you can even watch them load the bread into the slicer, if not you'll definitely hear it, but it becomes background noise after a while.

menu provided by zomato.com

 To go on, the cafe itself is named after the Roman goddess of ovens and artisan bread bakers, whom is very important if you weren't aware of her. It opened in the late seventies and has been providing Roslindale bread and breakfast pastries as wellas other soups and sandwiches, all organic and fair trade Equal Exchange, for decades.
Not featured on the menu is the drink selection, which includes coffee, tea and hot chocolate as well as regular sodas and bottled ice tea.
The spot is a moderately quiet place to and get your work done whilst being surrounded by good food and nice people but is by no means unknown. In it's community its well loved and if you find yourself in need of an adventure I recommend you check it out as well.

Cranberry Cafe - Appropriate for This Time of Year.

(photo via yelp.com)

Hey all!
Sorry for the late post, but I hope you're all enjoying the Thanksgiving break (including Small Business Saturday!). If you didn't quite get out there this weekend I have a place for you to go, where you can still support small businesses and feel connected to the holiday spirit.
The Cranberry Cafe in South Boston is a lively spot to go with friends or family, to sit for a cup of coffee or have breakfast, lunch, dinner, whatever.
The staff is incredibly friendly and will gladly converse with you whilst they work and the owner Cathy and her family are always stopping in to chat and will ask you if you're enjoying what you're having. They don't want you leaving unhappy..
They've got a variety of different coffee flavors, hot or iced plus smoothies and protein shake. Raspberry Lime Rickeys and Teas, but it's really the food that's amazing. They currently are featuring a seasonal meal called the Cranberry Craver (Turkey, Stuffing, Gravy and Cranberry Sauce). You can order it either hot or cold but either way it's so good. A Thanksgiving meal to go, that will leave you happily stuffed.
Words can't do this place justice so you'll have to go check it out for yourself, I promise you will not be disappointed!

Located at: 704 E Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127

The Sugar Bowl Cafe (What a Lovely Way to Start My Trip)

From the moment you walk in, the floor boards creaking creates the atmosphere this unique cafe has to offer. The room is warm and smells wonderfully of different coffee aromas. It has a sense of home even on your first visit, and as you look around you realize you may have just stepped into another time.

Welcome to the Sugar Bowl Cafe. 

                                     

When I ventured there yesterday the soft sounds of Van Morrison floated around the room as I sat in the corner with my coffee and laptop working on my homework from a terribly comfy couch.

One of the things that makes this cafe just so special is their antique decor, the furniture is clearly dated but still so lovely. The room itself has a haunted vibe in the dim lighting but it's just so endearing.

As far as the food and coffee go, both are amazing. They offer both hot and iced coffee in a myriad of flavors as well as custom espressos, teas, cappuccinos, even smoothies and frappes! For food, they offer sandwiches, muffins, Brigham's ice cream, and more.

Apart from the occasional rude person who takes a phone call a little too loudly, the cafe offers a comforting work environment with many tables and spots to work and a multitude of plugs located all around for your electronics. Even better, they have free fast wifi! All you have to do is ask the person working behind the counter for the password. 

The staff is incredibly friendly and the owner is often in to visit the place. 

Over all, I would 100% percent recommend you visit the Sugar Bowl Cafe. 

Located at: 857 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA 02125

Introductions and Beginnings

Hey there!
Welcome to The Cafe Journey with me, Marie Helen. Over the course of the next eight or so weeks, I'll be posting reviews to different cafes around Boston, the city I currently reside in. I welcome suggestions from anyone who wants to see a specific spot appear here, and company from anyone who wants to join me.
This blog will offer recommendations to the cafes that really stand out. I hope you stay with me on this because I expect some great things to come!
Talk soon,
M.x