If you do make a purchase, however, you're guaranteed to come out with something truly unique.The impeccably turned out salespeople at first seem intimidating, but they're quite nice (and multilingual!). This particular branch also houses a cafe, offering salads and sandwiches (one veggie option) as well as "psychoactive" teas.

So, it's kind of expensive, too, but it's a nice place to browse, and the salespeople are nice. If you get tired, there's an adjacent cafe with good homemade pastries.

Owners are very friendly and serve Ethiopian coffee for either walk-in or drive-thru customers. Yes! This is one of the few non-Starbucks I know with a driver-thru. After all, the cafe has been converted from a garage, which adds to its charm. Outdoor seating popular on sunny weekend afternoons. The only negative is that the cafe is not open too late (til 6 on weekdays, I believe).

Since I've only partaken in their coffee drinks, I can only vouch for those, my favorite being the "Dark Toffee" which is a mocha with toffee syrup and dark chocolate powder by Ghirardelli. The "Florentine," which is half coffee, half hot chocolate isn't too bad, either. Soy milk can be yours for a little extra.

This is the one of my adolescence, so I have very fond memories of it. Local art, local musicians--shoo, even the Hills (Clinton) stopped by many moons ago. I went by recently and while they still have the same cozy seats and the same tasty drinks, it had a very different vibe, lots of upper middle-class folks at their laptops. Well, the change is in both me and the neighborhood, so I shouldn't complain, and Common Grounds has seen a lot over the years.

While the offerings are nothing to write home about, I appreciate its high ceilings, music selection (I usually don't know who it is but I can always tune it out), and big front room windows. I can easily while away a few hours here reading or writing. The baristas are swell...as well.

You could spend a whole day here, with a hot chocolate in the morning, a tostada and some spring rolls for lunch, and something else from their delightful menu later in the evening. They also have a take-away bar, if you're not in the mood to stay, or rather, you can't. Another somewhat overpriced place, but you're there for the ambiance, anyway.

Such a favorite with the artsy/literary folk, sometimes you can't get past the cafe to the books, but it's worth jostling the crowd for a look at the carefully-selected titles. Check out the free readings and exhibits (mostly photography and painting), if you're into that, too. Otherwise, stop by just to try their AMAZING hot chocolate (three different kinds at last visit)--at 2,50,-EUR, it's so much better than what you get at San Ginés.

For about 7,-EUR you can get a filling brunch (bread, hot and cold drinks, and a choice from four entrees). Three stars because I want to try it again.

Of course, this won't matter much to true bibliophiles wishing to while away their summer hours. Cafe seating is plentiful and the shiva lassies are excellent.

When it's hot and I feel like splurging (or have friends that treat!), I go for a bowl of bacio and something fruity, though with 32 "dizzying" flavors, you can try them all, with each successive visit. You can also get gelato cocktails, and of course, (illy?) coffee.

One time I tried to order a pot of tea but didn't have enough money--she just let me give her what I had (not even half). They also have very good muffins and gelato.

At roughly two years old, the House of Commons is indeed an "oasis of calm," dare I say, even a HAVEN OF SERENITY. Usually I am the kind of person who's too nervous to step into places with which I'm not familiar, it didn't take me long to feel comfortable and enjoy my pot of imperial gunpowder and a good book. (However, I'm giving it only three stars, because my scone was stale, the last time I went there...)

and more," so the site says. I first popped by to check out Acuarela Records' 15th anniversary party, and was pleasantly surprised by the intimate setting. Upon entering you first notice the register/cafe area in the middle, surrounded by shelves of fiction, design/art, poetry and autobiography. La Buena Vida also sells the odd CD and DVD selected, I'm sure, by personal preference, so you really get the feeling of love put into the entire endeavor. Perhaps if I were ever to open up a shop, it would be quite similar to this one.

Buzzing at dusk til dawn, I prefer coming here early in the morning, when there is practically no one save for a few early risers (or insomniacs, depending on how you see it). Very good hot chocolate and friendly (if at times, slow) service. Poetry slams on Mondays and weekend shows.

It's definitely an acquired taste, and here at Lollicup, it can be added to their many-flavored beverages, including milk and juicy teas, slushes, smoothies (delightfully called 'snow'), and good ol' coffee and espresso. Slush and snow drinks (my personal favorite, the passion fruit slush--TOTALLY refreshing on a summer's day) come sealed by a plastic lid depicting a cutesy graphics chosen at random. (Frequent purchasers are entitled to loyalty cards, stamped for each visit.)

The clientele varies according to day--especially during weekends, quite popular at night thru the wee hours of the morning with young-ish folks who probably idolize Sartre, Ayn Rand, or maybe even some more obscure philosopher of whom I've never heard. When it's light out, it has a more casual, less pretentious vibe. The service (to your table) also varies, but it is usually friendly. Local art decorates the walls, the hummus sandwich is pretty darn good. If it weren't one of the only "cool" cafes open late at night, well, then, I guess we would have other (better?) options, obviously.

A great gathering place that serves Pablo's coffee and offers innumerable nooks and crannies for working (DU is close by), chatting, or just lounging with your canine friend. The service can vary widely, from the quirky to the laidback to the super-friendly to the downright mean, but of course, this never deters the regulars, whether it's people from the surrounding neighborhood or stressed DU students. I'm giving it three stars only because I don't go often enough, and when I do, it's always packed. Take what you like from that assessment. I'm sure I'd frequent it if I lived closer.

Un/fortunately, friends and I just conversed over coffee and extremely delicious banana walnut cookies in the area seating right past the coffeeshop. Next time, I'll for sure take time to browse through the collection of novels, comics, and local history tomes.

Their one screening room, draped with cosy red curtains and equally comfy seats, offers space for a mere 75-member audience, giving it a home theater feel. Prices aren't bad, either: 5,-EUR for regular screenings, and 4,-EUR on Tuesdays and after 5 any day. It'd be really great if they were a completely non-smoking place, but I suppose this is as good as it can get.

There are two components to this place, which is the coffeeshop at the entrace, and then the deli, as you move further back. For me, mornings are best with a coffee or a hot chocolate, or for those sickly moments, a steaming cup of Republic of Tea honey ginseng. The baristas are friendly enough. As an undergraduate, I passed this place on the way to and from classes, but given its LoDo Larimer St. (read: SUPER. BOUGIE.) environs, it's not the kind of place I would normally frequent, even though their croissants are oh-so-scrumptious. Plus: outdoor seating, but other than that, I wouldn't go out of my way, even for the croissants.