And Now for Something Completely Different...

I ventured to a non-Starbucks today by recommendation of an ex-Starbucks writer regular like myself. The small cafe joint was a couple blocks from my apartment on 66th street in between 1st and 2nd ave. Java Girl is a smaller, woodier version of Friend’s Central Perk. Including funky, local artists playing through the speakers. Though Java Girl isn’t as big as Starbucks and can be compared to a log cabin’s living room in the Berkshire Mountains, it does have more personality and ambiance than Martha Stewart’s kitchen. With wooden benches and chairs against each wall and window, a simplistic, earthy environment is created.

A woman approached me as I set up my laptop and asked if I needed anything. She let me look at the menu and then returned and in the nicest way possible explained the difference between table service and counter service. I feel like if I was in Starbucks the barista would’ve called me a dumbass and told me to go to Dunkin Donuts. This woman, who I’m guessing was the owner still waited on me at my seat and then politely explained the specials off of the food menu. She seemed to be very excited that they were serving hot dogs today.

The prices are in fact cheaper than Starbucks though. I got a large (AKA Grande) chai latte for $3.50. It was a real chai too…not some watered down, overheated latte with three specs of spice. I could still taste the warm spices fifteen minutes after being served.

Java also has board games and newspapers spread out around the Café, as well as yummy merchandise like chocolates, coffee beans and of course, T-shirts with the Java Girl logo.

Though Java Girl is relaxing and has accommodating service, I must say they get some checks off because they don’t have electric outlets. They may have taken the granola-crunchy eclectic theme a little too far, by not putting in a couple outlets for laptops. I may have to go to the Starbucks one block away once my battery runs out.

All in all, as an alternative to Starbucks and Dunkin, I’d have to say that Java Girl is a refreshing change. It makes me feel that I should be sipping my latte while sitting on a bench at the edge of a soothing lake anywhere South of New York City.