Coffee House Revival: Javaholics

21 March 2010

In a time where I seek some creative juice, coffee shops are my first stop for inspiration revival. I frequent a handful of them in The City, each having a unique blend, bagel, paint job, background music, and neighborhood regulars. On this fine Monday I find myself at Javaholics on 6th/Balboa, great for free wifi and cheap Joe (buck fiddy for a small- maybe next Monday I'll fill you in on my dollar spot) and $2 cream cheese bagels. The space is open with ample chairs, couches, and bench seating to fit your every mood. One sip of the coffee and I'm high as a kite, perfect for that extra kick on my lazy day off. I stand next to the water dispenser and take shots. Filtered water is free at Javaholics, but you only get one mini dixi cup dose at a time.

While listening to UB40 and Enya, I browse the baby fruit tarts that remind me of my favorite French bakery at home. I spy a girl reading beautiful Chinese characters in vertical columns, and several others bent over newspapers and textbooks. Jackson 5's "I'll be there" is playing overhead as I appreciate the new ochre paint job, baby blue ceiling and all. It's no mid century Parisian cafe, but my inspiration meter steadily rises nonetheless. Whether it be the crack caffeine pumping through my bloodstream or the floor to ceiling windows looking out on sunbathed Victorians, I couldn't think of a better way to begin the coffee house revival.