bruit

(Ok, so that song is about narcotics, but I wish it was still on the radio cuz it BANGS.)

Here at the coffee shop they are playing The Very Best of the Grateful Dead. Smooooth. Maybe the best possible thing to hear while writing a final paper about medieval philosophers' suggested means of knowing the divine. If only Plotinus had been to a Dead show, maybe visited Yung Joc's coffee shop first, he probably would have revised his position on denial of the flesh as the best means of ascending to the One. Maybe. 

There are a generous handful of near-perfect coffee shops in Chicago. I love them at finals time, and I dedicate the next handful of entries to them.  

This is a super mellow space with friendly and adorable counter-culture, usually good art on the walls, eclectic tunes (see above), self-roasted coffee at reasonable prices, good wifi, DIY tea blends, zero attitude, and a great outdoor space for summertime. Only possible minus is the limited bagel-based-ness of the food options, but really, I am here to drink coffee and work or hang out, and today they happily toasted a couple of slices of (tragic) gluten-free bread for me to eat with my au lait. Star Lounge sells fantastic bike-friendly travel mugs. Mayan Mocha with cinnamon and red pepper flakes. Everything you want in an independent coffee shop. 

More to follow...