Once Upon a Cappuccino

Swinging open the glass door, a rush of aroma pushes past me and all of a sudden I am swimming in smells of deeply roasted beans and a mossy, dusty fragrance; the dusty but welcoming smell like that of 19^th century mystery novels.

Intelligent. Brooding. Smooth. Houndstooth Coffee.

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The space is completely open and square. There are no secrets behind this barista’s bar. The walls are tinted a plain grey and from the open, dark ceiling hang clear orbs of light in line with one another.

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The coffee bar is the only thing remotely colorful.  Light piney wood swallows two strips of deep mahogany wood, and together, they sprawl across most of the free space in the center of the room defining the separation of the bar area and the lounge area.

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This coffee house blends together so smoothly- from the bar to the seats, to the rugs to the paint, to the windows to the lighting: the edges are seamless. Even the door to the bathroom is painted with a hat reminiscent of the 1950s but modern enough to match the furniture.

I approach the wide counter and ask the barista to serve me the best coffee drink the coffee house has to offer. His confidence in the Houndstooth cappuccino, reassures me in my leap of faith. I am very, very particular with my coffee.

Once I agree to a cappuccino, the placid barista asks which house blend espresso I would like.  Both espressos are from a coffee distributer, Counter Culture Coffee, that is dedicated to the purity of direct from farm coffee and to providing international varieties of coffee beans. One, the Espresso La Forza has a “dark chocolate taste with a smoky, tobacco undertone” he says, and the other, the Espresso Aficionado, a lighter chocolate taste with a suggestive berry finish.  Dark chocolate being the only other thing running in my veins besides coffee, the first blend is the obvious choice.

The barista immediately busied himself with the preparation of my drink and in a matter of moments it was ready and gingerly placed on the wide, raven-colored bar.

Cappuccino made with La Forza Espresso



I carried it carefully over to my seat so as not to spill the delicate frothy cream brimming the sleek black mug.  I cupped the mug in my hands and took a sip. The barista was right: I tasted dark chocolate and a hint of tobacco. Worry not; the tobacco taste is light, and suggests more of an earthy flavor than of a smoky one.

Before I knew it, I could see the bottom of my empty cup. And much to my dismay, the thick, sweet foam layering the espresso, and my travel deep inside the old dusty novels of the 19^th century, was over and I was back into the real world.

Houndstooth Coffee is not a place for studying. The sparse decorations and open layout makes for a noisy environment. However, it is the perfect atmosphere for socializing. All the patrons of Houndstooth are lively and friendly, and the air is full of laughter.

Bottom line: the menu is limited, and the prices a little high, but everything is prepared well. Every flavor and aroma is hand-crafted and beautiful.

Coffee Drinkers: Get the cappuccino and choose the espresso based on your own taste preferences. My guess is, you can’t go wrong.

Non-Coffee Drinkers: Don’t go here. Unless you are content noshing on a variety of slightly over-priced baked goods. Or you are over 21 and can revel in the wine and alcohol selection.

Houndstooth Coffee                                                                                                Hours
4200 North Lamar, Suite 120                                                                        M-F: 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
Austin, TX 78756                                                                                          Sat.-Sun.: 7 a.m.- 10 p.m.
(512) 531 9417

Consistent Coffee, Consistent Experience

I decided that because the week after spring break is unfairly riddled with assignments, quizzes, and tests in order to maintain sanity I needed consistency; so I headed to my hometown favorite 24-hour coffee house, Bennu.

Bennu Coffeehouse never fails to meet my expectations and leave my taste buds delightfully caffeinated.



photo courtesy of hercampus.com

Bennu is one of those Austin secrets that won't be a secret for much longer. Driving down East MLK Boulevard it is easy to over look this Austin gem, because it is tucked away between apartment complexes and looks more like a warehouse than a coffee house.

But upon opening the doors of Bennu your body experiences a sensory overload. Your eyes adjust to the dim light, your nose to the awakening scent of fresh roasted coffee beans, and your ears to the alternative indie music faintly suspended in the air. The best part of Bennu is the inviting seating layout comprised of oversized couches, high-backed padded chairs, and tall barstools. Bennu is intended to provide the same comfort found in your living room.

The Bennu menu is simple and traditional. You won’t find any zany coffee concoctions or strange flavors, but where it lacks in inventiveness it makes up for in mastery. Each drink on the menu tastes just as it should.



photo courtesy of Kristen K. of yelp.com



Like many Austin coffee shops, Bennu is dedicated to supporting its local community by selling tasty food from iconic Austin vendors like Torchy’s Tacos, Hoboken Pies, and Fricano’s Deli. And because it’s open 24-hours, you are more than welcome to study and satiate your “munchies” cravings well into the wee hours of the morning. Bennu almost makes all-nighters enjoyable. Almost.

In 2010, Austin Chronicle chose Bennu as the "Best 24- Hour Buzz." While this is a fantastic award for a business little older than a year it has led to an influx in patrons and a deflux in seating. The only problem with Bennu is its rising popularity; getting a seat is more frustrating than UT Austin’s last football season. In order to guarantee a spot in this cozy coffee shop arrive before 7 p.m. or after 11 p.m.

Bottom Line: Put Bennu on your short list of “go-to” coffee shops when you have an impending deadline and no time to find the newest under-the-radar study spot.

Did I mention its open 24-hours?

Coffee Suggestions:

            Non-coffee drinkers: Peruse the list of decadent mochas named after famous works of literature found on the back of the counter menu. These coffees will leave you as content as the classic novels itself.

            Coffee drinkers: Fill your mug up with the smooth and voluptuous house blended coffee and walk over to the bar to enhance the already bold flavor with as much simple syrup, sugar and/or cream as you prefer.

Bennu Coffee LLC                                                                                                   Hours 
2001 East 19th St.                                                                                Mon- Sun 12 a.m. - 12 a.m. Austin, TX 78702

La Tazza Fresca

Picture yourself sitting in a soft leather chair in a room large enough to be considered big, but quaint enough to feel cozy. Or perhaps you would rather imagine yourself sitting in a courtyard beneath hundreds of twinkling lights hanging from trees old enough to have centuries of secrets.  The sound filling the air is composed of favorable and reminiscent songs of the 1960s with undertones of laptop keys being eagerly pressed. You sit back and relax as you wait for your carefully crafted Café Au Lait to slightly cool. Life in Austin is beautiful.

Welcome to La Tazza Fresca.

Sitting in La Tazza Fresca makes you feel like you are amongst the modern-day Transcendental Club. You can’t help but imagine that you’re surrounded by future Aldous Huxley’s, Thoreau’s and Joseph Strauss’.  That’s the beauty of La Tazza Fresca, just being in the proximity of proposed genius gives you enough fuel to power through your essay due at midnight or enough reason to finish stalking the entire pledge class of Kappa Kappa Whatever. This coffee shop is the perfect balance of distraction and concentration, socialization and isolation.

As customers weave between the sea of sturdy wooden tables, perfecting their poise so as not to spill the overflowing cup of coffee perfection they hold in their hands, you feel as though you are observing a punctual and beautiful coffee ballet.

 As soon as the lone barista froths up a double non-fat German chocolate iced latte, the customers assume the position and begin toiling away reading books, typing furiously on laptops, or playing a game plucked from the tower of board games charily balanced on a shelf. There are no interruptions or intermissions, only coffee refill breaks.

The menu at La Tazza Fresca is long, overwhelming and delicious. The beverages span the drink spectrum from wines and beers, to Italian cream sodas and milkshakes; from Turkish coffees and lattes, to macchiatos and cappuccinos.

The best part about this expansive menu is that you can’t go wrong. The flavored lattes are perfectly sweet and ideal for non-coffee drinkers who need a buzz. The specialty espressos are for those coffee connoisseurs who are always ready to try something new and palatable. The espresso at La Tazza Fresca is bold, but not bitter. The coffee drinks as smooth as silk.

And if a study snack is what you crave, La Tazza Fresca has you covered. Create-your-own pizzas steal the menu show, but the French toast muffins and decadent layered chocolate cake are a commendable second act.

Bottom line:  With it being so close to campus and such a unique balance of serenity and excitement, there is no reason not to make a La Tazza Fresca a priority.

Coffee Suggestions:

Non-coffee drinkers: Sip on one of their many flavored lattes. The caramel mocha latte is a personal favorite. Try the lattes iced for an extra caffeine kick.

Coffee drinkers: Steal away to a Far-East bazaar and envelop your taste buds in the Turkish Coffee.  You won’t be disappointed.

La Tazza Fresca                                                                         

519 W. 37^th St.                                                                    Hours:

Austin, Texas 78705                                                           Mon-Sat 8 a.m. – Midnight

512-453-0403                                                                      Sun 9 a.m.-Midnight