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