About Town

In this issue About Town visits the Twin Cities coffeehouse scene.

I first experienced the Audubon one spring night in 2002. Nervously, I showed up for the Kouroo Poetry Reading to recite some of my poetry. I was put more at ease when I saw that the coffee shop is cozy and intimate, and the encouraging staff welcomed everyone attending the reading with hospitality. Audubon still is a venue for poetry open mic nights hosted by Loose-Leaf Poetry Series. I recommend attending one of those open mic nights and enjoying a latte while you are at it.

I can't think of a better location for a café that has frequent art shows and poetry readings than in Lowertown St. Paul. The Black Dog Café is a great stop for a fine cup of coffee and a pastry or cookie to gnosh on during the Lowertown Art Crawl, or to have a beer while listening to some poetry. The café is spacious with high ceilings and lots of windows for musing or meeting your muse. The staff is friendly and is ready to serve their delectable cakes and pastries to you. All in all, Black Dog Café is elegant, though not static. It is a good hub for creative activity in artistic Lowertown St. Paul.

Coffee Gallery is nestled in the Open Book literary center, neighboring The Loft, Milkweed Editions, and Rosalux Gallery. It claims to be one of the oldest coffeehouses in the Twin Cities. The homey smell of soups simmering and coffee brewing is comforting, and the open brick walls are a nice touch to this coffee stop. I enjoy relaxing there before attending classes and readings at The Loft by sipping a mocha and people watching. I suppose this would be a good place to schmooze with Loft writers (not that I know how to schmooze) and to make some new literary friends. I am happy that this coffeehouse is continuing to thrive.

Here on the other side of Washington Avenue, you can find another cozy literary café. Marysburg Books Coffee Emporium is a quiet, unassuming café in the Warehouse District in where you can become absorbed with your current reading or a poetry reading (especially one hosted by Whistling Shade). Sit down with your mocha or beer or browse the bookcases. I've never been able to write in coffeehouses, but I think Marysburg Books would provide solace to put me in that frame of mind. This is a soothing escape from the bustle of the chain coffeehouses.

The Victorian-inspired coffeehouse is something Oscar Wilde would be flattered to have his name on. Wilde Roast serves decadent desserts, coffee drinks, custom-ordered pizzas, and other goodies. Order one of these things along with a glass of wine and then sit down by the fireplace. Yes, there is a fireplace, along with Chesterfield couches perfect for relaxing, intelligent conversations with friends. A book club that meets regularly, which would be another good excuse to hang out here. Perhaps this should be considered more of a coffee lounge? Coffee parlor? In any case, Wilde Roast is exquisite.