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My magical, not-so-secret hideout at school. Come for the $3.00 frothy chai, stay to eavesdrop on chainsmoking hairdressers recounting their lives to the resident artist, sketching away. It's for locals and graduate students, tucked under failing real estate offices on Calder Ave. Limited hours and nothing flashy, except for the old-style bean roaster jammed right next to the door.
Reminiscent of Prestogeorge in the Pittsburgh Strip. Pleasant and intimate. Charming baristas. When the weather's warm, perch outside and people-watch from your safe, buried trench. Also merchants of olive oil, tinned fish, and all your italio-american quick fixes.
Jan 23, 2024
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The coziest jawn in Harvard Sq. They used to let you play the barista in blitz chess for a free cup of coffee, but I think too many baristas got beaten by the Smith Center chess gods so they don't do that anymore. But the vibe is still there. Former beatniks, current cool kids, and the rare Harvard student without their laptop. They turn into a wine bar on weekends, too.
Oct 8, 2024
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Excellent coffee, gorgeous aesthetics, no wifi/laptops, just vibes and Italian goods with a no-nonsense menu. The baristas WILL hit on you (or is that just my pretty girl privilege?) but will do so in a respectful, sexy way. Best cafe to yap with a pal at in Montreal - the only downside being that it’s located downtown.
Feb 3, 2024
I spent 90% of my summer writing and lounging at this coffeehouse in La Jolla, CA called The Living Room. Feels like Wes Anderson set blended w the summer beach vibes of an Eric Rohmer film + a possible stop in Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris. I would gatekeep it but the spot has been blown. And it’s a great place to chat w randoms.
Nov 6, 2024
Top Recs from @dogtoevsky
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I spent the past month of my life studying luxury commercial fragrance, and my findings point me to a simple observation: Parfum de Marly is the house on top.
I do not spend excessive amounts of my money on luxury fragrance (yet... so far my biggest indulgence was a 3.4oz bottle of YSL Libre). But I could justify (if I had $400 of disposable income) dropping my check on a bottle or two.
Meliora. Darcy. Delina. Layton. Masterful. Decadent. Projects like nothing else.
Whereas CREED has mastered the masculine fragrance, they leave me unimpressed with their florals (save Carmina). Marly picks up where they dropped off. Totally royal. Saving the last drops of my samples for my wedding.
Jan 23, 2024