Jonathan’s Cafe/Ocean Coffee Roasters Tuesday, Feb 12 2013

Jonathan’s Cafe in Washington Square has often beckoned me. I admit, though I have had my loyalties, I would pop in to get an Italian soda since it is easier to order an Italian soda there than anywhere else downtown. I wasn’t that impressed overall at first, I think because of the service, so I never stopped in more often that I had that craving for something sweet and cold. But one morning I needed to get some work done, there was no parking in front of Empire, and there was one right across the door of Jonathan’s Cafe. Seeing it offered free WIFI, I walked in, determined to try the breakfast.

It was a hub for all sorts of locals performing their ritualistic daily communion with one another, just as I remember some of my customers at Starbucks doing. Not being one of the regulars at Jonathan’s, I got some curious looks as I walked in. I tried to ignore them and act like I knew what I was doing. I made a beeline to the counter and asked questions of the server. This time it was a friendly older gentleman who did not seem a bit annoyed, abeit a bit surprised, at my questions. Do I order here and sit at the counter if I don’t want a table? (That would have been awkward, considering I would have been the only person sitting alone.) May I have a breakfast sandwich? Do I need a password for the WIFI? (The answer was no, which is unusual and convenient.)

After I placed my order and grabbed my fresh cup of Ocean Coffee Roasters’ coffee, I sat down at the counter and made myself at work easily. There was an outlet for my laptop and I got on the WIFI without a hiccup.

My coffee was excellent. I find it a rare thing to get an excellent cup of coffee, which is one you can drink black. If you drink your coffee with milk and sugar, it is because you have never experienced a great coffee or you just don’t like coffee. Otherwise, put coffee syrup in your milk and warm it up, why don’t you? But enough about you. I mean, it’s not entirely your fault. It really is difficult when you take that first sip and the coffee tastes bitter and over-steeped instead of like a squeezed freshly roasted bean.

I guess I had expected my coffee to be undrinkable, but it was so delicious I had way more than I usually do. I also expected to have to get up when my order was up and to have to hunt around for my utensils and condiments but the server at the counter brought over my sandwich, along with knife and salt, and asked if I needed anything else. The last especially surprised and pleased me. “Wow,” I thought. “No, thank you,” I said as pleasantly as I felt.

But my experience was only to get better as I opened my box to find a gigantic sausage and egg on bagel sandwich which had apparently come with a substantial side of home fries – for the same price as a breakfast sandwich anywhere. And I do mean my sandwich was huge. Two giant sausage links were cut in half and laid between two fried eggs.

One of my complaints about local breakfast places is that they are kind of dirty, meaning I guess that they get too busy to clean their grills and you end up with your food cooked in rancid, burned grease, reeking of a mixture of old food that ruins the taste. I realize we are just talking about eggs and potatoes but they do absorb a lot of flavor and, um, gross. Anyway, Jonathan’s food is as comforting as eating at home, where mom’s eggs are cooked on a nice, clean buttery surface.

The sausage was flavorful, but not too greasy, and the bagel was toasty on the outside and chewy on the inside. The home fries looked hand cut and they were crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and seasoned just right. I ate until I could not fit another bite. After writing this, I find I am craving it again even though it’s 10:30 in the evening. Mouth waters and lips smack together as I think of buttery, chewy comfort food.

I suppose it wasn’t just my loyalty to other establishments that prevented me from really trying Jonathan’s. It was the fact that I thought I would be disappointed while there were so many good offerings out there. If I want a good cup of plain ol’ Joe and a tasty breakfast sandwich or muffin, I’m sure to go to Ma’s, where they have both. If I want a relaxing atmosphere, I go to Empire. And if I want to be barraged by marketing tactics as soon as I step in, I go to Starbucks. (Yes, I am being sarcastic.) Why would I potentially waste my time and money? But I am glad the fates guided me there that day, glad I braved the piercing gaze of the crowd of strangers. Because it turns out, Jonathan’s is a great place to sip, eat and work.

I snapped my laptop shut, packed up my things and strutted out of the cafe like I knew what I was doing. I was coming back again, so I had to keep up the façade.

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Oven Toasted S’mores Tuesday, Jul 31 2012

Sometimes you have s’more makings. It just happens. There’s a sale at the grocery store; you like s’mores; you buy graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows. Even though you don’t have a firepit. Or a grill. Or a gas stove. You wouldn’t dream of using the microwave. What do you do? Use your toaster oven, of course.

Yes, all of these things happened to me a few years ago. I started making s’mores in the toaster oven, really loved how they came out and kept doing it that way. In some ways, it is way better than using a fire. Nothing compares to a fire charred marshmallow, but if you’re looking for consistency (or electricity is the only option), this is the way to go.

Ingredients:

Oh, you know —
graham crackers, broken into squares
medium sized marshmallows
chocolate bars, broken into individual pieces (I prefer dark chocolate.)

Cooking Instructions/Commentary/Pictures:

Line a baking sheet with foil. This is not just to keep your baking sheet from getting marshmallow goo on it; it is also to keep the graham from burning.
Assemble the s’more, leaving the top graham off: layer the ingredients square graham, a single piece of chocolate and a marshmallow.

Place in the toaster oven on the bottom rack to allow enough clearance for the marshmallow to puff up and toast at 350 degrees (Do not preheat the oven. You want the marshmallow to be crispy, don’t you?) for 7-9 minutes. Watch very closely around minute 5, as your oven might toast unevenly, yadda yadda yadda.

When the marshmallows are puffy and goldeny, it’s time to pull the s’mores. If you wait until the marshmallow is brown, unfortunately the chocolate will be way too hot and the graham will burn. However, if you pull the s’more within the right window, you will have the most consistent layers in a s’more you’ve ever had. Unlike the s’mores made with a fire, the chocolate will be nice and melted and the graham crackers won’t break. But the chocolate won’t be so hot and you can eat ‘em right away, while the marshmallow is still gooey. Just top with the remaining graham cracker square and let cool a minute or two.

The simple directions:
Line a baking sheet with foil.
Assemble the s’more, leaving the top graham off: layer the ingredients square graham, a single piece of chocolate and a marshmallow.
Place in the toaster oven on the bottom rack and toast at 350 degrees (Do not preheat the oven.) for 7-9 minutes, until the marshmallows are puffy and goldeny. Top with the remaining graham cracker square and let cool a minute or two.

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The Ellaroo Wrap Thursday, Jun 14 2012

Since a few moms have asked me about it, I thought I’d further share my enthusiasm for a specific type of baby carrier, the Ellaroo wrap. But, first, I admit this is not the only carrier I own. I carry my little one every day and I’ve found that different occasions call for different carriers. When Liberty (my girl of 11 months) was a newborn, she was cradled in a pouch, which is snug and secure because it does not slip. Now that she’s older, we love the ring sling I borrowed because my hands are mostly free and she is up front and can see what I’m doing. And when we go for a walk, I strap her on my back in the Boba and I am totally free while she is so content she might fall asleep there. Yes, that means I use four different carriers. In fact, I would love to try a Mei Tai and make it five.

But when someone asks what kind of carrier they should get, I always suggest a woven wrap. If you are going to own one carrier, it is the way to go. A wrap is an amazing carrier because it distributes the baby’s weight evenly and is therefore the most comfortable. It is very easily adjusted to a snug fit once you have it on. And it is the most versatile in terms of carrying positions. I originally bought mine so that I could nurse Liberty in it. I also keep it in the diaper bag because it takes up the least amount of room and it’s versatility means I am prepared for any occasion. It’s a plus that it looks good with just about anything I am wearing! And it’s the lightest, most breathable one I own.

I decided to go with a woven wrap because I’ve tried the stretchy one and did not like it: I had to adjust it every few minutes because it kept stretching and stretching as I moved until Elijah (my firstborn) was hanging down past my hips – so frustrating! A woven wrap is more secure due to the force being distributed in the different directions of the threads. It works not just for babies up to six months but for toddlers. Since my babies apparently tend to grow really quickly in the first year and I found myself at times carrying my son up until he was three years old, I knew this attribute was a must.

Why the Ellaroo wrap? It mostly came down to pricing. The Ellaroo is in the mid price range, which is where I tend to go when purchasing things, if I can. Here is a chart of the woven carriers I found, along with their pricing and other features.

The Bundleboo isn’t a traditional wrap; I wanted a wrap that could be put on without fussing over where the middle is. The Mamaroo company does not seem like a reliable company. The Ellaroo has all the features that are a necessity to me, it comes from a company that other businesses deal with, is available in different sizes – so you know it will fit – and looks beautiful. When it arrived at my home, I was very pleased with how it felt, especially after I washed it. (You do have to treat the fabric so the dye won’t run but it’s very easy to do. The only downside is that you can’t put the Ellaroo in the dryer or it will shrink.)

I got mine from Joven-kids.com. This online store had the best selection for the best price at the time. My wrap came quickly and was enclosed with a friendly little note.

Did I forget to mention something? Ask me a question. Have something to share? Tell me which carrier you love!

Other Resources

How to wear your wrap: http://www.wearyourbaby.org/Default.aspx?tabid=89 (See the links on the left.)

http://www.thebabywearer.com/index.php?page=WrapInstructionsChart

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Dairy and Citrus Free, Conveniently Wednesday, Jun 13 2012

Speaking of dairy free foods, they are difficult to find anywhere, not just in restaurants. Even your run-of-the-mill prepared or packaged foods contain dairy: breads, crackers, soups, frozen meatballs, salad dressing, etc. Add a citrus allergy and then it seems you are going to die of starvation. As a result of nursing a baby who was allergic to both, I’ve had to find the right recipes and make a lot of my own items from scratch. However, since I’ve never had the time to make everything from scratch, I’ve also ferreted out some dairy and citrus free convenience items. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but since it is common for small babies to be allergic to these foods, I thought it might be helpful to others. Just be sure to double check the facts if you have a serious allergy. Then enjoy!

Takeout food

Asian cuisine: Some Southeast Asian cuisine heavily features lime but most Chinese or Japanese food is citrus free.

Burgers: Burger buns usually have dairy product in them. But Ruby Tuesday‘s buns are free of the allergen. Some burgers come with cheese so be sure to ask for no cheese. For a list of other entrees from Ruby Tuesday that are dairy free, see its allergen info here. And of course there are the vegan burgers at Crazy Burger.

Dessert: Pastiche has macaroons and homemade dark chocolate made without dairy. Crazy Burger has vegan options. And Keenwah on Broadway has a fantastic vegan brownie.

Fast food: McDonald’s buns and featured salads contain allergens so I get the Chicken Selects with a side salad.

Mexican cuisine: Avoid Taco Bell; there are virtually no options there. Look for a local spot that doesn’t marinate meat in lime juice. I found SAPO Freaky Burrito, which has pretty plain meats. El Perrito has a variety to choose from and uses fresh corn tortillas (which means no citric acid as a preservative).

Pizza: I haven’t found a chain which makes pizza dough without dairy and/or citric acid but locally, there’s Mama Leone’s. I order my pizza with extra sauce and no cheese. Just be careful about the toppings; lots of sausages and pepperonis contain citric acid so ask about them or avoid them.

Pockets or wraps: The good news is pockets or wraps don’t contain dairy. The bad news is most Mediterrean cuisine features yogurt or lemon so it’s out. One exception may be meat pies. I’ve never had a problem with the meat pies from Sam’s Bakery in Fall River. Also try the Steak Bomb from D’Angelos with no cheese. I’m pretty sure it’s also citrus free since I’ve never had a problem with it.

Sandwiches: An Italian grinder from Marzilli’s or Marcucci’s in Fall River. Hold the cheese.

Pre-packaged food

Breads and buns: You can almost never go wrong with the store brands, which use the least amount of ingredients. As a general rule, go for freshly baked, light and fluffy. Calise & Sons is another option for buns and rolls.

Breakfast sausage, frozen: Jones Breakfast Sausage.

Chicken tenders, frozen: Perdue Breaded Chicken Tenders.

Dessert: Dairy free ice cream such as So Delicious. Oreos, Junior mints, Peeps and Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups. Many brands of dark chocolate.

Meatballs, frozen: Cooked Perfect Turkey Meatballs.

Pasta sauce: Ragu or Bertolli Tomato and Basil varieties.

Pizza crust: Top This Pizza Crust is one of the very few brands that does not contain dairy and/or citrus. It’s made in Rhode Island.

Jelly/jam/preserves: Sorrell Ridge is the only fruit spread I know of which does not contain citric acid.

Salsa: Nature’s Promise, Brad’s Organic, Victoria’s and Mrs. Renfros basic varieties.

Sausage: Aidell’s Cajun Andouille Sausage. This takes like chourico, which is a bonus, because chourico is made with dried milk.

Tortillas: Chi Chi’s is the rare tortilla which does not contain citric acid.

Other Resources

Avoiding citrus: Vicki Clarke’s Citric Acid Intolerance Site

Avoiding dairy: GoDairyFree.Org

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Crazy Burger Tuesday, Jun 12 2012

I don’t go to Narragansett often. Other than the beach, I didn’t visit the town at all. But my in-laws kept raving about a place called Crazy Burger. They insisted, about two times a day every day we saw them for five years, that my husband and I try it.

There’s always that place that isn’t quite local but close enough to visit easily that just doesn’t get visited. I have a lot of those on my bucket list. So one day I declared that we were just going to cross this one off the list. Or was it that we just wanted to tell my husband’s parents that, yes, we had tried it?

My in-laws described Crazy Burger as a tiny, hole-in-the-wall place with gourmet burgers and vegan burgers. Despite the traffic, parking difficulty and long waits, they said, it was well worth it. They were not alone in thinking so: Guy Fieri tried it for the episode “Stacked, Stuffed and Loaded” on his TV show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Even though it’s named after the burger and pays tribute to the beloved sandwich more than twenty different ways on the menu, Crazy Burger is so much more than a burger joint. It also serves breakfast, salads, pizzas, appetizers, specials and dinner entrees not to mention fresh juices and smoothies and desserts.

The best feature on the menu, however, is the vegan options. I am not a vegan (I can’t give up bacon.) but at times in my life I have found it convenient for my diet and my kids’ diet to go with vegan options. However, it is not easy to find a place that offers vegan dishes. Crazy Burger has more than the one obligatory vegan dish; about half the menu is vegan. The best part is, the offerings are so tasty, I do not miss the meat. It’s true. During one lunch, I ordered a nut burger and my husband ordered a turkey burger. I had a bite of his but did not envy him, even though his was delicious.

It almost made me want to go vegan completely. Almost. But I settled for ordering a different vegan burger each time I went. One of my favorites is the Chana Masala burger. Besides Indian inspired, there are Italian and Mexican inspired foods. Ethnic inspired or not, each dish is served with a creative blend of herbs, spices and sauces.

I haven’t met a Crazy Side I didn’t like but I love to get the sweet potato fries so I can dip them in the homemade ketchup. It tastes a lot like apple sauce – with just a hint of tartness – which, as you might imagine, goes great with the sweet in sweet potato.

Our favorite appetizer is the Sweet Risotto Corn Fritters with the Maple Carrot Reduction. The name speaks for itself!

I go to pieces for a slice of the vegan carrot cake. It’s the best carrot cake I’ve ever had, with Pastiche’s carrot cake only coming in second. (A close second, but second nonetheless.) Sometimes I want to go there for that not-too-sweet, spicy, nutty carrot cake alone. Of course, I will go and order a vegan burger as well but that’s besides the point.

The powerful allure of the best carrot cake that happens to be vegan is enough. Enough to wait the hour and a half it usually takes to dine at Crazy Burger even. I can’t speak to the parking, as I have only been in the off season. I’m sure it’s ridiculous during the summer. It is a bit small, so it’s not good for large groups, but it’s not like you’re within spitting distance of your neighbor’s food. The waitstaff is completely used to and nonplussed by the crowds and very accommodating to children by offering high chairs and even puzzles.

Don’t wait as long as I did to try Crazy Burger. I’ll be there, with my in-laws, having my cake and eating a burger, too.

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Pastiche Monday, Jun 11 2012

Whenever I go out and whatever I’m doing when I go out, I always think it’s a perfect idea to end the event with a slice of bakery goodness and a cup of tea or java. There are just a few problems with this plan. One is, if you haven’t noticed, I’m kind of picky. Another is that there are few cafes open at night so this option is only viable during the daytime. Finally, I find that I have virtually no options left when I need to go dairy free. (That is, when I am nursing, since both my babies turned out to be allergic to cow’s milk.)

In discussing the first problem, I’ll just say that I haven’t found many coffee desserts locally that are as amazing as I can imagine them to be. As far as being open at night, about half the coffee shops around here close by the time afternoon rolls around. So if I have the time and I’m in Providence, I go to Pastiche, which is renowned for it’s fine European desserts and is open until 11 or 11:30 p.m.

On my latest trip to Pastiche, my nursling was allergic to dairy, so I wasn’t sure I could even have dessert but I wanted to linger somewhere after dinner.  I prepared to have a nice cup of decaffeinated tea but look with envy at the dessert counter. Much to my surprise and delight, however, I was also able to have the macaroons and chocolate, which just happen to be a couple of my favorite things. I had the mararoons with my tea – brewed perfectly – and they were soft and moist and delicious. The chocolate bar came home with me and when I opened it I experienced creamy, Belgianlike chocolate, even though it was dairy free!

Pastiche is usually a sure bet and now you know it is worth the trip even if you are going dairy free. 

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El mejor amigo del hombre Sunday, Jun 10 2012

My favorite place to eat in Newport is Perro Salado on Charles Street. I don’t go there very often, because it isn’t the place to bring children, but it is a great spot for a romantic dinner for two or a cozy dinner with a friend or two or three. It’s in an old colonial home where tables are tucked into corners and flames from the fireplaces flicker on the walls. Authentic Mexican inspired dishes are served with fresh ingredients; I usually get one of the specials, which highlight this last feature. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the dessert is the best around I’ve discovered yet.

Imagine my delight when I discovered that the owners of Perro Salado opened a quick serve restaurant on Thames Street called El Perrito Taqueria. “Even though though he ambiance won’t be as charming,” I thought, “Hey! I can take my kids out and enjoy good Mexican food. Alright!” After it had been open an eternity, it seems, I finally made it down to El Perrito with my family today. The atmosphere was actually quite cozy. It’s almost literally a hole in the wall place, in the basement of a building. (There are several shops and restaurants set up this way.) A Mediterranean pocket place used to occupy this particular basement. But the new renters have transformed it so completely that it’s hardly recognizable. The interior designer kept with the dark wood theme of the parent restaurant but implemented a more rustic look. Despite the small size of the place and the dark colors, it has an open feel, with large tables, benches and even a little market to shop for sauces and even produce.

The menu did not disappoint. Just as it’s parents’ menu, the Little Dog’s offerings are extensive, affordable and unique. And, just as it’s parent does, the offspring offers up dishes thoughtfully executed with tender meats, flavorful sauces, soft cheeses, fresh cilantro and the like. Although the ingredients are familar at Mexican restaurants, the final products are unique. The result is savory and memorable. I ordered a chourico and potato taco, a braised short rib topped with mango sauce taco and Yucca fries with chimichurri sauce. The braised short rib is my favorite so far. You can’t go wrong with this tender rib for $2.75. And topped with a slice of mango in a sweet sauce…mmm. The Yucca fries are basically deep fried mashed potatoe sicks; they have a thick, golden crust and taste like Tater Tots. I love Tater Tots but never would have thought to dip them in a spicy green sauce. (I will now.)

Sadly, I did not have enough room for dessert. But I did also have chips — golden fried flour tortillas like Gringo Jack’s, and two varieties of salsa – one sweet and one hot. I also had some Mexican Coca Cola — which, as soft drink afficionados know — is the only Coke to have, as it is made with real sugar. That said, I cannot wait to go back to try the dessert. I just may have to order three more items off the menu as well. Y’know, since I’m already there. 

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The Hunger Games: Hungry for More [Betcha haven't heard that one before. (That wasn't sarcastic at all.)] Friday, Mar 30 2012

First, let me say that this is about the movie, not the book, which I have not read yet. I am of the rare breed that would prefer to see the movie before I read the book.  I have my reasons and since I often find myself trying to explain them, I’ll delay my review for awhile in order to do that here.

The book is always better than the movie.  Save the best for last.  Just put two and two together, my friends!

The movie is more like a synopsis; there’s no way it can cover everything.  Exactly. Why not go and see the synopsis?  I love, love, love having more to look forward to when I get home.  Like the appendix in Lord of the Rings or mugglenet.com for Harry Potter fans.

I’d rather enjoy the movie than simply critique how it compared to the book or well it covered the material in the book.

It doesn’t bother me that the ending is “spoiled.”   I have already enjoyed the movie. And the end doesn’t have to be the end when you can read more.

It doesn’t bother me that the actors have portrayed the characters.  It’s true, some people are stuck as the characters in my mind, but not always.  Sometimes my mind reinvents them as needed.  It’s not difficult to do this with a really good book.

Now, onto the review.

Although I have read the Harry Potter and Twilight series but not The Hunger Games series, I have seen all the film adaptations and feel like I can comment on the comparisons.  I didn’t really see why the Twilight series was compared to Harry Potter at all, but now that The Hunger Games is supposedly the new Twilight, I can admit that Harry Potter and Bella had supernatural powers and even shared werewolves as friends.  But the comparison ends there.

I have no idea whatsoever what the heck The Hunger Games shares with Twilight, unless it is something evident only in the book and not on film, which means either it’s not significant or the film is a dismal failure and I doubt the later, judging from other reviews.  Or unless the comparison is that they are in a very broad genre; as my husband noted, “They are both young adult literature made into films.”

About that.  Why are adults so into children’s literature?  Is it because nowadays adolescence isn’t over until the age of 30?  Is it because children these days grow up so quickly — and can handle adult topics?  Those two premises, which I’ve often heard asserted, seem to be contradictory.

Perhaps the reason my peers and I are interested in children’s literature is because there’s not many who can fill the gap between the John Grishams and Dan Browns and the J.K. Rowlings.  It seems that if you read, you’re either a kid or a middle-aged person.

Or perhaps we’re just sick of the gratuituous bodily functions or language in adult literature.  And let’s face it;  other than those things, adult literature doesn’t really have anything one up on children’s literature.  The themes are not more interesting, the characters are not more interesting and the writing is certainly not more complex. (Don’t get me started on the atrocity that is called modern style.)

I strongly suspect that authors have caught onto this and are writing for an adult audience as well as a young adult audience. I could be wrong — I’m not in the publishing industry  – but maybe it’s simply a matter of what publishers want to brand the literature that is now considered young adult.

I have established what The Hunger Games is (young adult literature adapted for the silver screen) and but I must say a little more about what it isn’t — that is, how it is incomparable to Twilight.

In The Hunger Games,  coal miner’s daughter Katniss Everdeen is a nuturing huntress who volunteers, in place of her sister, to fight to the death 23 other teenagers, all picked as tribute to the overlords in the Capitol of Panem.  She has already risen to the occasion, but Katniss learns that her bravery is not enough in order to survive.  By the end of the film, she might realize that surviving is not enough, either.

While watching a scene in the film during which actress Jennifer Lawrence is climbing trees and whittling wood into weapons, my companion remarked, “This is what a strong female lead looks like — not Bella Swan,”  as portrayed by Kristen Stewart in the Twilight films.  My response, “I don’t deny I now wish I had been a girl scout.  But the beauty of Twilight is that every girl can already relate to Bella.  She’s ordinary and it only takes the supernatural to make her special.”  But, of course, he’s right. Katniss is, as my friend said, an “infinitely cooler heroine” than Bella.  Her character is much more interesting to watch.

Not to mention the fascinating sci-fi/fantasy post-apocolyptic world that Susan Collins has created.  It’s classic.  Who doesn’t remember that  chilling feeling when first hit the realization that the world of Logan’s Run or The Truman Show is close to our own? Once again, through Collins, we can be thrilled at the blatant suggestion that our civilization is actually barbaric.

As far as the action, there is plenty.  Even where there is no action, there’s the implication that something is going to happen, such as when Katniss is sleeping in a tree.  There is some sort of suspense almost the entire length of the film. I’ll say this — it’s not a film you go to see if you want to hold hands with your date. Because you’ll be gripping the edge of your seat or biting your nails instead.

That said, I cannot wait to read the book. I know it will be worth the time I don’t have to read novels. I know it will be good.  And I know that there is a whole new world for me to geek out over.

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Coffee Shops in Newport, RI Friday, Jun 10 2011

Granted, since I’m 9 months pregnant, I haven’t had coffee in a long time. But, generally, for the 4 years I’ve been living in Newport, I’ve enjoyed a specialty latte or cappuccino every now and then. And I frequent coffee shops for their non-caffeinated drinks, sandwiches and of course pastries!  Mostly, I love having a place to go.

This isn’t an extensive list of what’s offered in town but here is a review of what I consider three major competitors in the area of the European style coffee shop.

The People’s Cafe

I couldn’t help but be intrigued when I first noticed this cafe was opening in an old bank. The People’s Cafe on Thames Street is spacious and utilizes this advantage to have charity fundraisers, mom’s group meetings, Sunday brunches, etc. What also caught my eye was the lunch menu with plenty of hot sandwiches, soups and specialty salads. “Could this be the local answer to Panera?” I thought. And “Will this replace Hendricka’s Cafe or Bliss Grocer in my heart?” (Both Hendricka’s Cafe and Bliss Grocer were great breakfast, lunch and coffee spots on Broadway. Well, the coffee was okay but the food was good.)

I tried it a couple of times. The first time, it was newly open and I went in the evening for a pastry. The staff was helpful but there was no offering to be had, as the croissant was moldy (yes, moldy). I turned away disappointed, but remembered that it was difficult to find a cafe which was open in the evening, let alone still stocked with fare.

I gave the spot a couple of months to find it’s business groove and returned at lunchtime. It was very clean, though it was crowded. The clientele was older but hip. The menu was not quite so ambitious as it was originally. My small companion got a yogurt parfait and I got grilled ham and cheese with a cup of tea. (There are baristas with a limited repertoire of espresso drinks but for aforesaid reason I couldn’t try any at the time.)

My two-year-old son couldn’t say much for the parfait, as he didn’t finish it, but, hey, toddlers are fickle. As for my grilled ham and cheese, it wasn’t as good as home and was overpriced. In fact, the total for our meager meals (my sandwich did not come with chips or even so much as a pickle) was around $15. The parfait was probably around $5, the tea around $2 and the sandwich around $7.

Not wanting to have absolutely no reason ever to return to the People’s Cafe, I ordered a cookie. It was like eating hardtack.  I haven’t given it a second glance.

Starbucks

I have a love/hate relationship with Starbucks, also on Thames. Here’s what I love.

The people. The baristas are the best. You’ll never meet any more interested in you personally. They talk to you like it’s their job, because it is. The more they get to know you, the more they know what you like and how you like it – also, the more likely you’ll return because you that welcoming feeling you get is part of the third place experience.

The clientele of Starbucks, excluding the tourists, are good, salt-of-the earth New Englanders and community-oriented Newporters.

The coffee. I rarely get an espresso drink from Starbucks that isn’t good. Generally, the machines are calibrated at regular intervals, the beans fresh and the baristas well-trained. The recipes are standardized and easy to modify. Also, the brewed coffee is the best anywhere. In fact, the only other place I like a cup of coffee is at Ma’s Donuts. Only Starbucks and Ma’s brews coffee in the correct proportions and have the heartiest flavor beans. But this review is focusing on places to hang out with your cup of coffee, so no further mention of the truck stop will be made.

Here is what I hate about Starbucks.

The atmosphere. If I’m going to be completely honest, I have to say that Starbucks is filthy. Yes, it is probably the busiest coffee spot, but crowds I can handle – filth, I cannot abide. During busy times – which is almost always – the counters are encrusted with dried milk; trash bins are overflowing; tables littered with papers, crumbs, spilled drinks and the bathrooms – well, let’s just say that unless I was cleaning the bathroom when I worked there, I used the public restroom in the parking lot instead.

Another thing I hate about the atmosphere of Starbucks is the advertising. Since Howard Schultz has come back onto the scene, it hasn’t been as bad, but sometimes I feel like my eyeballs are bombarded with glossy cardboard signs. They’re hanging from the ceiling; propped up in the display cases; leaning on the counter; taped in the windows; the fabric of the menu; on packaging, cups and napkins and even standing in line on posts bigger than traffic signs. It’s as if Starbucks thinks I just wandered in and have no clue where I am or how to begin to order. If that last bit weren’t the case, it certainly could be; just give me one place to look for my options, please!

The food. Not that having great food is one of Schultz’s goals, but the stuff is trucked in, stored for a few days and warmed, if desired, in a microwave/toaster. The selection is severely limited, very difficult to modify and overpriced.

Empire Coffee and Tea

Empire Coffee and Tea on Broadway is difficult to write about because I love it so much and it’s difficult to give an unbiased review. Or is it that I need to review it separately in order to give it just praise? It’s also hard to write a critique when there is nothing to critique. Those two complaints I have had have been resolved either by mere hint or the foresight of its owner/manager. For example, although Empire is the only coffee shop I know of that is child friendly, it just replaced a rickety changing table with a new changing station. (When you’re a parent of a small child, your life kind of revolves around poop so anytime you don’t have a potential crisis looming over your head, it makes your day that much better.)

There is only one barista who can’t seem to make a cappuccino for beans (You guessed my other complaint! But when this drink’s done right, which is most of the time, it’s one of the best. I will only have my favorite espresso drink from either Starbucks or Empire.), but of course I have my favorite – CJ, the owner himself. CJ takes a keen interest in what I’m interested in and offers samples of new recipes, to concoct something for me on the spot or even to “test” my cappuccino before declaring it “perfect.” Then CJ gets me interested in what he’s interested in – all the changes to Empire that I will be seeing soon.

And here is where Empire really has an edge over any other local business or even corporate Starbucks – constant and quick improvement, from new artwork and furniture to new machines and recipes. If it’s not already your favorite spot, I promise it will be soon.

Notes on Empire

Clientele: the college crowd or professionals

Food: the standard offerings – such as breakfast and deli sandwiches, muffins and scones – plus decadent desserts and mochi ice cream

Coffee and tea: the most original and extensive menu

Cleanliness and overall atmosphere: the occasional need to wipe the table or toilet seat; the most spacious and artsy, yet the most homey and conducive to hanging out

Price: the most reasonable

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Product Review: Cami Secret Thursday, Apr 28 2011

WARNING:  In this post I review a product made for females called Cami Secret.   For those of you dudes who don’t know, camisoles are what gals wear for modesty.   Hence, this review is not safe for the opposite sex (especially dads)!

At first it seemed like the perfect solution and I needed one.   Being pregnant adds curves everywhere, but maternity clothing does not seem to account especially for the fact that you are not just growing a baby in your uterus but you are also growing the Twins.  IfyouknowwhatImean.   Maternity dresses such as this wrap dress

are comfortable, versatile (you can wear it as a nursing mom)  and — very revealing.   The solution?  Camisoles, of course.  But not so fast.

First, you need a maternity camisole to accommodate that baby bump.  Plus sizes will be cut too wide on the top.   But not just any maternity camisole will do.  Nursing camisoles

have a shelf bra, a.k.a. the teeniest, tiniest, flimsiest bra known to womankind.   I mean, isn’t the whole point for the shelf to go, you know, under the boobs?  And again, you can’t simply buy a larger size, because the cut won’t be right.

That leaves us with just a plain, old maternity cami.

Great –  problem solved, right?   Maybe, if you’re lucky.   But even if you’re so lucky as to find one with adjustable straps, the stretchiness of the cami will mean that it just gets tugged down into a revealing position anyway.

I’ve tried layering with tank tops, but all that fabric under a plunging neckline just doesn’t look right.   Sweaters and scarves are okay, but not for the summer.  You really do want a cami, but just can’t find one to work for you.

Cami Secret promises to do that.   It’s not a full cami, but basically a modesty bib that you clip to your bra.   You can adjust it to the perfect height and then, viola — it just stays there, right where you need it, in the amount of coverage you want.   It sounds like such a good idea, I bought a pack.

Then I discovered that Cami Secret, despite it’s claims that it is perfect for both “petit” and “full figures,” is not adequate for full figures.

Here’s why. Add some curve to this woman’s figure and as that gap between her bra and the cami becomes larger, you have more and more of a problem.   Although your bra might not show under your dress, that gap does and the cami scrunches up in the middle, too.

Long story short, there’s not enough fabric.   When I held up the cami to my husbund, I said, “What’s wrong with this?”  His immediate reply, “Your cleavage is bigger than that!”

Oh well.  It was a good try for $9.99, I guess.  At 7 months pregnant, I’d really like to wear some nice spring dresses, though.   Any other ladies have a problem with finding modest maternity wear?  Have you found any solutions?

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