Double shot at double-named cafe

A couple of weeks ago, I was talking to a friend online and said it was time for a cig break. My friend’s response was, “Break from what?” My fingers paused for a few seconds before I typed, “A break from life.”

That’s what I love about cigarettes. They give you a few minutes here and there to relax, chill out, and refocus your thoughts. And amidst the craziness of New York and the ever-growing list of things to do, it really is a break from life. An unhealthy yet profoundly therapeutic break from life.

I love being in SoHo. I borrowed a lighter outside from this wonderfully model-esque lady in black leggings and fierce patent leather pumps. But I’m getting too far ahead of myself. Let’s rewind a bit.
I’m here at this spaciously cozy joint in the heart of SoHo called Café Café that I just discovered today. I woke up this afternoon, to be precise, after a blissful 12-hour sleep and, looking outside at the gorgeous fall weather, decided I had to go downtown. I slipped into my new rain-resistant shoes and headed out.

I am now perched in the upstairs seating area of Café Café. Walking in, I was immediately impressed by its homey feel. The yellow and green walls and plethora of wooden tables are more West Village than SoHo, but as soon as I looked at the menu ($4 for a brownie) I was quickly reminded of where I was.

That being said, not everything here is overpriced. With offerings ranging from brownies and croissants to sandwiches and homemade quiche, there’s plenty to choose from. I myself opted for a mixed fruit biscotti—low-fat and delicious.

For drinks, we decided to go the communal route, ordering two drinks to share. I read on Yelp how great the iced chai was, so we got one of those. And then, of course, a cup of coffee, because isn’t that what this column’s all about?

The coffee, I regret to report, is a bit disappointing. Today’s roast was “French Vanilla.” With too much flavor and not enough strength, I would not recommend it. The iced chai, on the other hand, should be put up on an altar and worshipped. I have always been a fan of iced chai, and I’m embarrassed to admit that Starbucks makes one of the best ones out there.
But Café Café has officially stolen the crown. If I hadn’t ordered mine with skim milk I’d never have been able to guess that it wasn’t made with whole. Rich and orgasmic, it tastes almost like a chai milk shake.

Normally, given the previous organization of this column, this is where I’d start writing about the ambiance of the place: the music, the people, and of course the Wi-Fi accessibility. But strangely enough, there’s no music playing here. There’s no Wi-Fi either, so any hope of watching that Lady Gaga MTV performance for the umpteenth time has just gone down the drain. Even more strange than the lack of music and Wi-Fi is that this place can thrive without them.

My one complaint, especially from my spot here in the upper-level seating area, is the heat. I’ve never been able to understand why as soon as the temperature outside drops below 55 the whole world seems to crank up the heat.

The crowd here at Café Café seems to be a mix of chattering couples and ferocious 20-somethings with designer handbags and legal pads. Students are definitely welcome, and the anti-laptop stigma that seems to be creeping into some New York cafes is nowhere to be found.

Visitors are welcome to stay as long as they want, whether they’re writing that Art Hum paper or talking nervously to a new love interest. The only thing I’d say is to come on a weekend or on a day you end class early, as this place closes at 7 p.m. daily. Not optimal for a coffee shop, but given the nature of that iced chai, I think it’s okay. As a matter of fact, it’s nearing 7 p.m. now.
Good night and happy travels, my fellow addicts. 

Café Café. 470 Broome St. (entrance on Greene between Broome and Spring). Open Mon-Sat 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Andrew Wailes is a Columbia College sophomore majoring in creative writing.