I love coffee. I enjoy the smell of it roasting, brewing, and cooling on my desk. This cafe, at the corner of Martin Street and the wreckage of Fayetteville Street is a necessary stop for many heading to the courthouse, post office, or any other office in this area of Downtown.
Serving a complete coffee menu, fresh smoothies, and an assortment of breakfast pastries and sandwiches is only the beginning, however. At lunch, there are sandwiches and soup. (Several vegetarian and vegan items are available.) And all day long, there is free WiFi, comfy chairs and a sofa to sink into and finish the paper. If you're meeting someone, or want to check email, there are sturdy tables and chairs, all lit from two-story high windows that look out on both streets.
If you just want to drink your coffee and stare off into space, there is a great collection of photographs and artwork from local artists on the walls, ranging from small 4x6 macro photos of flowers to nicely framed images of Raleigh landmarks to huge 8' x 8' mixed media works on the walls. All of the artwork is for sale, as are gift baskets and coffee cards for office friends. Sit here long enough, and you'll see judges, lawyers, and the occasional General Assembly person stop to grab a latte or a freshly juiced smoothie on their way up or down Fayetteville Street's perilous sidewalk. Just imagine how lovely it will be once the bulldozers are hauled away and the trees get planted!
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