Where the literati hang out
Friday, August 19, 2005
Urban Grind is a popular coffeehouse on Park St, in that middle ground between Hillcrest and North Park. It has an industrial chic feel: tall ceilings, brick, and metal tables. Lots of tea choices if you're a tea drinker, and they serve it in a teapot so it's all proper. They also have a range of desserts which have always been fresh when I've tried them (none of that crumbly, dried out stuff).
Good place for studying, chatting or people watching, as it always seems to be bustling (usually with the kind of people who wear lots of black). Almost every table has access to an electrical outlet, and you can hear the click click of lots of people clicking away at their laptop keyboards. Internet access is definitely not free, however. They do have a monthly rate though, if you are power coffeehouse wifi user, I guess. It does seem to be popular with those who tote laptops.
Service is okay, sort of hit and miss. Not extremely friendly, but not rude either. Prices are about average. Decent neighborhood coffee spot.