Living in the Northwest, Portlanders have their selection of coffee. Strangely enough, it seemed somewhat difficult for me to find a place that blended good coffee, pleasing aesthetics and comfortable seating. That is until I found the Three Friends (or, as the owners are gay, I've heard the place affectionately nicknamed the Six Balls). Despite the fact that the structure is a building not a house, it's kind of like sipping java in grandma's salvation-army living room. Tables, couches, swivel chairs, both bar and window countertops - your rear has many standards of cushioning to choose from. Meanwhile, your mouth has coffee, lattes (and all the rest of that vanilla-flavored stuff), chais, a few beers by the bottle and a neat display of over a dozen teas to choose from. The place also offers a miniature pool table, free broadband Internet and an enticing bagel sandwich and pastry menu. Mostly, I'm pretty staid: I just want a 16oz and a good book.
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