Cafe Society 2-- Monkey Nest Coffee (Austin, Texas)

Coffee drinking has taken the world by storm. The Italians turned coffee-drinking into an art form with espresso drinks like espresso, macchiato, cappuccino, and latte. Those words have a nice ring to them. The musicality of the Italian language. And coffee drinking is an  upbeat, social arrangement. Often you sit with a friend and discuss the world, as the two of you see it. What could be better? Or maybe you sit with your laptop and the world comes to you-- through a computer screen. So, somewhere in the 1990s, coffee drinking was transported around the world, including my neighborhood in Austin, Texas-- the North Loop Zone. And, lo and behold, we have 4 thriving coffee shops within walking distance. I'll review Monkey Nest today-- unique as a 24 hour coffee shop.

Monkey Nest hit the ground running. By that I mean the cafe was a success from the day they opened the doors. Monkey Nest sits on Burnet Road, a bustling street going north-south through the north side of Austin. The cafe sits at a slight angle from the street and feels a bit separated from the traffic, a great benefit since it is somehow easy to get off the busy Burnet Road into the Monkey Nest parking lot. And the customers cars, lined up along the perimeter of the coffee shop, can be seen in front of the cafe all throughout the day and well into the night. Talk about success!

Go inside and you sense that somebody with a strong architectural eye designed the layout of the restaurant. There is a geometric orderliness-- with tables lined up 4 across between the windows and the barista bar.  The barista bar is easily observed from the tables-- and the coffee and food bar is simple, elegant and orderly, just like the rest of the place. You can hear the barista call out the drinks and customer names..."Soy latte for Cheryl" and "Sonya, chicken salad sandwich."

I made a mistake after I ordered my cappuccino. Well first I asked for a "large cappuccino."

"We make a traditional 8 oz cappuccino, 8 ounces, so the ratio of coffee to milk remains constant."

Excellent, I thought, and took a seat in the neatly ordered row of chairs-- a bit reminiscent of an old-time classroom. I got impatient though and claimed a drink at the coffee bar. Turned out to belong to somebody else, as I learned later. I drank half of it then heard, "Cappuccino, for John."

Wow, I explained my mistake to the barista. She just nodded and I ended up with two delicious coffee drinks. The latte had the image of a heart, created by the barista in white milk, resting on the dark brown of the coffee. The coffee itself rested in a dark brown coffee cup and the drink was pleasing to the eye and palette. The latte had the image of a leaf, complete with the veins of the plant rising into the leaves-- quite beautiful. I actually like the latte better-- but free stuff always does taste better.

Monkey Nest with its welcoming warmth, a scene of camaraderie and Austin hipness at its best is highly recommended. I liked the sign painted on the wall-- something to the effect that "Education is a universal right." Obviously, the owners value education and this cafe creates a great environment for friend to educate each other.

I can see why this place is a such a success!