Some people long for the Austin of old. Those were bohemian days. The days of no-money. The days of cooking vegetarian meals, going to Barton Springs and swimming in the cold water with friends and keeping your body chilled for the duration of a long summer day. Austin was full of wood-frame shingle homes, many of them not much more than shacks. Then Austin became famous and everything changed-- of did it? The city still has charm and visitors from around the world can sense the Austin magic, the friendliness, the creativity, the love and the warmth. So, I found a coffee shop in my neighborhood that captures a bit of the old Austin, a coffee shop in North Central Austin, the area I call North Loop Zone and the coffee shop is called Epoch.
An epoch ... 1. a particular period of time marked by distinctive features, events, etc.: an epoch of peace and goodwill.
Hey, I didn't make that up. That's straight out of my dogeared copy of Random House Dictionary of the English Language (1984). Okay, it's dated, like me. But an epoch of peace and goodwill...How perfect is that for capturing the Austin spirit! But on to the coffee house review.
Went to Epoch Coffee at 221 W. North Loop with Ramon Aguilar, my friend and longtime Austinite. I asked Ramon a few questions about the experience to capture the essence of the place.
John-- What do you think of the Austin coffee-house scene?
Ramon-- Not an original thought.. it's a way for people who don't have much money to experience luxury, luxury and style. These places are stylish.
John-- Style. What's the style here?
Ramon-- Funky. Upholstery. Funky furry. I like that in a coffee shop. Feels better than a clinical Starbucks look. I like the colored glass. (Ramon points to the colored glass at the front window.)
The barista called us "boys." He said "what can I get you boys?"
John-- That was a brilliant way to get a tip from a couple of Medicare-eligible guys.
Ramon-- The barista made "vibing a priority."
Ramon explained the meaning of vibing-- which means reaching a level of grooviness. Ramon told me a story about a trip he took to return some celery to a Target store because the celery had an obnoxious chemical taste to it.
Ramon-- Just the other day I returned some celery to Target, receipt in hand. I said, "The celery doesn't taste good."
"No celery tastes good," said the Target employee, handing me the refund.
Ramon got a special charge out of that exchange. He said the shared moment with the Target employee was "high end vibing"-- and that's what Austin and Epoch Coffee are all about.
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Monday, May 15, 2017
Cafe Society 4-- Brentwood Social House (Austin, Texas)
My neighborhood is bursting with coffee houses-- and each has its own appeal. Austin has high standards for coffee drinking. You've got to have great coffee and an appealing atmosphere. There is no real formula for success, well, yes there is... and it's called Starbucks. But the coffee shops in my neighborhood seek out a unique appeal, something that will separate them from the Starbucks formula. Brentwood Social House, the newest arrival on the scene, may be the most unique of all.
Brentwood Social House (BSC) is located in a house on Koenig Lane in a place where traffic moves at a fairly good clip. They have sufficient parking, maybe 15 spaces, but have become so successful the customers are parking on the street and bleeding right into my neighborhood. The success of the coffee shop happened literally-- over night. I figured another business would fail at the location and a suddenly people were parking on the street and walking down the place for their coffee and crumpets. Well, not sure they have crumpets on the menu, but they do have scones. In fact, their real British scones are maybe the tastiest I've ever come across.
Brentwood Social House has a woman's touch. I believe the owner is an Englishwoman, and I can see evidence of both the English and the woman in the clean, bright, cheery and somewhat slightly formal nature of the operation. The friendly staff members take your order on a modern machine that accepts your credit card with computer chip and suggests different tips that you might want to add. I'm not a complete fan of the "suggested tip" deal but having been a food service employee I don't complain-- and add $1 to my coffee bill. The coffee is presented on fine, white china-- and has a hardy but refined flavor. The baristas say "we will find you" after taking your order and they do.
The atmosphere is clean and roomy and though the different rooms maintain the low ceilings of the original house, the place feels spacious. Tables are nicely separated, stained glass windows filter the sunlight and conversations can barely be noticed from the nearby tables. The BSC attracts a family audience. The proprietor's tastes translate well to women. There is an entire room devoted to families and people bring their kids to that room specifically. The room is down a short hall from the other rooms and the family element is nicely controlled to that area. The owner has wisely added picnic tables to the back for al fresco dining and coffee sipping.
I understand that reservations can be made for Sunday Tea at the Brentwood Social House. I have not checked out this option-- just a bit too formal-sounding for my taste. But it cannot be denied... sitting at Brentwood Social House with your cappucino, latte, or English tea, and you better try a scone, will convince you that life is good,and the refinements of tasteful living make living life even better.
Cheers to the newest arrival on the coffee scene in the Brentwood neighborhood~
Brentwood Social House (BSC) is located in a house on Koenig Lane in a place where traffic moves at a fairly good clip. They have sufficient parking, maybe 15 spaces, but have become so successful the customers are parking on the street and bleeding right into my neighborhood. The success of the coffee shop happened literally-- over night. I figured another business would fail at the location and a suddenly people were parking on the street and walking down the place for their coffee and crumpets. Well, not sure they have crumpets on the menu, but they do have scones. In fact, their real British scones are maybe the tastiest I've ever come across.
Brentwood Social House has a woman's touch. I believe the owner is an Englishwoman, and I can see evidence of both the English and the woman in the clean, bright, cheery and somewhat slightly formal nature of the operation. The friendly staff members take your order on a modern machine that accepts your credit card with computer chip and suggests different tips that you might want to add. I'm not a complete fan of the "suggested tip" deal but having been a food service employee I don't complain-- and add $1 to my coffee bill. The coffee is presented on fine, white china-- and has a hardy but refined flavor. The baristas say "we will find you" after taking your order and they do.
The atmosphere is clean and roomy and though the different rooms maintain the low ceilings of the original house, the place feels spacious. Tables are nicely separated, stained glass windows filter the sunlight and conversations can barely be noticed from the nearby tables. The BSC attracts a family audience. The proprietor's tastes translate well to women. There is an entire room devoted to families and people bring their kids to that room specifically. The room is down a short hall from the other rooms and the family element is nicely controlled to that area. The owner has wisely added picnic tables to the back for al fresco dining and coffee sipping.
I understand that reservations can be made for Sunday Tea at the Brentwood Social House. I have not checked out this option-- just a bit too formal-sounding for my taste. But it cannot be denied... sitting at Brentwood Social House with your cappucino, latte, or English tea, and you better try a scone, will convince you that life is good,and the refinements of tasteful living make living life even better.
Cheers to the newest arrival on the coffee scene in the Brentwood neighborhood~
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