The sound system plays Good Music, muted. No, but it looks impressive. As for me, I'm happy with the oversize cup of good, strong everyday coffee. The benefit it reaps from its bookstore relationship is that it's open late every day, and all night on Friday and Saturday. The tables are packed tight in this glassed-in dining room.
Space is so short that the restrooms are two flights up.
Desserts are as massive as a Tom Wolfe novel. No wonder this cheery, sunny cafe is a perennial bestseller. This basement cafe has the best qualities of a surrogate home and an extended family. The plush Victorian sofas and slightly baroque dining chairs are occupied by parents and children, students with yellow highlighters, newspaper readers and occasional budding artists with pads and colored pens. For breakfast, there are croissants, muffins, bagels and fresh-squeezed orange juice.