DCist: Cafe Collage Returns to T Street

martinez

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:21:10 -0500

Cafe Collage is a very pleasant place and a nice alternative for those who want to do some serious reading or studying either online or reading an old-fashioned book as well as getting together with friends and having a conversation where you can actually hear each other talking over the loud and often not so pleasant "music" that is often played elsewhere. The cafe plays Ethiopian music as well as American jazz and occasionally just very soft piano music which is what they happen to be playing while I am writing these comments. For those who are willing to pay the price, they occasionally have some rather exceptional food. Because so many of the customers are used to paying such inexpensive prices for their coffee drinks, when they are told they have to pay $11.99 for lamb shanks with rice which are done by a professional chef, they may seem shocked because the price may seem a little bit of a contrast to their rather reasonably priced coffee prices. They also happen to have some custom made Middle Eastern style pastries from time to time as well. But what makes the place so pleasant is not just the ambiance with the beautiful art work, but the pleasantness of the people who work there. I still enjoy Tryst whose lattes are unequaled, but as analternative I find Cafe Collage a very pleasant place just like I found 14U a nice alternative. I am sorry they closed. I can't say the same thing for Sparky's. I went there once. I am sorry for any business not to survive, because I like seeing any independent business make it and don't believe it has to be a matter of either or. For instance, Saint Ex will never be threatened by Cafe College even though Cafe Collage serves alcohol and from time to time some great food. It is just a different place. All the problems Cafe Collage has had about being able to open up from the very beginning because of a handful of residents versus most of the neighbors as well as others who supported its existence in spite of the fact that it was zoned as a commercial zone, these handful of residents were allowed to force Cafe Collage to close its doors for technicalities for two years in order for it to make adjustments. Let's up this ongoing pettiness does not continue. I am sure if the owners were almost anything other than Ethiopian, they would not be getting the harassment from these handful of residents including one of the members of the ANC who should be slightly above this kind of behavior. I just hope Councilman Graham intends to support this business because it has the potential to turn into something extraordinary. It is a very tasteful and pleasant place. For those who find it dull, consider the fact that it has just opened up and it has to be given some time before it is prejudged. I have seen a number of places in Adams-Morgan which took quite awhile before they were able to sustain themselves. They didn't open up and make a killing overnight. In fact, some of them are still having a hard time especially in this "economy" including those who have been on 18th Street for a very long time.

NotoriousREG

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:53:18 -0500

Tryst has worse service than Busboys & Poets? Not sure about that... As for you and where you haul your booty, I got nothing. I'd tell you that my lattes are worth the haul but honestly that just ain't true (but they are freakin good.)

loganmo

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:19:08 -0500

There are hardly any good all-around coffee shops in admo/ustreet/logan/shaw/gentrifriedvilled: -Mocha Hut: great food, but the service is incomprehensibly slow, the espresso drinks are not good (they are served too hot, which reduces the flavor), and the hours at which they open and stop serving food each day seems to be at the whim of whoever is working that day -Tryst: again great food, but quite possibly the worst service of any such place in DC...I once waited 45 minutes for my grilled cheese -Azi's: some of the best coffee drinks, the food selection could be more imaginative, and for god sakes, stay open past 7pm! -Big bear: ok this place is really good-but im not gonna haul my big booty all the way down to bloomingdale for a latte I pretty much do really like the AKCK or whatever its called next to the gay dirty underwear store on 14th street, though.

NotoriousREG

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:26:56 -0500

IMGoph, I suppose so but for argument's sake the article did mention the now defunct Murky which was located waaaaayyyyyy down in Capitol Hill.

IMGoph

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:40:45 -0500

notoriousreg: sure, big bear is great! but it's over here in bloomingdale. i thought we were talking about coffee around 14th and u streets. are we talking about coffee all over the city now?

NotoriousREG

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:25:36 -0500

Cough*Big Bear Cafe*cough. Just sayin'...can we get a little love up in this piece?

lemonlaug

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:36:39 -0500

Yeah don't be so dramatic. There's still Mocha Hut, Java House, Tryst, Love Cafe, the newly opened Locolat etc. Only the strong survive! Oh and Starbucks is hardly expanding at its old rate.

somegirl

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:22:50 -0500

They will also be selling red wine, chocolate ice cream, and hot dogs with extra mustard. In the jewelry section, large overstuffed backpacks will be available to borrow.

MikeB

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:38:29 -0500

my ... not by

MikeB

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:38:13 -0500

Apparently, they are re-opening as a clothing boutique that also sells coffee. Now that's hilarious. So if I spill by coffee on it, I have to buy it?

Jaynuze

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:18:32 -0500

14U and Sparky's both had horrible HORRIBLE coffee. I never really understood the whole draw to Sparky's ... unless you liked sipping luke warm, watery coffee in a filthy location.

loganmo

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:51:51 -0500

Yea..14U was a disaster. It had comfortable seating (very comfortable), really had a cool wacky atmosphere, but the service was just bad. Apparently, they are re-opening as a clothing boutique that also sells coffee.

MikeB

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:38:27 -0500

Never went to 14U, but that would explain the sign in the window about new management or something like that.

loganmo

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:20:24 -0500

I have tried going there three times. Each time, the place was dead, the food display case was nearly barren, and the store just had a depressing aura about it. Trust me, I'm all for indy coffee shops, but this place has zero vibe to it. 14U, a block away, had terrible service and mediocre food, but there was certainly character to the place.