Daily Harvest Cafe in Danvers, MA
103 High St Danvers, MA 01923 www.dailyharvestcafe.com Facebook Page MAP IT– Google Maps Link Overall Rating- 4 Stars- Solid Reflections: A little bit of country in the middle of the city… that’s the Daily Harvest Cafe. With a great selection of food and baked goods, and enough space to not feel cramped by the many other folks who have discovered this lovely little gem, this is an excellent spot for the cafe worker. The best part is their outside patio including the waterfall and perimeter garden, so if you’ve got plenty of juice in your computer and it’s a warm, sunny day, this is a wonderful place to spend a couple hours soaking up sunlight and getting work done. Food Favorites & Thoughts Being ever the breakfast fan, my favorite discovery was that they are not strict about the “breakfast is served until 11:30” posting on their menus. I think my favorite was the Cinnamon Swirl French Toast… absolutely delicious. Their Pumpkin Bread is also quite tasty. [slideshow] The Essentials Free Wireless– Yes Available power outlets– Yes, requires strategic seating. Chair & Table situation- All tables and chairs, only a couple comfy armchairs. (Capacity- Medium ~25 max; Outdoors- additional ~20) Bonuses Ambiance & Energy- Country, rustic, warm & family friendly (which can occasionally be counter-productive to working) Service- Extremely friendly, order at the bar and they will bring your food to you. Bathrooms- One for both M/W. Adequate & clean Parking/Transport- Small private parking lot, JUST off of 128N on Rt. 35 in Danvers. My Joys Available Views- On the patio or from the front bar you get to enjoy the waterfall and small garden space. But, mostly you get a view of Rt. 35 which a busy Danvers street. Veggie-friendly options- Reasonably plentiful. At least a couple sandwiches & wraps, plus great breakfast options. Cozy features- Outdoor waterfall and garden by the patio Outdoor Seating- Definitely the best part of this venue. Chai status- Haven’t tried yet (it’s cider season for me :).) Will have to go back and update you. Some Basic Info Cost- $$– Sandwiches for under $10 Link to Yelp...
Front Street Coffeehouse in Salem, MA
20 Front Street Salem, MA 01970 www.frontstreetcoffeehouse.com Facebook Page MAP IT– Google Maps Link Overall Rating- 3 Stars- Passing Reflections With an indy, edgy vibe, this small coffeeshop in the central walking area of Salem is convenient, but unlikely to become a favorite of mine. The music is very eclectic, leaning toward punk, techno, and indy rock. Food Favorites & Thoughts Front Street Coffeehouse has a very limited menu, so think of this as a true coffeehouse experience, with some smoothies & juices thrown in (wheatgrass included). The menu won’t be bringing me back many times, but for a quiet alternative to Gulu-Gulu on busy evenings it might do the trick. [slideshow] The Essentials Free Wireless– Yes, ask for the password for “FSC” network Available power outlets– Yes (but not by the brick wall) Chair & Table situation- Primarily table & chair sets (chairs remind me of what you might have used in high school); only two arm chairs and a small settee. (Capacity- Medium ~30 max) Bonuses Ambiance & Energy- artsy, edgy, classic “punk” coffeehouse, strangely quiet for the Saturday evening I visited, not open late. Service- good Bathrooms- only one VERY small WC… Feels like a closet although they tried to jazz it up with color and art. Parking/Transport- Salem street parking, walking distance to Salem Commuter Rail Station My Joys Available Views?- of Salem’s shopping streets Veggie-friendly options- limited (salad & one sandwich) Cozy features- brick wall… If you can call that cozy Outdoor Seating- Not theirs, but there are 3-4 tables at the neighboring ice cream parlor that might have potential. Chai status– unknown (went with a Caramel Apple Cider today) Some Basic Info Cost- $- Sandwiches under $5 Link to Yelp...
Cafe on the Common in Waltham, MA
677 Main Street Waltham, MA 02452 Website- N/A MAP IT– Google Maps Link Overall Rating- 4 Stars- Solid Reflections The general ambiance of The Cafe on the Common is wonderful, and you will find many happy cafe workers have already located this lovely downtown Waltham spot. I truly appreciate the care they have put into the aesthetics of the chairs and the space. It has just a hint of the French bistro experience, while feeling spacious, warm, and friendly. It can get a bit loud at the lunch rush since the ceilings are high and the floors are stone, but for that late afternoon relaxing few hours, it’s a brilliant option. Food Favorites & Thoughts There are a nice mix of lunch options here: sandwiches, soup, quiche, paninis, salads. They aren’t the best I’ve ever had, but they are definitely better than the average. The baked goods (scones, cookies, pie, etc) are very tasty & appealing. Sometime you can smell the cookies baking which is a treat (and a wonderful marketing ploy :).) Definitely try the Rooibos Latte. It’s my favorite! [slideshow] The Essentials Free Wireless- Yes Available power outlets – Yes but you have to be strategic regarding seating Chair & Table situation- Mostly table & chair sets- but they’re lovely marble-top tables and brown woven rattan chairs. A few similar arm chairs & 2 person couches. (Capacity- Large 40+) Bonuses Ambiance & Energy- think French street cafe meets upscale Boston, frequently vibrant Jazz music playing Service- no table service, order & pick up at the bar, effective Bathrooms- large & clean. 1M & 1W Parking/Transport- a few steps down Common St is a large municipal parking garage with 12 hour meters, otherwise Waltham street parking (BRING QUARTERS!); walking distance to Waltham Commuter Rail Station. My Joys Available Views?- Not so much, busy downtown Waltham street Veggie-friendly options- plentiful- create your own sandwich or wrap, & frequently veggie quiche or soup (today both!) Cozy features- some live plants that add warmth and friendliness Outdoor Seating- Yes, but only one table on a busy street Chai status- not my favorite, but their Rooibos Latte is very good and brewed like espresso which is unique. Some Basic Info Cost- $$- Sandwiches under $10 Link to Yelp...
Gulu-Gulu Cafe in Salem, MA
Gulu-Gulu Cafe 247 Essex Street Salem, MA 01970 www.gulu-gulu.com MAP IT– Google Maps Link Overall Rating: 4 Stars- Solid Reflections: Gulu-Gulu Cafe is one of my favored local haunts particularly because of its spacious atmosphere and delightful menu. They have recently started serving breakfast (as well as lunch and dinner), although I have yet to make it there before the noon breakfast menu cut-off. The atmosphere and servers are a colorful and artsy bunch, which can make for great people-watching when your mind needs a break from your work. I find it very easy to plug in to their wifi (and outlets) and work for 2-3 hours here with minimal interruptions. This place can be REALLY crowded and busy on the weekends and at Lunch/Dinner hours, so be prepared with a backup plan (aka another Working Cafe location) in case there are no tables to be found. Nevertheless, for off-hours/mid-afternoon working sessions this place can be a real treat to settle into for a while. (And the crepes always keep me coming back :). ) Food Favorites & Thoughts: My favorites include the Apple & Brie Crepe, the Cranberry Salad, and the variety of cheese plate options. OH, and the AMAZING beer menu… Lambic, YUM! [slideshow] The Essentials Free Wireless- YES Available power outlets– YES, particularly at tables on the “stage” Chair & Table situation- Both Indoor/Outdoor seating available; at least 15 tables and several couches/arm chair arrangements available. Bonuses Ambiance & Energy- Spunky, eclectic, colorful Service- Very friendly, and definitely used to cafe workers who hang around for hours at a time. As long as you’re good to them, I’m sure they’ll be sweet to you. The place can get very busy at meal times, however, so be prepared to get relegated to a corner sometimes and be respectful to the servers by turning over the table if the place is starting to get hopping. Bathrooms-Four single bathrooms (2M/2W), which do appear to be undergoing a well-needed renovation currently (Sept 2010); generally large and reasonably clean. Parking/Transport- Salem street parking, which is plentiful. Within easy walking distance of the Salem Commuter Rail. My Joys Available Views?- The patio looks onto a lovely and tree-filled public square- the one with the “Bewitched” Statue. The large windows of the cafe mostly view the shops of Essex street (which are Salem’s classically eclectic bunch). Veggie-friendly options – plentiful! Salads, Crepes, Wraps, Paninis… a great selection. Cozy features- Personally, I love their teapots, which serve at least 3 cups full and make me happy to settle down to a pot to go with my work. Chai status- not my favorite… but the Rooibos is lovely. Some Basic Info Cost: $$– Sandwiches under $10 Link to Yelp...
What makes a great working cafe?
We have to begin by establishing the ground rules. “Working Cafe” Definition: A small restaurant or coffeehouse environment that is effective and welcoming for the wandering worker. What goes into becoming a great “working cafe”? Here are the elements that I have found to be essential: Free wireless internet Comfortable chairs & tables Accessible power outlets Delicious drinks & food These items are definite bonuses: Great ambiance & energy Friendly & welcoming service (not always a given for the cafe worker) Convenient parking and/or public transit location Then, there are the elements that are pure joy for me, personally: Great views (to inspire my mind) Ample vegetarian menu options (yes… I’m one too since @4yrs old.) Cozy features (fireplaces, water features, window seats, etc.) Oh… and a great chai latte (not too sweet, not to spicy) *grin* I think that gives us a basic definition of the attributes of a great “working cafe.” Therefore, it must be time to explore some of the available...
Welcome to The Working Cafe!
Welcome to the world of The Working Cafe! Whether you’re a writer, a freelancer, a student, a salesperson, or some other floating lifestyle designer… This blog is for you. Over the last decade of my graduate school years and starting my own company, I began to discover how much working from home was almost never about actually working AT HOME. Frequently, my best work was getting done whenever I would go out and curl up in a cafe for a few hours. As time has continued I have become aware of the components that go into a really great “working cafe.” I was inspired to start this blog to track and share my discoveries about what cafes have been the most promising and productive for my floating, working lifestyle. As a resident of Boston’s North Shore, you’ll discover that most of my initial posts will focus in this area. However, as a lover of travel, I look forward to adding new cafes whenever I explore new places. I promise this blog will not be just Starbucks & Panera locations (although there might be a few of those that offer a particularly convenient, comfortable, or attractive ambiance and thus earn their inclusion.) The hope is to highlight those wonderful, independent cafes that create such a colorful and delightful experience for the independent, traveling workers like myself. So, read, explore, enjoy! And if you know a place that you think I should try in your area, then I welcome your suggestions and comments :). All the best,...
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