What To Read and Where To Read It January 21, 2010
By: Kerry McCarty - editorial@aroundphilly.com A University of Delaware graduate, writer Kerry McCarty enjoys reading, yoga, shopping, all the travel she can afford in her little post-grad life and dining out in Philly with the necessary bottle of wine. When not at her day job, she spends her time pretending she’s still in college and brainstorming ways to put that to good use in the form of the written word for your reading pleasure.
Recent college grad trying to grasp what to do with your newly freed time other than drink? Workforce soldier wanting to mix it up mid-day for your lunch break instead of sitting in the break room with a drab ham sandwich and co-workers with whom you’d rather not spend your precious free time? Whether you need peace, quiet and coffee to recover from the weekend spent downing vodka tonics or just a little “you” time with some intelligent stimulation, I’ve got some suggestions. There’s a plethora of coffee shops big and small in and around Philly to match any personality, paired here with my personal favorite list of current must-reads.
Where:Ultimo Coffee Bar
Read:A Lion Called Christian by Ace Bourke, John Rendall and George Adamson ($14.99)
Drink: Shakisso espresso blend from Ethiopia, served Americano ($2.50)
Why They’re Great Together: John and Ace’s tale of Christian the lion (made famous on YouTube in ’08)--purchased as a cub in 1969 from Harrods and raised in downtown London--is heartwarming, thrilling, and poignant. The true story of Christian’s upbringing in the heart of the fashionable city, before his eventual introduction into the wild in Africa, is an uplifting telling of the strong bonds between man and animal. The streets of London in the sixties and seventies might remind you of the funky, up-and-coming South Philadelphia neighborhood in which Ultimo sits, nestled on the corner of 15th and Mifflin, lights twinkling from within. Local artists and musicians flock to the place, with Tap Room conveniently located across the street. The hot, aromatic and deep flavors of the coffee bar’s direct trade Counterculture Coffee (poured by the cup) will bring your senses to the likes of Christian’s native Africa. You won’t want your java from anywhere else once you’ve tried Aaron and Elizabeth Ultimo’s coffee, new to the scene as of May 2009. As neighborhood dweller and Ultimo regular Russell Alexander says, “It’s the best coffee in the city.” I hope that Aaron and Elizabeth’s superior coffee bar will become a Philly favorite, just like Ace and John have created a niche in hearts worldwide for Christian the lion.
Bonus: The man behind Tap Room, the nearby bar featuring quality beer and a choice pub menu, is currently in the works with Ultimo owners to create Brew/Ultimo, a uniquely juxtaposed beer room and coffee shop experience. Ultimo will serve the coffee by the cup while Brew will be the next room over serving bottled beer. A match made in heaven! You won’t even have to set foot outside to switch from coffee to beer, day to night. The seating area and the coolers lining the walls are already in place, but the beer is not. The ETA is uncertain but they’re hoping for it within the year.
Read:Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris ($14.99)
Drink: Small House Coffee ($1.50)
Why They’re Great Together: Sip on the popular house coffee here at The Last Drop, which fuels oh so many late-night study-sessions, served black just like the dry humor of David Sedaris. His 2004 collection of short stories, addressing hilarious accounts of everyday life, is just as iconic to our American culture as is the font on this coffee shop’s gargoyle-laden, corner-store front in Philadelphia. Students from the Art Institute just around the corner flock here to study and barista Luke confirms that The Last Drop can sometimes seem like a library. Good thing owner Nam has seen the importance of the local independent coffee shop as part study hall, part living room--he’s ensured plenty of room for all with a separate downstairs room, not to mention delectable treats that cater to all: vegan cookies, brownies, and whoopee pies, oh my! When settling in to one of the sturdy wooden tables, steaming mug at hand, be careful not to laugh too loudly when reading such essays in this book as Sedaris’ “Six to Eight Black Men,” thoughts on the traditional Dutch Christmas story and other cultural oddities.
Bonus: Before leaving don’t forget to check out the vast array of flyers papering the walls to find out when and where the next Making Time event is (www.igetrvng.com).
Why They’re Great Together: The warm and welcoming ambiance of owners Liron and Victor’s South Street café, La.Va, will make you feel like a part of the family. The colorful and imaginative art covering the exposed-brick walls (this month featuring local artist Steven Speir) is reminiscent of an acid trip/childhood fantasy, allowing you to drift easily into the Hundred Acre Wood world of Winnie the Pooh. Pooh is the true hero of this book; he’s the “Uncarved Block” who just is. This adorable and enlightening pocket-sized novel is written in a teacher-to-student way, with Pooh Bear (one of the world’s greatest Taoist masters?) seemingly sitting by your side on one of La.Va’s cushy couches. If you have nothing to study (like the many students that flock here for some peace and quiet on a regular basis), this tutorial is the perfectly enjoyable solution. As Pooh Bear has honey forever on the brain, you might begin to crave your own “something sweet.” Try La.Va’s sweet and indulgent Honey Vanilla Steamer while you read about the tenets of Taoism and begin to feel at peace with the world. This is a place where you can truly “just be,” because they won’t even try to kick you out if you end up engrossed in your book slightly past closing time!
Bonus: Saturdays at La.Va feature homemade, authentic Israeli Jachnoon, a dish our American taste buds may not be used to at first. The savory, caramelized rolled dough baked over-night, served with fresh grated tomato and hard-boiled egg is an event unto itself. If not to indulge in the Middle Eastern cuisine, go at least to socialize and get to know the neighborhood of which La.Va is a community hub.
Read:Another Roadside Attraction by Tom Robbins ($14)
Drink: Earl Grey Hot Chocolate ($3.18)
Why They’re Great Together: In the spirit of John Paul Ziller and his lovely, earthy wife Amanda’s highway-side hot dog stand and zoo, get on the road and venture out to the suburbs of Philly: Wayne, PA. Gryphon Café is located on Lancaster Avenue right next to the historic Anthony Wayne Movie Theater, a quaint, tucked-away café offering unexpectedly delectable treats like melt-in-your-mouth Bon Bon organic chocolate bars. Scratch that, they don’t just melt in your mouth, they nearly “cook in your mouth with the flavors continually opening up” for your gastronomic pleasure, as barista Amy so deftly described. The mythical creature, the Gryphon, lords over the entrance here, so what better novel to accompany your stay than Tom Robbins’s psychedelic work? Another Roadside Attraction, Robbins’s first novel that gained him the cult following that he has today, is full to overflowing with colorful imagery, including mind-twisting ideas of religion, politics and sex. You’ll want to be in a place of beauty and pleasure, as well as intelligence and culture. That’s exactly what you’ll find here at The Gryphon. They regularly feature live music at night and local art all day every day. Here it is never dull, as the ceiling-high windows on the back wall look out to a gorgeous mural of a moonlit cityscape. You’ll find that Robbins’s protagonist Amanda’s beverage of choice is often tea (though her variety is made with pine needles or magic mushrooms), so indulge in a cup of Earl Grey Hot Chocolate to take in the nutritious and delicious offerings of mother earth.
Bonus: If you enjoy this read, be sure to try Robbins’s Jitterbug Perfume paired with nothing other than Beet Hot Chocolate at The Gryphon (yes, beets oddly enough play a prominent roll in this novel). Creative and passionate owner Rich Mattis hasn’t perfected the recipe yet, but as of now the flavor is earthy and dark-chocolate sweet.
Read:Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig ($13.95)
Drink: Peppermint Pattie Latte ($3.75)
Why They’re Great Together: The Bean is said to be “the toughest coffee shop on South Street.” However, this nomenclature is not necessarily due to its often tattooed and pierced environment (anarchist bookstore The Wooden Shoe occupies the space across the street, and I honestly can’t say I didn’t like it). The café is the toughest because it has lasted for so long while other coffee shops up and down South Street have come and gone. Recession-proof coffee found here! The feel at The Bean is dual: it can be tough, funky and hip while at the same time artistic and Zen. Pirsig might call this duality the “rational” and the “romantic.” His philosophical discussion aims to embrace both of these facets of life. Get your “tough” on while flipping through the pages of this motorcycle maintenance guide disguised as a tutorial on Zen Buddhist practice … or is it an exploration into metaphysics disguised as prose on a father and son’s trans-America motorcycle trip? All this deep discussion making you thirsty? Indulge your sweet side with the comfort of a Peppermint Pattie Latte topped off with a Chinese Fortune Cookie (standard on all in-house drinks) served by equally sweet baristas.
Bonus: Check out The Bean’s thick, mouth-watering slices of pumpkin bread for $2 a piece, homemade in-shop every other day. One local fan calls the brilliant orange loaf “moist and sweet, yet not too sweet. Dense and simply delightful!”
Read:And the Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks by Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs ($14)
Eat: Machine Gun Kelly Sandwich Melt ($7.50)
Why They’re Great Together: Mugshots’s proximity to the towering Eastern State Penitentiary cannot be ignored (hence the playful name of the café), and so a mystery novel by the likes of the talented Jack Kerouac is the perfect medicine. The novel (published in 2008, a full 50 years after it was written) is based on an actual murder, a deadly stabbing in a drunken fight that led to the dumping of the body into the Hudson River. Kerouac was arrested and spent some time in jail as an “accessory after the fact” for the crime, making the novel all the more thrilling. You don’t need to be a criminal to traverse into Fairmount territory, though; the neighborhood is actually very eclectic and friendly. Choose a seat in the sprawling coffee shop that is a proud member of the Independence Coffee Co-Operative, serving fair trade Equal Exchange brews, as well as an expansive menu including organic, locally grown and vegan goodies. This not-so-little shop is aimed at improving the Fairmount neighborhood, which they’re certainly doing so simply by offering the mouth-watering concoctions displayed on their chalkboard menus. Enjoy the Machine Gun Kelly, a particularly enticing sandwich melt featuring smoked turkey, BBQ sauce, tomato, onion and cheddar.
Bonus: On those mornings when you’re not feeling so hot (ahem, one too many Yeunglings last night) count on Mugshots to revive you with one of their Recovery Shakes, available in strawberry, acai, mango and northwest berry. For an even speedier recovery, pair your icy fruit puree with one of comedian Chelsea Handler’s raucous novels. Not only will you forget about your headache because you’re laughing so hard, but you might feel a little bit better about your night after reading My Horizontal Life, a collection of short stories on Miss Handler’s one-night-stands. It’s simultaneously sexy and pee-your-pants funny.
Why They’re Great Together: Hemingway’s talented prose is sparse in order to capture the raw emotion and the reality of the human experience, a pure and simple quality sought after the world over, just like the European-style, no-frills cappuccino served at La Colombe in Rittenhouse. The Sun Also Rises is a must-read for anyone who loves traveling, tragic love stories, the thrill of life (as captured in a bullfight in Pamplona or at a sexy nightclub in Paris) or beautiful writing of a true great. Hemingway became famous for writing about the Lost Generation of the 20s, inspiring young women across America to wear short hair and tight sweater sets like his fashionable femme character Lady Brett Ashley. Lady Bretts of today can always be found socializing and sipping coffee at this centrally located spot. Rittenhouse is the perfect posh and sophisticated scene for this read, paired with a to-die-for cup of quality cappuccino. Let Arno, a handsome French barista, serve you an espresso and croissant while you delve further into the expat world of Hemingway’s fiction. Arrive early in the day in order to get a seat in the expansive coffee room underneath one of many photos from around the world, as La Colombe has a cult-like following for its locally made coffee. This may not be where you want to stumble to if you’ve just rolled out of bed after a long Saturday night bar hopping, but once you’ve cleaned yourself up it’s a dream.
Where: 
The hot, aromatic and deep flavors of the coffee bar’s direct trade Counterculture Coffee (poured by the cup) will bring your senses to the likes of Christian’s native Africa. You won’t want your java from anywhere else once you’ve tried Aaron and Elizabeth Ultimo’s coffee, new to the scene as of May 2009. As neighborhood dweller and Ultimo regular Russell Alexander says, “It’s the best coffee in the city.” I hope that Aaron and Elizabeth’s superior coffee bar will become a Philly favorite, just like Ace and John have created a niche in hearts worldwide for Christian the lion. 
Where: 
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You’ll want to be in a place of beauty and pleasure, as well as intelligence and culture. That’s exactly what you’ll find here at The Gryphon. They regularly feature live music at night and local art all day every day. Here it is never dull, as the ceiling-high windows on the back wall look out to a gorgeous mural of a moonlit cityscape. You’ll find that Robbins’s protagonist Amanda’s beverage of choice is often tea (though her variety is made with pine needles or magic mushrooms), so indulge in a cup of Earl Grey Hot Chocolate to take in the nutritious and delicious offerings of mother earth.
Where: 
The café is the toughest because it has lasted for so long while other coffee shops up and down South Street have come and gone. Recession-proof coffee found here! The feel at The Bean is dual: it can be tough, funky and hip while at the same time artistic and Zen. Pirsig might call this duality the “rational” and the “romantic.” His philosophical discussion aims to embrace both of these facets of life. Get your “tough” on while flipping through the pages of this motorcycle maintenance guide disguised as a tutorial on Zen Buddhist practice … or is it an exploration into metaphysics disguised as prose on a father and son’s trans-America motorcycle trip? All this deep discussion making you thirsty? Indulge your sweet side with the comfort of a Peppermint Pattie Latte topped off with a Chinese Fortune Cookie (standard on all in-house drinks) served by equally sweet baristas.
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