(no subject)

[spacebug]

S4 and I were numerating the various reasons we dislike the Black Dog a week or two ago. Because this is the closest coffee shop to our place at a mere block and a half away, the fact that the list is pretty long is really unfortunate. I neglected to add to the list that they took away my favorite scones. They were little- the perfect size. (I don't know if this happens to other people or if I'm just a weirdo, but I always seem to eat all but the last three bites of my baked breakfast goods. This did not happen with these little scones, because they were the perfect size!) They were lemony and had just enough icing to make it a treat and not overwhelming. I want them back. I want one right now, as a matter of fact. I wish Swede Hollow was just a little more walking-distance; they definitely kick the Black Dog's ass in terms of baked goods. Their coffee's better too. Though, they do not have beer. Gotta give a little credit. Newcastle happy hour at the neighborhood coffee shop is all right. S4 has never been to Nina's, and I haven't been there for years and years, not since my brother lived on Cathedral Hill, I think. Maybe I've never been there! I don't even remember. Maybe we'll check that out this weekend. I might even run into Ms. Hazzard grading papers or something.

Comments

[alisgray.livejournal.com]

Nina's is gracious-hippie with the smug overpricing that keeps the riffraff out.

often the service isn't all one could wish.

it will do. but I doubt it'll do better than the black dog.

[spacebug.livejournal.com]

Black Dog also has these characteristics. Phooey. We like Swede Hollow quite a bit; it's primary flaw is that it's only open until 2pm.

[alisgray.livejournal.com]

Nina's is at least open after 2pm.

[cynthia-french.livejournal.com]

I disagree, but I've been going there for 3 years and know most of the staff pretty well. I now live a block away. It was bought by one of my old coffee customers from when I worked at Amore Coffee, before the current ungracious owner took over and turned it from a welcoming european coffeeshop to a toothpaste colored wicker heart decorated monstrosity.

[alisgray.livejournal.com]

generally speaking, in my experience it is not that the employees are rude or bad at their jobs, it's that there aren't enough of them and they're surprisingly often out of whatever I ordered.

Are there other coffee shops in the area that you also frequent?

[cynthia-french.livejournal.com]

not lately, as I don't have a lot of time these days. I used to go out and write more often. There aren't many in St. Paul that are open late, so I usually cross the river and go to SpyHouse, Cafettos or Anodyne.

In the three years I've gone to Nina's they've only been out of my drink once. Pretty good odds. lol.

[alisgray.livejournal.com]

I'm a soy drinker. sorry luck.

funny how all the cafes hunch up like that in Uptown.

[pied-piper70.livejournal.com]

I have to agree about alisgray's summation of Nina's...It's a nice place to meet, but I always wind up wanting to hang someplace else...

The Black Dog USED to be a cool hangout, but in a previous incarnation...That's too bad...Decent independent St. Paul coffee shops are becoming harder to find...

[alisgray.livejournal.com]

there's still Cahoots.

[paraselenic.livejournal.com]

I really miss Kuppernicus, the super awesome crappy-couch coffee shop it was long ago. It was my favorite coffee shop of all time, and I practically lived there....

[alisgray.livejournal.com]

have you tried this one?
http://twincities.citysearch.com/profile/11357878/st_paul_mn/grumpy_steve_s_coffeeshop.html

[cynthia-french.livejournal.com]

i will be there for a bit of time on Sunday. Not grading papers, but working on lesson plans for the week. nina's was bought by June about 3 years ago, it's change a ton from when I used to go there to smoke and play cribbage 10 years ago. I used to go to the Black Dog and smoke and play cribbage too, before it became a wine bar.