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Wednesday, April 17,1996 Columbia's Story By ? Photos By /don't know how it is for the rest of you during exams, but this time of year I wake up every morning and stumble immediately for the coffee pot. If a home-brewed cup of joe isn't possible, though, there are several , hip locales around campus that are ready and willing to offer you any amount of i that most widely used drug: caffeine. Columbia's coffee houses also serve up a variety of tasty desserts and even "real" food. Three of the city's best? Cafe Espresso, Adriana's and the Courtyard Coffeehouse?are close to campus and definitely caffeinated for your studying pleasure. Located across from the Horseshoe on College Street, Cafe Espresso is a popular hangout for USC students with some free time. Opening the cafe's heavy door to the pungent aroma of coffee brewing upstairs is an instant wake-up call. Weeknights usually bring more studious patrons to Cafe Espresso's smoky environs, as it is quite easy to tune out the babbling background. But groups of friends are always there, as is the occasional couple engrossed in conversation. Cafe Espresso lives up to its name, offering espresso-based specialty drinks in addition to the house coffee and cappuccino common to so many coffee houses. Their mochas promise a tantalizing variety of flavors, including raspberry, almond and caramel. The Blarney Mocha is an exciting Irish alternative to the ordinaiy caffeine buzz, and the Menthe Mocha (my personal pick) is sweet perfection for peppermint connoisseurs. Mocha drinks are $2.45, while cappuccinos are a reasonable $2.10. All coffee specialties can be iced?a definite plus for the coming summer months. Italian soda, hot tea and a coffee of the day complete the drink menu. If caffeination is not on the agenda, Cafe Espresso also sells a variety of gooey desserts and filling sandwiches. (Reese's I UN A Thur in the F 1ACUC?/UL< in the Pul Departme preset ou ji Honors c On USCE Sti t Caffeine C Jessica Nash, Robert Walton, Ph No matter what you no matter whatyo\ Columbia has coffee So this semester du break and check Cajfeinate. Keep as pie and cappuccino cheesecake caught my attention, but the selection changes daily.) At $2.50 a slice, these desserts are a bargain for your sweet tooth. Sandwiches and salads are under $5. Cafe Espresso also welcomes local artists to perform or exhibit their work there. Art by Marcello Novo presently hangs on the cafe's moody red walls, and acoustic shows entertain patrons on the weekends. Just a few blocks farther from campus, on Saluda Street in Five Points, Adriana's will satisfy those caffeine cravings and tempt you with a variety of desserts as well. Prices at Adriana's have recently gone up, as a small notice behind the counter proclaims, but a specialty drink w J.I.- n; a uil i_- <hr? np iiKe me uiani iviocna is sou oniy va.zo? and the most chocolaty, if that is important. The typical espresso, cappuccino and coffee of the day are also available, as are hot and Russian teas. Fortunately, Adriana's dessert case does not announce nutritional information per serving. Who would really want to know the truth about peanut butter chocolate fudge, or Black Forest torte or chocolate truffle mousse cake? Selections change periodically, and desserts are under $3 apiece. Apparently, coffee is a secondary concern for many patrons of Adriana's. This establishment, with its Italian flair, is just as well known for the gelati (Italian ice cream) churned on the premises daily. Tr i: n ill i i_i.? :n_ ii uiuuiaiy liavuis line uiueuuiue, vciiiiua and strawberry don't grab your attention, I VERS] WARD DAY sday, April 18, 1 at 2:00 p.m. iussell House Ba *< . . :>- > < m immediately fo Russell House L die cordially invit nts and o it over 100 awar itstanding student Sponsored by: on of Student Aj ind Awards Com xicron Delta Kap Educational Foun ident Govemmei onnections ff Writer >oto Editor ir coffee preference, ur noise tolerance, houses for all types, iring exams, take a r one out. Relax, teady hand at Jenga. then mocha, malaga, and pistachio might Employees will provide a samplinj spoonful upon request?and customer! 1__ A J XI XX X- _x_ rareiy turn uown a uavor alter a taste Adriana's gelati is served on class] silver dishes in small, medium or larg< portions?that's molto, molto grande and grandissimo, to be culturally correct Milkshakes are available for $3.40, anc they are almost enough for two people The atmosphere at Adriana's is Kveliea and louder than that at Cafe Espresso but probably because of the more eclectii crowd. Adriana's location farther fron campus means college students do noi monopolize its tables, and it seems t( attract both younger and older patrons Jazz music blares in the backgroundtoo loud for intimate conversation a times, but appropriate for the smoky bustling atmosphere. Adriana's also promotes an extensivi menu of Italian lunch and dinnei specialties. Daily Italian specials, fron manicotti to fettuccine shrimp alfredo are under $7. Sandwiches, salads, an< soups are served, as are 6-inch persona pizzas. If coffee, conversation, and a creativi atmosphere are your preferences, thei Pnnrfvor^ PnffinnV?nnQD annnlrl Kn fVii VUU1 UJUXU VVili^VUUUUV U11UUXU WV/ bll< destination. This relatively younj establishment is located on State Street just across the Gervais Street bridge ii West Columbia. Unfortunately transportation is a must, but it is wort! the extra effort. Courtyard Coffeehouse specialize! in coffee. They also have the old mem [TY I S 996 llroom %J| llowing obby :ed % dons will ds to is :V . I 1 | 1 rr fairs mission pa dation at Kristin Adams, a USC junior, works tx I fee emporium features regular menu i 3 standards (a coffee of the day, espresso, ? ' mocha, cappuccino), but their specialty a coffees stand out in name and in flavor. The Milky Way ? my recommendation?will satisfy even the j most demanding sweet tooth. Mochacrino (Courtyard's specialty) steamed with r caramel syrup and whipped cream makes this drink heavy on the sugar, light on ^ I the caffeine. This sweet concoction and" j other specialty coffees are under $3. t Courtyard Coffee House's surprises j include French press coffee at $1.50 per Dot. (Java enthusiasts: take note.) You _ can pick your bean flavor at the counter t and watch the grinding. Flavors include cinnamon hazelnut, Costa Rican tarazu, Java timor and even Kona. These coffees B are also sold by the half pound or pound, r at prices competitive with those of larger ! coffee retailers. L l; While the dessert selection here is w i smaller, artistic employees will drizzle ? 1 chocolate syrup on the plate underneath ^ the cookie, brownie, or slice of cake of e your choice. The Courtyard Coffeehouse i also serves specialty sandwiches: heart- u e smart specials and macrobiotic y sandwiches. They even have hummus. If entertainment is what you want, a i you can get it at Courtyard Coffeehouse. P , Scrabble, Jenga, and Chess are on hand & i for bored customers, and a map of the C( world on one wall apparently enchants 3 customers for hours. (You pin a dot tf i where you're from, a star where you want is i i?i^> > FRFPFTTM FRFR SPA Mark you "LATE NIG FREE FUN FREE BASKE Monday, Apr B1 FREE TRIPLES SAND VO Sponsored by: Offi Carolina Productior All activities are Brii Actual events may < This eve FREE FUN FREE BASKE ihind the counter at Courtyard Cof terns such as a coffee of the day, < K y Jlgf Is - JmH ^-^ KiiiBESSHIii^BH larcus Allen and Bob Sublet pli ourtyard Coffeehouse, which also ) be.) A new artist displays his or her ork eveiy month, and guests musicians sually play twice a week. The Courtyard Coffeehouse actually oes have a courtyard. It is not well lit t night, but the outdoor tables are opular on spring days. The 5tablishment might sponsor an outdoor racert series there this summer, too. Perhaps because it is farther from le center of town, Courtyard Coffeehouse quieter and not as crowded. Jazz and VENGERHUNT FREEM tr calendars i zause it's BA Semi-Ai JSC STRESS m HT AT TH TBALL FREE AIR VOLL] il 22,1996 5 att P.E. Center LLEYBALL FREE DOOF Office of Alcohol & E>ru ce of Campus Recreatioi ls, GAMMA and the R./ s free and open to USC s ig your valid student IE :hange due to funding or program nt is paid for with student activity TBALL FREE AIR VOLL f ?1 J"iAfr? ? iAft> ^.D.I.C.A.L. team. itudents only! >! matic decisions, fees. EYBALL FREE FOOD 5^ Feehouse. The West Columbia cofespresso, mocha, and cappuccino. - if' wi **?b b *jb , - - -W- * N It'*' ile. w i * y,^!lWl:iB iy a friendly game of chess at offers Scrabble and Jenga. blues played in the background while I was there, and I could still here myself think. Hie very first thing I saw through the coffee house's windows was a cozy living-room arrangement of armchairs and a reading lamp. Definitely unusuaL No matter what your coffee preference, no matter what your noise tolerance, Columbia has coffee houses for all types. So this semester during exams, take a break and check one out. Relax. Caffeinate. Keep a steady hand at Jenga. USIC FREE FOOD now... CK! nnual BLOWOUT IE BLATT" EYBALL FREE FOOD pm -10 pm L PRIZES FREE FUN Lg Programs, X