Though Enigma Garden Café, Rock ’n’ Java, Holy Grounds/Mojo Bean, Café Espresso Roma, Brewed Awakening and many more have gone the way of the drugstore soda fountain and lunch counter, as long as there are textbooks to study, acoustic guitars to strum and Great American Novels to write (in longhand, naturally), the notion of the independent coffee shop will stubbornly endure. For those unwilling to feed their addictions via Big Coffee, cozy up to these one-of-a-kind caffeine-slingers.
Canvas Cafe
430 E. Silverado Ranch Blvd. #100; 650-2221; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, closed Sunday
The drinks: To the point, nothing overly fancy. The food is more the focal point here, though the Nutella latte is sweeter than the tears of a thousand stray puppies.
The nosh: Co-founder Aaron Schropp studied under Emeril. He spent 11 months and $3,000 perfecting his Amsterdam waffle. Everything—salads, soups, sandwiches, wraps, desserts—is made from scratch and contains no trans fats. Nice touch that the dozen varieties of panini are named after artists.
The vibe: Professional. Though the walls of local art say otherwise, suits dashing in and out seem more prevalent than moody beatniks whiling away the day (though younger crowds do congregate on music nights). The five-month-old corner location is spotless, open and airy, and the 76-seat capacity includes both indoor and outdoor accommodations.
Work-friendly? Somewhat. There’s free wi-fi, but once your batteries are juiced, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a convenient outlet. And be forewarned, the friendly chatter flows very freely.
Overall: The prices are just a tad high, though well worth the fresh ’n’ wholesome guarantee. Makes for a satisfying, energizing afternoon, and now that a beer-and-wine license has been granted, an enjoyable evening as well.
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Espresso Culture & Cuisine
9555 S. Eastern Ave. #125; 243-4559; 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday
The drinks: This is Illy Country, which means serious frappes, lattes and mochas for serious caffeine connoisseurs. The tea selection is unmatched, and Espresso uniquely offers a dozen wines, while Peroni, Stella Artois and Guinness run $4 a bottle.
The nosh: Though desserts occupy only one small display-case rack, 10 breakfast items are served all day. The grilled-sandwich, croissant, salad and soup options are few, but the portions are huge. The four panini are the menu centerpiece, however: warm, fresh and authentically Italian through and through.
The vibe: Traditional European goes modern. The sleek black, white, red and chrome is offset by the board games and literature both high (Dickens) and low (Dan Brown), not to mention instructional (Tournament Poker). A wide array of well-lit indoor seating is available, but after the a.m. hours outdoor seating tends to remain cast in cave-like shadow.
Work-friendly? Definitely. For nine months now, free wi-fi, plenty of table space and a good number of well-designated outlets have made planning that international corporate takeover a breeze.
Overall: Baristas surprisingly offer table service and honesty (“We’ve had to temporarily switch white-chocolate suppliers, so it’s not as good right now”). The prices are a smidge steep, but it’s a steal considering the endlessly chic atmosphere’s thrown in for free.
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ReJAVAnate
3300 E. Flamingo Road, #23; 253-7721; 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday, 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
The drinks: The signature Fruit Blasters and reJAVAchillers come in a mind-boggling array of flavors. Pretty much any drink you can dream up (Green Tea Smoothie, anyone?) comes in Junior, Jumbo and Junkie sizes, and vitamin, energy and protein shots are available for boosting all beverages.
The nosh: Traditional items like sandwiches, panini, salads and baked goodies are largely sugar- and trans-fat-free, though you wouldn’t guess it by the taste. We can’t vouch for those mysterious “kringle” pastries, though.
The vibe: Genuine. In nine months, new owners John Abbasnezhad and Hercules Cummings have cemented the colorful, socially-conscious establishment’s standing as a creative, intellectual and philanthropic epicenter. In addition to hosting artistic and literary endeavors, ReJAVAnate 2.0 has become a promising music venue, with shows featuring local and touring acts.
Work-friendly? Free wi-fi and even a few gratis computers ensure that it’s easy to get your e-mail on. It’s even rumored that simply walking in the door raises average IQs a few points.
Overall: The front patio is still coming along, but the motley furniture (and patrons) inside, as well as the wide array of ideas and menu options, contribute to the loose, come-as-you-are atmosphere. If only it were closer to UNLV …
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Gelato Café
120 S. Green Valley Parkway #174 (additional locations at 8550 W. Desert Inn and the Fashion Show Mall); 866-2888; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily
The drinks: As the name suggests, the emphasis is elsewhere, so they stick to the basics: lattes, cappuccinos, espresso drinks. However, the affogato—gelato topped with espresso—is the next best thing to Guinness and ice cream when it comes to grown-up root-beer floats.
The nosh: Five European sandwiches take a backseat to the titular dessert selection. The 18-and-counting flavors are made preservative-free in Vegas and range from light-and-fruity to creamy-and-hardcore-chocolatey, er, make that stracciatella-y. Sugar-free options are on the way for summer. Pricier than ice cream, but that’s because it’s much better for you.
The vibe: Eager to please. It’s tiny and in an odd location at the rear of The District II, but the huge windows and bright yellows, greens and whites do their darnedest to attract stray foot traffic.
Work-friendly? Actually, this is the perfect place to get away from work for an hour. Forgo the small storefront seats to laze in the sun at the outside tables and benches, or even on the grass. Don’t return to the office until you’re darn good and ready.
Overall: Despite the imported Italian art for sale on the walls and infinitely knowledgeable staff, Gelato Café is as non-intimidating as they come. Easily the most kid-friendly of the bunch.
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Change Alley
3350 Novat St. #105; 734-9100; 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
The drinks: You name it, they brew it at this year-plus-old Anglocentric establishment, though such espresso specialties as the Queen’s Tiramisu Latte, New Jonathan’s Coconut Mocha and Sweeting’s Mint Mocha are menu highlights.
The nosh: Change Alley keeps it simple with soup and panini (the quiche ain’t bad, either). The impressive selection of desserts, however, is fresh, always in constant rotation and full of gluten-free options. The scones are unbeatable, and presentation—check out the mini Espresso Mousse shots—is a high priority.
The vibe: Cozy. Outside it’s all mountains and housing developments; inside it’s Harry Potter meets Starbucks. The oversized wall clock, dark wood, handful of books, smokey-chimneyed street mural and easy chairs in front of the fireplace are conducive to chatting, reading or enjoying afternoon tea. The “hand-lettered” scrolls painted on the warm, earth-toned walls—not to mention the availability of candy, cereal and crackers—are thoughtful touches.
Work-friendly? Indubitably. Free wi-fi, plenty of light and soft background (as opposed to overpowering) music keep the productive juices flowing.
Overall: It’s tiny, so both indoor and the few outdoor seats go fast, but the prices and attention to detail can’t be beat.
SexxPresso
670 E. Flamingo Road; 796-1125; 5:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
The drinks: Traditional hot and frozen coffee drinks, as well as scandalously named lattes (the “Porn Star”) and mochas (the “Erotic Pleasure”), come direct from Italy in “cup sizes” A, B and DD. For members of the clergy, there are smoothies.
The nosh: None, but you’ll certainly work up an appetite.
The vibe: Innocent until proven guilty. Nubile, lingerie-clad Bodacious Baristas located inside this four-month-old freestanding giant coffee mug flirt innocently, and besides, it’s only coffee. Just what do you think is going to happen here?
Work-friendly? What work? Can’t you see the hot chicks? Plus it’s drive-through only.
Overall: Nothing wrong with the drinks, but anyone who doesn’t come for the service is a lying sack of beans. Very Vegas, folks.
Razio
2500 Anthem Village Drive #140; 804-0744; 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
The drinks: Since the shop’s opening in November, New Orleans’ full-bodied Community Coffee has been the brand of choice for bibitas (drinks) in sizes piccolo, medio and grande. All the traditional favorites are here, plus a half-dozen granita (blended frozen drinks) and 14 speciale bibita (self-explanatory).
The nosh: The insalata and zuppa (that’d be salads and soups) are also made fresh daily, but the sandwiches and panini are Executive Chef Josh Thomsen’s specialty. Prosciutto, arugula and fontina cheese abound. Owners Jon Jannota and Michael Vespi will expand next door with a pizza kitchen by summer.
The vibe: Rustic with a side of fuggedaboudit. Polo shirts, track suits and deep tans are trademarks of the afternoon crowd lounging in the wrought-iron and dark wooden chairs beside the fireplace. The Sinatra crooning adds a little bada-bing to both power meetings and casual flipping through Vegas Golfer magazine.
Work-friendly? Depends on your discipline level. There’s free wi-fi, but the people-watching will vie fiercely for attention.
Overall: It’s a schlep from elsewhere, but Anthem residents certainly have it made.
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City Blend
10720 S. Eastern Ave. #130; 650-2221; 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
The drinks: The espresso drinks don’t skimp quality-wise, but it’s the alternative beverages that are most impressive here, with a dozen varieties of smoothies (all available in non-dairy), seven nutrient add-ins and five meal-replacement mixes to pick from.
The nosh: Limited to a rotating selection of pastries, and comparatively few options at that, but the muffins and Danishes are massive, and the scone flavors are wildly inventive (dig that white-chocolate raspberry).
The vibe: Homey. An abundance of colorful, plush indoor seating and array of for-sale gift items including local art and nifty hand-painted wine boxes invite simultaneous sipping and shopping. Bonus points for the piles of books/mags, prominent community message boards and participation in various local programs. The bathrooms are remarkably schmancy, to boot.
Work-friendly? Wi-fi and well-placed outlets ensure that whoever’s taking notes at the next Sierra Club meeting or Obama-rally planning committee has access to national stats at their fingertips.
Overall: Not even the giant coffee cup atop an equally giant saucer owner Jennifer Schai affixed over the curtained stage/meeting area can hold all the good vibes that have flowed outward since City Blend’s September opening.
Cup o’ facts
• World coffee prices have risen 23 percent over the past six months.
• Starbucks reported its first quarterly drop in U.S. customer visits last year. First-quarter sales growth slowed to 17 percent, the smallest gain in two years.
• Market penetration for coffee has surpassed that of soft drinks, reversing a 20-year pattern. Fifty-seven percent of American adults drink coffee daily, versus 51 percent for soft drinks.
• Four single-roaster companies buy more than 50 percent of the world’s annual coffee production: Kraft, Nestlé, Procter & Gamble and Sara Lee.
• Among coffee drinkers the average coffee consumption in the United States is 3.1 cups of coffee per day.
• Coffee ingestion is about a third that of tap water in most of North America and Europe.
• The first European coffeehouse opened in Italy in 1645.
Sources: coffeefacts.com; brandweek.com; latimes.com; National Coffee Association
Julie Seabaugh is a frequent Weekly contributor.
Photographs by Jacob Kepler and Benjamin Purvis