BowTruss Coffee in Lakeview

We were devastated when our favorite coffee shop closed last year. But the promise of a new spot, complete with roasting works on site, kept us going.

Since BowTruss opened over the summer, we haven't been disappointed. The weekend barristas greet Z and I warmly every Saturday and Sunday morning. The menu is basic--lattes, cappuccinos, drip coffee and pour overs in two sizes, eight and 16 ounces. Lattes and cappuccinos are smooth and delicious; I'm always disappointed when I finish the last drop. The pour over technique, which you've also seen at Intelligentsia, highlights the unique flavors in each carefully crafted and roasted coffee blend. So far, my favorite BowTruss coffee blend is from Rwanda. It's light, citrusy and refreshing.

Although BowTruss is just down the street from Intelligentsia in Lakeview, it seems to have a following of its own. The family-style tables are always filled with Lakeview residents pouring over books, magazines or their MacBooks. BowTruss doesn't serve food, but on weekends local bakeries and sweet shops, like Glazed & Infused, take over the table near the shop's window. 

Stop by BowTruss to try a super-smooth cappuccino or to pick up a bag of beans to try at home.

Jazz & Classical Music at Julius Meinl

A few weekends ago, I met my friend Tamara for a late afternoon coffee beverage at Julius Meinl, a cute European-style coffee house at Southport and Addison. Our beverages came on an adorable tray.

Tamara was running late, so I had a few extra minutes to scope out the pastry case and read the menu. After settling on a mango smoothie (Tamara had a chai tea latte.), I flipped to the back of the menu and noticed a line up of concerts at Julius Meinl's Southport and Lincoln Square locations. Concerts are Friday and Saturday nights and often feature musicians who play for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra or have won or been nominated for a Grammy. I'll let you know when I check one out!

Julius Meinl is a Vienna-based coffee purveyor with a few locations in Chicago, including a soon-to-open cafe in Ravenswood. My mango smoothie probably had a lot of sugar, but it was delicious.

At Julius Meinl on Southport