Uwishunu.com

Although it seems the city has finally been fully infiltrated by the boring aesthetic fascism of Starbucks, its coffee shops are still as quirky and varied as ever. I go to the Bean for the servers, Benna’s for the community, La Colombe for the people-watching, Old City for the consistency, and the Chapterhouse for the atmosphere. But when I want a cup of really spectacular coffee, nothing compares to the Latte Lounge in Northern Liberties.

It’s easy to miss”"all the brouhaha seems to congregate around the entrance to the fabulous Honey’s Sit n’ Eat, where brunch lines often stretch across the street. However, the Lounge, owned and operated for the past eight years by Zeda Riggs, is always an oasis of calm. You won’t find any of the distractions (board games, couches, or self-employed graphic designers tapping away on their iBooks) that make contemporary coffees shops more like rec centers than fine beverage establishments. What you will find is a tiny space with warm yellow walls and loyal patrons seated by a bank of windows or sprawled outside on deck chairs.

Zeda sells only Fair Trade coffee and the Lounge Blend”"made with Wissahickon Mountain Spring Water”"provides a powerful shot of caffeine without sacrificing an ounce of flavor. My favorite drink is a simple iced coffee, which comes in one large size and won’t break the bank at an affordable $2.00. Zeda even provides Silk Soymilk to her lactose-challenged customers, of which I am one. I’m so addicted that I forsake the delicious, free coffee prepared by my roommate each morning for Zeda’s heady brew.

Latte Lounge
816 N 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 629-9808