I know this post isn’t exactly breaking news, but I thought I’d write about Two Stories Coffee House anyway.

Located on Lumpkin, right across the street from Earth Fare, Two Stories Coffee House is a lot like your home away from home.

I’m not sure what the owners did to the house, but it has been redone, and each bedroom is a cozy study room, equipped with lamps, chairs, stools, desks, and electrical outlets for you and your friends.

In addition, they also brew some amazing coffee.  Two Stories serves Fair Trade coffee, and they brew it a couple of different ways:

1. Through a ceramic filter that drips right into your cup. That’s right! I don’t know if I described it well, but you pick the type of bean you want, they scoop it, grind it, put it in the filter, and pour hot water over it that drips directly into your cup. Pretty cool!

2. With a French press. I don’t know if you’ve ever had French press coffee, but it so much fun to drink! I’m not sure exactly how it works, but you can either have an individual press or one to share with a friend- that way it doesn’t get as cold as easily! It doesn’t cost extra, either.

3. Through the kind of coffee holder you see in hotels. I don’t know the fancy word for this kind of coffee keeper-warmer, but it’s the kind that you press down on the top- kind of like a pump. You know what I mean?

Either way, the people at Two Stories are more concerned with community than they are about coffee. Each chair, table, stool, dry erase board, light, carpeted step, lamp and all the other unique objects inside were put in there for a purpose- to foster a sense of community and belonging with its customers.

The people who work at Two Stories are super friendly, and they want to talk to you!

I think my favorite part about Two Stories, however, is how CHEAP it is.

Seriously.

One morning, I got a cup of coffee and a bagel (fresh from Zim’s) for a little over $3.  At Starbucks, it would cost you at least $5.

Either way, I love Two Stories and will continue to go back there. There is a neat little study room upstairs you can reserve, so give it a try! In the spring, I’ll be eager to sit out on the back porch.

On Monday, I spent some of my afternoon at Jittery Joe’s at Five Points.

What better way to top off going to chill in a converted garage than a skinny hazelnut latte and a homemade blueberry scone?

Since Big City Bread (the bakery) decided to go out of business, Jittery Joe’s has been getting all its baked goods from Luna Bakery in Athens. Luna is located on Broad Street on the right if you’re driving downtown. It is just past the Milledge intersection.

Don’t think you can go in there for a croissant or a muffin, though. Luna is only a commercial bakery, so, take my embarrassing experience and learn before you go.

The scone was so yummy, I decided to make it last for a couple of days. I hadn’t really dabbled in scone-tasting until Monday, but I think it has the consistency of a biscuit without all the extra butter. The blueberries were still juicy, and it didn’t even need to be heated up! You should DEFINITELY try one.

In reference to the “skinny” latte, that’s what you’re supposed to call something at Jittery Joe’s if you want it nonfat and sugar free. Learn the lingo, and they will be extra nice to you.

This is a bit of a random post, but I thought the wonderful sconeness needed to be recognized.

While this subject doesn’t really have to do with restaurants in Athens, I thought I’d share my experience interviewing the Dining Editor of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Meridith Ford.

I was assigned to interview some sort of media gatekeeper for one of my classes, so with some advice (Thanks, Bryan.), I decided to interview a reporter who likes what I like- food.

I won’t bore you with the PR jargon we talked about, but I want to touch on something interesting she said. Meridith commented that some of her favorite dining experiences didn’t come with a high price tag.

She told me the story of a Mexican vacation where she ate some sort of two-to-three foot long fish right off the grill on the beach. The atmosphere, the ambiance and the genuine quality made that meal ever so memorable to her.

This is where I turn our conversation to Athens.

I think most restaurants in our fun town, including its sidekick Watkinsville, do a nice job of creating an atmosphere that fits the culture and personality of their owners, staff and food.

When I say this, I don’t mean to glorify the Mexican restaurants who think they’re awesome because they have sombreros everywhere. Not only does the decoration count, but the wait staff, the music and the other diners in the restaurant have a significance influence.

Here are some of my favorite examples in Athens:

• Transmetropolitan- When you go in, you get this warehouse feeling. The ceilings are tall, and the chairs are old and heavy. It has a rustic feeling, but the food is always top-notch. I think Transmet is one restaurant where you could sit for hours and not even know it.
• Little Italy- If you’ve ever been to New York, just the smell of Little Italy makes you think you’re about to go see the Statue of Liberty. The pizza is authentic; the people aren’t naturally cheery, so I feel like I have to earn their love by enjoying the food. It is a different experience, but I love the buried treasure feeling I get when I go there.
• Casa Mia- The best part about Casa Mia is it’s the only restaurant of it’s kind in Athens. I have never met an unfriendly employee, and they are wonderful at translating the menu for you. The atmosphere mixes classic Latino with new age retro that I love. It’s classy, sleek and spicy!
• Jittery Joe’s at Five Points- I don’t care if you like coffee or not. Hanging out in an old car repair garage is fun. Everyone who works at Jittery Joes is really funky- kind of like the people I always wish I could be. The coffee is good (watch out for those Jitters!), but I love how cozy I feel when I’m crammed in a corner with a little lamp and a desk. It’s those kind of moments when I realize how much I love Athens.
• The Hot dog Man- This is the paramount experience of Athens life. For some reason, hot dogs always taste better from the Hot dog Man- whether you eat one at 3 a.m. or 12 p.m. I think this could relate to Meridith’s fish/beach/Mexico time.

I’ve touched on a few, but I’d love to hear about some of your favorite “experience” restaurants. It doesn’t matter if the food was mediocre. Some people don’t care anyway.

So let me and everyone else know what your favorite dining experiences in Athens have been. Like Meridith said, some of the most memorable dining experiences don’t have to have a high price tag.

Wee-fee, wi-fi, whatever.

Where can you get Internet (and food!) in Athens?

Here’s my list. Let me know if I left anything out!

1. Border’s books in the Beechwood shopping center- It’s actually a t-mobile hotspot (that means you have to pay), but many study days there have allowed me to pick up a signal from other unsuspecting Internet users. While you’re there, grab a cup of peppermint tea and a rice krispy treat. They have M&Ms in them. Heck yes.

2. McDonald’s- Who knew? You can eat your McNuggets and read my blog all at once! Aren’t you lucky.

3. Barnes and Noble- From the list I’m referencing, there are a couple of service providers. Choose one and then order a seasonal latte. They have Starbucks coffee there, so you can get your favorite!

4. Cups Coffee Cafe- I made a post about this before, and their Wi-Fi connection is really fast and free! They have cakes from the Last Resort, and their coffee and tea is fab.

5. Jittery Joe’s- It seems like coffee places are the theme of the night. For breakfast, lunch or dinner, the Joe is the place to go. Wi-Fi and a bagel. Wi-Fi and an Odwalla bar. Wi-Fi and a muffin. Be sure you’re not going anywhere afterwards, though. I always come out of there smelling like a roasting barn.

6. Krystal- Now this is something I didn’t expect. I’ve seen the Krystals commercial from Athens, so we know Athens people are obsessed.

7. McAlister’s Deli- This is one of my favorite places to go for Wi-Fi. I have officially filled up my Tea Card twice, and I intend on increasing that number.

8. Panera Bread- In my earlier years of college when I didn’t have my own room in which to study, I would retreat here. Sometimes I’d order coffee; sometime’s I’d get a meal. Other times I’d make four or five trips to the basket with the free bread. Come on, you know you’ve done it, too.

9. Schlotzsky’s Deli- This is one place only a few people know about, I think. I’ve gone here for lunch on Sundays after church to continue with homework afterwards! I think they have Cinnabons at the location on Baxter now, too.

10. Downtown Athens- In case you didn’t know, all of downtown Athens is part of the WAGZ network. It’s free, and you can get it in a restaurant or sitting on a bench. Convenient and wonderful. I don’t know who thought of that, but thanks!

So there you go, lads and lassies. I hope these hints help you find a great study spot besides the SLC or the library. Good luck on exams!

It is a rare occasion when I venture over to the East side of Athens. However, I met a girl in my PR research group over there last night to work on our paper.

Our study place of choice was Cups. I’ve never been in there before, and I’m pretty sure I’m hooked.

When I walked in, I realized how huge it is! The front room is wide, airy and ventilated. I don’t really like coming out of a coffee shop reeking of the beanZ, but I went home smelling like I had 2 hours before- like a spring flower, of course.

My partner said she would meet me in the back room. That’s right. They have a back room. I don’t know why that’s important, but it was nice to get away from the coffee machines. It was filled with couches, old tables you’d find at garage sales and little lamps dispersed throughout. It was well lit, so we didn’t fall asleep.

I went to get some tea, and I paid $1.98 for my cup. I got the orange ginger flavor. It doesn’t smell good, so I was a little hesitant about drinking it. Once it finally cooled down, I really enjoyed it (with two Splenda, of course)!

I also noticed the wonderful cake display case by the cash register. Yes, they have cake and not just any cake- Cecilia’s cakes (aka the Last Resort lady!).

There were students, families and couples sitting inside. They also have outside seating.

If you’re looking for a change of pace (and want some cake), come to Cups. It’s located in the shopping center where Loco’s is on the East side- across from Kroger-ish.

The moral of the story is this: the East side of town can truly rock it. It’s so nice to go over there and kind of tell yourself not a lot of people know about this place. It’s a little self-satisfying, but I don’t care. Now you know, so go!