Brewed Awakenings

Today, I tried Brewed Awakenings in the South County Commons for the first time. I had wanted to try Brewed Awakenings for quite some time but it was being remodeled. In fact, today was the first official grand reopening! Although I was unable to compare and contrast the old from the new Brewed Awakenings, the interior was extremely comfortable and aesthetically-pleasing. Brewed Awakenings, or "Brewed" for short, was the perfect place for me to try and get some homework done on a nice afternoon. The interior is open and has several areas for watching one of the flat screen TVs, studying, or eating. There is also an impressive stone fire place!

Besides the pleasant interior, Brewed Awakenings also boasts some delicious coffee, frozen drinks, sandwiches, and baked goods. They have a variety of iced and hot coffee flavors. Today, I tried the mocha cinnamon swirl coffee -- a new taste for me, but enjoyable nonetheless. My friend tried the cookie dough frozen drink, a delicious concoction containing an entire M&M cookie.

Evidently, Brewed Awakenings has a faithful line of followers. The grand reopening drew in several customers, excited for Brewed to be back in action. There was even a Facebook group entitled, "Can I Survive Without Brewed?" with over one hundred fifty members. The page featured updates regarding the status of Brewed's remodel. It also served as a forum for customers to share their struggles of dealing with life without Brewed Awakenings.

When I was there today, it seemed like all the customers picked up where they left off. I also noticed a significant amount of URI students. Brewed Awakenings has a casual, quiet atmosphere perfect for studying, reading, or just relaxing. People gathered around tables to sip coffee, sat on the armchairs to use their laptops, and lined up to get their favorite Brewed creations. I felt a little out of place, a Brewed newbie of sorts. My solution? I'll have to go more often.



















Quick Info:

What: Brewed Awakenings
Where: Wakefield
Price Range: Moderate
Best Feature: Comfortable environment

Some Reflections on a Java Journey

So, after visiting ten coffee shops around Rhode Island, some for the first time, others for the nth time, what have I discovered?

I've enjoyed going to each and every coffee shop; I feel that I've broadened my coffee-drinking horizons. This "java journey" has confirmed my belief that Rhode Island has a lot (of coffee) to offer in a little place.

I would also like to highlight some of what I think is the best of the best:

• Best Atmosphere for Studying...Brewed Awakenings

• Best Food...Bagelz

• Best Dessert...Felicia's

and, drumroll, please...

• Best Coffee...Simon Say's Café

If you learn one thing from this blog, it is this:

Never let this happen to you:

Find a Dunkin' within five square miles, or better yet, go out in search of one of the lovely cafes I have just reviewed! Cheers!

Main Street Coffee

Across the street from Simon Says, you'll find Main Street Coffee. Main Street Coffee is a high-end café that has a versatile atmosphere. On weekdays, it is a great place to grab a coffee or muffin and read the paper. On weekends, however, Main Street Coffee is a hot spot for locals. Local bands and artists frequently play music on Friday and Saturday nights. Adults and teenagers often gather at Main Street Coffee to relax and enjoy coffee and dessert. The coffee shop has three sections: a main dining area, a seating area by the fireplace, and a bar. Main Street Coffee also offers outdoor seating during the summer months.

I love Main Street Coffee's iced brews as well as their iced chai. They are also famous for their frozen hot chocolate drink -- a delicious contradiction. Stop by today and discover your favorite drink from Main Street Coffee!



Quick Info:

What: Main Street Coffee
Where: East Greenwich
Price Range: Moderate - High
Best Feature: Live entertainment on weekends

Simon Says

Simon Says Café in East Greenwich is one of my all-time favorite coffee shops. I first stumbled upon Simon Says when I was about thirteen and thought I was just the coolest person because I could walk there with my friends and get something to eat. Now, however, I am pretty much addicted to Simon's iced coffee. I live on the Warwick-East Greenwich line, so it's really close to home. It's about a twenty five minute drive from URI, but I think the coffee (among other options) is worth the hike. Simon Says is located in the heart of Main Street, so there's usually a steady stream of cafe-goers coming in and out. Simon Says also features free Wifi, so it's an ideal spot to set up a computer and get some work done. If you're computer-less, Simon Says' storefront windows also function as great tools for people-watching. I'll admit, my friends and I have been guilty of drinking coffee while being entertained by the passerbys of Main Street.

Upon entering Simon Says, you will be faced with an impressive chalk board, listing all of the iced/hot coffee flavors of the day. Simon's has the classics, like house blend and hazelnut, but also features specialty flavors like "Jamaican me crazy," mocha vanilla, and mudslide. The flavors are brewed in, so if you are like me and prefer flavor brews rather than flavor shots, Simon Says is ideal.

Besides coffee, Simon Says features a variety of teas, fresh baked goods, and sandwiches. You can have any of their deli sandwiches grilled on their panini-maker which makes any 'ol sandwich taste infinitely better!

Warning: You might become addicted to this wicked good coffee! Fear not, however, because Simon's has a coffee card; for every six coffees you buy, you get one free!

Quick Info:

What: Simon Says Café
Where: East Greenwich
Price Range: Moderate
Best Feature: Iced coffee flavors

Sophie's

I tried Sophie's Coffee for the first time last week and was pleasantly surprised. Sophie's is located on the South County Trail in Exeter. It's about five miles from the URI campus, but has a more rural feel than most of the coffee shops in the Narragansett area.

Sophie's certainly has a lot to offer. They have an assortment of coffee flavors, including Snickerdoodle and Toffee Coffee. Sophie's also has sandwiches with vegetarian options. Finally, Sophie's has an ice cream bar -- an unexpected bonus in a coffee shop.

Although I am not very familiar with the Exeter area, (from a Rhode Islander's perspective, this is considered the boonies) I could tell that Sophie's is a favored destination among locals. The atmosphere is cozy and rustic. My friend and I did some homework there and were accompanied by two moms who had brought their kids there after school. They were having a casual meeting while the kids played with some of the toys offered in Sophie's. This kid-friendly, comfortable coffee shop is worth the adventure to "the sticks."






Quick Info:
What: Sophie's
Where: Exeter
Price Range: Moderate - High
Best Feature: Ice cream

Confessions of a Coffee Addict

For this entry, I will not discuss a particular coffee shop. Instead, I will share some coffee-related knowledge.

When I was younger, my mom, an avid coffee-drinker, discouraged me from trying coffee; she warned me that I would become addicted and that there would be "no going back." Not surprisingly, I ignored her advice and began ordering extra-extra (as in: extra cream, extra sugar...extra delicious, extra terrible-for-you) flavored iced coffees at Dunkin' Donuts. Well, Mom, you were right because my creamy, sugary treat has evolved into a darker, less-sweet necessity. So, what exactly makes coffee so addictive?

I did some research, and the obvious answer is that the caffeine is the addicting factor in coffee. However, I was unaware of what caffeine actually does to the body.

The caffeine in coffee acts as a catalyst that increases neuron firing in your brain. This causes your pituitary gland to produce a hormone that jumpstarts adrenalin production.

According to a Natural News article entitled, "The hidden dangers of caffeine: How coffee causes exhaustion, fatigue, and addiction," "By stimulating your adrenal glands to produce adrenalin, caffeine puts your body in this 'fight-or-flight' state, which is useless while you're just sitting at your desk. When this adrenal high wears off later, you feel the drop in terms of fatigue, irritability, headache or confusion."

The upside? Coffee does have some redeeming qualities. Coffee contains antioxidants, can reduce your chances of developing Parkinson's Disease, and can increase alertness.

In short, coffee contains caffeine, a drug that can become addicting. However, when consumed in moderation, coffee poses no serious health risks. My only problem? Define moderation...

For a more extensive list of the pros and cons of coffee consumption, click here.

Coffee and Bagel Connection

Coffee and Bagel Connection, or, as the locals call it, Coffee Connection, is a convenient, affordable coffee shop. Coffee Connection is located on Boston Neck Road in Narragansett and offers a drive-thru. I stop at Coffee Connection frequently on the way to school and am never disappointed. Their coffee is fresh and their prices are unbeatable. What more could you ask for? Coffee Connection also has a large selection of bagels and different cream cheese flavors. Cinnamon-sugar bagel with walnut cream cheese -- need I say more?

Quick Info:

What: Coffee and Bagel Connection
Where: Bonnet Shores (Narragansett)
Price Range: Reasonable (Medium Iced = $1.94)
Best Feature: Variety of bagels and cream cheese flavors

Felicia's

One of my favorite coffee shops, Felicia's Coffee in East Greenwich is certainly a place to try. Felicia's features a drive-thru, several drink options, and a rotating coffee flavor of the day. Felicia's offers bagels, muffins, scones, and a mouth-watering dessert case stocked with cheesecakes, brownies, fruit tarts, and much more. Felicia's is not just for coffee lovers; stop by and share a dessert or try a high-fiber cookie (the best of both worlds!). What I like in particular about Felicia's is its personable atmosphere as well as its convenience. There was a point during the summer when my friends and I struck up friendships with the employees at the drive-thru!




Quick Info:

What:Felicia's
Where: East Greenwich
Price Range: Moderate (Medium Iced = $2.25)
Best Feature: Drive-Thru

Bagelz

Another coffee shop I recommend is Bagelz of Wickford. Although Bagelz has two other locations in Southern Rhode Island, I prefer the Wickford Bagelz. Bagelz offers a rustic atmosphere, myriad coffee flavors, and a large selection of "bagelz."

Bagelz of Wickford, located on West Main Street in the heart of Wickford, is a spacious coffee house with lots of different seating areas. On the first floor, there are several sections including tables, chairs, and comfortable arm chairs. Upstairs, there are more seating areas, a fireplace, and shelves loaded with books. Bagelz will even reserve a meeting room for groups of five or more. Bagelz's environment is conducive to studying, holding business meetings, or just relaxing.

Not only does Bagelz serve fresh coffee, but it also encourages customers to recycle their coffee cups. Anyone interested in "going green" should definitely make it a point to try Bagelz.

One distinguishing feature about Bagelz is their generous refill policy. If customers stay in the store, they are welcome to free refills on coffee and tea. Another generous Bagelz policy is their coffee card; buy ten coffeez and get the eleventh free! (That may seem like a lot, but I've found that the cards actually fill up pretty fast).






Quick Info:

What: Bagelz
Where: Wickford
Price Range: Moderate - High (Flavored coffees cost around $2.75)
Best Feature: Free refill policy


Bagelz is also located in Wakefield and at the URI campus in Kingston.

Jitters

Although you might pass by this little coffee joint in North Kingstown without even noticing, it is certainly worth the stop. Jitters Café is small but has a lot to offer. I tried it for the first time today and would highly recommend it. They have a variety of fairly priced coffees, bagels, muffins, and sandwiches. I tried the hazelnut coffee which tasted similar to Java Madness' hazelnut blend. My friends enjoyed the caramel flavored coffee as well. I've also heard rave reviews about the Thanksgiving sandwich--I guess I'll have to return. We went in the early afternoon and could only stay for a few minutes, but it was pretty busy with a constant flow of customers, many of whom I assume to be "regulars."

Quick Info:

What: Jitters
Where: North Kingstown, RI
Price Range: Moderate ($2.20 for a medium iced coffee)
Best Feature: Deli sandwiches

Java Madness

"Enjoy your brew with a view" is certainly a fitting motto for this coffee house located in Wakefield. I heard about this coffee place from a friend and have since been there several times. Not only does it offer a wide selection of flavored coffees, espresso drinks, and teas, but Java Madness also has a variety of food options, such as breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and panini.

Why Should You Try It?

Java Madess' scenic views overlooking the Stone Cove Marina are what sets it apart from your average coffee house. Whether you decide to sit inside at one of Java Madness' tables or outside on the deck, you are sure to enjoy your beverage. I've had the hazelnut coffee which was not too strong but had the flavor brewed in. They also offer several sweetened or unsweetened flavor shots.

I would also recommend Java Madness for its versatile atmosphere. During the day, you will find a steady stream of customers in a relaxed, casual environment. On the weekends, however, Java Madness invites local artists to display artwork and local musicians to perform.

Finally, Java Madness is worth trying because it offers a 15% discount to teachers, students, and hospital workers. Additionally, during the month of February, they extend the discount to town workers.


Quick Info
What: Java Madness
Where: Wakefield, RI
Price Range: Moderate ($2.45 for a medium iced coffee, around $7 for a sandwich)
Best Feature: View of Stone Cove Marina

Visit Java Madness' website for directions and a schedule of upcoming artists, musicians, and open-mic time slots.

Wake Up and Smell the Cawfee

As we coffee lovers know, a good cup (or more) of coffee is essential for starting off every day. Although my future posts will focus on my adventures to various coffee shops around Rhode Island, a February blizzard altered my plans for today. The heavy snow and gusty winds did not, however, prevent my roommates and me from trekking to Dunkin' Donuts.

The intention of this blog is to promote several local coffee places aside from the ubiquitous Dunkin' Donuts, but what better way to initiate this than by sharing my Dunkin' experience?

That being said, my outing in the blizzard today highlights some fundamental characteristics of many Rhode Islanders' attitudes towards coffee:

First, today's adventure exemplifies the fact that Rhode Islanders, like myself, will travel great lengths to satisfy their coffee needs. And by "great lengths," I am not referring to distance (in fact, there are 125+ Dunkin' Donuts shops in Rhode Island's mere 1,214 square miles). I mean that a vast majority of Rhode Islanders will risk health, safety, and overall well-being in order to get that cup of coffee. School cancellations and treacherous conditions were not enough to deter us from getting our coffee fix. Three of my roommates and I dusted off the car and made fresh tire tracks up the un-plowed road to the nearest Dunkin'.

Secondly, I learned today that Rhode Islanders (most I've encountered, anyway) will go out of their way to get coffee from their preferred shop. Case in point? Our adventure in the snow today was not limited to one, but two coffee shops. On our way to Dunkin', we stopped at Coffee Connection (a local café I'll discuss in a later post) so that my roommate could get a flavor unavailable at Dunkin' Donuts. Apparently, beggars can be choosers.

Finally, today's outing demonstrates the quirky Rhode Island preference for iced rather than hot coffee, despite unfavorable weather conditions. After rolling up at our second coffee destination, my other roommate rolled down the half-frozen car window only to order an iced (!) coffee. Of course, I am guilty of ordering a mid-February iced coffee, but something about the snow usually gets me in the mood for a piping hot cup of coffee.

Although today's adventure was not the coffee excursion I had had in mind, it proved to be informative. Not only did I learn that Dunkin' Donuts is not closed during snow storms, but I have discovered some Rhode Island coffee tendencies to keep in mind for future java-adventures.