TC's Coffeehouse is owned and run by the same gang who owns the upscale Irish-American pub-food restaurant Townsend's next door. If you don't get down to that neighborhood very often, and that's understandable, let me put it this way: if Hyde Park is getting gentrified, Townsend's is largely to credit/blame, depending on where you stand on such matters. Anyhoo, what passes for gentrification in one neighborhood passes for "trying too hard" in another. And TC's Coffeehouse would definitely try too hard if it were in Davis Square or the South End-- the decor is all pale wood and open space, a couple of banquettes for groups and tons of comfy chairs (sleek, not overstuffed), barista counters, and chalkboard menus. The tea is that brand that every coffeehouse seems to have but whose name escapes me (it's at Ula's; if you go there, you know what I mean). But here's where it tries too hard: urns of the Grecian (not coffee) kind, filled with dried flowers, and some mosaic in the floor at the front counter that looks like it came from a Lowe's Expo model bathroom display; plus sales shelves of no-name coffee, honey and jam, with stacks of burlap coffee sacks for decor. That being said, I liked this place, and hope it does well. The pastries were pretty minimal (I came after 3pm, probably not surprising), so I went with the sandwiches--there were at least eight different kinds. Being an Irish-owned restaurant, true bangers were in a few of them. The place just opened, so they're still working out some kinks. I asked for iced tea: they gave me ice in a teacup and a tea pot (the mother and daughter who came in for iced coffee got them in tall plastic cups). I ordered a grilled cheese with bacon--they brought me a BLT instead. Happily, it was a damn fine BLT with flavorful mayo, bacon done to a turn, fine-quality white sandwich bread, and yellow tomatoes for a twist. Service was friendly and eager to please, if not a little inexperienced (one of the workers behind the counter looked like he was 14). It was a chill enough place: I can't see spending all day working there on my novel, especially because it's cash-only--and the nearest ATM two blocks away is Hyde Park Cooperative Bank. So you'll be paying out of network fees for the price of a small cup of coffee at least.
Melanie D.
TC's Coffeehouse is owned and run by the same gang who owns the upscale Irish-American pub-food restaurant Townsend's next door. If you don't get down to that neighborhood very often, and that's understandable, let me put it this way: if Hyde Park is getting gentrified, Townsend's is largely to credit/blame, depending on where you stand on such matters. Anyhoo, what passes for gentrification in one neighborhood passes for "trying too hard" in another. And TC's Coffeehouse would definitely try too hard if it were in Davis Square or the South End-- the decor is all pale wood and open space, a couple of banquettes for groups and tons of comfy chairs (sleek, not overstuffed), barista counters, and chalkboard menus. The tea is that brand that every coffeehouse seems to have but whose name escapes me (it's at Ula's; if you go there, you know what I mean). But here's where it tries too hard: urns of the Grecian (not coffee) kind, filled with dried flowers, and some mosaic in the floor at the front counter that looks like it came from a Lowe's Expo model bathroom display; plus sales shelves of no-name coffee, honey and jam, with stacks of burlap coffee sacks for decor. That being said, I liked this place, and hope it does well. The pastries were pretty minimal (I came after 3pm, probably not surprising), so I went with the sandwiches--there were at least eight different kinds. Being an Irish-owned restaurant, true bangers were in a few of them. The place just opened, so they're still working out some kinks. I asked for iced tea: they gave me ice in a teacup and a tea pot (the mother and daughter who came in for iced coffee got them in tall plastic cups). I ordered a grilled cheese with bacon--they brought me a BLT instead. Happily, it was a damn fine BLT with flavorful mayo, bacon done to a turn, fine-quality white sandwich bread, and yellow tomatoes for a twist. Service was friendly and eager to please, if not a little inexperienced (one of the workers behind the counter looked like he was 14). It was a chill enough place: I can't see spending all day working there on my novel, especially because it's cash-only--and the nearest ATM two blocks away is Hyde Park Cooperative Bank. So you'll be paying out of network fees for the price of a small cup of coffee at least.
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