NOW CLOSED...Formerly: "Our name is no accident," said Paul Tsakiris, owner of Frappe Coffee Lounge in Jefferson Park. "We're coffee first and foremost but we also want people to come in and lounge." A peek through the large windows that line this neighborhood coffee shop reveal that Frappe is meeting its mission.
There's no hustle and bustle or grab-and-go coffee inside. Instead, small clusters of friends sit at the ample bar or small tables, each tabletop hand painted by a local artist, and linger over carefully crafted coffee drinks and slow conversation. To help his customers relax and enjoy, Tsakiris decorated the coffee shop in copper and steel, the exposed brick wall alternating with Venetian plaster and a plasma TV customized with copper and steel sunrays. During the summer months you'll also find plenty of seating outdoors, surrounded by pink and white flowerboxes.
The frappe, a powerful instant coffee with sugar, milk and a cap of coffee-foam, is both the shop's namesake and its specialty. Be careful not to overlook the other beverage options though, such as the milkshakes in yummy flavors like banana cream or chocolate mint ($3.50), smoothies and frappeccinos with specialty syrups made in-house.
Frappe serves salads and sandwiches (the owner's favorite is the Caesar salad wrap for $5.25) as well as treats like fresh-baked double nut, chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies and breakfast items like savory croissants and fresh fruit.
Reviewed By: Kate Rockwood
