First, I was skeptical of their Five Dollar Hot Chocolate. Later, after accepting Murky Coffee as a pretty quality occasional substitute for Starbucks for studying (free wifi is a blessing and a curse, but I don't leave Murky after three hours smelling like stale java), I was disturbed by some drama they had over the summer. It's the sort of place where if you let your guard down, you might feel like you are out of the hipster club or something.
Sometimes you just have to get out of your house, so I figured upstairs (the laptop space) would be the place for me to do some studying today. WRONG.
Announcement: The upstairs at Murky Coffee is CLOSED for renovation! You won't find notice of this on their web site. I should have known something was wrong when I walked in and saw the first level littered with laptops, with barely an open seat. Shrugging it off, I brazenly ordered my hot chocolate "for here." When she handed over my drink, I asked the barista if upstairs was open, more of a reassurance than an actual question. "No." No eye contact, so she couldn't see my despair.
To make this already too long story less long, I'll say that I ended up in the tiny "other room" where there are bathrooms, two tiny tables (taken, of course) and two couches (one taken). Sinking into the couch , which sat on their trademark, charming stonewashed, scratchy floor that was also quite filthy (dustballs, paper scraps), I started to feel tired. Overcompensators masked the smell of "bathroom" with a thick dose of citrus air freshener. Tired and nauseous from the smell, I left. Waste of time.
Murky Coffee
Clarendon
Don't bother, it's full
Couldn't agree more!!
ReplyDeleteI kept wanting to believe that Murky Coffee is better that it is, with the cult following of hipsters who rave, seemingly oblivious to the quality of the beverages or the service. Rest assured, I've given up on that hope.
The last (and final) time I visited involved a 20 minute wait for a to-go hot chocolate. While there was a very pretty artistic pour for my foam (soon to be replaced by my lid, mind you), the hot chocolate was certainly not worth the time I had to stand there and stare down the staff wondering if they were working or hanging out with their friends surrounding the coffee bar.
It's simple. The phallic-speaking owner thinks his business is too good for anyone who deigns to stop in from time to time for a coffee. Since that's the case, though a stones throw from home, I certainly will not bother in the future.
I know. I WANT to get it. I feel like I'm missing the secret. If you go there a certain number of times do they give you a delectable addicting treat?
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