225BatonRouge.com

Waiting in line to order, I cringe to hear, “I’ll have a grande, double double, decaf, soy, latté, no foam.” Blechhh. What happened to a good old cup of coffee? And not to knock the larger chain coffee houses, but the blender buzzing, machine whirring, clanking, banging and general coffee-making cacophony is not conducive to a gentle, whisper-like entrée to the morning hours.

First thing in the morning, gimme a simple cup of coffee, black; plain old drip coffee, preferably, though not necessarily with chicory. And I prefer smaller coffee shops, quaint places with cute names like Perks, or Brew Ha Ha!, where the environment is a bit more hushed and the coffee menu isn’t the length of War & Peace, nor does it require an advanced degree to read.

I want a comfortable chair, some classical music or soft jazz playing in the background, and I want a sign that says, “Please silence your cell phones or take it outside.” I also want free wireless Internet access, so I can, when I choose, fire up my laptop and write or check e-mails or surf the Web.

Baton Rouge is chock-full of all types of coffee houses. Here are some of 225’s faves.

BREW HA HA

PROPREITOR: Gabby Loubiere

HOURS OF OPERATION: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

FREE WI-FI: Yes

MEDIUM CUP OF REGULAR OLD COFFEE: $1.55

LOCATION: Mid City, 711 Jefferson Hwy.

WHY WE LIKE IT: Cup of coffee from a momma we like.

DÉCOR: Warm earth tones, plenty of local artwork, where else can you sip a cup at an outdoor table on a grand Mexican breezeway designed by A. Hays Town?

WE RECOMMEND: The pastries, many of which Loubiere bakes herself.

THE BUZZ CAFÉ

PROPRIETOR: David Kees

HOURS OF OPERATION: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

FREE WI-FI: Yes

MEDIUM CUP OF REGULAR OLD COFFEE: $1.64

LOCATION: Downtown, 340 Florida Blvd.

WHY WE LIKE IT: Great place for business meetings over coffee or lunch.

DÉCOR: Tasteful step back in time.

WE RECOMMEND: The chai, or the roast beef au jus at lunch.

COFFEE CALL

PROPRIETOR: John Cannatella

HOURS OF OPERATION: Mon.-Thurs. 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., Fri. 6 a.m. then 24 hours until midnight Sun.

FREE WI-FI: No

MEDIUM CUP OF REGULAR OLD COFFEE: $1.50

WHY WE LIKE IT: Powdered sugar on pants makes everyone equal.

LOCATION: 3132 College Dr.

DÉCOR: French Quarter café cleans up good.

WE RECOMMEND: Café au lait in the morning with beignets, and light-colored clothing—think powdered sugar.

CC’S ON JEFFERSON

PROPRIETOR: Community Coffee Inc. – They’re local.

HOURS OF OPERATION: Mon.-Sat. 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sun. 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

FREE WI-FI: Yes

MEDIUM CUP OF REGULAR OLD COFFEE: $1.85

WHY WE LIKE IT: Bankers and power brokers need caffeine too.

LOCATION: Near I-12, 7960 Jefferson Hwy.

DÉCOR: As sumptuous as coffee shops get.

WE RECOMMEND: Avoiding the crowds, dark roast in wonderful cup and saucer.

HIGHLAND COFFEES

PROPRIETOR: Clarke Cadzow

HOURS OF OPERATION: Mon.-Fri. 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sat. - Sun. 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

FREE WI-FI: Yes

MEDIUM CUP OF REGULAR OLD COFFEE: $1.65

WHY WE LIKE IT: Clarke is a bean perfectionist, and his fresh-roasted coffee proves it.

LOCATION: Across the street from LSU campus, 3350 Highland Rd.

DÉCOR: Comfy with high ceilings, IQs.

WE RECOMMEND: Whatever the brew of the day—it’s freshly roasted.

PERKS

PROPRIETOR: Michael Mahaffey

HOURS OF OPERATION: Mon.-Fri. 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sat. - Sun. 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

FREE WI-FI: Yes

MEDIUM CUP OF REGULAR OLD COFFEE: $1.50

WHY WE LIKE IT: Huge windows, a shaded patio, rugalah, nostalgia.

LOCATION: Near the Garden District, 2008 Perkins Rd.

DÉCOR: Cheerfully mellow.

WE RECOMMEND: A simple cup of coffee early in the morning–the light is spectacular.