Atmosphere:
AHave you met your poet quota for the month? If you're lacking, or wish to substitute hipsters for artists (the exchange rate is three for one), head on down to Austins Coffee, where you can use the internet and acquire second-hand coolness just by sitting there. The interior is colorful and welcoming, full of local art and other cultural sundries, which is great for a coffee shop but a little distracting for plugging away on a computer. Also, there are lots of games and magazines to keep your friends busy while you ignore them on your laptop.
Speed & Signal:
Click on "Austin" and avoid the one called "Linksys" (the router name of choice for lazy folks), as you'll get booted quite frequently. The connection is 802.11b, and very reliable once you realize that "Linksys" screws up your YouTube downloads. There are plenty of outlets to plug into, though the tiny tables by the comfy chairs leave a little to be desired when trying to balance your drinks and laptop.
Snacks:
Lots of teas are available, from Darjeeling to oolong (and all those in between), as well as coffee, all for under $3 or $4. I munched on a half serving of hummus for about $4, which was served with delicious pita chips and slightly warmed for my eating pleasure. There also sandwiches (many of them vegetarian-friendly), each of which are prepared with loving but time-consuming care by the barista.
Satisfaction:
Austins Coffee is a place that welcomes everyone, laptop or no, and provides a cool, inexpensive place to hang out and escape that less-colorful real world outside.
Austins Coffee is at 929 W. Fairbanks Ave. in Winter Park. Call 407-975-3364.
Austins Coffee
Paul Hiebing
Metromix OrlandoApril 6, 2007
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