Gigi's Cafe
822 W 36th St
Minneapolis, MN
612-825-0818
www.gigisuptown.com

Hours

Monday - Saturday: 6.45am - 10pm

Sunday: 7.30am - 10pm

Wow! What more is there to say about Gigi's. Gigi's has grown over the past few years to include a fantastic menu featuring a superb wine list, while offering some good brews. Oh yeah, there is great OFT coffee's and pastries that truly are better than any other coffeehouse in the Twin Cities (that I have sampled anyway).

Gigi's is a place where you can stop for a cookie and a coffee, or bring your sweetheart for a romantic evening by candlelight. The decor is very tastefull and they feature a sidewalk patio that is nearly always crowded.

The hours are very consistent and the bathroom is ALWAYS clean. This is a top notch place where everything is well thought out and done right. Without a white glove treatment, there is not a whole lot to knock about Gigi's. South Minneapolis should be proud to such a fine establishment anchoring this neighborhood in Uptown.

Bob's Java Hut
2651 Lyndale Ave. S Minneapolis, MN 55408

www.Bobs33.com
612-871-4485
bobsjavahut@gmail.com

WiFi

Cuppa Joe $1.50

Mon-Thurs 7am-11pm

Fri-Sat 8am-12am

Sun 8am-11pm

For a person like myself whose day seems to always start after 9Pm, Bob's Java Hut gives you that comforting feeling that many SUV driving soccer mom's and elite suburban wannabee's comes to expect in Starbucks and Caribou - it is always open. The hours are for the latenight folk and when I get there, between 9 and 11Pm, it is the latenight crowd who are sitting around smoking and chatting on the sidewalk picnic tables, probably talking about their hotrods or Harleys.

I am not of that ilk, but I am not intimidated when patronizing Bob's. The staff has been one of the most friendliest I have seen(break the ice by asking if the barista ever poked anyone's eye's out with his 12 inch hair spikes) .

If you enjoy motorcycles, you will love the decor. Even though you can't purchase a motorbike, unlike their competitor south of Lyndale where you can buy a bike while you get a coffee (see CRC below), there is memorabilia from bygone days scattered around the shop. Most interesting are the table lamps made from old gears - very cool touch!

Seating is great and plentiful and the bathrooms are always clean. In the warmer weather the great big garage door is opened up and the sounds and smells of Lyndale Ave penetrate the shop. Herein lyes my only my quirk I have ever experienced at Bob's, which management simply cannot control. There are so many smokers that visit Bob's that when the doors open up the smoke enters the shop and is really bothersome. You just have to get there when there are not a lot of smokers gathered out front.

I have never had a bad cup of java at Bob's Java Hut. It always tastes good and is piping hot. Combine the great coffee with the great staff, an interesting and unique atmosphere, and you have a winning coffeeshop.

Urban Bean Coffee
3255 Bryant Ave. S
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-824-6611

Free WiFi
Cuppa Joe $
Latte $

If you are looking for excitement, don't park your bike at Urban Bean. The mezmerizing music will lull you to sleep. On the other hand, if mezmerizing music helps you study and you are an insomniac, Urban Bean Coffee on Bryant Ave S is the perfect place for you.

The staff tends to be moody in the evenings and the overpriced bakery items are very poor quality. The coffee selection is fine, but I didn't see any FTO advertising anywhere, so unless I am mistaken, it is conventional (I may report later on new findings).

Urban Bean is a great addition to the neighborhood. It supports local art and is in a quiet location with plenty of outdoor seating. Indoor seating is quite comfy also and with the ad hoc selection of retro Goodwill finds, you can find one that suits your bum.

I really enjoy the new sillouettes of urbanity painted on the walls. It keeps with the theme and looks clean, is original and uncluttered. If your apartment or office is consistently cluttered, then Urban Bean may be where you find your zen of cleanliness and simplicity. On that note, the bathroom earns a C for cleanliness considering the floor looks like it hasn't been moped in years and the toilet made me shriek.

You certainly will enjoy your experience at Urban Bean, but you may want to ask for a side double-shot of expresso to keep your eyelids from getting heavy.

PS: They need a website to enter the same century as their decor.