Joe H.
Google
I’ve lived in Philadelphia for around 13 years, and this warm, cozy spot is my favorite cafe since…well, maybe early onset dementia set in, since…forever. Owner Aaron is in the house, Josh maybe has the day off or later shift, and H & L re all, in total, lovely and down-to-earth/loving kindness so pleasant, and clearly there are multiple artists in residence here (pulling out my Buddhist affiliate Phaser to zap hearts with good vibes). The coffee itself has never wavered. It is here that I learned that light roast is the best tasting roast (and highest in caffeine, contrary to popular belief that a double shot of espresso to cure a hangover is stronger), and no, the cream has not “turned” or gone bad, as I learned from Dave, a onetime (Grateful Dead-loving; RIP Bob W.) employee here, back in those Green dayz, and yet, and yet, the roasts themselves are out of the world, gentle and supple, it is here that I learned what great drip coffee and the occasional, for-special-personal-celebrations hand pour, exquisitely presented on a tray with carafe and glass and glass of water, are all about. Magnificent sweet or neutral croissants (no savory), muffins, and biscotti, as well as a grab-and-go banana if your leg cramps last night are suggesting you may need a potassium hit.
And then there is the branding that has floated to the surface to an elegance and subtlety. Notice the thermos MiiR tumbler with Habitat special touch, oh so subtle door and sign, look closely, and MiiR’s distinctive and for-real no-leak pop-top; at first I thought the lid was broken, however a push down barks out a distinctive pop, sip away, and press again, another pop, and it seals shut, no spills, try as I might, shaking it like crazy, nope. One word of caution from others who’ve purchased the vessel on the MiiR website: Be careful not to drop the screw-on lid, as some report easy breakage. Flip side: MiiR will replace the cap for free; be sure to register your tumbler.
One more surprise: A new, reusable tote for shopping or carrying your mini poodle or whatever. Beautiful, subtle design, just like the shop itself, designed in Seattle and made in India, with a pocket inside to stash my Kindle or this iPad mini I’m using to write this review.
All these years later, I’ve gone to other nice shops, Elixr when I use to work at the Apple Store, recently, Rival Bros. (loved the goat cheese everything croissant they use to have, maybe they still do?) though when I left the recently opened Jefferson tower on 11th and Chestnut St. (spectacular views), and was in closer proximity to Rival Bros., I chose to face-forward with running nose from out cold snap, to Habitat. Hoping there may be an open seat inside, and here it is, right here, right now (nods to Ram Daas ✌🏼🫶🏼🧘🏻♂️), no place I’d rather be right now.
Thank you, Habitat, for serving up “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place,” where this writer can now and then park it and hit the keys, with just the right coziness and background conversations, the chill music, the perfect light roasts (with, sometimes, a beautiful citrus lilt that will curdle the cream, however it isn’t the cream, it isn’t turned, it’s the nature of outstanding coffee meeting dairy, so stir your hand off), and most importantly, the kindness of the people who call this their workplace, these artists doing a job with a welcome gentleness, and for each, “What dreams may come,” I wish to all of them their are pursuing - thriving - in each their chosen artworks.
Peace,
Joe
P.S. Dog Friendly Cafe 🐾☕️🤗
