Opened: 2014
Drinks Menu: A nice assortment of drinks. You can order the classics, like macchiato or latte, or go with a batch brew, pour over or Kyoto cold brew. They also offer specialty drinks, such as espresso and tonic and a matcha latte.
Food Menu: Breakfast and lunch menu. They make most items in house, including bread and pastries.
Espresso Machine: Two-group La Marzocco
Brew Options: Pour overs, cold brew, espresso, and tea
Location: Maplewood, MO
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review:
Living Room butts up against a butcher shop and the smell permeates the small coffeehouse with a foul, gamey scent that doesn’t hang lifeless in the air – that you could adjust to and forget. No, the stench seems to undulate, ebbing and flowing as people move through the space or open the front door, retreating only to hit your nostrils again. There’s no getting used to it or avoiding it in a space that small.
It sounds like I’m telling you not to try this shop. I’m not. I think Living Room is worth visiting because it has an interesting food and drink menu and a nice patio – a safe smell-free place to enjoy your food and beverage.
Almost hidden behind a string of shops in Maplewood, Living Room has an industrial look livened up with some wooden details. Floor to ceiling windows on the exterior walls let in lots of light, and the reclaimed wood countertops add a natural look. Dashes of color – dusty blue counter inside and bright blue and coral patio furniture outside – brighten up the stark white walls and cold concrete floor.
The cafe offers only four tables and a few barstools for inside seating. Nice weather doubles the space thanks to a sizeable patio on the blacktop parking lot out front. Despite the size, I haven’t had to wait long for my order or stand to wait for a place to sit.Living Room roasts its own beans under the name Arthouse. It’s a small roaster that doesn’t have much of a wholesale presence. The espresso is ok; lighter and sharper than I usually enjoy, but with an interesting fruity flavor. In addition to the traditional latte and cappuccino options, this shop serves a number of specialty drinks. My favorites are the Sproda, which combines root beer and cold brew for a hearty, sweet-but-not-too-sweet iced drink that’s refreshing on a hot afternoon. The salted honey latte is a nice treat on warmer days. While honey lattes are common, I enjoyed the depth that sprinkling a little sea salt on the latte foam gave to this drink.
The food menu also includes some interesting options that I haven’t spotted elsewhere. I usually order the Workday Sandwich made with bacon, white cheddar and a soft boiled egg on baguette. It’s enough of a twist on the typical breakfast sandwich for it to be an interesting brunch choice.
Don’t let the smell repel you. This little cafe has character and creative options that make it worth visiting. Just make sure to eat out on the patio or take your order to go.
- 10:12 AM
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