Cafe Eterno

admin — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 16:48:00 +0000

London, England

Airline travel is always uncomfortable for me; practically the minute I'm off the plane, regardless of how long (or short) the flight, I go hunting for espresso.

When my husband and I visited London in April, I wandered the local coffee shops near our Covent Garden hotel in search of an iced mocha. No one, short of Starbucks (and I didn't want to go there), seemed to know what I wanted. Was it a milkshake? A cocoa?

I found what I wanted - and much more than espresso - by accident on Neal Street.

Cafe Eterno, a cozy, brightly-colored cafe that's in one of London's most popular shopping destinations, has belonged to London City Mission for more than a century. A former hospital for those without medical care, it's now a cafe that serves a healthy and delightful range of food and drinks. You can get kalamata olives and hummus, panini, espresso drinks, snacks and brands of bottled drinks that give a percentage of profits to charity, all for insanely reasonable prices in an otherwise outrageously expensive city.

While much of the neighborhood has changed - it used to be poor and overcrowded - the Mission's good works have stayed. The proceeds from the cafe help support the nonprofit's centers, where those in need can get food, clothing and shelter. The day I found the cafe, one of the staff gave coffee, food and shelter information to a woman who had wandered in off the street. Paying for my drinks, I blurted out, "That was so nice of you - that's what Christians should do!"

At the hotel later, excitedly, I called my dad, a retired clergyman who's nauseated by today's brand of corporate Christianity, and shared the story. "That's what Christians should do!" he said.

I fell in love with Cafe Eterno's staff; notably Diane, whose last name I regrettably didn't get, although we discussed American politics; and Shirley Phillips, the cafe manager, who told me that she "wanted nothing of religion - just faith."

If you're ever in the area, check it out. You'll get more than what you pay for.

Written by: M.L. Madison, June 9th 2007

"Decaf Tastes Like Ass" T-Shirt

admin — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 11:04:00 +0000

By Rudechix

The Rudechix line is all about honesty – letting your t-shirt/tank top/underwear say what you are too polite to say. Ranging from "I'm Cuter than You" to "Getting Tattoos When I'm 18" baby-wear, the clothes are funky, fun, and full of attitude. They are ideal for women who are tired of the old adage, "Sugar and spice and everything nice."

When my t-shirt came in the mail, I was very excited. Inside a coffee cup was the commentary, "Decaf Tastes Likes Ass." Red so soft it's almost pink, the shirt was pretty and biting at the same time.

Unfortunately, I did not get my chance to model it for the neighborhood. While this reviewer does not shop in plus-size stores, the XL tee was surprisingly small. Naturally, as a feminist, I was disappointed. I had requested an XL to be safe – surely XL women are not this size! I was forced to give it to my younger sister, who normally wears smalls and mediums.

The idea and style are both fantastic; my only hope is that Rudechix will realize that chunky girls have something to say too.

Written by: April D. Boland, February 19th 2007