kohler: the greenhouse (the american club)

where: the american club, 419 highland dr, kohler wisconsin
weekend hours: sat & sun 6:00 am - 9:00 pm

this lovely greenhouse is a wonderful spot for morning coffee or afternoon tea if you're enjoying the american club. it's especially cozy and inviting in the winter! in summer you can grab an ice cream before walking the grounds.

chicago: la colombe.

where: 955 w randolph st, chicago il
weekend hours: sat & sun 8:00 am-7:00 pm
nearest L stop: morgan (green/pink lines)

just at the end of the blocks of trendy restaurants on randolph street is la colombe. there's a giant window in the front that becomes an open space on warm days, and their iced latte is one of the best i've had. the atmosphere is comfortable, making it the perfect place to relax after lunch or wait on a reservation for hot spots like girl in the goat or au cheval.

chicago: stan's donuts (streeterville)

where: 259 e erie st, chicago il
weekend hours: sat & sun 7:00am-9:00pm
nearest L stop: grand (red line)

fun and a little funky, stan's donuts has a range of treats and intelligentsia coffee to make for a tasty sugar high any time of day. the ambiance is a little lighter and brighter, and a little less gritty-city, than shops in the wicker park area.

menu:
blueberry fritter: (x)(x)(x)(x)(  )
biscoff pocket: (x)(x)(x)(x)(  )
coffee: (x)(x)(x)(  )(  )
iced coffee: (x)(x)(x)(  )(  )

chicago: dollop coffee & tea (streeterville)

where: 345 e ohio st, chicago il 60611
weekend hours: sat & sun 7:00am-8:00pm
nearest L stop: grand (red line)

google maps describes dollop as a "modern java bar with a wall of windows", which is certainly accurate. the windows let in a wonderful amount of light for all of the students (and bloggers, work-from-homers, etc) who park at the communal high tables and window-facing counters with their laptops and their cup of energy. while seating is sometimes difficult - northwestern law & med schools are just down the street - the coffee is always good.

menu:
dirty chai latte: (x)(x)(x)(  )(  )
iced coconut vanilla latte: (x)(x)(x)(  )(  )

chicago: borgeois pig.

where: 736-738 w fullerton ave
weekend hours: sat 7:00am-10:00pm, sun 8:00am-10:00pm
nearest L stop: fullerton (red line)

bourgeois pig has a great outdoor space that is perfect for sipping coffee on a warm weekend. one side of the building is a restaurant, the other side is the coffee house, so if you stay long enough you can grab lunch or dinner as well. there's a little free library tucked away in a corner too, so if you're looking for new reading material you can find it here as well.

menu:
iced latte: (x)(x)(  )(  )(  )
jamaican latte: (x)(x)(x)(  )(  )

chicago: sip coffeehouse.

where: 1223 w grand ave
weekend hours: sat 8:00am-7:00pm, sun 8:00am-6:00pm
nearest L stop: Grand-Blue or Chicago-Blue

the entry looks small, but once you order and walk down the hall, sip opens up to a great indoor space and a cute little patio. the patio is far enough back that the street noise is dulled, so it's great for a comfortable chat while you sip at your beverage of choice.

menu:
breve: (x)(x)(x)(  )(  )
coffee: (x)(x)(x)(  )(  )
chocolate frosted donut: (x)(x)(x)(  )(  )
banana bread: (x)(x)(x)(  )(  )

chicago: gaslight coffee roasters.

where: 2385 n milwaukee ave, chicago il 60647
weekend hours: sat 8:00am-8:00pm, sun 9:00am-7:00pm
nearest L stop: california-o'hare (blue line)

there are two-person tables, a larger shared table and counter space to sit and enjoy your coffee, read a book or browse the web in this triangle-shaped coffee shop on the edge of milwaukee and fullerton. the large windows might be the best feature of the place, especially on a sunny day, and the space is welcoming as all good local coffee shops should be.

menu:
iced latte: (x)(x)(x)(  )(  )
coffee: (x)(x)(x)(x)(  )