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Category: Coffee & Tea [Edit]
Neighborhood: North CenterIrving Park (Brown)
Mon-Fri. 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
This is my current favorite coffee shop in the city. Free WiFi, comfortable tables, great espresso (even if it is not Intelligentsia) and tea, friendly staff who deliver orders to your table, and a great selection of savory items. What more can you want.
The interior decor is very classic, simple and understated, accented by an amazing collection of art for sale. The rear patio is pristine and gorgeous. Even more so in the summer while the flowers are in bloom. It is an incredibly comfortable and relaxing place the work for a few hours.
If only it was a bit closer....
Writing a much needed update since my last trip here.
Again, gotta emphasize this place isn't your speedy money place. It's all about stopping to smell the flowers (or the cocoa mulch!) No need for me to elaborate how welcoming the staff is. Rosanna, Virginia, Marissa & Alex are cool down to earth folks.
If there's one drink you gotta try, you it's gotta be MOCHACCINO. I'm hooked. If you're more of a tea person, Cocoa Tea left me wordless too.
Step outside and appreciate the handcrafted drink and the unique fragrance of the patio.
Fan of the former Balingit Bakery?!? The Ensaymada's are bizzack!!
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This place is due to open in the spring and I can't wait!!!
An indie coffee house owned and operated…
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A BYOB coffee shop! Can you believe it? Read on for more...
Finally! I've found the coffee shop I've been looking for in Chicago! Having moved to this great city (I can say that now that the weather is warm) from Seattle, I've managed to find a lot of nice cafes but nothing that compared with Canal Street Coffee ( http://www.yelp.com/bi... )...until now.
Espresso Thy Art is cute and small inside, great Americano, incredibly friendly staff, and a fantastic outdoor patio. This last one is the real clincher for me. When the weather is nice, I like to sit outside and work and this is perfect.I'm actually surrounded by a flower garden as I write this.
There's only two things missing. First, there's no great view. But honestly, that's alright, I'm just happy to be in the sun. Secondly, they don't serve beer. That, along with the deck and view, was my favorite thing about Canal Street Coffee - I could start with a coffee in the early afternoon and then seamlessly transition to a beer later.
But not to fear! I asked the servers about it and they said I'm welcome to bring my own if I at least buy a coffee or some food. That's right, a BYOB coffee shop. In fact, this is even better than Canal Street Coffee because I can bring a flask of Bailey's, Peppermint Schnapps, or even Whiskey if I'm having a really bad day and mix it in with my coffee!
This place rocks!
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One of my favorites! I live closer to other coffee spots but I like this one. Why? Friendly people (the lady Virginia was so nice when I first came I thought it was fake, but she's still extra nice after my 30th visit - real), nice atmosphere, and great coffee (made-to-order). Hope nothing changes! Good food too...
This place is a new favorite. It's full of light because there are windows on three sides of the building, and the tables are very comfortable. The drinks are good and the staff is always really nice. Highly recommended.
The entire staff introduced themselves to me my 1st time there. That's a good sign. I've only had ice coffee there and it's solid. They also offer nice pieces of Chicago art at a reasonable price. I live near addison & damen but I still go to ETA. The entire staff is very nice and makes you feel at home. Support your local business and ignore the starbuck's across the street.
Get yourself an ice coffee and enjoy your below average summer temperatures in their back patio.
(I would've given 5 stars, except their coffee prices are almost the same as starbucks...which is almost the same as any other coffee place i've been to)
This place makes good coffee and pastries, but what truly sets it apart is the service.
Likes: The triumvirate of sister-owners welcomed me as if I were a family member or close friend. The coffee is delicious for a non-Intelligentsia roaster, and they homemade pastries are made with the same care they treat their customers. A newly remodeled shop, the space is a haven for good art, comfortable and beautiful furniture, and has a lovely garden in the back. Oh and they have free wifi.
Dislikes: I have no beefs with this place so I think I'd like to retort some of the critiques. Drip coffee does have more caffeine, but it tastes like day old moldy diarrhea compared to an Americano. Starbucks is right across the street if you are so utilitarian with your coffee that you care not for how it tastes.
The food menu is limited, but if you take a time to speak to the unbelievably personable owners, they'll tell you in earnest that they are not sure how the place is going to shape up. I'd rather visit an independent shop that experiments and shapes it's business around what it's customers want than a place that overextends its effort and closes up because it tried to do too much.
It seems that what is "wrong" with Espresso Thy Art is that they refuse to submit to the McDonaldization of the dining out experience. People seem more concerned with speed, price, quantity, and variety than quality food made with care and fresh, delicious ingredients. Rather than bitch about how this shop isn't a fast food spot, I'll say "Kudos! I hope this shops becomes a community pillar."
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this is most likely going to be my go-to coffee shop before i head into work. the staff is really friendly, and the espresso is just what i need at 7:30 in the morning. they tend to make their flavored lattes a little sweeter than i like, but the staff are really accommodating. so i always tell them to go easy on the syrups. i haven't had much time to sit down and relax at the shop, but there are plenty of tables and a lot of artwork scattered around. it's a perfect neighborhood coffee shop.
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Well, somebody has to be the voice of dissent, right?
OK, I understand it's a work-in-progress, but there are some things they're already not doing right. But let's start with the good. The place looks nice, the owners/workers are very friendly and are trying very hard. They welcome you into the shop and take time to talk with you. Also, the prices are good (for now). My latte was OK, but they'll get better with experience.
However -- what kind of coffee shop does not have drip coffee? I understand the premise -- espresso. Fine, but every good coffee shop needs drip coffee. It has more caffeine than espresso. And sometimes, that's all people want. And to those who say drip coffee is not good, go to Intelligentsia or Metropolis or any of the places in this neighborhood who use those coffees. They are great coffees.
I'm not thrilled that they don't seem to have little snacks like bagels or muffins.
Their hours are atrocious. 9-1 on Sundays? Only open till 6 on weekdays and 3 on Saturdays? Even the crappy Starbucks across the street is open til 10. I don't like Starbucks and I will go to independent coffee shops. Because of this hours issue, I will continue to walk farther and go to The Grind or Perfect Cup.
I don't generally get coffee to go in the morning and I don't go to coffee shops during the day. I want somewhere to hang out in the evening.
Also, the person who put the five-star review before the place even opened? That shouldn't be allowed on Yelp.
Wonderful little independent neighborhood coffee shop - very good coffee, good prices, and very warm staff!
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i really like this little coffee shop!
on a strip of damen avenue that's largely populated by franchises or homes, it's refreshing to see a wee newcomer in the 'hood.
i ducked in there on saturday afternoon, hurting for some caffeine after a 10-mile run, and the latte special hit the spot.
right now, you can purchase a 12 oz. latte, any flavor, for just $1.95!
the owner kindly directed me to the garden patio, which provided the perfect setting to wake up slowly with a great read and equally great cup of coffee. they've paved it with beautiful stones, and planted gorgeous flowers...you'd never know you were mere steps from the six corners.
i don't know who roasts their beans, but the coffee was strong and delicious. they also have a small menu of crepes and sandwiches that i intend to sample in the future.
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A very nice, small little coffee shop hidden away in North Center. I actually haven't had their coffee, but I did have one of their smoothies which was very good. The staff is very friendly and they're pretty reasonably priced, especially compared to the Starbucks right across the street. Also, I love their name and that's pretty much what attracted me to the place at first.
I must be doing something right, because this place somehow recreated by favorite coffee bar patio - from back East when I when I was in college, near Boston. I used to hit this coffee/tea sandwich place to study, and somehow Espresso Thy Art (unknowingly) has made a spot on replication of that outdoor patio cafe. This could be my newweekend place. The interior is immaculate, mainly featuring a huge selection of coffee and tea/food. And decorated with art work (by the owner?) which is also available for sale. But upon stumbling upon this shop last week, I found myself spending several hours in their outdoor dining patio. They have play area for kids and several tables to eat/drink at. The reason I like the layout is that it seems to get full sun throughout the day. But as tucked away as it is (from city noise/traffic) it's not claustrophobic. Its secured by a wrought iron fence and otherwise surrounded by flowers and a new garden. On a whim I tried a crepe to go, as I was leaving, and possibly had the best crepe I've ever had. The sandwiches looked good but I have yet to try them. Overall I like I couldn't have asked for a better place to open up in this neighborhood - as me and my girl friend have been looking a placid place to grab a coffee and read the Sunday paper etc. I hope it continues to flourish and do as much business as they seemed to be doing last week.
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Just like it says. Coffee shops around Chicago.…
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