Best places to eat and read
Over the years, some of my favorite dinner companions have been books. I'm not a loner, a rebel (as Nancy believes); but I developed the habit while traveling as a reporter. When eating by yourself, there's nothing better than having an engrossing book handy, to disperse that sense of aloneness.
A good book is only half the battle, though. You also need the right restaurant -- one that's not too noisy, not too dark, not too rushed. I do a lot of reading at the Charles Village Chipotle, but it has taken me months to perfect a system of holding my chicken burrito, keeping my book flat on the table and turning the pages. (Borrowing one of the metal utensil holders helps.) Another favorite, for summer, is the patio at Donna's at Cross Keys.
So help me and other Read Streeters find the best "eat-n-read" spots in the Baltimore area. Let us know your favorites. We'll even pick out a few comments for a giveaway of new books.
Comments
I always found Mick O'Shea's between two and four on weekdays to be a good atmosphere for undisturbed reading. Three, maybe four people in the whole place (including the bartender), music is at a comfortably non-distracting level, and no one bothers you.
Posted by: WP Tandy | March 17, 2009 9:11 AM
Last night at One World Cafe near Johns Hopkins, there were at least three people reading and three more working on laptops, with books propped alongside.
The place makes an effort to be attractive to readers, with two couches set up to face another across a coffee table, and farther back, an over-stuffed maroon wing chair.
The staff is laid-back, so readers can stay for hours nursing a cup of coffee, and every book is more enjoyable when accompanied by a slice of cherry cheesecake, or a three-layer lemon cake.
The chief drawback is the noise, which was formidable when I popped in, both from conversation (there was quite a crowd, even on a Monday night) and the pumped-in music, though some folks seemed to have no problem concentrating.
The lighting at night is better in some spots than others. Prime reading time probably is during the day, when the crowds are smaller, and natural light pours in from windows on both sides of the triangular-shaped restaurant.
Posted by: Mary McCauley | March 17, 2009 10:02 AM
We just got a great suggestion on Twitter from MissJames: Teavolve. "great big seats, comforting tea (and harder stuff), tasty food, music is unobtrusive."
Posted by: Nancy | March 17, 2009 10:57 AM
With one side of its dining area sheathed in floor-to-ceiling windows, The Northstar Bistro (1417 Thames) gives perfect light for reading. Great MX: lively yet undominant. Plus, free Wi-Fi. Open just 11-4 for now.
Posted by: LauravilleMom | March 17, 2009 11:28 AM
The Towson Library! You're welcome to eat, believe it or not, in the library. Get a coffee drink and one of Jay's mom's homemade cupcakes at the connected coffee bar ('Spro), and take it to the quiet lounge. Best of all, the reading material is free.
Posted by: Paula | March 17, 2009 11:42 AM
I'm partial to Baltimore Coffee & Tea, especially there new shops in Annapolis and Frederick. Most of my reading (including books) is online, so the free internet access is great. High quality coffee and snacks are a definite plus.
The only drawback is they are bustling in the early a.m., so I shoot to stop by late morning and clock in some time between meetings.
Posted by: Triple L | March 17, 2009 3:58 PM
The Red Canoe in Lauraville. A savory muffin, something warm to drink, and a seat by the front window make me very happy.
Posted by: bonnie | March 18, 2009 9:37 AM
Uhhhh...where do you park when you go to The Red Canoe?
Posted by: Eve | March 19, 2009 11:11 AM
For Red Canoe, I always park at the Safeway or along the alley to the right (coming north) just past the Chameleon.
Posted by: Timmy | April 8, 2009 9:27 AM
Hi, I interested at such book cafe which has its own reading atmosphere. The place I haven't go before as soon as I am stay at my country. However, my place also has similar shop but noisy and small area. I t will be have a better circumstance at nightime. However, I am wondering the profit and lose of the shops as soon as there are many expenditures monthly. How can it earn if few people visit such book cafe. Can you explain me?
Posted by: Macky | August 14, 2009 5:21 AM