Map - Block of 2100-2000

Hello everyone, Samantha and I have decided that prior to every block we hit on South Street we will post a little map of whats coming up next. That way if anyone would like to join us for anything they see on the map they can let us know on a block-to-block basis so we don't forget. 

Next up - Ten Stone for happy hour/ dinner and on the same day Philly Cupcake for dessert. We're going this Thursday - the 27th of June - at 5PM. Anyone free?

#9 - La Va Cafe - Sam's synopsis

Before I get to the review, an announcement!  We now have a twitter account - follow us for live tweeting at restaurants and to hear all about where we're going next.  We're trying to keep up with the times here and be at the cutting edge of technology... or something.

As for La Va, it is actually physically the closest place on our saunter to my house, and it also happens to serve my favorite brand of chai in town.  Sadly, I don't know the brand, although it's definitely NOT Oregon (which is only so-so), but I do know you can also find it at Nook.  (As an added side-note, I want to give a shout out to Gavin's, who makes my second favorite chai in the city and is a frequent stop for both myself and Sandya after we play tennis).  Needless to say, when I am craving a chai of the hot or cold variety, I often stop in at La Va.  One downside is that they do not accept credit cards for purchases under $10, so if you're like me and don't carry cash, this could deter you from stopping by - although one of the baristas suggested the great idea to use my credit card to buy a gift card and then apply said gift card to my current purchase.  Of course they have an ATM on site, but who likes annoying ATM fees? But, I digress.  Let me talk more about La Va itself. 

Don't want to intrude on anyone's privacy...
You can also see one of the tabletop designs
NYAN!

When you first walk into the cafe, it has a very cozy feeling.  There are couches that look like they come from a high class secondhand antique store, and the artwork on the walls is, well, what you would expect to see in a coffee shop - eclectic, generally well-done and sometimes just downright weird.  As someone who has frequented this location the past 2 years, I can say there are a few permanent pieces but every 4-6 months or so there are new pieces. Recently, there were flatstock posters from local concerts in the area (which I am proud to say that I had attended about half), but now there are some non-descript paintings (i.e. not inspiring enough for me to remember exactly what they were. Flowers? Creepy babies? Abstract art?). Regardless, I think the decor is one of the highlights of La Va, so it's worth it to check out what's on the walls.  I also really love what they've done with their tables, where each tabletop has a different chic pattern.  One has stylized drawings of dog heads, one  shows a stack of famous novels, you get the point. Standardly hip.  The tables are spaced just right to give you a sense of privacy yet allow you to get friendly with your neighbor if you so desire. And there are tables outside, which are often where customers with dogs sit.  All in all, I have to disagree with Sandya on this one - I think the vibe from La Va is perfect for a coffee shop.

French toast and fresh raspberries!

mmm... delicious iced chai

As for the food and drink, well you already know how I feel about their chai.  What I like about this particular brand is how smooth and creamy the flavor is, and how it doesn't taste artificial or too spicy. Yes, I know true chai is supposed to be spicy, but I prefer mine sweetened (sue me for being American), and this particular blend does that very nicely while maintaining the chai flavor. For breakfast I decided to branch out (I often get the pesto breakfast sandwich, which is delicious) and go for the caramelized french toast with a side of turkey bacon.  Upon first taste, the french toast did have that hint of caramel flavor, but it soon disappeared, so I was a little disappointed about that.  However, the bread itself was moist and well battered, and the dash of raspberries on the side were a nice touch.  The turkey bacon wasn't anything out-of-this-world, but that just means it was nice and salty and helped balance out all the sweet flavors in the french toast and iced chai.  It was a fulfilling breakfast and a great way to start the day.

In the end, La Va holds a special place in my heart, partly out of convenience, partly because it serves my favorite chai in town, and partly because, fun fact: it happens to be the first coffee shop I ever went to as a Philadelphia resident.  If you're in the neighborhood, definitely stop in to get to know your neighbors, because I guarantee you'll be able to find something on the menu that will hit the spot.

La Va Cafe
2100 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 545-1508

#9 La.Va Cafe - Sandy's synopsis

I wasn't very excited for La.Va. I'd been there once before and had asked for a couple of things on their menu to be met with a heart-breaking "We ran out of those". Well, heart-breaking for a hungry person craving something specific anyway. So considering my lack of enthusiasm, I decided to keep the bar very low - if they actually had what I ordered this time, it would be a win for La.Va. So, I worked up an appetite that morning by walking from 2nd to 21st and South (because SEPTA is incompetent). I met Samantha  there for breakfast, on a weekday before work. La.Va does have a BYOB dinner menu but we decided on breakfast because La.Va had just acquired some serious competition across the street in the form of Honeys Sit 'N Eat. We figured we could have a breakfast wars between the two. 

The first thing that should strike you about La.Va is that they are dog friendly - on the outside. You can't bring your dog inside however, but if you leave your dog tied up outside while you are enjoying your breakfast, he/she has options.  

Well, you might have to operate that gizmo below for Fido, 
but once you do, scooby snacks a plenty.

Which brings us to next good thing about La.Va, it is gorgeous inside. The decor is what I'd call posh and the couches are grand and comfortable. The art on the wall is fantastic, some of which, I believe, for sale. This place makes me want to dress up, preferably in an old timey suit of some kind, with a monocle and a glass of whiskey. 

So it was a little weird seeing people casually doing what they do in coffee shops - working on their computers and chatting with friends. The clientele seemed from the neighbourhood, which is good considering the tagline on their website is "Come meet your neighbours". The menu is rather large for a coffee shop and my eyes fell upon the turkish coffee. 

And yes, as you might've guessed by now, they were out of it. After doing this: 

I got a regular coffee and a breakfast sandwich - croissant with bacon, egg and cheese. In hind-sight, this was a terrible thing to order as I cannot actually judge anything from it. I mean its a bacon, egg and cheese - a food truck can make it and arguably have it taste better because of the extra grease that lines their fry stations. 

It was good. I mean, obviously it was good. And as I failed on ordering something interesting (perhaps from fear that they wont have it), let me comment on the coffee. Very very satisfying. Their menu calls it their homebrew - so I'm unsure of where the beans are from, but it was damn fine coffee! Agent Cooper would approve. 

To conclude, the place doesn't really fit a coffee shop. They do have a BYOB dinner menu, but they're base is a coffee shop and things just don't feel right. The space begs for a more sophisticated dining experience and I feel disappointed with myself for sitting there in my jeans drinking my coffee. They do cater and rent the space out to parties which I think is a fantastic idea. It is a gorgeous space to have a party in and since you are pre-ordering things to be catered for the party, you won't run into the "we've run out of" problem. All in all, good coffee, dog treats, a decent bacon and egg sandwich make this place a good cafe. But it can be so much more. 

La.Va Cafe

2100 South Street

Philadelphia, PA 19146

215-545-1508