Restaurants, venues and cafe reviews

Gulu Gulu Cafe


So I'm sitting here with my friends after a long hot day at work. We're all grumpy. Just an hour ago I had stormed into the house telling Christie about what a bitch I am. Because when it's hot outside..and inside...and in my car....  well...I'm not always nice. And this, of course, turned into an existential quandary, and caused me to wonder where in the world my mother's generous genes had gone and why I had not learned from my gracious friends enough to replicate their behaviors. 
Someone please get me out of this heat!!!
 So we walk into a mildly air conditioned room with orange and red sofas. Lovin' it. 
Mustard yellow, my favorite color. And Thievery Corporation? Lounge music. 

-"Hhmm...I'll have a "Infusion Angelique Tequila" please 
-Oooo and I'll have the  "Infusion Diabolique Rum"
-"Let's all get different ones and share." 

Our glasses get here and sure, they look a little sketchy, but no problem. 

UGH....


"This is pure alcohol." 
"Does yours taste as bad as mine?" 
""Ugh! Yours tastes worse."
"Where is the pineapple, ginger and mango they promised?!"
"And what the hell is that bitter after-taste?"

Needless to say, the drinks went back. Oh yes they did. 


We got Chardonnay instead and Christina kept her nasty red drink after putting sugar in it. 
Andrew was all set with his Brooklyn Lager. 
Sometimes I wish I was as wise as that man... 

Gulu is great for hanging out. They have tons of events. The place is mostly always packed, except during some Sunday nights in the winter. 
It's right on Washington Street in downtown Salem and their Arugula Salmon appetizer is awesome and should be ordered often. 


See, Gulu-Gulu started in Lynn, MA. I lived down the street when it first opened. It was fashioned after a cafe in the Czech Republic and you can find all kinds of Eastern European undertones throughout. 


Their coffee isn't bad. Lunch is aight. But the atmosphere. Is. Great. 
I love this place, all in all. But please, for the life of you, do not get their mixed drinks unless you want pure rum or pure tequila, which you might--in which case, by all means! Enjoy the atmosphere and the nasty-ass drinks! 


-"That was fun," says Christie. 
We all agree as we drive, cooled off, ready to face our hot apartment across the Salem bridge into Beverly. 








Upcoming reviews: 


If you're ever in Croatia...


New York Cafe's and restaurants that I like 
Society
Blossom
Cafe Gitane  
The Frying Pan


The Noath Shoa (North Shore)...


Shisha Lounge in Allston (and what happens when you take a bunch of Dominicans there)...

Algiers: Cambridge, MA

Brattle Street, Harvard Square

Algiers is a Middle Eastern cafe: serves Turkish and Arabic coffee and wonderfully prepared Middle Eastern meals.

This is one of my favorite cafe's, particularly because of how aesthetically pleasing it is. The combination of beautiful paintings on the walls, the steel stairs/railing, the mirrors, decorative hookas, wine bottles, deep reds and earth tone colors is enough to provide a relaxing atmosphere for me.

I'm particularly a fan of the windows on the first floor overlooking the quaint Cambridge Center for Adult Education building.

I usually go here when I am wanting to read, in need of a good workspace, for a coffee date/lunch or when I just want to relax and journal. The crowd helps provide a "study-like"atmosphere. Throughout the years I've picked up a lot of conversations about string theory, for instance, and psychology, Harvard professors and existential crises. These people make me want to study!


Trident Booksellers and Cafe
Newbury Street, Boston

Funkier feel.


Perks: Free Wifi, a versatile assortment of books (from philosophy to literature to those humorous books with titles like: "100 things to do before you get old and boring"), magazines (from all over the world), funky cards and journals.

I go here with a group of people or when I'm in the mood for finding a new good read. I've bought many cool gifts here, including a card with a decked-out Monalisa (she had bling, a nose ring, a clutch and lipstick, I believe). I especially like going on Sunday afternoons--good crowd, good chill spot.


1369 in Inman Square, Cambridge

I have a special affection for this place.

It is so Cambridge...
Homier feel...

Here's what I mean:

You have your typical college-aged barristas: you got your nose ring, your indie-type and your punkish guy.
Then you have the man who's always rocking some sort of interesting constume (everything from a funky version of Santa Clause to rocker dude). You must also know that he is always super happy and friendly.

You have the old couple that have been coming here on Sunday mornings for like 25 years (exaggeration--I dont know when this cafe was built). You have the professor; the sociologist; that archeologist that has made some awesome discoveries; the dude who comes here with his kid to draw and then folks like me (i.e. college students looking for a place to study)..all against the backdrop of indie music, rock and your occasional Erykah Badu (I've received some good music recommendations here...Good place to build up your music collection).

I get a lot of good studying done here. I've had some great conversations; had some good book recommendations and met some wonderful people.

Essentialy... love 1369 for the sense of community. It's really cute too.



Pleasant Street Tea Co.
Pleasant Street, Gloucester

I was introduced to this cafe through a couple of friends on the North Shore. On the afternoon that I was there they had a good poetry reading. Its relaxing, funky and good for hanging out with friends/dates.

They had some of the funkiest tea and coffee travel mugs I had ever seen and a lot of cool decorative items for sale.
The barristas were also friendly and chill...



Pictures cited

Algiers:loquelasguiasnodicen.wordpress.com/2006/11/
Trident Booksellers and Cafe: www.telegraph.co.uk
1369: www.dkimages.com

Pleasant Street Tea Co: www.udine4less.com