Botanically Curious is offering a little oasis on Congress St in Portland. Their warm, welcoming,…read moreseasonally decorated space is great for events (which they do a lot of, and I encourage you to check out their website for what's happening now), but also for a low pressure, low key, non-hurried, non-frenetic, quiet space to work from home at. The acoustics are good, the seating options are abundant and varied (whether you want to work from a stool at a high top table, or a couch, or a lounge chair), the staff is knowledgeable, and the drinks here? Wonderful.
Described as "your friendly neighborhood herbalist" owner Paula - and staff! - are handcrafting remedies, drinks, and rituals in a cup. This educational apothecary has a rotating menu of teas, elixirs, and zero proof drinks. I had a non-caffeinated wellness latte recently that was intentionally created for slowing down, compassion, and emotional strength (made with tulsi tea, rose, cardamom, shatvari, vanilla, and oat milk) and it was one of the loveliest mugs of comfort I've had in a long time. Delicious (and visually beautiful!) from the first sip to the last. The mocktails I've had have all been well balanced and flavorful. The menu here does a good and reliable job at laying out whether a drink is tart or earthy or sweet or minerally or refreshing. If you don't know what you want to drink (or maybe what you want to work on emotionally), you can always just ask... they really have a wealth of information that they're sharing freely to leave you a little better then when you first entered their doors!
(Also, tea lovers, this is a fantastic spot to grab traditional and unique blends from locally sourced ingredients!)