Yelper's criticisms of Tavo are too harsh by far.
But the basic facts laid out by the other Yelpers are essentially correct.
Imagine a world where espresso critics who did not like your coffee
Took you down to the basement in a horror movie,
And did horrible things to you with sharp implements.
If you were that barista, you might consider that treatment somewhat unfair.
Assuming you lived to get out of that basement.
The barista I met seems to be the "good girl" type.
So she might be the teenager that gets out alive.
Let's leave aside the comments of reviewers who murder if their coffee is not quite right.
How is Tavo as a place to go?
***********
As the reviewers say, the room is beautiful.
Really beautiful.
If I lived in Bryan, I could see working all day and all night at that place.
Sweet Eugene's wanted to be the cool room with funky decoration.
Tavo really IS the cool room with the funky decoration.
Of particular note is the large sculptural/architectural construction in the far back room, that looks like the tailpipes of 38 automobiles made of PVC and painted odd turquoise-y colors.
But the random paintings on the wall are particularly well done -
and there are lots of nooks and crannies for interesting nook and crannying.
Visually, the place is entertainment on a stick.
* * *
Note that finding a coffee house with good art
Is like finding a boyfriend who admires you deeply and really understands your hopes and fears.
You don't rid of such a boyfriend lightly.
I have had to go to ophthamologists to overcome the eye damage I have suffered from looking at the paintings in rival coffee houses.
So I take a well done artistic workspace very seriously.
* * *
How is the coffee?
Uh ...
er ...
It won't kill you.
* * *
I go to coffee houses to get work done.
I go to houses to be in a room that sets off my creativity and allows me to do my best writing or my best thinking.
If the coffee or food is really good, so much the better.
But what goes into your mouth does nothing for improving your productivity, short of providing a clinical dose of caffeine or sugar.
What goes into your eyes does everything for improving your productivity.
So what do you do if you have a beautiful place with ho hum coffee?
Order cafe au lait and sneak in your own bag of cookies.
* * *
In real life, you do not choose people to bed or places to live because of simple physical beauty.
Beauty fades.
True merit persists.
However, when you are picking a place to get work done,
Beauty actually does the work.
Food or beverage problems can be worked around.
It is like going to a museum.
The museum cafeteria might be uninspiring.
But the Frank Stellas on the wall and the Brutalist staircase that takes you to the second floor ...
Those take your spirit to a higher level.
* * *
Think of Tavo as a feast for your eyes.
And if you go down to the basement,
Unchain that poor barista who has been put there.
I hope she has not lost too much blood.
We need her for the sequel. read more