The Novel Cafe

I wrote for 2 hours this morning in my absolute favorite place in Westwood, and maybe one of my favorite places ever. Outside the Novel Cafe are colorful mosaic tables lined with gorgeous flower pots. When you enter, there are big black leather sofas (modern and sassy are good words to describe the sofas) and chairs for eating, studying, lounging, talking, whatever. There are a few tables amongst the sofas to set your food down or to lay your books on. The atmosphere is such that you really just want to take your shoes off and sit indian style on the couch (which I appropriately did). The music is at the perfect level and good tunes are always on. Upstairs is more of a cafe scene. There are tables and chairs and an espresso bar with all kinds of goodness coming from it. Along the walls are book shelves where you can take a book and read, swap books, or merely admire the presence of words coming to life in a grandios display.

Let me tell you about the food. Divine. Omelettes, sandwhiches, gourmet oatmeal with raisins and walnuts, fruit, salads, pasta, and pancakes with strawberries, bananas, and blueberries are just some of the goodness on the menu (If I were my cousins Sean and Julie Oldroyd, I would know what kind of pasta and omelettes and salads they have, but I forget. I know the oatmeal was gourmet though and that sounds better than regular). Here's the best part... the drinks. They come in bowl-like mugs on a saucer with a spoon on the side. The creamy foam is unlike any other foam I have ever tasted or made. So far I have enjoyed a chai latte, mocha, and irish creme latte. This morning I went for the Irish creme because I was feeling cultured and it sounded smart (plus I was writing and I think that I believed the Irish Creme would inspire me). The waiters let you sit and do your thing while only occasionally checking up on you. You are free to stay as long as you like.

It is a place where I am allowed to sit and dream. There are big windows for people watching if you are on the bottom floor, and thickly painted brown walls upstairs for good concentration. I have gone a few times with friends, and really, not much needs to be said when you are inside Novel. Sometimes the atmosphere speaks for itself and other times the books you are reading draw a connection between you and the other person without words needing to be spoken. As students we usually go there to study... yet we can't help but study with smiles on our faces for the treasure we've found in the Novel. It is where I am free to write and explore my mind, my past, the present, and dream of the future. I think about God a lot in the Novel. It's one of those places, dear to my heart.