The Power of Love

If the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, then the True Love Coffeehouse should stop and get directions. But as its name implies, the True Love Coffeehouse’s forte is not food, but coffee - and it does do coffee and other related beverages quite well. But so do a lot of other coffee places as well as other establishments. Yet there is more to a coffeehouse than just its coffee and food.

True Love is first and foremost an uncommon coffeehouse. Even before entering through the converted Victorian’s front gate at 2315 K Street, it is apparent that this is no ordinary place. From the progressive and unorthodox décor to the intimate, dark, yet strangely warm interior to the backyard patio, kicking back at this place is an exercise in relaxation. Although the backyard is technically outdoors, the patio is covered to protect it from the elements and heated to keep the chill off.

And for those who still smoke, it is outdoors - smoking is allowed.

Nothing at the True Love is outrageously expensive nor are there any particularly great deals. Coffee drinks and other beverages come with prices comparable to other specialty coffee places and the food is fairly priced as well. Expect to pay from $7 to $10 to have your thirst quenched and your appetite satisfied.

All items are ordered after standing in a (usually short) line at the counter in the central passage between the front door and the rear exit of the house. It is not a particularly spacious location and it would not take many people to constitute a crowd. Some items are delivered at the point of sale while the more labor-intensive items are placed in a small window for pick-up a few minutes later. There is no table service.

The demeanor of the staff at the True Love matches that of the décor and to a large extent, its clientele. It caters to a younger, somewhat edgy crown and although True Love’s patrons might reject the term “avant-garde” as a generalization or a label, it is a fitting description nonetheless. If there was a modern equivalent to the beatnik coffeehouses of days gone by, True Love is it.

The charm of the True Love Coffeehouse is not in its beverages. True, the selection is huge and they blend as good a white mocha as anyone, but there are many - too many - good coffeehouses. Its magic certainly is not found in the food. The menu has some unusual dishes and does accommodate vegetarian and vegan diets, but the food is not particularly exceptional. My order of nachos ($4.00) with black beans ($1 extra) was competent, but nowhere near spectacular. It was no more noteworthy than Taco Bell nachos - and that is being kind.

But the True Love Coffeehouse, like true love itself, is more than the sum of its parts. It provides an atmosphere that feels like lounging around wearing an old t-shirt and blue jeans on a lazy Saturday night. It is a nice place to hang out with friends, read a book, or use the free wireless Internet to surf the Web or engage in online chat. If I lived in midtown, this review would likely be written out on True Love’s back patio, sipping a large white mocha and observing the buzz all around.