Hollow

Recommends

Chelsea Lin

Joined 6 years ago

Stumble into this impossibly cute Sunset coffee shop and you'll find yourself a world away from the neighboring Chinese restaurants and laundromats.. Part garden-style curio shop and part supremely simple coffeehouse, this narrow cafe more logically belongs on a bank of the Seine--complete with "Amelie" soundtrack--than on this rather dreary-but-striving-for-more stretch of Irving Street. Shelves lined with curious knick-knacks for the home and garden, a trickling water fountain and two marble-topped tables give the impression of an Alice in Wonderland-style tea party; and while tea is available, nearly everyone comes for the espresso. Beans from Mission phenomenon Ritual Roasters are brewed into lattes, americanos and macchiatos (you won't find a cup of coffee here) which is sure to make it a destination for west-side caffeine connoisseurs who don't want to trek to Ritual's busy Valencia Street location. Pair your ristretto shots with a selection from the glass cookie jars--stocked with freshly baked goodies from Edna's in Mountain View--and a read through the house book on the Japanese art of wabi-sabi, and you've got the recipe for a very sweet, very relaxing afternoon.