At around 3 p.m., Sunday September 27, I drove to a hip coffee shop in uptown called Sip and Stir Cafe. Street parking is very limited, but there is a parking garage right by it that is free. There is not a menu board to look at above the baristas, but there are little clipboards with the menu attached at the booth where you order which are useful.

Sip and Stir Cafe is unusual in regards to their menu. Other than just the regular cup of joe, they offer a s’mores latte, creme brulee latte, and a variety of frosted drinks, which are much like frappuccinos, and the flavors range from peanut butter or salted caramel, to orange dream. I decided to be adventurous and try to the creme brulee latte. Although it was almost five dollars, it was worth every penny. A barista set the cup overflowing with the latte on my table and provided me with a spoon to break the sugar crust on top of the beverage, which was skillfully crafted to imitate the dessert. This extra sugar added a warm touch of sweetness to the drink. The coffee gave me plenty of energy for about four hours.

The baristas are friendly and are willing to hold a conversation with you. This made me feel more welcome and like I was a regular. They also are willing to help you figure out which beverage will satisfy you the best.

There is an abundance of tables and couches and chairs at Sip and Stir, so it is a good place to study during the weekend. It is open until 9 every day except Sundays, when it closes at 8. Although Sip and Stir is not a very quiet place since the location is bigger than most local coffee shops, it is do-able. The cafe is not only filled with studious students, but also groups of people chatting with each other. The decor consists of sleek, clean lines, and is mainly black and white with light accent colors, which causes a soothing effect.

Overall, i would recommend Sip and Stir Cafe if you are in need of a little extra energy or are looking for creative forms of coffee.