Monday, January 23, 2012
Restaurants Coffee north and south in Grant Park
Posted by Cliff Bostock @cliffbostock on Mon, Jan 23, 2012 at 3:00 PM
- Cliff Bostock's iPhone
- At Octane
Octane is the roomier, with obsessive baristas and, thanks to the Bakeshop, some fantastic pastries like this ginger-apricot scone I snacked on Sunday with their signature latte. I was sorry to miss lunch, available later after 11 a.m. Among the dishes were a soup of local rutabagas and green apple; a salad of wheatberries with watermelon radish and goat feta; and a sandwich of bacon, tomato pesto, and escarole. There was more, including a veggie sandwich. I've left out references to local sourcing.
Whereas Octane seems to attract a younger adult crowd — I'm trying to avoid the "hipster" word and the reference to skinny jeans — Grant Park Coffeehouse seems to get a much more diverse clientele, including baby-strolling parents, zoo visitors, and kids of all ages. There are only two tables, a sofa and a short counter.
- Cliff Bostock's iPhone
- At Grant Park Coffeehouse
Both coffee shops have free wifi but GPC provides electrical outlets, even though the table space is so limited.
I have one complaint about both. You can roast in either shop. Octane's rear wall is nothing but windows facing south. I've had clients stop there on the way to see me and heard the complaints often. GPC, on the other hand, just feels overheated, maybe because the space is small and the ovens are busy.
Sometimes I want a grilled cheese and other times I want possibly the best croissant in our city.
Comments (3)
Showing 1-3 of 3
Great review. I enjoy both cafes regularly and I agree with your assessment. I would add that all or Octane's drip coffees are individual pour overs. While its great coffee, refills are the same price as the first. GPC refills are free if you enjoy your brew at the cafe. For caffeinds this is a good thing. Both have outdoor seating perfect for good weather. For GPC it almost doubles the seating. And there are even outdoor outlets. The ambience in Octane is perfect on a cloudy day. and not so hot.
like
dislike
As always, a very fair restaurant review! I agree, Octane is of course sleek and swank, much like their other location on the westside. GPC is very much the opposite of that which to me only adds to its charm. I've noticed that the baristas are often much more friendly at GPC.. safe to say the [hipster] feel at Octane is not for everyone. Pastries at both are divine, and I've heard that the owner at GPC hand-bakes theirs every morning. Grant Park, the 2012 version of Mayberry? ha. In short- just because there are new kids on the block doesn't mean the established folks are any less for it. I hope both businesses thrive!
Readers also liked…
-
Cheap Eats: Bell Street Burritos 9
Burrito haven opens Westside location
-
Do you know the Dumpling Girl? 5
Lanie Vu keeps it local
Latest in Omnivore
-
Local restaurants honor the late Warren Bruno
Percentage of sales will be donated in Warren Bruno's honor.
-
Weekend food events, May 25-27: 3B Fest, a patio party, and more
Weekend events for Friday May 25 to Sunday May 27.
-
Waiting on Shaun Doty's chicken at Ansley Mall
It's a game of retail dominoes
- More »
More by Author
-
WSJ cites Lucero Martinez Obregon
Former chef at Zocalo going gangbusters at Pampano
-
First Look: The Fifth Ivory 48
Surreal nostalgia in Midtown
- More »
