THE MOST RELAXING CAFE OR RESTAURANT

The perfect cafe is like the perfect hat. It could be comfy and cozy like the cap you reach for on rainy Sunday afternoons or the chic beret you choose when you want to see and be seen. Whether it's upscale or down-home, found on a crowded sidewalk or a lonely riverfront, it all depends on what you're looking for. That's what makes the cafe so specialits combination of atmosphere and environment is intensely attractive. Here are a couple of my favorite haunts, guaranteed to relax, refresh, and maybe even inspire:

The Caffe FlorianVenice, Italy
The Florian is by far my favorite international contender. This heavy-weight hotspot opened on December 29th, 1720. It's witnessed the rise and fall of rulers and republics, and is celebrated today as one of the true trademarks of the city. Its gilded splendor is positively magical. It thrills me to think that I can linger over an espresso in the same salon where some of the world's most famous artists and aristocrats once mingled. Everything from the staff to the saucers oozes elegance. The Caffe Florian is a landmark of sophistication.

The Back RoomChicago, Illinois
Nestled in Chicago's chic Gold Coast district, The Back Room is one of the Windy City's oldest jazz bars. This bar is famed for its spectacular live performances, and hosts a lineup that includes blues, R&B and Motown as well as jazz. The intimate atmosphere is truly uniquethere's nothing in the world quite like sipping a drink at a private candlelit table, cozily ensconced in the cradle of a jazz movement.

Lula'sSouth Bend, Indiana
Lula's is the quintessential college-town cafe. From the quirky Forties tunes to its stunning showcases of visual (and livable) art, the atmosphere here is deliciously bohemian. Its glass-topped tables boast a fascinating collection of postcards, all sent to "Lula" from her adoring, if way-faring clientele. The armchairs are expansive and the hummus is to die fordon't miss it.

The Caffe Florian
http://www.caffeflorian.com/

The Back Room
http://www.backroomchicago.com/about.php

Learn more about this author, Elizabeth Marzotto.
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