Review: Intelligentsia Coffee [Monadnock Location]
Hello friends!
Welcome to the first blog post review for the EGL Aesthetic Midwest Masterlist!
Today's review is rather short and I do apologize. I would like to revisit Intelligentsia later so that I may write up more on my experiences. Once I do, I will update this post.
Enjoy!
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I'll preface this by admitting that for this trip I was not in lolita.
Kind of disappointing, I know.
Truth be told I've been curious about Intelligentsia for a while since there's one on my way to work and not too far from home. But every time I've wanted to go I'm either too broke or need to be somewhere and don't have time.
Today's visit happened on accident.
I had an hour before I needed to head into work but I was already in downtown Chicago at 7AM, having a c-c-c-combo anxiety and panic attack. Not many places are open that early, so I was hard pressed to find somewhere I could just decompress and chill out until I clocked in, and lo and behold, Intelligentsia saved my a s s.
A short diddly about me, I consider myself a daily lolita. And if I'm not wearing lolita (aka wearing normie muggle clothes) that usually means I feel like garbage. And, consequently, look like garbage.
My outfit was mismatched. I looked haggard, wet (it was rain/snowing, thanks Chitown,) and I was sporting that old crazy bag lady look. I was nervous as hell stepping in there because every Intelligentsia I've seen looked bougie af and I did not look like the average customer. I was expecting stares and lip curls, but I was pleasantly surprised.
The Monadnock location was quiet for a busy downtown morning, with some nice jazz(?) music at a low volume playing throughout the coffee bar. The customers that were there were quiet and kept to themselves, and the two cashiers/baristas both greeted me with cheery "Hello!"s and smiles.
I felt very out of place but they were friendly; I said it was my first time so I'd be a minute, and both associates said it was fine, smiled and stepped back. Once I made my decision they were quick to pick up on body language, so I didn't have to awkwardly say "Okay I'm ready now" or something, and they took my order.
I just got a matche latte to enjoy there, which was $6.75, $8.75 with tip. Which seems like a lot, I know. But man that latte was amazing and it was a terrific distraction from my anxiety.
It was made quick, and full to the brim. My only complaint was that the glass it was served in was a little small, but because of the price of good quality matcha I can understand why it was a tad expensive for the size.
I sat at a counter, watching the rainy world go by while I sipped at my latte--it was the perfect temperature by the way, hot but not scalding and I didn't need to wait for it to cool off.
I was there for about 45 minutes; never once did I feel pressured to leave. I was left to be by my quiet lonesome and it was everything I needed. Even as other customers came in, the atmosphere stayed quiet and respectful, and now I REALLY want to go back. When I was finished I was instructed by a friendly employee to leave my dirty cup on the counter to be washed, thanked for my business, and I left as quietly as I came in.
Now I had a great experience overall, but we all know that going somewhere in mismatched normie clothes is far more common than in lolita fashion, so while I have hopes for this chain I am also reserving my judgement until I can go back in my true daily wear and see if my experience changes.
TLDR:
-Friendly, respectful and relaxing atmosphere.
-Friendly, respectful employees.
-Fantastic matcha lattes.
-Bit pricey, but worth it.
Thank you for reading my review, and I'll catch y'all on the next one.