wanted: café americano

I have a few people in mind who I know will cringe upon reading this — my barista boyfriend, for one — but it must be said: I prefer American coffee to anything in Europe.

Yep. I went there.

I don't mind espresso shots, and I do enjoy cappuccinos and macchiatos, but nothing does it for me the way a steaming hot latte in a ceramic mug does. That is closely followed by chai lattes, mochas, and then drip coffee. All with skim milk. None of this can be found in France, or at least not in your typical, postcard-esque French cafés, where tables are placed inches apart on the sidewalk and crowds of chiseled-cheekboned, scarf-wearing chain smokers congregate to people watch and sip a tiny espresso. I'm not saying that this isn't without its own charm — the outdoor café is an undeniably European experience that cannot be skipped. But nothing can fill the hole in my heart that is left by the absence of American coffeehouses. You can order a hot drink, spread all your homework and books out on a table, and settle in for hours of studying and reading. If I tried to do homework at a French café, I think people would stare at me almost as much as they do when I wear running shorts — but that's another story altogether. My point is that I feel lost and oh-so alone, ALONE without the possibility of an enormous coffee at my slightest whim.

Today, that all changed. Ish. Slowly getting to know the nooks and crannies of Aix, I and my fellow AUCP students have been putting together a cheat sheet of American type coffeehouses, one of which I peeked at today. It's called the Book in Bar, and is an English-language bookstore with a small café that sells cookies, scones, coffees, and hot chocolate. Small wooden tables and overstuffed chairs are scattered throughout the two-floor shop, which is lined with full-to-bursting bookshelves that reach up to the ceiling. I can see myself spending hours there. They might not have lattes, but at least there are scones. There is apparently another place that sells pretty hefty-sized coffees, and another bakery called Le Cupcake which sells coffee to go — a rarity in France, where people are all about "savoring the moment" and shit like that. Pff. Whatever.

Having already mapped out four candy stores where you can buy bonbons en vrac — choosing each individual piece of candy you want from a bin and paying according to the weight — I am dedicating myself to finding the best American-style coffeehouses in Aix. And I'll make sure to sit at a French café or four along the way.