"So much is subjective in today's world," Munch mused the other day after opining about the latest sneaker from Nike to a friend who prefers Saucony.
Just think of all the things people tend to disagree about:
Movies. "Rebel Without A Cause" wins praise from 60-year-old men who remember the day they first watched James Dean let rip some '50s teen-age angst on the silver screen - in front of Jim Backus, no less! To others, the film is nothing more than a chance to laugh at Sal Mineo.
Presidents. In fourth grade, the girls thought Franklin Pierce was cute as they sat staring at the wall of presidents above their teacher's head. To their teacher, Franklin Pierce was an unimpressive president who tried to buy Cuba but failed.
Old Flames. "Remember that weirdo you dated in college, Munch? The one who wandered the dorm quoting Kafka and picking you bouquets of weeds outside the dining hall?" "Yes, MOM, but I remember that 'weirdo' a little more fondly than you do..."
Yes there is much to disagree about in this world, but nothing -- nothing tops coffee. It seems people do not only virulently disagree about what places serve the best coffee, they also are impossible to read when it comes to guessing what kind of coffee they like.
"I think you're a hazelnut-at-Bruegger's type of person," Munch recently told a date.
"No, I'ma Maxwell House type - but only at my house," came the terse, if not suggestive reply.
Okaaaaaay...
So Munch's decision to engage in some coffee criticism was like deciding to tend cactuses in a greenhouse: Munch knew to expect some heat and prickly reactions. Munch will therefore offer this qualifier: you might not agree that coffee is terrific at the Oasis. But at least give the Downtown cafe a bunch of Munch points for offering an oasis in a sea of chain coffee stores.
The Oasis has been around for three years - testament to the fact that it has survived the proliferation of coffee-bar chains that ushered "macchiato" and "grande" into the American vocabulary. A look around the store, at the corner of Fifth Avenue and William Penn Place, shows why they've survived.
Simply put, the place is unique. Not overdone or themed, just unique.
You can poke around the small shop and find all sorts of biscuits, teas and chocolates. You can look up at an electronic sign that flashes nice messages from the employees. And you can actually talk to the owner, who on some mornings can be found behind the counter, like any wise owner who knows the value of talking to customers in person rather than reading their comments off cards in an overly air-conditioned suite at corporate headquarters.
And the coffee's really good at The Oasis - much better than some that Munch tried at Seattle's Best Coffee at PNC Park the other day. That chain store's coffee tasted "tinny"(hey, it's tough to describe coffee, just like it is to describe wine!) and they hadn't bothered to brew a couple of flavors that morning, limiting Munch's choice to only one. At the Oasis, though, there are a number of strong, offbeat flavors, priced at or below the chain stores.
It's hard to beat Starbucks' coffee, which is so bold and rich. But as Enrico's Tazza D'Oro in Highland Park (which Munch still maintains has the best coffee in the city), you know you're getting high quality stuff at The Oasis. They also serve nice, thick, fruit smoothies("Would you like some whipped cream with that?") and , although Munch didn't try them, sandwhiches are available.
Munch was also surprised, when ordering a cappuccino,to hear the young woman behind the counter ask if Munch would like some sweetener in that. Munch assumed the woman was offering to add Equal or extra sugar for Munch. It was a nice, personal touch. Also, another woman behind the counter remembered Munch from a previous visit, and said hello.
Yes, since so much is subjective in this world, there will be some Munch readers who don't give a flying coffee bean about chain stores vs. independently owned shops. But that's not the only reason to get stranded at The Oasis for 10 minutes with a good cuppa Joe - it's good Joe and it's nice people.
Oh, wait - there's one thing everyone in this world agrees on. Everyone loves Munch, right?
