(Credit: Shane Redsar)
I have to admit: I was a little skeptical about the whole muse concept, since cafes that inspire artists’ scenes rarely advertise or market themselves as inspirational. But I went with an open mind, ready to jot off a haiku or choreograph an interpretive dance. On the way there, as I passed by Caffé Bacio—a crimson-walled coffeehouse that serves theatre patrons and offers rotating art shows, a full espresso bar and light dining—two doors down, I couldn’t help but think that Café Muse’s presence might be redundant.
I wasn’t met with the writer’s haven I was promised. Outlets were scarce, and the small hexagonal tables didn’t offer enough surface on which to spread out. But the space itself was welcoming with sponged buttery walls, free WiFi and two friendly and laidback servers, Crystal and Jennifer—apparently the muses for this particular shift.
Midday, it was dead quiet save for the mellow chirp of Billie Holiday on the sound system. Since all food and drink prep happened in the kitchen in back, the café lacked the froth and hiss of a more traditional coffeehouse. So I could definitely hear myself think (and the traffic whipping by on Santa Monica Blvd.), but in a way the lack of background hubbub left me unable to focus on the writerly goals at hand. Perhaps food for inspiration instead? Well, my “make-your-own” salad was a generous bowl of fresh mixed greens, a little stingy on the artichoke, tomatoes a tad mealy, but with really flavorful sesame oil dressing. I intended to hole up there all day writing but about an hour after I polished off the salad I left with nary a haiku complete.
I returned at night, and the muses were flowing more readily. Lit candles and low lights upped the moody quotient considerably, and the small crowd that gathered seemed like regulars already. On the bill was American Idol contestant Tom Lowe (of the British boyband North and South) who was making his solo debut at the piano.
The café didn’t have its liquor license yet, so someone strode in with a case of Bud while the women at the next table poured wine from their own bottle for us to share. On the other side, a scraggly screenwriter pounded out dialogue in Final Draft in between Lowe’s cheesy but entertaining renditions of “Always and Forever” and “Easy Like Sunday Morning”—hmm, wonder who his muse was.
Table service was slow as molasses: Crystal and Jennifer were seemingly the only ones taking orders, preparing food, serving and bussing. A whole wheat pizza came out with a really good, chunky tomato sauce and a refreshingly sparse amount of cheese. But it’s really not about the food or even about the atmosphere here. If Cafe Muse can draw in consistently good entertainment and such diverse, friendly crowds, it may just inspire the leisurely-artsy community that it’s been promising itself all along.
Now for my haikus:
Food:
Veg and veg-friendly
Late night menu after 8
Red velvet cupcakes
Scene:
Urban zen fountain
More thespian than hipster
Comedy to cabaret
Insider tip:
Valet was promised
Did not materialize
Call ahead to check
