Wilde Roast

You might have heard about this new “coffee shop” in the heart of Northeast, but trust us: Wilde Roast is so much more than lattes and scones and free publications and concert notices strewn about. We might even go so far as to say that it strives to be all things to all people. They’re open morning, noon, and night, serving breakfast (crème brûlée French toast!), snacks (an elegant cheese plate), transporting desserts (a deliciously dense brownie is just the beginning), and wines (the list, appropriately, tends toward more affordable bottles). But that’s just the comestibles. Hang out here for a while—which is easy to do, given the plump leather sofas, brocade chairs, and fireplace—and you’ll see how all manner of folks are drawn to this place for their own reasons. Suddenly, Wilde Roast seems essential. Sometimes you don’t know what you need until it’s given to you. 518 Hennepin Avenue, 612-331-4544; www.wilderoastcafe.com