If you're the type of consumer who thinks that every plane ticket should come with an in-flight movie and meal, and that every car should have a turbo engine standard, then the Grind is the place to start your day. In addition to the black stuff that you can buy at Dunkin' Donuts or brew in your Black 'n' Decker, the Grind has a list of treats that takes days to digest.

You can, of course, upgrade to a latte or espresso, or forgo coffee altogether and pick from the wide range of teas (which are inventively displayed by the counter for patrons to smell, and come in the most unusual tea-dispensing contraption I have ever seen), a smoothie or a juice.

For the hungry coffee-drinker, the Grind truly goes above and beyond the standard cafe fare. Gourmet sandwiches, quiche, enormous bagels, baked goods and hummus spreads all taste as though they were prepared in the home kitchen of an aspiring gourmet chef.

The Grind’s atmosphere walks the line between not-too-cheery and way-too-moody with aplomb. The dozen or so dark wooden tables and chairs are stationed between walls of dark maroon and light grey brick, but with the ample window space, the Grind is plenty bright enough to sit for hours without risking depression. The front window is papered with advertisements and business cards, and a wide range of reading material is available just inside the door.

Located in the heart of Lincoln Square, the Grind is a stone’s throw from a wide variety of entertainment options. With the Davis Theatre right across the street, the Grind is the ideal place to kill a half an hour waiting for your movie to start, check your email, or just enjoy a cup of coffee for the sake of doing so.

Average cost: $10-$20

Centerstage Reviewer: Patrick Corcoran