Matching Half Café

Francisco,

it's strong, this chocolate blend. still tastes like coffee to me--oh wait, there it is! no wonder it's described as a "hint."
the sun's warm, and it shines down on my back sitting at the bar. the plywood stool matches perfectly with this sleek and simple interior; it makes this corner lot feel really spacious, and comforting too, with a vase whose flowers colorfully indicate the season. not too many people inside, but there's of course the occasional parent walking in with a child to get juice or a couple just out of class from USF a few blocks away. on the benches outside, the young raggedy threesome of painters have just finished their job at a Victorian up the hilly side of Baker and are settling down a bit for laughs and a second round of PBR.



i wouldn't say there's regulars, everytime i've been here there's always new faces. maybe the new cash register scares everyone-- even my first time here i was quite intimidated by swiping my debit card on the side of the iPad and getting a receipt via text message. i come to a coffee shop to escape the fast-pace of life outside the walls, because something about a hot cup of coffee or tea just sets life right, sets your mind at ease to just relax and step back to look around yourself. so it's funny that Matching Half should have such a contraption! it's any easier, it's stressful!

 

but still i come. i do homework, i relax. i read the other day, and tomorrow i'll probably write. or nothing. people alone are something to do, watch. the baristas are chatty and have their hair braided or cropped short. i give props to their music selection, Death Cab right now after a fast-tempo White Stripes. everyone seems to not mind. i've always taken a liking to cafes that feel like a bar. at these kinds of coffeehouses, you come for enjoyment and not work, and you can feel it in the room. for starters, the bar seating, overlooking the shelves stacked high with wine and mugs. and don't forget the shameless placement of Sight Glass coffee grounds on every inch of the counters and in between. it's all a bit pricy, but every drink's worth it, this choclate blend too. but it was the hot chocolate that changed my mind-- only the finest and thickest i've tasted like no where else! sometimes the Mexican Cokes just do the trick.
it's the quintissential corner coffeeshop for the neighborhood, the usual hidden gem whose twin you can find in almost every other little neighborhood, like Cup-O-Joe on Hayes or Four Barrel in the Mission. but Matching Half is mine; it's close, convenient, and very unique, quiet. it keeps to itself, here and ready to entertain or to nod and smile when you're just passing by. that's the beauty of you, Francisco, for just this sprawl of local mom and pops on every other street, and somehow they all thrive without serious competition against each other. how do you manage that, Francisco? how do you make the smallest of dreams, be it giving the cafes business or the people of the City a fine and heartfelt place to meet and drink, be possible?

i cool this next sip and toast to you,

Paris