Monday, October 27, 2008
Coffee by Design
Posted by Ian McNulty on Mon, Oct 27, 2008 at 11:23 PM
Downriver from the part of town real estate people call the Marigny Triangle, there seems to be a Coffeehouse Cluster under development.
In addition to Cafe Flora on Royal, Sound Café a few blocks away on Chartres and Marigny Perks on Burgundy, the latest entry is the Orange Couch (2339 Royal St., 267-7327).
The coffee we had here was good, as were the baked goods we tried, and a freezer case is stocked with mochi, or balls of Japanese ice cream encased in sweet rice flour and meant to be eaten by hand.
So there are some different things going on here. But what really makes Orange Couch stand out in a crowded field is the look and ambiance of the place. Just look at those modernistic tables. They make me want to sit up straight and write something serious, if not technical. Maybe design a new Apple application or a carnival float.
The design comes courtesy of Ammar Eloueini, founder of the architecture firm AEDS. He gets commissions for French museums and high-end Berlin retailers. So what's he doing designing a coffee shop in the Marigny? It turns out he's friends with Orange Couch proprietor Johnnie Sanders, a Marigny resident who opened the place as his first business last week. Eloueini has been teaching at Tulane's architecture school since Katrina. Note to self: make friends with an internationally-recognized architect before opening a coffeeshop.
Comments (8)
Showing 1-8 of 8
This is a very cool spot in a great location. The vibe is comfortable and hip. Product is organic and tasty. Check it out.
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Nice place. Great feel and decor. The staff was nice and friendly. Try the Mochi, it was yummmmeeeee!!!
It has finally arrived in our neighborhood! The Orange Couch. What a pleasant experience. From the music always being chill and loungey, to the perfect froth topping the cappuccino, and where else can you get mochi?? I can only express how awesome it is that someone has finally done it right for our neighborhood. Sleek, Clean, Organic, and Modern. It is truly the definition of style and class. I hope you get to experience this new, fresh cafe in the marigny. Thanks Orange Couch for your contribution to making us rise! R.J.M.
Cool as can be, the perfect place to sit back with a good book or spend time working on your laptop!! Go Johnnie
I live down the street from the Orange Couch and am enticed by its evening ambiance and morning sunshine. This place is an excellent addition to the 'hood and has the best staff in town.
listen here...ya'll better stop what you are doing and absquatulate your couch to get down to "the Orange Couch". Oh- you didn't know what absquatulate means? Well thats where we learned it: at your new local wateringhole/hip mecca cafe superspot...THe Orange Couch. Yup. Chill vibe, good folks, righteous icecream...what else does one need?
