Noah Phillips
The Froth House (11 N. Allen St., 608-231-0100) is located immediately off Regent Street, just around the corner from West High School. This makes for great people-watching opportunities through the cozy cafe’s large windows. Board games and musical instruments abound, and they’re not just for show. The cafe hosts regular music events with bands or solo performers on Thursday evenings, jams on Saturday afternoons, and an open mic on Tuesday nights. The Froth House’s walls also feature regularly rotating art and poetry.
I ordered a large latte that came in a mug as red as the walls. The beans were roasted by Victor Allen, who founded the chain of the same name but has now struck out on his own as a freelance roaster and currently provides beans only to the Froth House. According to the barista, he purchases beans from all around the world and pays farmers rates “above fair trade” prices, though he hasn’t yet sprung for certification.
The latte featured all the delights of its kind. The milk doesn’t overwhelm the experience — the drink actually tastes like coffee, which was refreshing.
