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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Indaba: Coffee and books and comfort, oh my

Dan Webster

I've found a new favorite coffee place. New for me, that is.

Some of my Facebook friends have been raving about Indaba Coffee Bar & Roastery for months. But it was only recently that I took the time to drop by. And to my delight, if not surprise, the folks there serve their own roasted coffee — of varying types — and it meets my every demand. Taste is paramount (though as someone who drinks regularly at Starbucks my abilities in that arena are questioned by many).

Also as important to me, though, are friendliness, competence and speed of delivery — all three of which have been completed in an expert manner during both visits I have made.

Yes, Indaba Coffee has been open since 2009 (as the barista told me this morning) at its site on Broadway Ave. a few blocks west of the County Courthouse. So, clearly I am somewhat late in getting the word, period, much less getting the word out. But they've been roasting their own coffee for the past year or so. Any anyway, this is a great place to visit, especially since it has no drive-through feature.

And why is that a good thing? Because it means that you have to actually go inside, which allows you to order something to eat. Or sip your coffee as you browse the shelves of the attached Book Parlor, which is one of my particular interests. On my first visit, I found almost immediately not one, not two but three books that I wanted to purchase (I ended up settling for a paperback edition of Ernest Cline's 2011 sci-fi/gamer novel "Ready Player One").

Great books, a friendly atmosphere and tasty coffee. If heaven did exist, this would be it.