Wonderstate

27 W Main Street, Madison, WI 53703

If I would choose any state to live in, I think it’d be Wonderstate. Much better than the state of concern, or worry, or boredom. Yeah, Wonderstate is where I’d like to be, both figuratively and as a coffee destination.

Coffee:

Big Dipper, whole milk, Cortado. Campfire fudge, vanilla gram cracker, it’s missing the mallow, but otherwise perfect. Made elegantly, with a pillow top rising over the rim of the glass in a display of the principle of cohesion. This dome is caused by the liquid’s surface tension, producing a resistance to rupture under stress. Beyond the physics of it, I see the phenomena as allegorical to what coffee, nay, this coffee blog, offers me… a resistance to be disrupted under stress. In truth, I believe thats true for all forms of creative expression. So, have a cup, and as Kurt Vaughn said, "Practice any art, music, singing, dancing, acting, drawing, painting, sculpting, poetry, fiction, essays, reportage, no matter how well or badly, not to get money and fame, but to experience becoming, to find out what's inside you, to make your soul grow.”

Driftless drip, black. Toasted coca powder and prune skins. Organic, all of their coffees are organic, and a very comforting cup. Named after the geographical area of their HQ and place of founding, in Wisconsin’s southern Mississippi River valley. So named because, of its lack of glacial deposits known as drift. Instead, the area’s landscape features steep hills, forested ridges, deeply carved river valleys with spring-fed waterfalls and cold-water trout streams. It’s beautiful. The town of their HQ is an arty, organic oasis known as Viroqua.

Barista:

I’ve been several times and its consistently a welcoming and very pleasant experience. The baristas are knowledgeable, engaging, and typically colorful. They display an evident pride in their work and take joy in creating the same. The work area is efficiently managed and kept spotlessly organized.

Vibe:

A functional and pleasing blending of Scandinavian style and minimalism with a hint of cubism. The floors are concrete, the ceilings tall with exposed mechanicals all in white. Exterior walls are floor to ceiling glass, taking maximal advantage of the downtown vista prominently featuring the white marbled state Capitol across the street. There is ample seating, both small booths, window stools, and tables, along with strategically placed outlets. Seating is all wood, nothing is cushioned, but its comfortable and inviting nonetheless. Its bright and clean, and a good place to meet up, hang out, or get work done. Merch is top quartile, including biking hats, glassware and mugs, beanies and carafes. Bakery is similarly well done, ranging from their savory honey thyme chèvre or meyer lemon lavendar scones to their ginger cardamon cookie. They also have a cool logo, a modern rendering of a cicadas that is simple yet striking. They also sell various teas, wine, locally brewed beers, and artisan sodas.