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| - I'm ashamed to say that I just got around to visiting this coffee shop when it is in fact walking distance from where I live, but there we are.
Voluto Coffee has a great ambiance and layout for kicking back and enjoying a good cup: a few bistro tables and chairs outside and areas of cushy chairs, a bank of bench seats, and a high-top counter at the window with bar stools. There's a lot of window in this place and the natural light is great, accenting happy-colored walls and lots of art from locals. Voluto also has free Wi-fi for customers, which I saw several taking advantage of on iPads and laptops. For those biking, there is a bike rack right outside of the door; for those driving, parking will be on the street.
On to the most important part of the equation: the coffee! It is quite delicious, with that frothy creaminess I tend to expect out of a good brew of espresso. I had my standard latte to get my feet wet and judge their product on even terms. It was delightful and came with a little heart-shaped leaf like a philodendron designed on top. The price for the drink was a little higher than you would expect at, say, a Starbucks but was on par with other places like 21st Street Coffee and Tea.
While I didn't partake in their other fare, I saw that they have a few options for breakfast and lunch items, such as small sandwiches and baked goods. The girl next to me had a pain au chocolat, which looked as it ought to: dark and chocolatey in the middle and flaky on the outside. There is a nice selection of teas, chocolate drinks, coffees, and espresso drinks. There are also a few "sweet lattes" that they make in flavors of vanilla, cinnamon, or honey+cardamom, which I appreciate because--though I don't normally get sweet drinks--I go to cafes with friends and it can be awkward when a shop won't serve something so widely accepted in the US, making the cafe seem pretentious and you a party to that sentiment if you suggested the place (ahem, 21st street coffee, even though I love their products).
For those in Pittsburgh or visiting, I would definitely suggest a stop here if you are looking for a good, hot drink. I will add it to one of my top rated coffee places in Pittsburgh that I've tried so far.
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