As a die-hard coffee snob and unashamed starving artist, I discovered well over 10 years ago that coffee-houses would send me to the poor house. Even including milk, beans, grinders, cups, and high-end Italian espresso machines between my wife and myself we have saved in excess of $25,000 by NOT buying our coffee while out on the town every day. (2 lattes * 7 days a week * 52 weeks a year * 10+ years = ouch!)
That being said, if I do find myself in the area, I can't help myself and walk in to have a latte. Not only is it delicious, they have free wi-fi (ask for the password du jour) and the barristas are highly skilled. They still use a proper "semi-automatic" machine where the barrista has to be skilled in the preparation of the ground coffee. (Starbucks switched to "1-touch" super-automatic machines a few years ago). If the barrista's touch is off then you can get a ruined shot... which I've never seen them do.
They do have a small selection of pastries but I just come for the beautiful coffee.
NB: they apply a dash of cinnamon to the espresso before pouring the milk. This helps richen up the colour of the crema (brown foam on top of espresso) giving the barrista more contrast to work the latte-art.
This place will be one of the few places that can make a coffee even the most die-hard coffee snobs like myself can enjoy.