I've been waiting for this place to open ever since they started the renovations. The opening was delayed for around half a year and when I finally got a glimpse of the store front, I couldn't believe how different it was from John's Italian Caffe that used to take up that spot on Baldwin.
This space is completely transformed and modernized for the student population. There are lots of seating areas with large tables which are great to study on. You order everything at the front when you first walk in. The drinks you have to pick up there but the food seems to be delivered to each table. I got a large Iced passion Aloe Lime Black tea with added tapioca, which cost me $6.40 after the 15% discount from the VIP card by paying cash.
As many other people mentioned, 30% sugar is still a little too sweet; my fault for not heeding the warnings and getting it still. I just didn't want to take the risk of going for no sugar... The large Aloe pieces that came with the drink was pretty good. I contemplated getting some food as well during the 3 hours I was sitting there working, but decided against it for some reason... what came over me? Next time I'll definitely try the hot and sour sweet potato noodle, it sounds pretty interesting.
Overall, a great space to just chill and work with friends. The music is not too loud and there is enough lighting for comfortable reading, at least where I sat on the second floor. The free wifi was pretty good after they fixed it.