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| - As a graduate student living in Cleveland's Little Italy and attending CWRU, Algebra has become a sweet study spot for me - if not by virtue of its intimate vibe, then certainly by virtue of location. This coffee house sits snugly between my apartment and my school. This fact, coupled with my Lebanese heritage, makes the Arab-infused Algebra a natural, recurring choice.
The best choice? Not according to their current equation. Even the mathematically challenged will notice that a few aspects of the cafe don't quite add up. I wouldn't say that my Algebra grade is an A. But it passes for me, certainly, and it keeps me coming back despite its negatives.
For the sentimental, international romantic, the background music is choice. It never fails to bring a few childhood memories to mind for me, and if you're new to the voices of the East, you're still guaranteed a goosebump or two. The funky, original playlist features Arab greats as well as international favorites and lesser known artists. It definitely beats Starbucks' jazzy, unoriginal, repetitive tracks.
The cafe's creativity is just as visual as it is auditory. Bohemian, "messy-apartment" style from the front door to the back room. I'm a *big* fan of the unorthodox ceramic creations. It's a refreshing combination of messy, old-school, functional, colorful, modern, and primary.
Why Algebra doesn't make the top grade:
The art should NOT be used as dishware for the restaurant. A few of the older coffee mugs in the shop have started to deteriorate. The glaze at the base of the cup is cracked, and bacteria can crawl in there and produce nasty smells and tastes.The owner/manager should double check older mugs and dispose of them appropriately, or reconsider his glaze choice.
I enjoy the bohemian, messy vibe - yet it is too messy for my taste. The pots are stained, the food prep area always looks unkempt, the floor is covered with dust and grime, the shelves dirty, and the tables are almost always consistently sticky. Atmosphere is one thing, but cleanliness is quite another.
Lastly, each time I order the same thing from the menu, it is made differently. I attribute this to the young college staff who hold part-times here. No issue with them (they are very sweet), but they need to learn a standard menu. Algebra's Arab food menu is not stellar by my standards, but the tea menu is phenomenal. I recommend this quirky hole-in-the-wall for a place to study or catch up with friends.
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