Maudine's: Certainly

The fireplace. OMG the fireplace. Yes.

Look at all that light.

Overall Rating: 11.88/15

Food & Beverage: 2.3/3 (pro: above average, con: small selection)

Service: 3/3 (pro: everyone was so nice!, con: nothing really)

Ambiance: 2.9/3 (pro: OMG everything con: nothing really)

Bathrooms: 1.8/3 (pro: sinks are nice, con: very, very cold)

Other: 1.8/3 (pro: it’s a super cool space, con: parking isn’t free)

EZ's Review:

Dear blog,

The Take-in

Just taking in the feel and view of maudines, I can tell that this place is going to be rated 5 stars. If you look at the front of this building, there is valet parking. Maudines is in a hotel called The Junto. But back to The Take-in. There is probably 16 different kinds of chairs.[that was an exaggeration, but there were a lot of kinds of chairs.] There was a bar, and a fireplace, and plenty of different sights to see. Nice place.👍

The fireplace

The fireplace had hard stools to sit on but also some comfy chairs next to the stools so we sat on those and that was pretty good.👍just note that it was on fire. BUT we thought that it was a ceramic fire burning on gasses…

The shelves

This place’s barebones were literally shelves, meaning there were arches made of shelves you could walk through, the shelves held merch, and artifacts and lots of other things too!!

The lamps

There had to be - like - 10 kinds of lamps! Each one was different. For instance, one had a handle like a milk jug, and another had 2 light bulbs and a lot more! [than you think]

Mom's Review:

I hesitated on this one. Maudine's is the in-house coffee shop for Cbus’ latest luxury hotel, a Bauhaus-inspired trend monster in the heart of Franklinton’s art district. To be honest, it didn’t scream ‘kind friendly’. And my prior work trips there didn’t ease my concerns after seeing a sea of quiet, diligent laptop workers strewn about. But I’m glad we took the risk!

And that risk was really motivated by another sub-freezing day in Ohio’s winter and our mutual need for a coffee house with a fireplace. The Junto’s sprawling lobby delivered the ski lodge aesthetic we needed: toasty fire pit, cushy velvet low-drop chairs, and warm library hideaways. The firepit alone was worth the drive up 70.

As we melted into the decor, EZ pointed out that the lighting itself was part of the artistic experience; moody shadows bounce around and blend into flame-flicker lighting, sunlight pours in from floor-to-ceiling windows, and dark corners appeal to adventure like the mouth of a cave.

Nestled in a back corner of the hotel, Maudine's itself is bright and airy. Wood paneling warms a tile mosaic laid into the floor. Cushy super lounger booths wrap around the walls.

The menu is short and simple, just the European coffee staples and a selection of loose leaf tea. But it’s done well and my cappuccino was luscious and rich, with the expresso standing up well. And I'm always a sucker for a seltzer bar to balance the coffee.

Stopping in after EZ’s basketball game, we both needed lunch. While we could have swung next door to Little West, we instead decided to try the only two hot food items on Maudine’s menu: a Breakfast Sammy and the Breakfast Burrito. I was prepared for a Starbucks-esque frozen disappointment, but was pleased to crunch into a gooey, flavorful dish with plenty of cheese and a burst of salsa.

We agreed that lunch needed a sweet finish, so we splurged on the ($10!!!) white chocolate bar from MMELO. I could even be made at the price. The chocolate was creamy and mellow, letting the curry and black sea salt flavors on top shine.

Aside from a sequined squad of tiny cheerleaders passing through for a competition somewhere downtown, there was no evidence of children. Lots and lots of young adults, but no kids. I would say the atmosphere was a hostel to them… but I can certainly understand if parents would find it hard to relax, constantly patrolling for signs of trouble. There’s just too many vases to break or drinkers at the bar to stumble over to let your guard down. Also, the bathrooms are around a corner and down the hall, with multiple exits… so you have the chaperone the little ones there.

But for older or more mature kids like EZ, it’s an accessible luxury that is generally safe.

My best recommendation is to save this one for a retreat after COSI, which is jumping distance from the front door. Get the kids good and worn out on the aerial unicycle, then haul them next door for a warm drink on a soft sofa. It will mellow you all out before the drive home.