October 16, 2008 - Munch recently read Elizabeth Gilbert's best-selling travelogue, "Eat, Pray, Love."

Munch liked it just fine, although Munch didn't see the necessity of further spiritual fulfillment after finding the world's best pizza in Naples. In fact, what would have been wrong with just "Eat, Eat, Eat?"

Your Inner Vagabond is at 4130 Butler St. Call 412-683-1623 or visit yourinnervagabond.com.Which bring us to Your Inner Vagabond, a Lawrenceville coffeehouse and lounge that opened in January.

Owners A.J. Schaffer and Andrew Watson traveled the world for several years, mainly in the Middle East, before settling in Pittsburgh and opening YIV. (Munch is not acronyming to be cute -- they call their establishment that on their Web site.)

Fittingly, Munch grabbed Neighbor of Munch Across da Street (NOMADS) as a lunch partner.

It doesn't take long to realize that YIV isn't your standard coffeehouse. For one thing, your standard coffeehouse doesn't offer belly dancing and Irish Gaelic classes, and isn't decorated with paintings of naked, headless women.

And, also, YIV offers far more drink choices and far more -- and better -- food offerings.

Case in point: Munch and NOMADS walked right into YIV's Sunday brunch buffet without even knowing it existed.

NOMADS, who is vegetarian, saw goodies such as cubed sweet potatoes and a goat cheese, egg and caramelized onion terrine laid out on a table and instantly decided on the $10 buffet.

Curious about a few of the menu items, Munch ordered the three-dish tapas platter ($8.50) of sesame noodle salad, pistachio hummus and ensalada tibia (French lentil salad).

Munch, meanwhile, was positively paralyzed by the wide array of drink choices.

YIV has an entire menu devoted to drinks, with options spanning the globe from a New York egg cream to Latin American aguas frescas to Indian masala chai tea. NOMADS ordered a Cafe Mestizo ($3.25, organic Chiapas coffee with cinnamon, dulce de leche and full-cream milk) and Munch followed suit with a Siamese coffee ($3.25, flavored with ginger, jasmine, coconut and cinnamon).

We perched in YIV's spacious back room, which is stuffed practically floor to ceiling with gorgeous Middle Eastern rugs and pillows.

While NOMADS hit the buffet, Munch practically inhaled the Siamese coffee -- perhaps better suited for dessert than breakfast fare, but sweet and delicious nonetheless.

Munch hadn't quite realized it when ordering, but the tapas platter comprised quite a culinary journey.

Seeing Asia, Europe and the Middle East represented so harmoniously on the tapas plate, Munch nearly broke out into a rousing rendition of kumbaya. And better yet, all three dishes were a hit, from the earthy hummus topped with pomegranate molasses to the vinegary lentils to the sweet peanutty noodles.

That said, not everything at YIV was perfect. The chestnut carrot ginger soup from the buffet tasted kind of muddy, the sweet potatoes were a bit too sweet and Munch's mezze plate took at least half an hour to arrive.

But with long hours, ample considerately labeled laptop plugs and tons of seating space, YIV is a comfy spot for all sorts of purposes, whether it's for studying, hanging out with a friend or a late-night snack.

Or for snuggling up with a giant Middle Eastern pillow and reading a best-seller.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08290/920158-46.stm

Publication: Pittsburgh Post Gazette

<< Back to Newsroom