So, my grandmother wasn't feeling so well, and I decided to go to one of my favorite coffee/tea hang outs of all time just to remind myself of all the reasons I can't get enough. Z'otz is a slightly Gothic, earthy, underground type hang out, that offers, as far as I know, the widest tea selection in the City (there is an entire tea menu), and some really tasty coffee. Everyone who works there and goes there is very laid-back, and the atmosphere is uber relaxed. There are sofas and all manner of cool, found items to sit on. The entire place is decorated with slightly creepy, yet intriguing found-item art...painted, mutilated, and rearranged mannequins being a favorite. The best part is...wait for it...it is open from 6:30 am to 2 am. The cafe itself is lodged in an entire old shot-gun style house -- even the small backyard is decorated and equipped for patrons. For those of you who aren't familiar with shot-gun houses (this is a very New Orleans thing), a shot-gun house is usually composed of a sting of rooms, with the kitchen and bathroom being at the end. So, usually, you have to walk through a room, or two, or three =) to get to another one. What a stupid way to build a house, you might say? What would ever posses a being to do such a thing? I will tell you. Well over a hundred years ago, when there was no air condition, and the people of New Orleans sought a means of rescuing themselves from the stifling, suffocating heat, a very very smart individual realized that if you make a house like the shot gun house is made, complete with incredibly high ceilings, one can open the front and back doors up and receive a nice cooling breeze that will keep a person alive in the murderous Louisiana heat. Anyway, I digress...The tea menu is so complete that even high quality, medicinal herbal teas are available. I will shamelessly tell you that whenever I go there, I always get the pms tea. Not only does it really work, the Barista never makes me feel awkward about buying it. Oh, and I forgot to tell you, a cup of tea is only two dollars flat =). The internet is free for as long as you want to use it as long as you have your own computer. They do charge a small fee if you want to use the desktops which are located in the first room. The second room also has a shelf full of board games and cards, as well as a shelf chalk full of the most random and interesting books you will ever find in a cafe. The bottom line...if you can't think outside the box, don't go to Z'ot's, cuz this place is completely redefining the word "Coffee HOUSE" haha...get it? It's in a house? Ok, I'm sorry....but seriously, Z'ot's is definitely not a place for those with no imagination. If you have none, no one there will care, but you probably just won't have much fun. Actually, if you have no imagination you probably don't have much fun in the first place, but you get my drift =). Definitely check out the cafe's myspace page, and more than definitely, go check it out in person.
Z'otz Cafe is located at:
8210 Oak St
New Orleans, LA 70118-2042
(504) 861-2224
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