Poets, coffee collide at Funk's

Funk's Democratic Coffee Spot

1818 Eastern Ave.

Phone: 410-276-FUNK

Price: $5- $7

Location: Fell's Point

Hours: Mon.-Fri.: 6 a.m.-12 a.m.

Sat.: 10 a.m.-1 a.m.

Sun.: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

Coffee is a great thing. Its main ingredient is the coffee bean and its composition includes the stimulant known as caffeine to the general public. Coffee is also a very social drink, which unlike beer or cognac, allows you to keep a level head in the midst of an intellectual conversation.

About 10 years ago in Seattle, a coffee shop named Starbucks came along, and all of a sudden, coffee shops became the rage. Soon enough however, as Starbucks proliferated like cells in a petri dish, many coffee drinkers began to opt for independent cafes, rather than a big-time chain.

Funk's Democratic Coffee Shop, located on 1818 Eastern Avenue in Fell's Point, is just that type of place. This is no national chain; this is a place that Baltimore can call its very own. The decor is extravagant: the walls are decorated with a mesh of psychedelic colors that just get the "funk" started.

Funk's has more than just cappuccino. It actually has a decent sized menu, which is dominated by vegetarian dishes. I tried some sesame peanut noodles, which were absolutely irresistible. Another popular option with patrons is the black-bean burrito. Prices range between $6 and $10 for appetizers, which while not very much, puts it in the same category of Xando's of overpriced dishes.

I highly enjoyed Funk's Democratic Coffee Spot, whose name refers to the democratic method in which anyone can say anything at its open-mic nights. I went there with my folks over parents' weekend and treated myself to a nice, hot mug of mochaccino, while my dad opted for espresso and my mom for cappuccino.

Service was quick and orderly but I did not feel rushed as we sat back into our fluorescent-colored chairs and warmed ourselves up for a chilly Baltimore afternoon. The coffee was smooth and supple, the foam did not dominate the cup but was provided in a fine ratio, about one fourth of the mug. The coffee itself was not too sweet, which is a common mistake made by other coffee houses, including Xando's and Starbucks. The desserts, which we avoided, seemed a bit too ornate for our tastes, though I'm sure that there are plenty of people who would have jumped at the chocolate cake, a perennial favorite.

The special thing about Funk's is its poetry. The place offers a literary environment to match its San Francisco-style alternative offerings. It is a popular hangout for poets, writers and artistes, all of whom frequent the joint for weekly poetry readings, music and open-mic nights. So next time you write a beautifully- phrased sonnet for IFP, don't chuck it. Stick a copy in your pocket and read it aloud to "the city that reads.