Sept 28: Java Chic

Fort Lauderdale coined the term "beach chic" for its casual but upscale lifestyle. Now there's a place along the Fort Lauderdale beach offering what I might call "java chic." A small café that also is casual but upscale, a great spot with an appealing menu for breakfast or lunch. H2O Java Café sits next door to its sister restaurant, H2O Café. Funny how that works. But really, the main H2O has been open for more than a year and I love it. I've eaten there a number of times, including during staycations the past two summers and when out-of-town guests have visited me. It's situated overlooking the sea just south of Beach Place, with an unusually large menu of excellent food. H2O is lovely inside and out and the staff is friendly, attentive and often downright funny to chat with.

But until my close-to-home vacation at the beach earlier this month, I somehow never had tried the little H2O Java Café. Now I'm already a return customer. I wandered inside for the first time one sunny morning when staying at a hotel nearby, just looking for a nice iced coffee and some shade.

The place was hopping. The two easy chairs at the front of the shop were taken by a couple who was talking to some folks at another table. Other people were eating or ordering takeout breakfasts. I still wanted that iced coffee but now the fresh fruit looked inviting too: big slices of pineapple and watermelon laid out in the glass case. The guy at the register happily gave me only what I asked for - one slice of pineapple and one slice of watermelon rather than insisting I buy a big fruit plate off their menu. I thought that was nice. And it's an indication of the type of service that is typical at both the small and large H2O cafes. I found an empty table and just took my time, looking out the window at the ocean, striking up a conversation with another customer. It's a pleasant way to start the day. H2O Java Café has everything from omelet's and French toast to sandwiches and smoothies, along with salads and baked goods and fresh squeezed orange juice. Yum. They call this place a New Age java shop, which I can buy in the sense that there seems an emphasis on healthy, quality food and a relaxed environment. No crystals or pyramids around that I saw. Anyhow, H2O Java Café is open from 7am to 10pm daily so you can even pick up a light dinner if you want something for the beach. So far I've only been there during the morning sunshine but I'm sure the food's just as good in the moonlight.