This Place Gives Me the Jitters

"The owners were dedicated to the craft of roasting for more than a dozen years," says manager Paul Koch, speaking of Dave and Kristi Fafara. "But ultimately, the consumer's experience of coffee comes down to whoever makes it . . . and we want to have a shot at that."

The place is open and light, with storefront windows on three sides, and you can take your non-anonymous, fair-trade brew and free WiFi sitting down (at a bar facing the roasters) or slouching (on one of several sofa seating groups).

· C'VILLE COFFEE (1301 Harris St., 434-817-2633)

In the same semi-industrial neighborhood as Shenandoah Joe, C'ville is a slower-paced coffee bar -- and restaurant. If there's a long line, it may take some time to get your vanilla latte and your "honey bunches" -- incredibly fabulous mini muffins made from oats, coconut, brown sugar, honey and butter -- or, especially, your Asian noodle bowls or your hummus-based salad or sandwich. For those of us who used to be in more of a hurry before we realized what we were hurrying toward, this is fine.

"Our vision was always to be the living room of Charlottesville," says owner Toan Nguyen.

Nguyen credits his eldest daughter, who was 8 at the time, with the idea that he and his wife, Betsy Patrick, should open a coffee shop in the small front room of their custom furniture shop back in 2000.

Eventually people stopped coming to see the furniture, Nguyen says, and a second and then third room was converted. Now there's room enough for kids (who have a special corner for playtime), adults (ditto) and everyone in between (students, journalists and, you know, um, bloggers).

"I wrote my last book here," says Heather Hummel, sitting in the sunniest corner of the adult room with her laptop and coffee. "I think a lot of writers like to work here."

Ha. Crazy talk.

Can I have another decaf, please?

· For more info on Charlottesville, contact the Charlottesville/Albemarle County Convention & Visitors Bureau, 877-386-1103, http://www.pursuecharlottesville.com.