When I first stepped into Common Ground Cafe, I was pleasantly surprised by the relaxed and upbeat mood of the place--and by the music of Billie Holiday playing through the speakers. Located in a renovated cabin, there's the warm ambience of wood paneled walls, a wood stove, roomy couch, chairs, and various tables. The owner, Brian Thomas, has decorated the walls with everything from Tibetan prayer flags and posters of Miles Davis, to art work by local artists, including paintings and tile mosaics. I had been planning to get my drink to go, but the whole feel of the place made me want to have a seat and stay awhile.  

Brian himself greeted me as I walked in the door and when questioned was happy to tell me about the various specialty drinks they carry. Their coffees and teas are organic (we like that) and the options for drinks varied but not overwhelming. You can order yerba mate, green, black and herbal teas; you can also get the usual espresso drinks or try something new--like an Arabian or Turkish style coffee. I tried the Arabian coffee--a cold brewed coffee spiced with Cardamom and Cinnamon. In a word, yum.  

Common Ground Cafe offers more than just coffee and tea drinks, though. They also have bagels, gourmet cream cheeses, and baked goods from local bakeries (the Parmesan bagel with the Mexi spread was fantastic), as well as computer stations and laptop portals for internet access. Lastly, they have a music collection that is both eclectic and thorough. Brian told me they specialize in Jazz, World, and Americana, but he also directed me to a new Eliot Smith cd (whose music qualifies as none of the above) in short time. Brian knows a lot about music, so between his suggestions and some time spent on the listening stations, it was easy enough to leave with new music I knew I'd like.  

Common Ground Cafe is located on Colorado Street which is just off the main road into the town of McCall, highway 55. It has lots of outdoor seating in a open court area to the back and side of the shop, so if you go by in the warmer months of the year, you can find a sunny, quiet place to sit. On a gorgeous fall day in October, we sat outside sipping our coffees in the sun and watching the gold-orange leaves of the Aspens wave in the wind.  

Great drinks, great music, and internet access if you need it--all in one really nice space. You can find out more info about Common Ground Cafe on their website (there's a map too): http://www.commongroundcafe.net. If your destination is McCall, Idaho, take the time to visit Common Ground Cafe. We do almost daily