Espuma in Southtown makes the best cappuccinos, with the perfect ratio of foam to espresso. Café Latino cooks a mean stack o' pancakes. With its delicious paninis, Sip has spruced up the corner of Houston and St. Mary's. The Christian-based Lighthouse in Stone Oak makes a heavenly cup of joe, but the North Side traffic can be hell.

The best is Candlelight Coffeehouse, which stands out not only for its divine java, but also for its couches, cats, and wine.

Soup, salad, and pastries accompany your drink of choice, which you can consume sitting at a table, sequestered down in a comfy sofa, or relaxing on the outdoor patio amongst the junglesque greenery. (An occasional cat might brush against your legs, so unless you carry a lint brush, don't wear black pants that attract fur.)

Candlelight's only drawback is that it doesn't open until 4 p.m., which in coffee terms, is about the time to drink decaf unless it's the weekend. On the other hand, it's the perfect time for wine. LS