By Angela Blue
White, frosty remnants from Coastal Virginia’s January snowstorm had been lingering for the fourth day in a row. We suddenly found ourselves in need of a communal spot to meet, a peaceful place to work and some sustenance in the form of light fare and hot beverages. Simply put, we needed a cure for our case of cabin fever.
We found just that at Cure Coffeehouse and Brasserie. Tucked away from Norfolk’s hustle and bustle along the cobblestone streets of the Freemason Historic District, Cure serves as a delightful retreat for small meetings as well as a cozy spot for getting a little work done outside of the office.
We entered a bright and fresh, convivial coffeehouse vibe with soothing walls and vibrant pieces of art, which rotate regularly. Most seating options are two to a table, but six-tops can be rearranged for larger groups to meet and mingle.
“We consider ourselves a little neighborhood hub,” said Kari Redman, Cure’s general manager. “We make it a cozy atmosphere for people to come to and be creative, meet people, network.” And even though it’s a great place to network, the scene here is mellow and mostly quiet, aside from light, easygoing music, the occasional click-clacking of keyboards and the gentle whir of the cappuccino machine.
Speaking of cappuccinos, we had one, and it was lovely. A delicate, velvety froth, artfully foamed into a feather, topped this ideal hot beverage for a chilly day. Aside from cappuccinos, cortados, macchiatos, Americanos and espresso shots, Cure serves a sweet selection of signature lattes like Lavender Mocha, Crème Brulee and Crazelnut. Craft beer, wine and signature cocktails are available as well.
Their lunch menu features assorted salads, sandwiches and snacks like avocado toast, hummus and pita points or mac and cheese with torched cheddar. Sharable items include cheese and charcuterie with rotating house-made accoutrements. They’ve got vegetarian options too: a spinach quinoa burger, grilled pepper jelly and cheddar, and curried chickpeas, which is the dish we chose. The chickpeas melded beautifully with a blend of tomatoes, smoked red onion, mesclun greens and house-made veganaise stuffed between pillowy pitas with slightly charred edges. The flavor was zesty and bright, and the portion size was just enough to be satisfied without overdoing it.
For those interested in getting some work done without even the slightest disturbance, Cure grants a reserved co-working space for just $10 a day. Passholders can enter a peaceful room, separate from the rest of the coffee shop, and choose from several tables that provide easy access to outlets for charging laptops or phones. Redman described the co-working room as “a spot where people who want to start up a business can have a beautiful view, a wonderful neighborhood, a great cup of coffee and a space where they can really focus on what they want to do and what their dreams and passions are.”
As well as daily passes, monthly memberships are available for this space: $125 for personal use and $175 for business use. Personal membership includes dedicated wifi, a discount on food orders, unlimited drip coffee or tea, printing services and a private space for phone calls. Business membership includes all this, plus the option to bring up to three guests and a service that enables the café to accept mail for members.
“It’s a wonderful, unique atmosphere that you don’t get in just any office,” Redman noted. “You get the wonderful, communal atmosphere of being in a coffee shop, as well as being able to just focus.” So whether you’re looking for a creative spot to meet or a quiet place to get some work done, this place has got the cure.
Cure Coffeehouse and Brasserie is located at 503 Botetourt St., Norfolk. Their hours are Monday–Wednesday and Saturday 8 a.m.–10 p.m., Thursday–Friday 7 a.m.–10 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m.–8 p.m. They serve breakfast from 8–11 a.m. Monday–Friday and brunch until 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Call 757-321-0044, or visit CureNorfolk.com for more info.