Roast Coffee Co.

Maybe the reason Roast Coffee Co. displays funky art is because it’s the former location of the East Side Gallery. At any rate, the Cream City walls tastefully show off contemporary art, including a framed display of used artists’ brushes that they’ll sell you for $350. Patrons can also check out the postcard collection from past and present customers.

When we arrived for lunch, we entered the land of laptops. We also found a neighborhood hangout, a place where UW-Milwaukee students mingle with parents pushing strollers and a sprinkle of senior citizens. On the downside, we were parking challenged, as Roast is close to the university.

Adjacent buildings on Maryland house People’s Books and the Milwaukee Mindfulness Community. We also noticed a hookah lounge, Sweet International Delight. We decided this could be a block for one-stop shopping, a place where one could combine a cup of coffee with a smoke and a book and practice mindfulness, all at the same time.

We sampled the Green Day, bacon, greens, tomato, onion, cheese and chipotle mayo; and the Daft Club, smoked ham with bacon, cheese, tomatoes, greens, onion and Dijon sauce. We liked the sandwiches, but we loved our specialty coffee — dessert in a cup. We savored rich, flavorful Raspberry Truffle and Mint Condition. Calorie counters beware.