A taste of Small World Cafe, not your average cup of Joe

A few weeks ago someone mentioned to me the exact number of days until English theses are due. After doing some quick mental calculations I read a book a day for the next few weeks and decided it was wisest to spend my intersession in charming Princeton, New Jersey.

There were so many joys to anticipate: the panorama of gray skies out of the Trustees Room window, or the inevitable conversations ("I got nothing done on my thesis today!"). Not to mention my bank account rapidly dwindling as I sampled every "You-Pick-Two" combination Panera has to offer.

Unable to remedy the weather and the monotony, I decided to take the matter of funding meals into my own hands and offer to write a food review for the Prince. During a week when there is as much caffeine consumed as there are hours spent procrastinating, where better to go than Small World Coffee?

To write that Small World has the best coffee in Princeton would be like informing the English department seniors that our theses are due April 7 (incidentally, 61 days from today). Everyone knows it already.

But if you, like me, feel that the $3,500 to $5,000-plus that you already pay for food on campus precludes you from sampling Nassau Street too often, perhaps you haven't tried out the new menu that Small World has created since their recent renovation.

In addition to the traditional coffee shop standards, Small World offers hot breakfast and a variety of hot and cold sandwiches, as well as salads and soups, all served up with their signature quirkiness.

How can you not appreciate a coffee shop that labels their tip jars in order to conduct informal polls? The day of the Superbowl, there were three options: "Bucs," "Raiders" and "Don't Care." The "Don't Care" tip jar was the jackpot, hands down. Another afternoon, the choices were "Frank Sinatra," "Nancy Sinatra" and "Don't Care." Again, "Don't Care" was the winner. What was it that David Brooks said about Princeton being apathetic?

The first Sunday of intersession I thought I should start the week off right and head straight to the library. I swung by Small World and picked up a smoked Gouda and avocado sandwich that was conveniently pre-wrapped ($5.25), as well as a "joe to go," as Small Worldians call coffee that you sneak into Firestone ($1.30).

Despite the fact that it was pre-made, the sandwich was very fresh. The health bread was nutty and substantial, and the mild flavors of the cheese and avocado were nicely offset by sharp honey mustard.

By Wednesday, my academic eagerness had worn off so I rationalized a leisurely lunch with a friend. We headed back to Small World, this time ordering a joe to stay and a bowl of vegetarian chili, served with cornbread ($5.25).

The chili had several types of beans, as well as chickpeas, carrots and onions. It was spicy, but not five-alarm heat that makes your nose run and eyes water. The cornbread had just the right amount of sweetness and was hearty but not too dense.

My friend ordered a tuna melt with farmhouse cheddar cheese ($6.95). The sandwich was flavorful but understated, with plenty of celery and herbs.

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On Friday, I was overcome by the stress of having aspired to do much and accomplishing little, so I decided to recharge by getting up early for Small World's hot breakfast options, which include eggs, oatmeal with toppings, and toast.

At 7:30 a.m., however, that idea became much less appealing. By the time I got there, it was after 11 a.m., which is when they move on to lunch. (Clearly Small World is not targeting the college crowd.)

Fortunately for late risers, they make granola parfaits all day long, which consist of yogurt and homemade granola, topped with bananas ($4.25). The granola is delicious, but is made almost entirely of nuts, which makes it extremely filling.

Additionally, the parfait would benefit from fruit toppings bolder than banana. Still, it was tasty and fueled my thesis procrastination, as did another joe to go.

Another week gone by, another chapter behind...but at least I've eaten well.