From time to time, we all need a place away from home or the office to bunker down and crank out some work, to vegetate, or to simply catch up with a friend.  Philly's a big city, with many neighborhood cafes and chain coffee shops.  With so many options, where do you go?  Here's a shot at a list of places around the city based on the cafe's ambiance, availability of wifi, safety (i.e., will your junk get stolen if you blink), etc... (and less so on the food).

1. Penn Bookstore - safe, wifi, clean, spacious
2. The Gold Standard Cafe - safe, wifi, clean, tight space
3. Starbucks - 34th / Walnut - safe, wifi, clean, loud
4. Cafe Clave - closed
5. Green Line Cafe - 43rd / Baltimore - safe, wifi (?), clean, tight space
6. Starbucks - 12th / Walnut - wifi, clean, so-so safe
7. Saxbys Coffee - 20th / Walnut - wifi, clean, so-so safe
8. Cosi - 17th / Walnut - wifi, clean, not so safe
9. The Random Tea Room and Curiosity Shop - safe, wifi (?), very small, far away from everything else
10. Milk and Honey Market - so-so safe, so-so clean
11. Lore's Espresso - no wifi, no bathroom

What's your favorite spot in the city?

The Random Tea Room & Curiosity Shop
713 N 4th St
Philadelphia, PA 19123
Neighborhood: Northern Liberties

After searching high and low, left and right, inside and out, I've finally found a place that has chai better than Starbucks.  The Random Tea Room has an expansive selection of tea and herbal drinks, but, at the recommendations of a fellow Yelper, I had specifically came here for a taste of its chai.  It was a long walk to get there, but it was worth it.  The chai masala here is brewed fresh every morning - i..e no concentrates - and is literally brewing right there on the counter.  It has a hint of sweetness that's not overpowering, and it looks almost purple in a certain light.  The spices are strong and I'd recommend getting a small instead of a large, because your throat will start burning before you get to the bottom of the large.  Two downsides are that 1) it's located very far from everything else 2) it's on the pricey side ($5.25 for a large is a bit much, especially when you realize that a venti at Starbucks is cheaper).  So, to finally wrap up my Best Chai in Town list (click to see reviews)...

1. The Random Tea Room & Curiosity Shop  
2. Starbucks
3. Saxbys Coffee
4. Cosi
5. The Gold Standard Cafe
6. Lore's Espresso
7. Milk & Honey Market
8. Cafe Clave - this is reportedly CLOSED