2339 Royal St. (Marigny) 7 Days: 7am to 10pm. 504.267.7327. Credit Cards. All bright white with hip formica accents and one conspicuous orange couch, this new coffee house can't help but make you think of iPods and Volkswagens. The owner is from San Francisco and a sunny, coastal "energy" flows right through the place from the decorator-conscious art to the avocado ceramic lamp. Ultra-smooth yacht rockers Steely Dan grooved on an endless loop during our most recent visit. The Orange Couch serves a reasonably priced menu of coffee ($1.75 for a small), tea, ice cream (they offer Japanese-style mochi) and pastries. A good reason for a visit is their Vietnamese Iced Coffee -- chicory laced, press pot brewed, sweetened with condensed milk: perfect and addicting. Warm service and a steady cast of New Orleans characters rescue the cafe from hipster hell. Kitchenaide Radar Range. Outside seating. Live jazz on Monday nights.
