Need to find that back-to-school buzz?

Carol’s Hungry Mind Cafe, Sama’s Café, the Stoneleaf Teahouse and 51 Main have menus suited for all taste buds and are ready to caffeinate the student body.

51 Main
Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. until late
Complete with a lunch, dinner, dessert and snack menu, an assortment of exotic drinks and a calendar filled with performances, 51 Main, centrally situated on Main Street, offers students the complete package.
Manager Carl Roesch believes 51 Main boasts a “cosmopolitan, eclectic, relaxed and informal” atmosphere where students can “unwind and refocus for an afternoon or evening of studying.”
Brewed coffee, hot chocolate and tea, including chai, is available, but students can also order Strawberry Daiquiris, Piña Coladas and more adult drinks.
“At 51 Main, we strive to offer a food menu that is international, unique and affordable,” said Roesch.
Favorites include the Thai Tiger Spring Rolls, Veggie Pattice and Moroccan Spiced Lamb Kebabs. Lunch and dinner options run from $5 to $15. A myriad of desserts, including crème brulee, chocolate mousse, pies and cakes attract many customers, as well.
“It is possible to spend an evening at 51 Main, leave with a full stomach and still be kind to your wallet,” explained Roesch.
Comfortable seating is scattered throughout the restaurant. Roesch believes the furniture is perfect for “studying, late-night conversations with friends and listening to music.” Most Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, 51 Main customers can enjoy live music. Upcoming performances, like Joshua Panda on Sept. 17 and Brain Kremer on Oct. 1, will entice many students.
All are encouraged to visit 51 Main’s page on Facebook and Twitter or the restaurant’s website to view the complete entertainment calendar.

The Stoneleaf Teahouse
Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Located in the middle of MarbleWorks, the Stoneleaf Teahouse, a mere one and half years old, offers an assortment of high-quality teas.
“Tea naturally has caffeine,” said John Wetzel, owner of the house. “It triggers a mental stimulation to help promote good studying.”
Wetzel encourages study groups to work in the house’s serene atmosphere and he takes requests to be open other times. The teahouse imports all of their teas, so each brand is chemical-free and some are certified organic. Favorites include green tea, black oolong tea and scented jasmine pearl, which is a traditional Indian chai. There is milk, sugar and honey for customers to add, and Wetzel said that maple syrup is a tasty accessory that many enjoy in the chai. Natural chocolate, scones, pastries and cookies are also available.
“We re-infuse the teas, so a small teapot can last for hours,” he said. “I travel to different regions around the world to learn how tea is made, and then experiment and find the best ways to make the tea here.”
There is no rush at the house, as Wetzel believes people should stay as long as they would like.
Direct connection is also a priority for the Stoneleaf owners, which is why they buy their tea from the farms in the regions that they visit.
On Sept. 10, the Stoneleaf Teahouse is hosting a free tea-tasting event. The Tea Arts Guild organized the affair as part of the Arts Walk. Wetzel said there will also be tea workshops, talks and more tasting events later this year.

Carol’s Hungry Mind Cafe
Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“We have the best espresso and coffee in town, and we have the nicest people,” said John Melanson, owner of Carol’s Hungry Mind Café.
Locals refer to the café, which recently celebrated its fifth year in town, as the “hub of Middlebury.” Melanson believes it the best place to meet people. Carol’s, located at 24 Merchants Row, uses two different roasters, and both serve Vermont coffee. Mocha Joe’s comes from Brattleboro, Vt., while Bud’s Beans is a local blend from Weybridge, Vt. Melanson warns that the coffee is very strong; it is their specialty. The cafe also sells Dr. Smoothies made with 100 percent fruit, and offers a selection of pastries and muffins, in addition to its lunch menu. Cappuccinos, espressos, mochas and lattes are available too.
The cafe hosts an Open Mic night every other Friday, and encourages students to sing, recite poetry or just come and listen. Melanson hopes to plan some Murder Mystery dinners and game nights in the winter.
“I am open to suggestions,” he said. “We want to have more activities at night and I hope the students can think of some good ideas for what we should do.”
With ample space and extra seating downstairs, Carol’s is ideal for studying, but in the past it has been used by students for swing dance lessons.

Sama’s Cafe
Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Also known as Midd Market, Sama’s is proud of its proximity to the College campus. With new parking right outside the cafe, it is a convenient spot for all.
“We offer everything from espresso to chai to hot chocolate (which is steamed to order with Hershey’s) to iced beverages,” said owner Sama Hayyat.
The cafe also uses all local coffee blends, including Vermont Coffee, Green Mountain Coffee and Bud’s Beans.
“We have space to sit and eat both inside and outside, and there is Wi-Fi,” said Hayyat. “In the winter it is especially nice to sit by the wood fire oven with a warm pastry, which is prepared fresh each morning.”
Hayyat also stressed that the café offers soymilk for those who prefer that option in any of their drinks. Both hot teas and Tazo teas are available. The café also offers breakfast, lunch and dinner menus.
“And we will be selling our creemees until October,” said Hayyat, as he knows this is a sweet treat for many students that often vanishes too quickly once school starts.