This week, I have the honor of introducing what has slowly become my favorite coffee shop of all time. The Common House, located in downtown Anderson, is a wonderful coffee house by day, a fine dining restaurant by night and a magical, academia-inspired experience at all hours.

The vibes. Oh, the vibes. Standing outside The Common House for the first time, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my academia-loving face. Separated by a dungeon-like front door, the interior is the only thing more mesmerizing than the exterior. Statue busts, gorgeous paintings and books cover the mood-lit bar and the two-story seating just beyond. The staff has the style and service to match. They’re wildly friendly and accommodating if the decor makes you too stunned to order. Unquestionably, the vibes skyrocket to a 6 out of 5.

For food, I’ve been lucky enough to both grab their morning pastries and dine with them at night. Both experiences left me floored. The pastries are pretty standard, with a variety of vegan options. No option is a bad one. But they truly shine at night when their ever-changing specialty courses and gourmet meals astound and amaze for reasonable prices. Cafes can sometimes stretch themself too thin trying to be good at everything, but The Common House has mastered everything a cafe can and then some. The food gets a 5 out of 5.

And, of course, their coffee. When I say The Common House is a master of all trades, not just a jack, I mean it. They have refined their menu to cover all tastes consistently and accurately, but they shine in their specialty menus. They had a creme brulee latte with their winter drinks — complete with torched brown sugar on top. I shed a tear when they took it off the menu. Quality coffee is impressive, as is creativity, but to accomplish both to the highest degree, with such memorable execution, is nothing short of impressive. I’ve never written anything easier than this: go to The Common House. It’s a coffee experience impossible to forget. Their coffee gets a 5 out of 5.