Cafe Mundi is yet another funky little independent coffee-shop-plus-food spot.
It also has the distinction of being possibly the most difficult-to-find coffee shop in Austin. It's on 5th street, about a mile east of I-35, on the north side of the street, between Comal and Chicon. For years they didn't even have a sign. There is actually a sign now, so possibly people won't keep driving right past it; nevertheless, you could still be forgiven for thinking that this little enclave is just another east Austin scrapyard.
But you'd be missing out.
Their patio is small, but it's easily the most beautiful patio in Austin (also, arguably, Bouldin Creek, but my money's on Mundi). It has trees and bamboo and big ferns and sculptures and bird-baths. It's a really lovely garden and someone obviously cares about it a great deal.
They welcome dogs on this dirt patio to the side, but dogs are not allowed on the small front porch (which you can see in the first picture). Also, there are several signs reminding you that your dog must be on a leash, and asking you to take your dog home if it is barking, out of respect for other customers. This is the most specific set of rules that I have yet seen at a dog-friendly place in Austin, but I actually really appreciate it. These rules merely codify common courtesy. One would hope that dog owners know how to be courteous in public, but if they don't, I have no problem with a few signs reminding everyone how to be polite. After all, people without dogs deserve a pleasant experience, even at dog-friendly places.
The menu is veggie-friendly, but I hesitate to call it vegan-tolerable. A vegan could have the roasted red pepper sandwich, or possibly a salad, or possibly a soup (today's soup was a very yummy gazpacho), but by and large all of the veggie stuff involves cheese.
Of course, no dining experience is complete without Lola's Daddy on hand to order food and bring us water and iced coffee.
And, at the request of Lottie's Mommy, here we have, and I quote, "more close-ups of Lola's Daddy so we can all see how incredibly cute he is." Back off, woman, you have your own boyfriend!
(But hell yeah, mine is pretty damn sexy...)
Here is me and Lola and the new sign. Lola is getting kinda fluffy again.
Lola's Daddy and Lola went down to the gazebo in the bottom corner of the garden. Immediately after I took this photo, Lola's Daddy yelled "God! Damn mosquitos!" and then they weren't in the gazebo any more.
And, as always, The Best Picture of the Day.
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