Kristin Sandgren

Coffee shops and cafes often foster great conversation, art and, well, coffee. Anyone who regularly patronizes these purveyors of caffeine are probably aware of the characters that typically inhabit them. Whether you're in Pilsen or Rogers Park, you are almost sure to encounter at least one of these stereotypes in Chicago's coffee shops. 1. The two people having the "important business conversation," usually concerning social media. 2. That person you recognize from Instagram, and you're not sure if you should go talk to them or just keep staring. 3. The person who usually goes to Starbucks and doesn't know what to order. 4. The person taking a photo of their latte foam art from every possible angle. 5. The person with the Macbook, iPad, iPhone and every other form of Apple technology. They're probably "working on their novel." 6. That couple with matching tortoise shell glasses and skinny jeans.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, many will be thinking of more laid-back ways to spend time with their date. Reservations and dressy attire won’t be necessary for this list of cute spots around the city to grab brunch, or even some coffee and a croissant. Either way, romance is always better when caffeinated. Heritage Bicycles General Store (Lakeview) Heritage Bicycles and their newer second shop, Heritage Outpost, are possibly the cutest and quaintest coffee shops in the city. Visit the Heritage in Lakeview, which also has a bike repair shop in it, or try the newer location, which is located inside an apartment lobby.   La Colombe (West Loop, Wicker Park, Andersonville) A perk for a date is that they don't have any Wi-Fi. The focus is strictly on coffee and talk. The Winchester (West Town) This cute spot is popular for brunch, but you can also sit at the bar for a coffee and get half of a waffle on the side.  Plein Air Cafe (Hyde Park) This café, which is most likely out of the way for most, is a great place for having a relaxing date. The interiors are warm and simple. Gaslight Coffee Roasters (Logan Square) Gaslight is a popular spot for Logan locals, but for those who don't live there, it's ideal for a homey date. Most would consider it the quintessential "hipster" coffee shop. The place has house-roasted beans, trendy wallpaper and a deer head.  Ipsento (Bucktown) Ipsento is another quaint spot. Decorated eclectically with a bench made from doors and window f

If you're looking to explore Chicago's coffee scene, then you might want to take a look at the Indie Coffee Passport. The program, which originated in Toronto, costs $25 and allows for a free drink (up to $5) from the 22 participating coffee shops scattered across the city, and is good through June 30. The list of shops include some well-known favorites like The Wormhole, Big Shoulders and Caffe Streets. Whether you're looking to check out a new cafe or simply want to save some money, this is a deal worth checking out.