When it comes to finding a cafe in the downtown Sacramento area there are obviously plenty of options, but choosing the right place depends on what the consumer is looking for.

Well, if you happen to be looking for a cozy spot off 21 and L Street in the downtown area, then give The Vintage Cafe a try.

With finals week around the corner finding a place to study on campus can potentially become a time consuming task of its own. Sometimes the best bet is to beat the crowds of students cramming for finals on campus and study at a cafe.

And if you have a laptop and are looking for a place off campus that offers free wireless internet access – that’s right, free – then The Vintage Cafe is where it’s at.

The atmosphere is calm enough to make it possible for a student to study with few distractions other than side conversations of fellow patrons and background music which isn’t too loud or annoying to distract a person from reading a book or writing a review, for example.

So let’s talk about the name: The Vintage Cafe. In a way, the idea of giving this fairly modern-looking cafe an “old” name seems a little contradictory or should I say fake, but the deep-rooted vibe of the cafe excuses the fresh, modern building’s decor. Some could say it offers an original cafe feel, like one of the first Java City’s or Terra Roxa’s in town. Perhaps this is why the name just seems to work and fit the cafe’s appearance.

Still the decor is a compilation of eclectic fused with random furniture and art placement to keep your visual senses busy. And for some reason the cafe’s style is convincing while being appealing to the eye.

Yet there are some aspects that aren’t so appealing, especially for students who prefer studying during the evening. The cafe does not do a very good job when it comes to catering to night owls in need of a place tocatch up on school work since the cafe closes fairly early in comparison to the local Starbuck’s and Border’s Books in the area.

During the week, The Vintage Cafe is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on weekends they are open at 10 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. as well. So perhaps this is the place for people who like to get their work done during the day or it could be more aptly coined a place to escape studying for the day and then you will just have to find some place else to study when they close down at 6 in the (early) evening.

Despite the major set back of closing early, little blame can be placed on The Vintage Cafe management’s decision to do so. That’s just what most cafes do in this area. It’s kind of like the “When in Rome” policy, but I suppose that is just what happens “Whenin Sac,” which has one of the most bleak and quiet downtown vibes compared to the late night access offered in San Francisco and San Jose.

Still the help are friendly downtown indie girls who smoke cigarettes on their breaks and seemingly haven’t a care in the world aside from waxing philosophical about random thoughts and talking about their social circle while sweeping up crumbs from the floor or foaming a cup full with espresso.

Speaking of coffee, The Vintage Cafe sells aninexpensive cup with an expensive taste. The math breaks down to about 99 cents for a 12 ounce cup which isn’t out of my strapped-for-cash college student budget. The cup of Italian roast tasted better than the over three dollar cup of lukewarm sugar water I’vehad at other mainstream joints. This cup had just the right bite but with a surprisingly smooth and non-bitter finish for a dark roast.

As a whole, The Vintage Cafe is like most other neighborhood coffee shops. The main highlight is the still the free WiFi and its urban locale. The gourmet coffee by North Bay has its perks as do the fresh pastries, soups, salads and sandwiches they preparedaily. And though I didn’t witness one, The Vintage Cafe even offers what they call “Acoustic Encounters,” which gives local musicians a stage to feature live music in a cafe setting. There is even sushi on the menu, but I didn’t try it so can’t say if it’s a hit or a miss.

All I can say is you’ll be missing out if you pass up the chance to see what’s new at The Vintage Cafe, but it’s a low-key place to check your email for free before the 6 p.m. closing time.

Lana Saipaia can be reached at [email protected]