If you're having gripes about using an odd vernacular to order a coffee with cream and sugar, there are some great local alternatives to that corporate coffee chain. One of which is Black Dog Café, a cozy little coffee shop that resides on the north side of Lake Ella. The other is RedEye Coffee that is nestled in the Manor at Midtown shopping center.

One thing that ties these coffee shops together is the great atmosphere. At Black Dog, from the moment you walk in, there is a sense that everyone who goes there is a regular. The wood paneling and plaid table clothes makes for a relaxed environment that's welcoming to the studious coffee drinker.

With a quick glance around, it's apparent that this coffee shop promotes the local art scene through the numerous original pieces hung on the walls. Musicians also get exposure in the shop by having their EPs and LPs proudly displayed near the register.

The inside seating area has row booths that make for an intimate experience between you and a friend or you and a good book. There is also an outside seating area that is livelier with friendly dogs and their talkative owners. After taking their dogs for a stroll around Lake Ella, people and their pups like to take a load off on the back deck of Black Dog. It's a very pet friendly area that's fitted with water spigots to hydrate thirsty canines.

Providing a completely different atmosphere than the homey feel of Black Dog, RedEye has a more contemporary décor. The hanging pendant lights look like warm embers suspended overhead. Underneath them is an open space with ample seating tables large enough to really spread out your notes and books on. I do a lot of my writing and drawing here. Most importantly there are plenty of outlets for those of you who fear being separated from social media for too long.

This location also offers indoor and outdoor seating but I've been making more use of the indoor seating to stay out of the heat.

RedEye's motto is "Drink Coffee Locally. Change Lives Globally." In accordance with this mantra they operate as a non-profit shop that gives away all their profits to Panajachel, Guatemala; Benin, Africa; and Serve Tallahassee. RedEye's profits help the humanitarian efforts in those three areas through food and monetary donations. I was surprised when I had learned that buying a cup of coffee not only helped the needy in our very own town but the effect reached beyond our American soil. It all made a lot of sense though since the people working there always had such a pleasant demeanor. Every time that I have ordered something, the barista always found some way to chat me up. It's always a very personable experience.