Coffee & Treats in Huntington

Beyond the warm, neighborhood atmosphere, Java Shack's many varieties of java, brewed from local Virginia roasts, have a much richer flavor than the corporate brews, as proven by favorite drinks like the Java Shack House Blend coffee ($1.90 for a medium) and classics like the creamy latte ($3.50, medium), rich espresso ($2.20, medium), cappuccino ($3.50, medium), and café mocha ($3.95, medium). You'll have no trouble learning your personable barista's name if you order a specialty Java Shack creation such as the Dale Special, an iced Americano with dashes of vanilla, caramel, and half-and-half. Java Shack’s many regulars also regularly gulp the Korinator, a latte with a bit of vanilla and caramel, and Java the Nut, a latte with hazelnut, vanilla, a drizzle of caramel, and several intergalactic bounty hunters in its employ. While the drink titles will help you learn their names, Java Shack employees rely solely upon their own social natures, and perhaps some light Facebook stalking, to learn yours. Baristas make the effort to remember not only customers’ names, but also favorite drinks and even backstories if you’re up for sharing without over-sharing.

Having made their name in local farmer's markets and risen through the ranks of brutal, no-holds-brewed, local coffee kumites, Fresh Off the Roast's roasts run the gamut from light to dark. They source beans from around the world, recently featuring coffees from Ethiopia, Kenya, Indonesia, Honduras, Peru, and more. Fresh Off the Roast has helpfully provided brewing tips and techniques for getting the most out of your roast.

Atop each of Something Sweet's moist and flavorful cupcakes, a bonanza of buttercream perches with the perfect balance of sweetness and cream. Every day, Something Sweet offers decadent chocolate and vanilla cupcakes with your choice of chocolate or vanilla buttercreams, as well as a red velvet cupcake with the creamy tang of cream-cheese frosting. Other flavors rotate depending on the day and planetary alignment, and include such flavors as chocolate peppermint, peanut-butter cup, chocolate-chip cookie, German chocolate, and snickerdoodle. Check out Something Sweet's weekly menu for a look at its daily offerings. The bakery is open from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Tuesday–Thursday, until 10:30 p.m. on Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturdays, and until 9 p.m. on Sundays to serve those late-night cravings that happen after waking up from that dream you have where you hear your father finally say "I love you," only to discover he was talking to a cupcake.

Named for the patron saint of sailors and '80s power ballads, St. Elmo's Coffee Pub has served as a java junction for Alexandrians since opening in 1996. In addition to more than 20 types of coffees ($1.50–$1.90), many organic, culled from the collection of local roaster The Daily Roast, St. Elmo's also offers espresso drinks ($1.50-$4.10), tea ($1.35–$3.50), baked goods from local bunsmiths ($0.70–$5.95), and a variety of sandwiches delivered daily from Caboose Cafe & Bakery and Bread & Chocolate. As payment for a lost chessboxing wager, Bread & Chocolate also provides St. Elmo's with salads and additional hot items, including the all-natural Quiche sisters—Lorraine, Spinach, and Mushroom ($3.95).

Artisan owner, chocolatier, and pastry chef Jason Andelman has been dubbed "the Willy Wonka of Arlington" by Express, and not just because he wears a purple top hat and likes to take customers on nightmarish boat rides. The beautiful designs adorning his bonbons are as much art for the eyes as they are for the tongue. Artisan's seasonal artist series rotates regularly, as do the feature designs by local artists. Currently, Monica Gallagher's love-struck skulls perch atop a dark-chocolate ganache with a hint of brandy and champagne, while Val Lucas has added a honey-drop pattern to Artisan's layer of crispy pecan praline topped with a bitter molasses ganache. For something spicier, try the bittersweet ganache infused with smoky chipotle chilies and vanilla bean accented by a Southwestern motif by Rania Hassan. Artisan will also be offering a special gift box for this year's Cherry Blossom Festival, as well as a ton of surprise treats for Easter.

Food and wine make for a great tag-team duo, assuaging stress while filling the belly with scrumptious sustenance. At GRAPE + BEAN, patrons can sample wines, small plates, and large plates to satisfy the pickiest of sippers and tasters. A knowledgeable staff helps customers pick out palate-soothing drinks and eats amid an inviting atmosphere that features original brick walls, exposed beams, and rustic wood finishes. Sample tasty bites off the lunch, brunch, or dinner menus, which offer selections such as the rosemary ham with melted aged gruyere ($11), truffled egg toast ($12.50), and duck confit with white-bean casserole ($22). Or, opt for smaller plates, such as artichoke with pecorino, fresh mint, and basil ($9) and organic heirloom tomato with serrano ham ($9).