And the coffee. Let us not forget the coffee. Yes, the corporate mindset is a problem, but having a spot every few blocks where you can walk in, get a coffee from the counter, and just sit down and read for an hour or two is a mark of civilization, and an optimal mix of civilization and culture.
Almost without exception, I've avoided table service coffee here. There are so many deeply felt political and religious issues afoot, that I heed Gurdjieff (and possibly Joseph Smith): It's hard to know what might be in the coffeepot.