Restaurant Review - Innovox Lounge

Although the concept of an Internet café is fast becoming obsolete in the United States (thanks to the Palm Pilot), Innovox Connectivity Lounge still has a few iMacs with Internet access among its Salvation Army sofas, giving young people a place to drop in and tune out. Along with a caffeine supply and an eclectic, offbeat selection of magazines, Innovox hosts poetry readings on Friday nights, and a few round café tables are set with chess and checker sets. But the lounge's chief offering appears to be blue-haired youth out after curfew. Located in the basement of the Ford Factory Lofts, the industrial space, with high ceilings and a spacious, open atmosphere, is a case of misguided potential, like wasted youth. The cement-block walls have been painted with garish palm trees; perhaps management intended to capitalize on an inner city jungle theme — which might help explain hairstyles resembling the plumage of tropical birds.

That said, Innovox is still a fine place to get a cup of tea — in a to-go cup. The café has a selection of Tazo teas, coffee and espresso drinks, as well as milkshakes, fountain drinks and floats. Edibles include a selection of vegan wraps ($4.50), which are delivered every other day by R. Thomas. Choose from the meatless Sloppy Joe, Thai wrap with rice and veggies in a peanut sauce, or the Azteca. Pastries by Martin provides Innovox with cakes, cheesecakes, cookies and muffins, and juices are supplied by Arden's Garden.

Upon sampling, the hummus wrap ($4.75) was dry and lacked a major ingredient of this chickpea paste: garlic. (Perhaps my visit was between deliveries). A creamy, pink, dill sauce intended to moisten the stale tortilla was served with the wrap. However, rather than balancing the hummus, it masks the Mediterranean flavors with heavy, undifferentiated sweetness.

While an espresso shake ($4.50), was tasty enough (although not as thick as I would have liked and perhaps too subtly flavored), I was disappointed by a cherry Coke float ($3.75). What tasted like maraschino syrup doused a scoop of vanilla ice cream; I was instructed to add Coke from the soda fountain. The result was, upon first sip, a refreshing, bubbly, frothy float, but, upon further combination, became too sweet for my taste.

Characteristic of the laid-back, slacker attitude that pervades Innovox, you may munch while you work. Computer usage, whether you need a word processor or want to surf the Net, is free for the first five minutes, and 12 cents a minute thereafter. Stay online for a couple of hours, and they cut you a deal: $4 for two hours.

Innovox also puts you in touch with magazines you may not find elsewhere in town, such as zine guide, David Boring, Mute and milk. It also carries Japanophile, Tokyo Pop, Shaman's Drum, Pan Gaia and Crone's Chronicles. I might descend to Innovox's depths for a copy of anti-consumerist Adbusters or Soma, journal of left coast culture, myself. But I think I'll steer clear of the wraps and stay off the floats.

Innovox Connectivity Lounge, 699 Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-872-4482. Open 24 hours Sat.-Sun., Mon.-Thurs. 7 a.m.-1 a.m. Food items range from $2-$4.50. Cash and credit cards accepted.