My gf described it as "loner laptop cafe," where everyone was absorbed in their laptops, there was no conversation whatsoever and there were only the sounds of the slightly louder than normal indie-rock music.
We felt like outcasts for having the audacity to not bring our laptops, to order something to eat and god forbid, to talk. Or in a more positive light, it was like being a teacher in an elementary school, where all the little kids had to abide by the no-talking, no-eating rules, but you didn't.
I can't really blame the La Va Cafe staff for the atmosphere; the guy was perfectly friendly and accommodating to our ordering food. The interior is warm-colored and the furniture interesting. But there was just such a strange vibe there that made me want to laugh out loudly while I was there.
Anyways, as for the food, minus the hummus, it was rather miserable, mainly I suspect because of an operations issue, apathy or both.
Chicken Platter - The chicken was earlier over-cooked and reheated to a luke-warm state at order. Parts of it, most on the edges, were really tough to eat. The pickled vegetables, while flavorful, had a texture that seemed like they had been sitting out for quite some time - they just didn't have that crisp crunchiness that pickled vegetables should have. The hummus was only the redeeming part of this platter and I suspect it was because hummus keeps fairly well in the refrigerator and requires no prep.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich - grilled chicken, american cheese, lettuce, roasted peppers & pesto. Your typical unsatisfying, mediocre cafe grilled chicken sandwich. The vegetables of course suffered the same traits as the chicken platter.
I'm a little surprised that this cafe had so many people. Perhaps this place has great coffee, it's the only cafe in the area and/or it's the free internet that draws people here. Because it's certainly not the atmosphere or the food.
La Va Cafe
2100 South St, Philadelphia 19146 (Map)