Change your scenery: study spots a short trip from Rice

Tired of never finding a seat at Chaus and always losing your favorite study spot at Fondy to someone else? Don’t want to study in your room but don’t know of places outside where you can do so? Look no further for a list of cafés, restaurants and more near Rice to explore for a change of pace while attempting to get through work this semester.
Sweet Paris
Complete work and treat yourself to various sweet and savory crêpes at Sweet Paris anytime between 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Rice Village. Sweet Paris not only has delicious crêpes, but also offers waffles, salads, soup and hot drinks. Unfortunately, Sweet Paris does not have many power outlets, so visitors may need to charge your laptop beforehand if they intend to finish their work. With access to Wi-Fi, students can almost never go wrong by starting their day with a sweet treat while finishing their sour COMP 182 homework.
El Tiempo Cantina
If you are fancying some good Tex-Mexican lunch, check out El Tiempo Cantina at Richmond Avenue. Only a seven-minute drive or a 20-minute bus ride away, Cantina is known for its spicy fajitas, enchiladas and Texas-size portions. The back patio will is charming and, momentarily, visitors might even forget that they are there to do some work, using the free Wi-Fi that the restaurant offers.
Starbucks
Students can never go wrong with our good ol’ pal, Starbucks. Get ready to finish work with that coffee adrenaline rush anytime between 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. There are several locations near campus just a short walk or METRO ride away.
Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library
For a change in environment to study with peace and quiet, Freed-Montrose Library is an excellent option. With a number of outlets and free WiFi, visitors can get their work done here anytime between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Freed-Montrose is open to the public and is an easy six minute bus ride away.
Fresco
For good pasta and music to study with, Fresco could be a new favorite study spot. Only an 11-minute bus ride away, Fresco offers a wide variety of pizza, pasta, lasagnas and various types of sauces anytime between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. from Wednesday through Sunday. Since Fresco does not have Wi-Fi, offline work can be completed without the temptation of being online.
More from The Rice Thresher


Summer Book Recommendations
With summer right around the corner, many students’ brains will finally have space for things other than organic chemistry or the latest coding problem that needs to be solved. Take this time to read for enjoyment again. The following are a series of summer recommendations perfect for time on a plane, by the pool or just on your couch. All incorporate travel in one way or another, and each has its own adventure that will leave you yearning for more.

Review:‘The Northman’ sees Robert Eggers take his work to a larger stage
Robert Eggers is a filmmaker whose work has been defined by its small scale and intensive focus on characters. His prior films, “The Witch” and “The Lighthouse,” both feature a small cast and embrace environmental horror as terrifying events slowly pull the main ensemble apart. His reputation for his smaller scale and focus is partly why “The Northman” was so interesting upon its announcement — “The Northman” blows up Egger’s storytelling onto a massive scale. The locations, number of characters, and time period all dwarf his prior films. For the most part, Eggers steps up to the plate, succeeding in his ambition. “The Northman” will be available to watch in theaters April 22.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.