Is Parliament Really Competition for Holy Grounds?
By Annie Condodina
The doors are open for Villanova’s newest coffee shop. On the corner of Ithan and Lancaster Avenues sits Parliament, an espresso bar whose flagship store is on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. This grab-and-go café is a member of Constellation Culinary Group, with locations up and down the east coast…so what is it doing in the new senior dorms? By pairing Parliament adjacent to The Refectory, a brand new pricey restaurant geared towards parents and alumni, it’s clear that the university is trying to step up their game.
But is Parliament going to compete with Holy Grounds? We’ve rated and analyzed everything for you below, answering every question from Will they take my meal plan? to Can I even really study in there?
Prices: 2 / 5
Yikes. I have to say, I walked into Parliament on its opening day, and I was shocked. $11 for a salad, $9 for a sandwich… it’s safe to say this place isn’t budget-friendly, let alone college student budget-friendly. Ordering a large cold brew will set you back a little over a dollar more than it would at Holy Grounds, not to mention their “large” size is practically the same as a Holy Grounds small. The biggest drawback is that they only take NovaBucks -- no meal swipes or points here. It’s not egregious, but it’s annoying enough.
Food: 4 / 5
I mean, for the prices, it better be good! The breakfast sandwiches are top-notch, right along with their pastry assortments. When you’re stuck on a meal plan, sometimes all you care about is variety. Parliament provides that. If you’re looking to switch up your lunchtime salad routine, it’s easier to cross the street than trek to the nearest Sweetgreen in Suburban Square. Will it be the greatest thing you’ve ever tasted? Not quite, but it’ll do the trick.
Atmosphere: 5 / 5
Image via parliamentespresso.com
One of the greatest redeemers of this space is that it’s simply beautiful inside. Cool light fixtures, plenty of seating, and outlets galore make it an awesome place to study. Make sure to set up camp early as it can get crowded later in the day. The steady flow of students keeps a medium ambient noise level, so anyone who typically loves a Starbucks study session will soon become a regular at Parliament.
Convenience: 4 / 5
Anyone who lives in the Commons will tell you that Parliament is arguably the best thing about it thus far. Plus, it’s close enough to the Ithan garage that off-campus students can pop in on their way to class before crossing Lancaster. For anyone who falls into these two categories, Parliament is your new spot. But for the solid amount of campus living on Main and West, it’s just not close enough. These people will be sticking to Holy Grounds in Conn or breakfast sandwiches in the Exchange. But that might not be so bad.
Parliament is an awesome addition to the new campus housing. Prices are a little steep, and it certainly won’t be taking Holy Grounds out of business, but the more options there are the better! Make sure to stop in soon if you haven’t already done so.
