A.C. Now: Peerless at The Pier

As of its last earnings announcement, Starbucks had more than 12,000 locations worldwide, which would usually be a small warning sign that if a site such as this put a Starbucks in a list of fabulous/chic/hip/young/ spectacular new places to go, everything said site was

As of its last earnings announcement, Starbucks had more than 12,000 locations worldwide, which would usually be a small warning sign that if a site such as this put a Starbucks in a list of fabulous/chic/hip/young/ spectacular new places to go, everything said site was claiming about fabulous/chic/hip/ young/spectacular was actually a lie. However, these are no ordinary circumstances, because this is no ordinary Starbucks. In fact, having visited approximately 7,684 Starbucks locations, we are boldly pronouncing The Pier at Caesars' Starbucks to be the Best Starbucks in the World.

Like most Starbucks, this one has somewhat ugly brown walls, an array of very unhealthful pastries, a disturbingly good soundtrack, and almost limitless means of caffeine administration. But it also has a surfeit of couches and soft armchairs, a few in rich buttery leather; a spacious bathroom for which a key is not needed; a fireplace opposite the couches for warming toes on wet February days; and huge full-length windows overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Granted, the location may have something to do with the fact that the owner of the franchise, Scott Gordon, is the son of Pier developer Sheldon Gordon. Whatever it is, sipping a doppio macchiato in an overstuffed chair while watching the clapping waves of the Atlantic just topped the Boardwalk aquamassage as the cheapest thrill in A.C.

The Pier at Caesars, One Atlantic Ocean, 609-345-3700; starbucks.com

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