I sat at a table in the back corner with my friend, steaming mochas in both of our hands. We were both engaged in a lively conversation about the evening’s performance of Rent we had just witnessed, and kept bursting out in little snippets of song. This didn’t seem to bother the people around us, also having lively conversations about politics, music and art. Both of us were too wired to go home right after the show so we decided to stop at Gelato Vero in Mission Hills for a coffee and gelato before we both headed in separate directions. What was supposed to be a quick coffee break turned into a two-hour event. Gelato Vero has that effect on people. Once you are inside its walls, you don’t really want to go home. The place was buzzing when we got there. The small downstairs was packed with people waiting in line for some of its locally famous gelato. Gelato is Italian ice cream that is extra creamy because no air has been whipped into it. My friend and I both opted for chocolate, took our purchases and went upstairs to savor it. The upstairs has a tree house-like quality to it. Strewn with chairs and tables, it doubles as a performance space on some nights. Local bands have an opportunity to show their stuff and rock so hard that the entire structure shakes. The upstairs looks over Interstate 5 (what a beautiful view it is) and also has Internet access for those who like to take their work out of conventional settings. My parents often joke around with me and say that I spend all my savings on coffee. It’s true. I am always looking for a new coffee shop to hole up in. Call me a big, fat dork but I feel like I am among friends when I enter the room. People everywhere are talking, drinking, reading magazines or the latest David Sedaris’ novel – and most importantly – interacting with one another. As far as savings are concerned, I’m not too worried. You can’t beat the prices at Gelato Vero. Gelato is 59 cents an ounce and coffee varies depending on your preferences, most of it’s cheaper than a Starbucks cup of joe. You can also get gelato milk shakes, Italian sodas and root beer floats for reasonable prices. For breakfast patrons, the cafe offers a plethora of muffins, bagels and giant squares of coffee cake. Gelato Vero opens 6 a.m. every day except Sunday, when it opens 7 a.m. It’s open until midnight every night and until one o’clock in the morning on Fridays and Saturdays, making it the perfect place to start your day or end your night on the town. Gelato Vero is located at 3753 India St. in Mission Hills. – Maggie Grainger is a journalism junior and senior staff writer for The Daily Aztec. – This column does not necessarily reflect the views of The Daily Aztec.