The cafe is located in front of a daycare center, nestled deep within an alley in Hwayang-dong, across from Konkuk University Station. The first floor is a garage, and the second floor is the cafe. As the name suggests, it is literally 'the second floor above the garage.' If the garage shutter is down, it's quite difficult to spot. It doesn't seem to be a case of deliberate mystique; you'd understand once you meet the owner. It's simply the nature of its original location.
Upon entering the cafe, a bar table immediately comes into view, and you're greeted by the owner's bright expression and gestures. To the right, through a large window, you can see the daycare center. In front of the daycare center are two lush trees, with a low white fence between them. It’s not a grand vista, but it’s quaintly beautiful, much like children.
A roaster is situated between the bar table and the window. If you sit at the spot by the large window, you can fully appreciate the modest alley view. Vegan cookies are also available at the bar table.
The owner's apron is thick. He looks somewhat like a workshop craftsman, or perhaps even a daycare teacher. He is always cheerful and full of energy, making conversations enjoyable.
I ordered a Guatemala iced drip, recommended by the owner. The glass and the coffee equipment on the bar table harmonized well. The weighty white grinder, transparent dripper, white kettle, and the kitchen and owner forming the background somehow brought a sense of peace to my mind.
The Guatemala single-origin coffee dissolved into my mouth with an unassuming aroma and flavor. It had a refined and dignified taste. The owner mentioned that the degassing was done very well. Degassing refers to the process of releasing gas after roasting beans, and good degassing is said to highlight the characteristics of the beans.
One more thing: the straws used at the cafe are aluminum, not disposable. While it's great for the customer, I worried about how they would clean them, so I asked. Despite the inconvenience, they boil them. This detail clearly reflects the owner's consideration for the environment.
Second On The Floor Garage in Hwayang-dong is a charming, eco-friendly coffee shop that brings a sense of peace to the heart.