Ready for some good food, coffee, and maybe live music after hitting the surf in Ventura? Check out Zoey’s Cafe and Coffee Loft. The casual, artistic vibe evokes the proximity of the ocean.

“I like the atmosphere. It feels like Europe,” said Megan Dunn, 22, server at Zoey’s.

Dunn, who has worked at Zoey’s for three months, said, “It’s great to get paid to spend time at a place where there is live music every night, and where the atmosphere is so pleasant, the people who work there often don’t leave when they are done working.

Zoey’s Cafe at 451 E. Main St. in Ventura is the perfect place for students to grab some coffee, a bite to eat, catch some music or to just relax and do homework. Only a 10-minute drive separates those at Ventura College from Zoey’s. Oxnard and Moorpark campuses are a bit farther, but it is worthwhile to drop by and check out something a little different.

The whole complex has a folksy atmosphere. Out on the street, the entrance looks like a bistro. There is a short walkway off the street. Once you get to Zoey’s it’s completely separated from the street and truly has an old world feel. The walkway goes up a few steps as you pass by a couple shops that are shared in the complex. Zoey’s Cafe is in the back, on the right. Straight to the back from the street is an art gallery. Between the art gallery and the Cafe is a staircase leading to the Coffee Loft that is also part of Zoey’s, and sits directly above the art gallery. The Loft contains a bar, a music stage, and a patio overlooking the walkway leading up to Zoey’s.

This is not a building built in the age of mini-malls. If anything it seems closer in age to the nearby Ventura Mission. It seems like everyone knows each other really well. Right below the coffee house is an art gallery. The cafe below the coffee house prepares food for customers upstairs and downstairs. Upstairs there is a bar with several varieties of beers and wines. There is live music almost every day.

The Coffee Loft upstairs is a fresh alternative to Starbucks for those of you sick of staring at the green mermaid. The atmosphere is so comfortable that after sitting with one of their sweet hot mochas and using their free wireless internet service to do homework, you may not want to get up. Internet service at Starbucks costs around six dollars an hour.

The hot Mocha, especially, has a very smooth texture with the cream perfectly floating at the top of the drink and in the perfect amounts. Not overly rich or sweet, but quite satisfying.

As far as food goes Zoey’s had has some very unusual choices. All are made from very healthy mediums. They specialize in sandwiches and wraps which are never dressed with standard condiments. Instead of mayonaise, they use pesto. Instead of mustard there is a spread made from kalamata olives. Bread is often substituted with pitas. None of this is a rule. The dishes are unique and usually tasty.

For vegetarians who have come to accept that their taste-buds are condemned to perpetual boredom, Zoey’s has a surprise in store. Their gourmet vegetarian pita makes it evident that a meatless sandwich can taste better than a sandwich with meat. Consisting of mushrooms, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, fresh basil, roasted red peppers, pesto and provolone cheese all wrapped in a toasted pita, this dish tastes so good, it is almost a shame that meat eaters usually pass it up. Perhaps you aren’t vegetarian but just want a good place to eat that offers coffee that is better than your run of the mill corporate java, wireless internet to surf the net, and a very chill environment to just kick back and relax in.

After 6 p.m, around when the music starts, the menu expands to include various BBQ cooked pizzas. The Apollo pizza consists of chicken breast, roma tomatoes, basil, pesto and mozzarella. There is also a Greek pizza made with Roma tomatoes, kalamata olives, red onions, feta cheese, and rosemary.

Music at Zoey’s ranges from classic rock to country with quite a bit of jazz and blues in between. There are music guests every night. On Wednesday night they have songwriters showcase which has no cover charge and is basically an open mic night.

Dunn likes Wednesdays, “The live music is great. And on Wednesdays I can get up there and play my guitar.”

On the night of Nov. 17, Brendan Constantine and Elizabeth Iannaci will share their poetry at the coffe house in a special event supported by Poets & Writers, Inc..

Zoey’s can get quite busy at times, especially in the evenings. Call ahead for reservations at (805) 652-0091 or visit www.zoeyscafe.com for more information.