Interesting that puzzlers have been given an extra week to solve this very much harder December puzzle .... so, no need for any urgency over answers yet?
I think though,as brilliant the reference to SUZANNE VEGA LYRICS "Tom's Diner" I am sitting In the morning At the diner On the corner I am waiting At the counter For the man To pour the coffee ...
The connection that Didymus had in mind is Coffeehouses ... possibly, Didymus has recently read a book lying on his coffee table entitled A History of London Coffee Houses:
In 1695, James Salter (fashioned himself 'Don Saltero'), opened a coffeehouse in Chelsea. The chief atttraction of the coffeehouse, from Salter's point of view, was the array of natural detritus and colonial souvenirs displayed on the walls and ceilings.
1706 - Thomas Twining opens Tom's Coffee house, later re-named Golden Lyon which became famous for selling loose leaf tea
Daniel Button owned Button's Coffee House, situated in Russell Street, Covent Garden. This coffee house had many literary customers and in particular Richard Steele who used it as an office for the Guardian which he began to publish in 1713.
And Yes ... I have finished it too..... entirely through Googling and the worldwideweb. It is possible to do - but, painful!!