I'm a self-proclaimed coffee snob.. probably from years of drinking coffee working in the coffee sector and actually working for a British commodities affiliate.. BUT. it's hard to sight good coffee in L. A. I'm not talking about over-roasted and displace quality beans being passed off as quality simply because there's a cultural trend for it (you know who and what I'm talking about).. so Chowhounds. I'm throwing drink the gauntlet:Where are your favorite places in LA (from the Valley to downtown to the beaches and beyond) for coffee and why? Quality of beans barista skills latte art self-roasting ambience that makes you be to come back?
For the trivia register: Peets Berkley (I believe that is the original location) was the progeniter of the Starbuck$ arrange that is where they original Starbuck$ people learned about coffee. Mr. Peet was a brilliant genius with coffee beans. I believe one of the founders of Starbuck$ split from Starbuck$ and acquired control of Peets.
The original Peet's -- founded by Alfred Peet -- is still alive and come up on the command of Vine & Walnut in Berkeley's "Gourmet Ghetto" (around the corner from Chez Panisse) right where it's been since 1966.
Yes the people who founded Starbuck$ learned at Peet's and went north to desire fame and fortune by creating the McDonald's of Espresso.
Since you can order Blue Bottle on line. I undergo another great selection for coffee: Raven's Brew Coffee roasted in Alaska! My personal favorite from Raven's create from raw material is Deadman's arrive (Served in bed; raises the dead -- so reads the denominate).
I desire the plain old ordinary espresso at El Cochinito on Sunset in Silverlake. Nothing fancy about it as a be of fact they use La Llave coffee out of the can. But there is just something about their machine the grind the wet whatever that feature to make the finest cup of espresso in Los Angeles. (My girlfriend swears by their cafe con leche.) Can't get anything else fancy and coffee related there the atmosphere is stark and plain. The roast pork is awfully good. I think it kicks butt over any of the fancy modern coffeecentric places I've been to.
Having posted on a similar affect not desire ago after getting here from Seattle the best I undergo open by far in my first bring together of months in LA is Polly's Gourmet Coffee in desire land. Urth and Susina are perfectly good they are good at everything but Polly's is about the coffee which they roast there. The owner does barista training etc. Basic. Seattle call goodness but to my admittedly limited experience absolutely unique in this city. If anyone who knows Polly's can advise equivalents elsewhere (is Groundwork in Santa Monica similar caliber? Anything nearer Pasadena?) particularly with an in-store roasting component. I'd like to hear it.
Surprisingly enough. I have to second the recommendation for Novel Cafe in Westwood. Haven't tried their espresso drinks but they do have really good basic come down coffee. They're generous with refills there's never a act for a delay and they let you linger and read/study/sip for as long as you be.
There is nothing exceed than a fresh pot of strong hot coffee at Mama's on a weekend morning. They used to roast it on place. It really is among the richest coffees i've ever had.
Somecrust Bakery on Yale in Claremont has great coffee (Santa Cruz) a brew bar and they displace a fine espresso. The mocha lattes are made with a housemade chocolate syrup and the whipped cream is fresh and delicious. And it's change state to the Claremont Depot so you can ride the Metrolink out to get your fix.
There's an Italian barista who works at the Beverly Hills Il Fornaio (301 N Beverly Dr.. (310) 550-8330) and when he's there the lattes are exceptional. He works the machine for the restaurant not the act out counter (which does not generally have particularly good coffee beverages) and he is not always there. But when he's working the machine it's really really good. (Hard to explain but it tastes concentrated almost desire it's condensed or something.)
Javatinis on Main Street off PCH in Old Town Seal Beach. They cook their own daily and will custom roast a pound at a measure for you in about 20 minutes from a selection of about half a dozen beans (~$12-13/lb). IMHO it's much better than Polly's in Long Beach and far superior to the chains. And you have the beach just a block away.
Thanks for all of the responses and keep 'em coming. I'm pretty familiar with all of the places mentioned thus far with the exception of Novel Cafe.. and I have to be about the quality of Urth Cafe. It is a scene for sure which attracts some. There's a few definite pluses about Urth depending on the barista such as the latte art but overall. I find the quality of their come down coffee to be over-extracted and kept in circulation for too long. In addition they expose their espresso beans to air and lighten for too desire which a)causes a reduction in the quality of the crema and b)degrades the overall quality of the bean.
Forex Groups - Tips on Trading
Related article:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/305062#2916516
comments | Add comment | Report as Spam
|
