Category Archives: Coffee

Love Letters: To So Cal’s Specialty Coffee Shops ðŸ’Œ

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Love and the smells of freshly ground coffee are in the air in Los Angeles, which inspired me to share more about the list of the Top 11 Southern California coffee shops that I’d posted on Instagram on New Year’s Eve as a 2023 cafe recap. Yes, it was indeed the top 11 because I couldn’t pick just 10, and the list was originally even longer. The So Cal coffee scene is strong, and there are too many amazing local shops to choose from.

Here’s some additional context on why the coffee shops that made my Top 11 List earned their spot among the greats. As the current hardships are severely impacting the local coffee shop scene, please make sure to go show your coffee shops love and support so that they can hopefully still be around for next Valentine’s Day and beyond. Note, the order the cafes are listed below is not a ranking, and they all have unique reasons for taking up space in my heart, and hopefully soon your heart as well.   

Pro Tip: Save this list for your next coffee date.

Modern Coffee Menu printed sign available at GoodPeople on Santa Monica Blvd. Containing the list of coffees that can be served as espresso, flat white, or pour over, including the roaster, region, processing, and flavor notes. Sign held in front of retail shelf containing oat milk, almond milk, and bags of coffee.
Iced Espresso Tonic beverage at GoodPeople on Santa Monica Blvd next to the Don Jaime orange prescription pill bottle filled with pre-dosed coffee beans

West LA: GoodPeople
11609 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
IG: @thegoodpeoplebadhabits (previously @goodpeoplecoffeeco before the hack) 
Why: Modern Espresso Menu. I am a big fan of how they execute the multi-roaster concept with a modern espresso menu where they have a list of coffees from different roasters you can choose from, sometimes including international coffee (right now they have offerings from Australia) and sometimes they even carry my favorite LA roaster, Unity, in their rotation. They let you order any of their espresso-based drinks with your choice of espresso, and they list a short description for each including flavor profiles and the region where the coffee was grown/produced. They’re dog friendly and have a large patio area in the back great for large groups. For food, I always recommend the Brekkie Tiki breakfast tacos, with plantain slow-cooked beef and scrambled eggs on a corn tortilla, topped with cilantro sauce and chipotle aioli. This is the most convenient specialty coffee shop near my apartment, as it’s both the closest and there’s free street parking on both Federal Ave and Ohio Ave. As the name implies, the people who work here are also good people.

Labradoodle dog Olaf wearing sunglasses sitting in front of painted sign on side of building that reads Smoky Hollow Coffee Roasters
Espresso being poured by hand into a cup for a coffee mocktail at Smoky Hollow Coffee Roasters in El Segundo

El Segundo: Smoky Hollow Roasters
118 Sierra St, El Segundo, CA 90245
IG: @smokyhollowroasters
Why: Coffee Mocktails. I recommend trying one of their fun takes on cocktails made with espresso as you ponder the riddle next to the counter. From the trending Espresso Tonic to their Dark & Stormy (espresso muddled in mint, poured into crisp ginger beer) to their Old Fashioned (whiskey cold brew paired with bitters, topped with an orange twist), I enjoy their cocktail-inspired beverages and barrel-aged cold brews. If you want to see roasting in a very low-key and casual setting, this is the spot for you. They have an off-the-beaten-path vibe with comfortable lounge chairs and a variety of tables, with their roastery-meets-cafe located in the industrial section of El Segundo. The South Bay coffee scene is having a moment, and I feel it was starting to grow around the same time that Smoky Hollow became popular. 

Interior marble counter with a barista behind bar wearing an apron and a mask at Ten by Bar Nine in Marina Del Rey
Barista at Ten by Bar Nine pouring two espresso based drinks by hand at the same time simultaneously

MDR: Ten by Bar Nine
4065 Glencoe Ave #100, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
IG: @tenbybarnine + @barninecoffee + @purespro 
Why: Pure Espresso. I recommend you order an express-based beverage so that you can try their incredibly unique pre-batched espresso. Watch closely as the barista prepares your beverage, as you’ll notice they deliver a beautiful representation of espresso without an espresso machine. If you enjoy it, you can purchase a bottle there, and they have a few different profiles to choose from – decaf, Bonbon (chocolatey, balanced), Fruta (fruity), and Flora (floral, light). The Marina needs more awesome places, and Ten by Bar Nine is the hidden gem everyone craved. Ten is the second cafe from the Bar Nine team, and I’ll be keeping a close eye on it as I’ve heard that change is on the horizon here. I always love going to their original Culver City roastery cafe, but if you need coffee in Marina Del Rey, you absolutely must go to Ten.

Meagan McCall and Chris McColl standing in the Little Lunch parking lot in front of their sign, picnic tables, and umbrella with the smiling Labradoodle Olaf
Specialty strawberry beverage and GoodMylk beverage on a table in the Little Lunch indoor seating area in front of a brown leather couch and a brown leather chair

Venice: Little Lunch Coffee + Snacks
50 Brooks Ave, Venice, CA 90291
IG: @littlelunchcoffee 
Why: Free Parking Lot. Finding parking in Venice is often a part of the reason why many LA locals avoid Venice Beach, but Little Lunch makes it easy by having their free parking lot a block from the beach. Beyond the parking, they have fun non-dairy milk alternatives, a large indoor seating area, frequent events, and cute outdoor wooden tables with umbrellas that are perfect for if you bring your pup along as I usually do. Their private-labeled brand of coffee can also be found in the trendy DOG PPL dog park. 

The Scarlett bagel with heirloom tomato, lemon zest, chili flakes and vegan cream cheese on a gluten free bagel, a hot latte, an iced latte, and the Pre-Jam with strawberry, nectarine, cream cheese, and honey on a bagel on a table at Layla Bagels in Santa Monica
Dog trying to get The Scarlett bagel with heirloom tomato, lemon zest, chili flakes and vegan cream cheese on a gluten free bagel from smiling blonde white girl wearing sunglasses sitting outside at Layla Bagels with the long line in the left side of the photo

Santa Monica: Layla Bagels
1614 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
IG: @laylabagels + @unity.coffee
Why: Coffee Meets Bagel. Layla Bagels (commonly mistakenly called Layla’s Bagels) are some of the most unique, delicious bagels I’ve had in Los Angeles, and the best trendy bagels need the best coffee to pair with them. Layla Bagels features micro-lots from my favorite coffee roaster, Unity Sourcing & Roasting, and the coffee is always delicious. Yes, there’s usually a line (especially on weekends) but the staff is efficient and the line moves quickly. My three favorite bagel sandwiches are The Scarlett (heirloom tomato, lemon zest, chili flakes, cream cheese), The Pre-Jam (seasonal fruit, cream cheese, honey), and Sammi’s Egg Sammy *scrambled egg, arugula), but you really can’t go wrong with anything you order. They have both vegan cream cheese schmear and Original Sunshine gluten-free bagels as options if you have any intolerances, such as myself. 

Latte art on top of hot oat latte beverage in a disposable cup inside of Coffee Commissary with three stacked 5-pound bags of coffee on the counter next to the espresso machine in the background, with a view of the patio in the far back blurred out
Hand holding closed disposable cup with a lid and hot pink sleeve outside of the Coffee Commissary sign on Motor Ave

Palms: Coffee Commissary on Motor 
3417 Motor Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034
IG: @coffeecommissary
Why: Productivity + Solid Coffee Program. If you want to be productive while enjoying a delicious cup of coffee from one of LA’s best specialty coffee chains, I strongly recommend visiting the Coffee Commissary on Motor. With an industrial feel, free street parking, pink packaging, skilled baristas, and sustainably sourced coffee, this hip coffee shop is a must-visit if you’re in the area. If you’re not in the area, check out one of their other six locations (Beverly, Burbank, Del Rey, Fairfax, Glendale, Santa Monica) or consider renting out their pink food/coffee truck for your next event. 

Two hands cheersing with two different beverages, the left beverage being an iced vanilla bourbon latte with Ghost Town oat milk, and the right green beverage being an iced matcha latte. Hands in front of the Home of the Vanilla Bourbon Latte sign in the window of Super Domestic Coffee
Smiling blonde white girl holding a vanilla bourbon latte with oat milk in front of the Home of the Vanilla Bourbon Latte sign in the window of Super Domestic Coffee

Downtown Culver City: Super Domestic Coffee x Cyclery 
10054 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
IG: @superdomesticcxc 
Why: Vanilla Bourbon Syrup. Their house-made vanilla bourbon syrup is going to knock your pants off, it’s so smooth, balanced, and scrumptious. It’s easy to understand why they’re known for their vanilla bourbon oat milk latte; you’ll see the sign on the window as you pull up, it’s the best of the flavored specialty drinks I’ve had, and it’s a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth. The coffee shop is bicycle-themed, and while in line you can peruse through their gear, ranging from helmets to cycling gloves. They also have fun plants, relevant competition tip jars, Ghost Town oat milk, and a warm vibe that will make you want this to be one of your regular stops. They don’t have much seating beyond the bench out front, but I recommend taking your coffee on a stroll down Culver Blvd.  

Male hand holding an iced coffee beverage that has a rainbow reflection on the right side of the cup. Hand is in front of a neon pink sign that reads Coffee and Plants on the green plant wall with shelves holding additional plants.
Gold leaf being placed with tweezers on top of a hot 24k charcoal latte in a green cup that reads Coffee and Plants in front of a pink and white retail coffee bag

Pasadena: Coffee and Plants
62 W Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103
IG: @coffeeandplantsla
Why: Vegan & Instagramable. If you’re vegan or lactose intolerant, you’ll appreciate that Coffee & Plants is LA’s first 100% plant-based cafe. If you have an Instagram or you’re trying to be an influencer, you’ll appreciate their floral and plant aesthetics with their interior design, exterior floral facade, courtyard seating under umbrellas, Slayer espresso machine, and edible gold leaf and glittery beverage options, such as their 24k charcoal latte. They earned a spot on this list because, not only are they photogenic, their coffee program is strong and their coffee-based beverages are all delicious. Along with your beverage, you can purchase pastries, retail coffee bags, apparel, and potted plants ranging from succulents and cacti to precious house plants. Pasadena has a strong coffee scene right now, with a variety of coffee roasters populating a small area. 

Hand with white nail polish holding hot coffee cup in front of black and white A-frame that reads COGNO SCENTI COF FEE with a painted owl perched on top. Man wearing beige fedora hat, white t-shirt, and black jeans walking in the background.
Three hands holding hot oat milk lattes in three white cups with black lids in front of a barista wearing a mask and a variety of retail coffee bags on shelves at Cognoscenti Coffee on Washington in Culver City

Culver Arts District: Cognoscenti Coffee, AKA Cog Coffee 
6114 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
IG: @cogcoffee (the @cogculver account hasn’t been active since 2018)
Why: Multi-Roaster Retail. Cognoscenti is a coffee roaster based in Los Angeles, and their Culver City location is unique because on the bar they’re serving their own locally roasted coffee, and yet they also carry a variety of whole-bean coffee retail bags from other specialty roasters. I’ve always been able to find parking at the meters directly out front, they have a small amount of indoor seating, their logo is an owl, and the staff is very attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly.  

Bright blue metal table containing a hot latte in a for-here cobalt blue cup with a cobalt blue saucer, with a heart shape in the latte art. A berry dessert on a plate on the table at Syndicate Coffee + Bakery.
Espresso Tonic in a for-here glass that still has separation and hasn't been stirred. Glass on counter in front of Slayer espresso machine and painted colorful mountain lines.

Sierra Madre: Syndicate Coffee + Bakery
18 W Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre, CA 91024
IG: @syndicatecoffeebakery
Why: Post-hike coffee & pastries. If you’re going to do a morning hike at Eaton Canyon Falls or any of the other local hikes, you need to stop by the quaint town of Sierra Madre before 2pm for a coffee and pastry made in-house. Order a pastry along with any espresso-based drink from their shiny Slayer espresso machine and enjoy the clean air. Seriously, don’t sleep on Sierra Madre.   

Five pink donuts with sprinkles on a hot pink paper on a table in front of two different coffee beverages, an iced espresso tonic on the right and a hot latte in a hot blue cup with a maze on the left. In front of a bright blue shipping container at Play Coffee.
Smiling blonde white girl in black North Face jacket, navy leggings, and black and white Adidas shoes holding apricot-colored labradoodle dog in a light blue knit sweater in front of Play Coffee glass walls. Girl is holding an iced espresso tonic beverage in her hand with the leash draped on her wrist.

Fullerton: Play Coffee 
128 W Commonwealth Ave, Fullerton, CA 92832
IG: @drinkplaycoffee
Why: International Selection + Espresso Tonics. Play opened their first location in 2020, and this is where I first fell in love with my now go-to beverage, the Espresso Tonic. Leon’s top-tier Fullerton coffee shop is bright and beautifully built from bright blue shipping containers with a custom-built water system that makes coffee pop, creating the sweetest drip and squishiest, juicy espresso. Their retail offerings primarily highlight micro-lots and light roasts from around the globe, but the best part is the happy staff, always inviting, always looking for a better dial in or tweak on a sig bev. Play is both fearless and whimsical, and if you’re a specialty coffee lover, this renown spot is a must-visit.

Google Map screenshot with eleven red pin dots markign where the coffee shops are located in Southern California. List on the left side shows the names of six coffee shops, including Coffee Commissary, Lalya Bagels, Little Lunch Coffee + Snacks, Ten by Bar Nine, Smoky Hollow Roasters, and GoodPeople.

Thank you for reading this far! You may have even noticed some guest appearances from my adventurous coffee loving doggo, Olaf (@olaf.the.doodle). We would both love to know as you visit the specialty coffee shops on this list, available via Google Maps here. You can’t go wrong with any of these, and hopefully you can find your new favorite.

Should I make a part two list? Who did I miss? Let me know in the comments!

Why haven’t I gone here before?

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I didn’t know what to expect, which was likely why I’d never stopped to try out the new coffee shop on the block.  Why had no one in my coffee-loving circle suggested this before?  It’s mentioned on Thrillist’s Things to Do in Manhattan Beach and South Bay, but the change in name somehow felt discouraging (it was previously The Fika Company, as noted in Eater’s article from around this time last year, The South Bay’s Newest Coffee Roaster Looks to Make Waves in Redondo).

The Location & Atmosphere:
After a countless number of times driving by, with curiosity arising every passing, when my childhood friend, Jessica, asked if I wanted to grab a coffee at The Boy & The Bear while waiting for our table across the street at Eat At Joe’s, I jumped at the opportunity.  The three of us ordered the pour-over coffee, as this seems to be what they’re known for, if for nothing more than it’s presentation combining art and science: from copper gooseneck kettles to glass beakers.  I asked if the copper from the kettle and filters was selected for any specific reason, such as an effect on the taste, etc., and she noted that they use all copper to be consistent for branding purposes, as the logo of a boy riding a bear is also the same metallic copper.

My respect for The Boy & The Bear only increased when I saw they have their own roaster within the shop, as it really lets you know that they understand the importance of small batch coffee.  The large space felt inviting; there were large groups of people coming for their daily coffee, both for here & to go, yet it never felt loud or too crowded to be uncomfortable.  It’s both a great place to sit with a good book and meet up with friends for casual conversation.  We sat on the wooden benches outside, and because of my luck it started to drizzle.  The large umbrella protected us enough for a while, until it started to pour and we opt’d to go inside; luckily this gave me the opportunity to geek out and further explain the pour-over process to Jess and her beau.

The Coffee:
Jessica and I both chose the Luz Gonzalez specialty Colombian coffee, supporting the female coffee grower of shade-grown coffee plants 1,730 meters above sea level.  They had four different specialty coffees to choose from, and I was attracted to Luz from the tasting note of “Peach like sweetness” from the display board. Although it was a boutique, I felt the coffee was disappointing, weak, and lacking the flavor I was hoping for.  Even though Jessica and I ordered the same coffee, it was made by different baristas, and mine was significantly more bitter and bland.  It was supposed to have a creamy medium body, but it felt and tasted closer to a light roast, possibly due to the lack of attention to the water quantities and temperature.  Unfortunately it didn’t have any of the exciting stone-fruit tasting notes, which I was expecting from seeing “Peach” in the “Notes in Cup” description.  I did enjoy the sugar cane after taste, and it was a pleasant drinking experience, but I would opt for a different variety on my next visit.

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The Process:
The friendly barista preparing my coffee was new and wasn’t sure of the exact water temperature (she said it was somewhere between 180-200 degrees for all pour-over coffees) but she did check the grind size when I asked; it was a 8 on the scale of 1-11.  They use a 1:15 ratio for coffee to water, while the gram quantity of beans differs based on which coffee they’re using.

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Before pouring your coffee in the cup, they first pour water in the ceramic for heating purposes.

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Then they pour your coffee into both the glass beaker and cup for your leisurely enjoyment!

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The Area:
The South Bay of Los Angeles (aka the “Beach Cities”) really need additional coffee shops, as Two Guns Espresso and The Boy & The Bear Specialty Coffee Roastery are not enough to service the coffee-loving community out here!

Réveille Coffee

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Saturday mornings should always start out like this.

Robyne and I ventured to North Beach in San Francisco to get brunch at Park Tavern (which was epic and I highly recommend, especially for the avocado toast). Afterwords we looked on Thrillist’s guide to SF Coffee Shops (Source: https://www.thrillist.com/drink/san-francisco/best-sf-coffee-shops-neighborhood-guide) and saw that Réveille was recommended for North Beach. Since it was pretty close to Park Tavern, we decided to continue our adventure and walk over.

At Réveille Coffee Co., the approach is simple: They offer unparalleled coffee, food, hospitality and service. The staff was extremely friendly and knowledgable, the space was modern, clean and very open, the beverages were high quality, and there was a perfect patio outside with ample seating.

Robyne chose to try their cold brew while I ordered the iced almond milk latte, mostly because I really wanted to try their espresso-based beverages (I also had a shot of straight espresso to really experience the full flavor profiles, without the dilution and distraction from the almond milk). 

While waiting for our beverages we got to talking with the chatty barista Michael who informed us that Réveille only started roasting their coffee a month ago (this is only the 4th time they’ve roasted the Paradise Espresso). They started with a truck, and now have 3 brick & mortar stores and are roasting their beans in the Mission. Prior to roasting their own beans, they were one of Four Barrel’s largest wholesale accounts. Apparently they thought it was going to be a hard switch, but the transition has been going really well for the internal teams. They admit they still have a lot to learn, but their roaster Aaron has put a lot of love into his work and the entire team is embracing it.

The espresso blend was comprised of beans from Guatemala, Colombia, and Brazil, and they’re really excited to hone in the technique of getting the espresso exactly where they want it, which goes back to how coffee is really a perfect blend of art and science. The espresso was full of dark chocolate and traditional espresso on the nose, with tasting notes of vanilla, dark chocolate, and orange peel, with the bitterness of cherry. There was a crisp bite to the espresso, which reminded me of the Monkey Bite espresso from Bird Rock Coffee Roaster in San Diego. They use the Califia Barista Blend of Almond Milk, which really smoothed out the intense flavor of the espresso for a perfect almond milk latte.

Fun Fact: The Réveille website offers step-by-step brewing techniques for your at-home coffee indulgence. My personal favorite is for Chemex: http://www.reveillecoffee.com/chemex  

Website: http://www.reveillecoffee.com/

Address: 200 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
   
   

#throwbackthursday

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Considering October 21, 2015 is now a day in the past, I felt it appropriate that I #throwbackthursday to my first experience visiting a coffee roasting facility back in 2013. (In case you didn’t see the posts on social media serving as a reminder, yesterday was the day that Marty McFly and Doc Brown went to the future to save Marty’s kids in the 1989 film Back to the Future II.) 

Gary, the co-founder of Caffe Luxxe, provided a wonderful tour of their roasting facilities and training area.  While he ground the beans for my latte’s espresso, he walked me through some of the basics, explaining their methodology, history, product line, and barista program. This extremely positive experience has stayed with me and provided the foundation for my interest in quality coffee, in addition to a easy decision when I see menus that say “Serving Caffe Luxxe.”

   
    
   

Simply Presenting Beautiful Coffee

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Bar Nine is tucked away on a side street in Culver City with a nondescript facade, with only the number 9 on a gate making it known you’re in the right place. You enter to see a bar and roasting facilities, and despite being a hipster warehouse, the industrial setting is comfortable and inviting.

The coffee of the day at Bar Nine is Kayu Peaberry from Murang’a, Kenya, with intense bursts of boysenberry and passion fruit, and nuanced sweetness. Seeing as how peaberry is my weakness, being my preferred choice for black coffee, I was thrilled to find it also makes a wonderfully smooth cold brew. When mixed with their hazelnut milk, made in house daily, the cold brew picks up a strong caramel color. The hazelnut milk provides the perfect balancing act, with a hint of nuttiness playing off the sweet fruit flavors of the peaberry.  

Bar Nine’s coffee program is unique in that it only has one coffee available per day, which can be served any way you can think of, ranging from espresso to drip coffee. They have three coffees in rotation on the menu, with each week owning one of these varieties. They roast all of their beans in house (if you don’t believe them simply based off the large area of beans in burlap bags, I can vouch for them; I was there during a roasting session). Post-roasting, they like to let their beans sit/rest for a day and a half before having them hop over to the bar. And as if all of that wasn’t enough reason to make this a must-stop coffee shop, they even let you keep the glass jar!   

  
   

Ladurée – go for the macaroons

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Although the Ladurée at Harrods in London is adorable, I did not love their caffe latte quite as much since it tasted more of soya than espresso, which was so faint you almost couldn’t taste it. It also was too hot for a latte. The macaroons were so delicious that we ordered seconds, which is unusual for me since I hardly ever eat sweets. I strongly recommend their coconut macaroon, which dare I say it was better than the macaroons at Botegga Louie in downtown Los Angeles. The decor of this cafe is similar to that of Bottega, with the white marble floors, high ceilings, glass cases, and macaroon tree displays. The cups are also quite quaint and match with the overall feel of Ladurée, while reminding me of the teacups ride in Fantasy Land at Disneyland. They even had silver jugs for the milk, with small napkins made for the handle to keep you from burning your hands, which was both thoughtful and visual appealing.
   
   

The one and only time I ordered decaf.

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Normally I’m #deathbeforedecaf, but when you’re at the airport, see Klatch Coffee, and remember you need to sleep during the flight.. Exceptions can be made. 
Trust me, it was a semi-difficult decision. I never drink decaf. Never. I usually consider it a waste of money to pay for a coffee or latte without enjoying the benefits of the caffeine. And, as you may be able to gather by my blog’s URL, a large part of why I love coffee is the caffeine. I love Klatch, but I’ve only been able to go once since it’s pretty out of the way (I’ve only been to their location in San Dimas).  
Although my decaf iced soy latte tasted great, it really was not the same experience. However, Klatch was still a much better idea than any of the other food & beverage options in Terminal 7 at LAX. 

 

The Hype: Caffe Vita

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Saturday morning I ventured out and tried a coffee shop in Los Feliz, an area I’d only been to for shows at the Greek Theater, star gazing at the observatory, and hiking in Griffith Park. Now I finally understand the hype around Caffe Vita, the Pacific Northwest chain from Seattle serving house-roasted coffee.

I knew from the moment I walked in the door that this was a good idea; the smell hit me right away, the atmosphere was hipster and relaxed, and their espresso was delicious and worth going to Los Feliz for.  

Note, coffee in the morning is always a good idea, but this place felt especially magical; a coffee lover’s paradise. I ordered a large iced almond milk latte to-go, made with their signature espresso – Caffe Del Sol. This blend is rich and complex, with aromas of dark chocolate, butterscotch and praline, and nut-forward tasting notes complimented by a sweet caramel finish. They first filled the plastic cup with ice, then approximately three quarters of the way with almond milk, topped with the deep, silky amber espresso.
Although their almond milk was from a box, rather than made in house, I still enjoyed the latte. Next time I really want to try their cold brew, which appeared to be the most popular item that morning. They also have a growler program, which is something a cold brew lover (such as myself) needs in her life.

 

Who knew you could get an almond-macadamia-milk latte at G&B in Grand Central Market?

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Epic adventures and spontaneity are perfectly complemented by stumbling upon amazing coffee shops. After hiking Runyon Canyon with the girls on Memorial Day and spontaneously deciding to go to Downtown LA for brunch, we decided to check out the famous Egg Slut in Grand Central Market. We all found something we wanted on the menu, and when we looked around to figure out where to order we spotted what looked like the front of the line, or maybe just people hanging out against a wall. We asked it they were in line, and they comforted us by telling us yes, it’s two hours long, but not to worry because it’s worth it. At first we thought they were joking, but looked around the corner to discover the line snaked through the market. As ‘worth it’ as the food may be, we’d just hiked and needed food (and coffee) ASAP. We decided to come back another day for Egg Slut and instead wander around the market for a more accessible breakfast alternative.

Although many places looked appetizing, Egg Slut was really the only adequate brunch offering. We huddled in the back of the market, amongst the tables, while Yelping to find our next destination. Curiosity got the best of me, as I had a strong feeling something worth seeing was on the other side of one of the random walls nearby. I convinced the girls to follow me and check it out, and it turned out to be a coffee shop!!

You can only imagine my excitement. I hastily made my way to the crowded counter to order my first latte of the morning, ready to experience this stumbled upon coffee shop, G&B.

I ordered an almond milk latte, only to learn their almond milk is 75% almond and 25% macadamia nut, with a little bit of dates for sweetness. I enjoyed their natural version of a sugar alternative, which added a subtle hint of sweetness. The macadamia is what really made this beverage noteworthy, as it set this latte above most in a uniquely tropical way.

The single origin espresso used was a Guatemalan called Poaquil from Forty Ninth Parallel Roasters, and it was sweet with a dried fruit aroma and tasting notes of dark stone fruit. Another interesting feature of G&B was their decision to feature multiple roasters in one space, rather than aligning with one brand.

As they’d peaked my interest, I asked one of the baristas what the G&B stood for. When I seemed surprised by his answer (Gnarly & Bad), he teased that I obviously haven’t spent enough time in Venice. It turns out that G&B actually stands for Glanville & Babinski, the founders on a mission to introduce people to the great coffees of the World. They sample from roasters all over the world and select a small percent for their coffee bar, guided solely by flavor. They made CBS’s list of Best Coffee Shops in LA, and now they’ve made my favorites list as well.

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Coffee & Tea Collective: Second location alert!

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As you may or may not know, I’m a sucker for Peaberry coffees. Once I saw the Guatemala Antigua Peaberry on the Coffee & Tea Collective menu, I knew I had no choice but to order it. The barista informed me that this was one of their more chocolatey and nutty coffees, with an apple-like acidity sensation as you sip it and let it settle on your palate. I tasted notes of orange and dark chocolate, and although strong, the Guatemala Antigua hardly had any bitterness to it, even served black.

Brewed manually single cup through a V6 Drip Cone, the brewing techniques and styles at Coffee & Tea Collective are all very visual; aesthetically and aromatically pleasing. He wets the filter first for preheating and cleansing purposes, and superstitiously thinks it makes it tastes better that way. Since my coffee was made later in the afternoon, they used their lower-traffic hot-coffee method. Although this method took slightly longer, it’s perfect for anyone who has time to enjoy a cup and isn’t in a situation where they need a grab and go.

Second location alert! This East Village/Downtown spot is the second Coffee & Tea Collective in San Diego, which has only been open about a month and a half (since mid-February 2015). The space highlights the brewing methods, with easy viewing of how each beverage is prepared and served individually.

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