State of the Bean - LA
When this blog began I was in desperate need of a good coffee shop. There was nothing good to be found in the giant sneeze of a city, and definitely nothing on the east side where I live and hang.
Well not long after I started this thing outta frustration on both my part and those around me who got sick of hearing me bitch, the coffee scene changed abruptly. First we got Jeff Johnsen's Choke @ Virgil & Normal. Shortly after Kyle and the Intelli crew dropped on the scene and changed Sunset Junction completely. After that came LA Mill on Silverlake Blvd. I have heard through the grapevine about others soon to follow and even some restaurants stepping up their coffee game (about fucking time).
So where does that leave the demanding coffee lover? Well if you live in or near Silverlake, things are pretty good right now. 3 solid choices in a short distance, all with their charms and downfalls. Each catering to a different socioeconomic Angelino. Intelli gets my business most often because they are convenient, consistent and the crew of people I know there are friendly. Choke is my "variety stop" now that Jules (former Intelli superheroine) is running the game. If you read this blog you might remember that she was the first person I met at the Intelli open night shindig. Jules knows and loves coffee, in a very organic and not overly-academic way. As a result she is bringing some different beans and mixing things up a bit.
Now to be honest, I am not that into LA Mill. I keep going back and will continue to especially now that I going to be living right down the street. I wanna be won over by this place, even if it is just for variety in bean and presentation. However, when I go there I have the same sensation every time. Let me explain...
On my street growing up there was this kid who could never come out and play with us when we needed another to make teams even. Why? Because his mom had him polishing furniture and helping her position something again, cuz it wasn't right the first 10 times! The few times I actually went in to his house, it was like a museum of death. Cold, sterile and lifeless.
Anyways, the place ain't winning any charm awards. The cannelle are good and I hear the food is good. I don't wanna be in there long enough to find out. But as they say, that is why not everybody drives a Ford. Choices!
Next Phase? Well of course more spots to open and each to offer their own researched espresso and coffee. I do not want a town full of Black Cat. Even when I stop in Intelli lately, I have been drinking the single origin espresso they are offering right now. Good stuff!
There are a lot of different types of folks in this town and the east side at it's best is ethnically and financially diverse. So should the eating and drinking options for it's inhabitants. For every Cliff's Edge or Stella there is Joseph's Best Fish Taco's in Ensenada. For every Rustic Inn there is a Tantra or 4100 bar.
Keep it diverse and keep the new joints coming. Change is good people and in a city with this much money and in-flux of new consumers, we can handle the turnover.
Next!
