Showing posts with label cafe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cafe. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Silverlake's Cafe Tropical
Cafe Tropical
2900 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 661-8391
$3.50 for a medium regular coffee surprised me, but then I discovered that the house coffee at Cafe Tropical was anything but "regular".
I take milk in my coffee (no sugar) and so after turning my head in all directions, and seeing no creamer station, I asked the girl at the counter, "Is there milk?"
"We put milk in our house coffee", she informed me. "Would you like more?"
That explained why the coffee had a tawny layer of crema on it already. And one delicious sip explained the price. I am hooked.
Later I discovered from an online review that Cafe Tropical specializes in Cuban coffee, a creamy blend of espresso and milk. Completely satisfying. Bless cafe tropical for curing our addictions with the legal alternative, coffee.
I have not gotten up the courage to order a pastry yet. Their cookies are the size of a cantaloup and would be a meal in themselves. They have been beckoning me from the pastry case with an
otherworldly glow.
Return weekly. There is often a convivial group of people chatting at the sidewalk tables. There is not much seating inside. The cafe has a San Francisco vibe about it: a casual neighborhood feel. Not upscale, but comfortable.
Thank you, Cafe Tropical, for being a great neighborhood hang-out.
Metro Mary's Cafe Rating Legend: 19
$$
Price: $=least expensive $$$=most expensive
Total available points: 19
Ambiance: 3
Interior: 3
Product: 5
Staff: 4
Parking: 4
2900 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 661-8391
$3.50 for a medium regular coffee surprised me, but then I discovered that the house coffee at Cafe Tropical was anything but "regular".
I take milk in my coffee (no sugar) and so after turning my head in all directions, and seeing no creamer station, I asked the girl at the counter, "Is there milk?"
"We put milk in our house coffee", she informed me. "Would you like more?"
That explained why the coffee had a tawny layer of crema on it already. And one delicious sip explained the price. I am hooked.
Later I discovered from an online review that Cafe Tropical specializes in Cuban coffee, a creamy blend of espresso and milk. Completely satisfying. Bless cafe tropical for curing our addictions with the legal alternative, coffee.
I have not gotten up the courage to order a pastry yet. Their cookies are the size of a cantaloup and would be a meal in themselves. They have been beckoning me from the pastry case with an
otherworldly glow.
Return weekly. There is often a convivial group of people chatting at the sidewalk tables. There is not much seating inside. The cafe has a San Francisco vibe about it: a casual neighborhood feel. Not upscale, but comfortable.
Thank you, Cafe Tropical, for being a great neighborhood hang-out.
Metro Mary's Cafe Rating Legend: 19
$$
Price: $=least expensive $$$=most expensive
Total available points: 19
Ambiance: 3
Interior: 3
Product: 5
Staff: 4
Parking: 4
Friday, November 12, 2010
Art, Literature, and Coffee: Worth the Drive
The Coffee Gallery
2029 Lake Avenue
Altadena, CA 91001
626-398-7917
I don't usually leave my Echo Park radius, but this morning I made an exception and zipped over to The Coffee Gallery in Altadena. (A quick ride from the 2 to 134 which becomes the 210 and then up Lake street.) Why? For the IWOSC Satellite meeting. The Independent Writers of Southern California group offers their informal "satellite" sessions at various locations throughout greater Los Angeles. I chose the Altadena meeting because I simply could not stomach the idea of driving the 10 freeway west during commute hours. Altadena took 20 minutes.
The Coffee Gallery is a cozy space, tucked in the corner of a larger building and benefiting from direct morning sun streaming through a picture window. At night the venue is known for its live performances in its Backstage room. This is also the area where the IWOSC held its meeting.
Clearly plenty of locals frequent the cafe. The single staff person making coffees and ringing customers handled the crowd efficiently. A smile would have been a nice touch, however, I did feel attended to, even while waiting in line. He was not hurried and had a smooth system of taking orders, making coffees, and ringing us up. Kudos for customer service.
I ordered a Double Americano and a muffin, which totaled $5.00 (plus $1.00 tip). I thought that was fair for a complete breakfast. My comment on the coffee is that it was much too dark of a roast. The "burned" taste even surpassed Starbucks' level. For an espresso drink, and all of that concentrated coffee flavor, I would have preferred coffee flavor. Sorry Panache. My oatmeal walnut muffin was delicious and filling. Not homemade...I am curious where the baked goods came from.
All in all, the Coffee Gallery and the IWOSC group were both worthwhile discoveries. Now, if I can get a group started in Echo Park (ie. no driving involved) my dreams will have come true...that is an exaggeration.
This is a bad image! The interior is much cozier than my photograph.
Price: $$
Total Points: 21
Total available points: 25 (5 each)
Ambiance: 4
Interior: 4
Product: 3
Staff: 5
Parking: 5
Price: $=least expensive $$$=most expensive
2029 Lake Avenue
Altadena, CA 91001
626-398-7917
I don't usually leave my Echo Park radius, but this morning I made an exception and zipped over to The Coffee Gallery in Altadena. (A quick ride from the 2 to 134 which becomes the 210 and then up Lake street.) Why? For the IWOSC Satellite meeting. The Independent Writers of Southern California group offers their informal "satellite" sessions at various locations throughout greater Los Angeles. I chose the Altadena meeting because I simply could not stomach the idea of driving the 10 freeway west during commute hours. Altadena took 20 minutes.
The Coffee Gallery is a cozy space, tucked in the corner of a larger building and benefiting from direct morning sun streaming through a picture window. At night the venue is known for its live performances in its Backstage room. This is also the area where the IWOSC held its meeting.
Clearly plenty of locals frequent the cafe. The single staff person making coffees and ringing customers handled the crowd efficiently. A smile would have been a nice touch, however, I did feel attended to, even while waiting in line. He was not hurried and had a smooth system of taking orders, making coffees, and ringing us up. Kudos for customer service.
I ordered a Double Americano and a muffin, which totaled $5.00 (plus $1.00 tip). I thought that was fair for a complete breakfast. My comment on the coffee is that it was much too dark of a roast. The "burned" taste even surpassed Starbucks' level. For an espresso drink, and all of that concentrated coffee flavor, I would have preferred coffee flavor. Sorry Panache. My oatmeal walnut muffin was delicious and filling. Not homemade...I am curious where the baked goods came from.
All in all, the Coffee Gallery and the IWOSC group were both worthwhile discoveries. Now, if I can get a group started in Echo Park (ie. no driving involved) my dreams will have come true...that is an exaggeration.
This is a bad image! The interior is much cozier than my photograph.
Price: $$
Total Points: 21
Total available points: 25 (5 each)
Ambiance: 4
Interior: 4
Product: 3
Staff: 5
Parking: 5
Price: $=least expensive $$$=most expensive
Thursday, November 4, 2010
The Internet is a Drug: FIX Cafe
FIX
A good cup of coffee cures most ills. Friendly and skilled barristas help speed recovery; daily treatment recommended. The only downside is that caffeine is addicting. So is the computer screen. FIX offers exceptional cappuccinos and free wireless internet. I'm doomed and delighted. And I can walk to FIX cafe from home. That means Echo Park. Perched high up on Echo Park Avenue, FIX cafe is clearly for the neighborhood. Most patrons, however, seem to be more attuned to their Facebook friends than the actual people sitting next to them. I breathe a sigh for modern life. The double cappuccino I ordered yesterday was delivered to my table by a smiling barrista who had troubled to decorate the foam. Nice touch! It has been months since I tasted anything so creamy and delicious as that cappuccino. Hat's off! (Factoid: The Italian word cappuccino, means "Little Hat" as in the frothy foamed milk piled high atop the espresso.) Even at $3.50, I felt the quality of my coffee drink merited the price. The double scoop of pumpkin and pistachio ice cream from Rite Aid last week (less than $2.00) comes in a close second to yummy, creamy flavors this month. Fix cafe has a busy, friendly ambiance. With indoor and outdoor seating, it can accommodate dozens of Echo Park denizens as long as they do not each sit at a table for four. The patio gets a bit too hot on a sunny day; by 3:00 there is plenty of shade.
2100 Echo Park Avenue, 90026
(323) 284-8962
Tell them Metro Mary sent you.
Price: $$
Total Points: 19
Total available points: 25 (5 each)
Ambiance: 4
Interior: 3
Product: 5
Staff: 4
Parking: 3
Price: $=least expensive $$$=most expensive
A good cup of coffee cures most ills. Friendly and skilled barristas help speed recovery; daily treatment recommended. The only downside is that caffeine is addicting. So is the computer screen. FIX offers exceptional cappuccinos and free wireless internet. I'm doomed and delighted. And I can walk to FIX cafe from home. That means Echo Park. Perched high up on Echo Park Avenue, FIX cafe is clearly for the neighborhood. Most patrons, however, seem to be more attuned to their Facebook friends than the actual people sitting next to them. I breathe a sigh for modern life. The double cappuccino I ordered yesterday was delivered to my table by a smiling barrista who had troubled to decorate the foam. Nice touch! It has been months since I tasted anything so creamy and delicious as that cappuccino. Hat's off! (Factoid: The Italian word cappuccino, means "Little Hat" as in the frothy foamed milk piled high atop the espresso.) Even at $3.50, I felt the quality of my coffee drink merited the price. The double scoop of pumpkin and pistachio ice cream from Rite Aid last week (less than $2.00) comes in a close second to yummy, creamy flavors this month. Fix cafe has a busy, friendly ambiance. With indoor and outdoor seating, it can accommodate dozens of Echo Park denizens as long as they do not each sit at a table for four. The patio gets a bit too hot on a sunny day; by 3:00 there is plenty of shade.
2100 Echo Park Avenue, 90026
(323) 284-8962
Tell them Metro Mary sent you.
Price: $$
Total Points: 19
Total available points: 25 (5 each)
Ambiance: 4
Interior: 3
Product: 5
Staff: 4
Parking: 3
Price: $=least expensive $$$=most expensive
Tattoos on the Stomach: Homegirl Cafe
An unexpected yet delightful lunch invitation came my way yesterday from RB. I had my tastbuds set for Vietnamese food (originally the plan was to walk down to Blossom, our reliable standard) but he said, "Have you heard of the Homegirl Cafe?"
"Near Chinatown...part of Homeboy Industries?
"Want to go?"
"Yes!"
I recommend that you say the same. I had neutral expectations for the food at Homegirl Cafe, and I was pleasantly surprised by the subtleties of flavors of the taco and torta selections. I ordered Green Chicken Mole as a torta (translated in to Gringo as "sandwich") with serrano peppers, roasted pumpkin seeds and cilantro. RB ordered Martha's Green Salad with julienned jicama, beans, peas, mango, and pumpkin seeds with a citrus dressing. Perhaps the most flavorful item I tried was the spinach mint limeade. I also bought a chocolate-chocolate chip cookie which I cannot comment on yet, since I am hording it for snack later today.
Ambiance: I have to say I felt a bit like a voyeur into gang life. Most of the workers were Latina women. Our charming server was eight months pregnant. Tattoos abound on all the staff. (We later learned on a tour that tattoo removal is one of the key services offered by Homeboy Industries for former gang members.) Walking in, the cafe looked like a cookie cutter Panera Bread or Chipotle-styled layout. Nothing original, but modern enough to lend credibility to the non-profit enterprise. "Who are these people?", I wondered, and tried not to stare. After lunch, our tour guide Brian (super nice, great communicator) explained that the staff in the entire complex is made up of former gang members and ex-cons who want to turn their lives around. He took us through the bakery and said that they are selling breads and salsas to Ralph's and soon at Trader Joe's. (He also said he has never been to a Trader Joe's. Can you imagine? This is another world.)
Eating at Homegirl Cafe is a great adventure. Not only do you have excellent value-priced menu, it also has a thrill-seeking element. Try not to stare, although the staff does not seem to mind. Maybe it's my middle-class white culture POV that made me self-conscious. I'll certainly go back. I want to try more baked goods.
Budget note: Baked goods are buy-one-get-one-free after 2:00pm.
Book note: Buy Tattoos on the Heart by Father Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries.
"Near Chinatown...part of Homeboy Industries?
"Want to go?"
"Yes!"
I recommend that you say the same. I had neutral expectations for the food at Homegirl Cafe, and I was pleasantly surprised by the subtleties of flavors of the taco and torta selections. I ordered Green Chicken Mole as a torta (translated in to Gringo as "sandwich") with serrano peppers, roasted pumpkin seeds and cilantro. RB ordered Martha's Green Salad with julienned jicama, beans, peas, mango, and pumpkin seeds with a citrus dressing. Perhaps the most flavorful item I tried was the spinach mint limeade. I also bought a chocolate-chocolate chip cookie which I cannot comment on yet, since I am hording it for snack later today.
Ambiance: I have to say I felt a bit like a voyeur into gang life. Most of the workers were Latina women. Our charming server was eight months pregnant. Tattoos abound on all the staff. (We later learned on a tour that tattoo removal is one of the key services offered by Homeboy Industries for former gang members.) Walking in, the cafe looked like a cookie cutter Panera Bread or Chipotle-styled layout. Nothing original, but modern enough to lend credibility to the non-profit enterprise. "Who are these people?", I wondered, and tried not to stare. After lunch, our tour guide Brian (super nice, great communicator) explained that the staff in the entire complex is made up of former gang members and ex-cons who want to turn their lives around. He took us through the bakery and said that they are selling breads and salsas to Ralph's and soon at Trader Joe's. (He also said he has never been to a Trader Joe's. Can you imagine? This is another world.)
Eating at Homegirl Cafe is a great adventure. Not only do you have excellent value-priced menu, it also has a thrill-seeking element. Try not to stare, although the staff does not seem to mind. Maybe it's my middle-class white culture POV that made me self-conscious. I'll certainly go back. I want to try more baked goods.
Budget note: Baked goods are buy-one-get-one-free after 2:00pm.
Book note: Buy Tattoos on the Heart by Father Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Cafe Review: Cafecito Organico
Cafecito Organico
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Mon - Fri 6 am to 6 pm
Sat & Sun 7 am to 6 pm
Metro Mary's cafe rating: 22
Price: $$$
You have seen the roasted coffee for sale at local farmer's markets. The charming "lighthouse" coffeeshop in Silverlake Adjacent neighborhood, (a generous geographic description, as it is more accurately located in crossroads of Rampart Village, Historic Filipinotown, and my neighborhood of choice, La Fayette Park) beckons (beacons) coffee lovers from the surrounding residential neighborhood. Plenty of street parking available and an outdoor patio add to its charm. I ordered a medium drip coffee ($2.50) and, although I did not ask for the origin and roast, the flavor was dark. Too dark. A "Starbucks burn out the flavor and obliterate varietal nuance" roast. Friendly staff greeted me. I felt taken care of. I will gladly return and order a cappuccino next payday.
Ambiance: 4
Interior: 4
Product: 4
Staff: 5
Parking: 5
Metro Mary's Cafe Rating Legend:
Price: $=least expensive $$$=most expensive
Total available points: 25
Ambiance: 1-5
Interior: 1-5
Product: 1-5
Staff: 1-5
Parking: 1-5
Next week: L'Artisan Du Chocolat
Christian and Helene added espresso drinks to the menu this year. Another out-of-the-way, only-in-LA treasure. A chocolatier with European and Korean influences...again, optimistically, in "Silverlake".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
