Rose Park Roasters | Long Beach, CA

There are a lot of things to love about the third-wave coffee movement. For one, it upended the way many people thought about their favorite morning ritual, from considering where those magic beans come from to how best to give them a hot bath. After my own third-wave inspired coffee epiphany, I packed up my Mr. Coffee in favor of methods like pour-over and french press, which offered not just a more flavorful brew, but a chance to slow down and enjoy the process each morning. This eventually led to brazen experimentation, mixing and matching brewing equipment in attempts to overcome the little issues I was facing. I wondered, can I brew two cups at once? If so, how do I keep the second cup warm? And is there a surefire way to keep coffee grounds out of my cup? My Bill Nye-worthy exploration was exciting, but at the same time panic-inducing - what would those third-wave coffee pioneers think if they saw all this brewing blasphemy? It was my own private shame - I was silently breaking all the rules, brazenly ignoring their advice, and brewing my coffee how I wanted to. I kept it to myself, worried that I'd be found out, like a thirteen-year-old desperate to keep her love of Star Trek a secret from her cool friends (oh, is that not everyone's experience?). Then one day, I stumbled upon the liberating Rose Park Roasters manifesto:

"We believe that the ideal cup of coffee is brewed at home- inexact science, improvised brewing equipment, lack of formal barista training, and less than ideal water composition can not diminish the quintessential coffee experience of daily ritual."

So you're saying... I'm not doing it wrong? I can do whatever I want in my own kitchen, and it's nobody's damn business? All right. I liked the way these Rose Park people think. So naturally, a trip to their Long Beach café was soon in order. 

Goodies to take home at Rose Park Roasters, Long Beach, CA

Blueberry Donut and Cappuccino atRose Park Roasters, Long Beach, CA

Interestingly, a café was not originally in the plan for Rose Park Roasters founders Andrew Phillips and Nathan Tourtellotte. Instead, they'd envisioned their business as a coffee roasting operation that would supply expertly roasted, ethically sourced coffee beans to coffee shops and consumers throughout Long Beach, delivered via bicycle. But while the free local bicycle delivery option still exists, the scope of the project changed over time - and when the opportunity to open a coffee bar came about in 2014, Phillips and Tourtellotte seized it. 

Pastries at Rose Park Roasters, Long Beach, CA

The concept of a specialty coffee shop is rather new for Long Beach, a city that despite its rich background in coffee (it was once the home to the Specialty Coffee Association of America and the US Coffee Championships), lagged behind in adopting the trend. It wasn't until very recently that shops like Rose Park started to appear, but a culture has already grown around them and it's already spreading quickly.

Beans to take home atRose Park Roasters, Long Beach, CA

The shop itself is open and airy, with a beautifully designed minimalist aesthetic. On a grey wall on one side of the shop, huge letters pronounce, "welcome to the process," while original hand-painted Spanish tiles offer a sense of time and place (this is Southern California, after all) and some mid-century furniture adds modern detail.  It all combines into an elegant balance of old-meets-new that feels like a breath of fresh air in a town like Long Beach. When we visited on a Saturday afternoon, the shop was filled with customers quietly working, some on laptops, others on paper, all contributing to a calm, tranquil vibe. 

Tasty Treats at Rose Park Roasters, Long Beach, CA

Blueberry Donut, Iced Tea, Cappuccino atRose Park Roasters, Long Beach, CA

We sampled a cappuccino, an iced herbal tea, and a blueberry cake donut (because sometimes, we really can't resist a sweet treat). The tea was light and refreshing, perfect for a sunny summer afternoon, and the donut was light and flavorful, delightfully sweet with bright fruit flavor. 

Blueberry Donut at Rose Park Roasters, Long Beach, CA

Cappuccino atRose Park Roasters, Long Beach, CA

As far as cappuccinos go (I mean, I'm fairly sure I can be considered an expert now), this one held its own. The latte art was delicate, and the layer of foam on top was thin and velvety. Upon first sip, the espresso's bitterness was robust and prominent, reminiscent of toasted walnuts. As the flavor settled a bit, the subtleties shone through - bright hits of lemon, sweet toasted meringue, a bit of warm hazelnut. It was a delicious, well-made cup of coffee with really good milk, served at the perfect temperature. All in all, a winner. 

Cappuccino at Rose Park Roasters, Long Beach, CA

For a company that believes that the best cups of coffee are brewed at home, the gang at Rose Park Roasters sure know how to provide a wonderful coffee bar experience, and a cappuccino that is leagues better than what I could make myself. But perhaps the lesson is that there should be room in life for both - some days require a beautiful, expertly-crafted cup of coffee, while others call for a make-a-mess-in-the-kitchen, experimental brew. Coffee is a ritual that can be both personal and communal, and that's a wonderful thing. 

Rose Park Roasters, Long Beach, CA

Rose Park Roasters Coffee Bar
3044 E 4th Street
Long Beach, CA 90814

The Great Los Angeles Cappuccino Project | We're Halfway Through!

If you've been following Brunchographers for a while, you'll recall that back in October, I embarked on an ambitious journey to sample a cappuccino at all the best coffee shops here in Los Angeles. The project was designed to push me out of my coffee-comfort zone, to help me learn more about espresso and the people who make it, and to allow me to explore my city through one of my favorite rituals. In an effort to enjoy every excursion and every cappuccino to its fullest, I've taken it slow, and now I'm about halfway through the list of coffee shops that are considered the "best" in Los Angeles. 

So, what have I learned so far?

For one thing, I learned that coffee tasting is subjective. By taking my time and savoring each cup, I feel like I've been able to identify distinct flavor differences between varieties (as best I can with an untrained palate, anyway), and I've begun to narrow in on what specifically tastes great to me. At the same time, it has become clear that what tastes great to me won't always taste great to others - sometimes, when having coffee with a friend, we will pick up on completely different characteristics when tasting the same variety of espresso. They may love it, and I may not. And that's ok. 

Similarly, I've found that describing a coffee's characteristics can be challenging and often hilarious - how are you supposed put a qualifier on a flavor when you've never experienced anything quite like it before? A lot of times, I feel like a wine tasting novice, ignorantly repeating phrases I've heard in movies ("just look at the legs on this one!"). But, since some people claim that wine tasting is completely subjective and that no sommelier's palate is any more valid than your own, I've tried to embrace the silliness I feel and have fun with it. When stumped, I've found Counter Culture's coffee tasting wheel to be a valuable resource, especially when I'm having trouble conjuring adjectives. 

A barista at Caffe Vita, Silver Lake, Los Angeles, CA

And most importantly, I've learned that talking to the barista will make your experience infinitely better. At establishments that take their coffee very seriously (and the vast majority of these spots do), the baristas are going to be bona fide coffee lovers. They live and breathe coffee, and they've made it their life's purpose to make your morning cup as good as it can be. They understand the complexities of each variety, what makes it good and unique, and how to prepare it in the best way possible. They're wildly passionate about this stuff, and as much as you think you're a coffee lover, they love it even more. So of course they want to geek out about it with you! Ask them about their craft, tell them what you liked about your drink, and thank them for their hard work. They'll probably share some really interesting information with you, and if you're lucky, they'll let you taste something else they're working on. Oh, and one more thing I learned about baristas: they don't all have beards. In fact very few have beards. Apparently that's a vicious stereotype. 

For those curious, below is a quick rundown of where I've been so far, with some notes on each one. 

Thanks for coming along with me for this ride! I'm looking forward to sharing more absurd coffee descriptions and plenty of heart-shaped latte art with you in the future. 

Menotti's Coffee Stop | Venice, CA

I've been saving Menotti's. Since the beginning of the Great Cappuccino Project, it's been there, waving at me from the fancy Google Map I made, just begging me to visit. But I've held off until now - mostly because this is the place that, coming into this project, I had the strongest feelings about. I really like Menotti's. And I'm happy to declare, that even after tasting over 25 of the best cappuccinos in the city, I still really like Menotti's. 

Menotti's is the only coffee shop on the list that can be considered ocean-view (after the Two Guns location on the Manhattan Beach Pier sadly closed), but there is so much happening at this location that the Pacific is the last thing you'll notice. It's located on the stretch of Windward Ave. that famously doubled as Mexico in Orson Welles' incredible three-minute-long opening shot in Touch of Evil - a street that most tourists remember for its famous V-E-N-I-C-E sign. In my mind, this is the epicenter of what out-of-towners consider Venice to be. It hits all the postcard-perfect marks: there are skateboarders weaving in and out of foot traffic, vibrant murals covering the walls of nearly every building, trails of questionable smoke emanating from circles of colorfully dressed backpackers and old-school hippies, and musicians fearlessly hawking their latest work to passersby. And sitting calmly amongst the chaos is Menotti's, a bright little coffee haven full of neighbors and friends. 

Named for the building's former owner, who ran a grocery store with a secret liquor operation underneath during the Great Depression, Menotti's aesthetic pays tribute to the historic building it calls home. A restored honeycomb tiled floor lies underfoot, copper ceiling tiles line the front of the coffee bar, and retro-styled lamps hang overhead. The shop has actually doubled in size since my last visit - upon their two-year anniversary in 2015, the space next door was opened up to allow for additional seating. It's still quite small, but the bright white walls and large windows help to give the space an open, airy feel.

Though he wasn't present at my recent visit, Christopher "Nicely" Abel Alameda is the head barista here - upon opening the shop, owners Louie and Annette Ryan tapped Nicely to run the show, who came to the project armed with years of experience working for Intelligentsia and Handsome Coffee. It's clear that Nicely's love of the craft and affable demeanor is shared by the rest of the team, who welcome customers with the kind of broad smile you'd give an old friend. They're passionate about making coffee, and want to talk to you about it. In fact, drink customization is encouraged here, as a chalkboard behind the bar states: "don't see what you're looking for? Let's talk about it!" 

While Menotti's famously offers a "secret menu," I most often stick with their simple, perfect cappuccino. The delicious Four Barrel espresso shines brilliantly amidst the decadently creamy milk, offering a cocoa-like bitterness that is reminiscent of really good dark chocolate. There's also a hint of a toasted flavor, like a charred marshmallow, that recalls fond memories of s'mores past. And of course, it's topped off with some beautifully articulated latte art.  

While parking here can be a challenge (pro tip: there are some one-hour metered spots a block away in front of Bank of America that are usually open), and you'll undoubtedly have to elbow your way through crowds of international backpacking college students before you find the place, Menotti's is a stop worth making. I'm already planning my next visit, when I'll order up something fun and new (and probably one of those enormous cookies from the pastry chef at Hatchet Hall), and relax the day away, Venice-style. 

Menotti's
56 Windward Ave
Venice, CA 90291

Caffe Vita | Silver Lake, CA

Along the invisible line that joins Los Feliz with Silver Lake, there's a somewhat chaotic five-street intersection. Most days, the Southern California sun beats down hard on you here; there aren't many trees to offer shade, and the wide sidewalks and streets mercilessly bounce that heat right back into your face. Luckily, the intersection's many corners can offer some respite - it is Silver Lake after all (or is it Los Feliz?), a part of town where there is culture abound. On one side, there's Crossroads Trading Co. for the vintage lovers. On another, the historic Vista Theater for the cinema lovers. And sandwiched in between is Caffe Vita, a haven for coffee lovers.

Caffe Vita is something of an institution in the coffee world, having been at the cutting edge of the third-wave coffee movement when they began roasting sustainable, fair-trade coffees in Seattle in 1995. Since then, the brand has slowly expanded with stores throughout the Pacific Northwest and New York City. In 2013, Caffe Vita opened up its first shop in Los Angeles, offering up a taste of home to displaced Seattle natives and proving itself a worthy contender among Southern California's exploding coffee scene.  

Even those not aware of the brand's legacy can immediately sense its presence - its carefully curated vintage-cirque-meets-rock-and-roll aesthetic is visible at first glance, with a gleaming gold art deco sun above the door and a mural depicting a slightly terrifying circus monkey offering a latte and "real service." Inside, the café is cavernous, with soaring high ceilings and stairs leading up to a second-story loft seating space. There's plenty of visual stimulus to enjoy in here, especially the huge Japanese-style slow drippers both on display and in action behind the bar. That subversive, cool-kid aesthetic is everywhere you look, and it's clear that this space was designed thoughtfully from the outset. It's beautiful and appealing, but in a way, it's a little bit too consistent that it leans toward calculated. It's missing an organic quality that you could probably find at the brand's original location in Seattle. 

The massive space offers plenty of seating, so that even on a weekend, you'll be able to snag a table. The mood is fairly quiet and relaxed, with most of the upstairs seating occupied by people working away on their laptops, and those holding conversations keeping them low - maybe out of respect, or maybe so they can still hear the quiet, relaxing music that's being played. Behind the bar, the baristas are friendly and welcoming, and a glass case full of pastries sings its siren call. The menu is short and sweet, and offers a few different brewing methods to choose from. But, the cold brew from that steampunk-esque contraption behind the counter will have to wait, because I came for a cappuccino. 

Served in a simple but elegant branded cup and decorated with intricate foam art, this cappuccino proved what all the fuss was about in Seattle. It was good. The espresso was robust, with a warm, toasted honey sort of flavor that reminded me of the caramelized edge of a golden brown olive oil cake. There was also a very subtle floral component, which created a compelling balance when experienced with the bold, bitter flavors at the beginning of the sip. As expected, the milk was perfectly steamed and velvety-smooth. Truthfully, this was one of my favorite cappuccinos yet. 

Even from as far away as Seattle, Caffe Vita was undoubtedly a strong influence on Los Angeles' coffee culture through its trailblazing efforts in sustainability and connecting with community. It must have been daunting to set up shop in a city that while strongly influenced by their efforts, has exploded into a different animal, all its own. With only one location that also happens to be steps away from some of the best coffee shops that are native to L.A., it's difficult to tell how much of a stamp Caffe Vita has made on the city at this point - but if they keep pouring coffee that's this good, it stands to reason that the Caffe Vita name will one day be as synonymous with L.A. as it is with Seattle. 

Caffe Vita
4459 W Sunset Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 90027

The Conservatory for Coffee, Tea, and Cocoa | Culver City, CA

Believe it or not, I am less than halfway through my list of the 55 best coffee shops in Los Angeles. Even so, over these past few months I have met so many interesting and passionate people, explored areas of my city that I'd never seen before, and have learned so much about the hard work and artistry that goes into the cappuccinos I've enjoyed. And for the record, I have enjoyed each and every one. One unexpected perk of this process, however, has been reconnecting with people and places that I have loved, but haven't visited in a while - like this old favorite of mine, The Conservatory. 

Technically, it's called The Conservatory for Coffee, Tea, and Cocoa, but those of us in the know call it simply, The Conservatory. And there are a lot of people in the know here - almost every customer in line on my recent visit was a regular, and the staff had their orders memorized. It's no surprise that this family-run operation has amassed so many fiercely loyal customers; their house-roasted coffees and wide variety of teas have been setting the standard of excellence in their area for over 20 years. As it's situated just steps away from the Sony lot, on any given day you'll find production executives stopping by between meetings or a PA rattling off a laundry list of orders from their iPhone. The staff treats them all warmly and like family; you can tell they're genuinely happy to have them there. 

The café itself is charming and a little quirky; a huge papier-mâché tree looms in one corner while burlap coffee bags are stacked next to the beautiful vintage roaster in the other. Behind the counter, there's the "Great Wall of Tea" - rows of gleaming gold tins full of any type of loose leaf tea you could imagine. There's an eclectic mix of personal touches throughout, like a handwritten list of the day's coffee, beautiful potted orchids on the countertops, a collection of vintage coffee pots, and a huge American flag hanging over the espresso machine. It feels well-loved and lived-in, and something about it feels like home.  

Upon ordering, I settled in at a little bistro table with the locals, some having meetings, others laughing with their children, and a few cozied up with a good book. My cappuccino came adorned with a lovely lovely bit of foam art, served in a perfectly simple ceramic mug. Its flavor was bold and direct, offering an intense bitterness at the beginning of the sip that soon mellowed out into a smooth sweetness, a flavor that recalled toasted marshmallow and walnut. It was so satisfying and delicious that I was somewhat forlorn upon reaching the bottom. 

Apart from its wonderful espresso drinks, The Conservatory offers a wide variety of treats that are not to be missed, especially the rotating brewed coffee, the delicious scones and coffee cakes, and the rich, spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate. And on a hot summer day, nothing beats one of their refreshing iced teas. It's also worth noting that their almond milk of choice is Mylk, an exceptionally delicious raw concoction with simple ingredients that's made locally in Culver City. Definitely worth checking out if that's something you're in to. 

After experiencing so many excellent cappuccinos from some of the finest coffee roasters over these past few months, some small part of me feared that this old standby wouldn't live up to the fond memories I'd been harboring of it. Luckily, that fear was unfounded, and the coffee at The Conservatory was even better than I'd remembered. I may not work within walking distance of this gem anymore, but its unpretentious atmosphere and delicious coffee make it worthy of a regular visit - and who knows, maybe someday the staff will remember my order, too. 

The Conservatory for Coffee, Tea, and Cocoa
10117 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232