Paramount Coffee Project | Los Angeles, CA

If there is one thing I have learned recently about the Aussies (and the Kiwis, for that matter), it's that they take their brunch and coffee very seriously. Their café culture is quite unlike ours - and in all the right ways. They don't rush things, they don't stand in line, they prefer independent coffee shops over chains, and they tend to actually interact with other humans when they visit their favorite café. And, they serve healthy, delicious food, presented in jaw-droppingly gorgeous fashion (remember Bondi Harvest? So pretty). Luckily, a some of that Aussie magic is slowly working its way to our shores - and it's strongly evidenced in the charming Paramount Coffee Project (a.k.a. "PCPLA") on Fairfax. 

Inside, PCPLA is modern and beautiful, decorated in bright greens and fresh foliage, with a wonderful indoor-outdoor vibe happening on the adorable little back patio. It's just a stone's throw from several other well-regarded coffee shops, but that doesn't seem to deter its popularity. The thoughtfully designed café attracts hordes of creative types, coffee enthusiasts, and foodies, all of whom seem to have nothing but good things to say about it - in fact I overheard more than one group discussing just how much they "loooove this place." 

PCPLA was founded by three Aussies with impressive coffee backgrounds: Jin Ng of Paramount House, Mark Dundon of Seven Seeds, and Russell Beard of Reuben Hills. The trio teamed up to open the original PCP location in Sydney in 2013, and after it proved successful, they opened their L.A. outpost on Fairfax in 2015. The same philosophies that worked so well in Sydney run true in L.A.: the team emphasizes experimentation and education in coffee roasting and brewing, focuses on creating the most delicious food and coffee possible, and strives to provide top-notch customer service. The coffee offerings are varied and unique - their beans come from around the world, many from roastaries we Angelenos haven't likely come across before. 

I stopped in PCPLA recently on a weekday just after the lunch rush, and was pleased to find that it wasn't too crowded. I was surprised at first by the unusual ordering system - indeed, you do not need to wait in line here if you plan to dine in. Instead I was instructed to take a seat, and informed that someone would come by to take my order (side note: why does table service feel like such a luxury these days? Is this a dying concept?). I got cozy on the back patio, a comfortable indoor-outdoor space with a large communal table as well as several small tables. They've also extended the space into the parking lot a bit, adding some wooden picnic tables and plenty of lush greenery (ensuring it feels more like a garden and less like a parking lot). My order was taken quickly, and the coffee came out before I could bat an eye. The service was truly top-notch - every staff member I spoke to was friendly, welcoming, and conversational. 

My cappuccino was served up in a simple-yet-satisfying matte ceramic mug - the kind you just want to wrap your hands around on a rainy L.A. day. The espresso's flavor pleasantly mild, and tasted nutty and creamy, and a bit like cocoa. It was beautifully smooth, and sipping it was almost like enjoying a decadent dessert. 

As it was past the lunch hour, and the menu was oh-so-tempting, I also decided to order up some food. This menu was absolute torture - just about everything sounded delicious. Since I've craving grain bowls lately (or as Jonathan Gold might say, "Things in a Bowl"), I chose the Superfood Bowl - quinoa, candy beets, roasted carrots, sunflower, cocoa, blueberry, lebni, and two poached eggs. If that description sounds a bit like a mishmash of things that don't really go together, you're not wrong - and yet, somehow, the magicians at PCPLA made it all work harmoniously. Imagine that! Eggs and blueberries in the same dish? Strange, yet so wonderful. The juxtaposition of textures in this dish was a delight, and each of the flavors complimented one another nicely - especially the tangy lebni with the sweet roasted carrots and the strong spice mixture sprinkled on top (which I assume to be dukkah). A little unusual, so satisfying, and so delicious. 

Truthfully, I cannot wait to come back and try more of the treats on this menu and enjoy the relaxed vibe that this team has created. And that's saying something - because there are a lot of good coffee shops in this city. Maybe even enough that you could keep trying a new one each week without repeating for the rest of your life. But there's something so genuinely appealing about PCPLA - their creative cuisine, their commitment to excellent coffee, and their sincere friendliness - that makes it worthy of a repeat visit. 

Paramount Coffee Project
456 N Fairfax Ave
LA 90036

The Assembly | West Hollywood, CA

It's way too early in the Great Los Angeles Cappuccino Project to start calling favorites. I know this. But it's really hard not to positively gush over how much I loved The Assembly.

Outside The Assembly, West Hollywood, CA (yeah, I'm making a cameo)

The master at work, The Assembly, West Hollywood, CA

If you didn't know what you were looking for, you could easily walk right by The Assembly. The simple, beautiful painted signage and the light grey and white tones reflect the cafe's minimalist vibe perfectly. The inside is decked out in pastels and blonde wood, while large windows flood the sparsely decorated space with natural light and lend an airy feel. Metal and wood shelves house boutique gift items and beautifully designed bags of Counter Culture coffee beans. There was plenty of seating on a Saturday afternoon; on a small bench in the front, at a table in the back, or on the adorable outdoor patio. 

Back patio, The Assembly, West Hollywood, CA

The patio, The Assembly, West Hollywood, CA

In a place like this, you might expect the staff to be unapproachable or pretentious, but the folks here are anything but. Everyone I spoke to seemed genuinely excited to be there; both enthusiastic about making good coffee and happy to be interacting with the customers. The barista told me all about the beans they use from Counter Culture, which offers sustainable, fair-trade coffee that also happens to be really, really good. 

The Menu, The Assembly, West Hollywood, CA

It appears that every detail has been carefully considered at The Assembly. The food served from the Larder is created with organic, high-quality ingredients, while leftovers are donated daily to the Chefs End Hunger Program. Drinks are served in handmade ceramics sourced from West River Field Lab in Orange County. Tea selections come from Uncommon Tea, striving "to make tea modern, beautiful and pleasurable." 

The best poem. The Assembly, West Hollywood, CA

Counter Culture beans, The Assembly, West Hollywood, CA

But let's get on to the most important point... that cappuccino. 

Looks-wise, this one was a winner. Served in a beautiful green mug with a wooden plate for a saucer, it boasted some seriously beautiful latte art. The temperature was perfect, and the texture was velvety - but the real standout characteristic of this cappuccino was its exceptional flavor. 

Cappuccino, The Assembly, West Hollywood, CA

It can be hard to describe the flavors detected in coffee, kind of like when people think they're tasting chocolate or tobacco in wine, so bear with me while I attempt to describe this wonderful beverage. It had a warmth of flavor, evoking autumn flavors like caramel or sage,  or like that feeling you get when you're in a warm library full of leather-bound books. The flavor was bold, strong, and earthy, and somewhat straightforward - I wouldn't call it complex, rather, simple and confident. There was a perfect balance between bitterness and creamy sweetness, and it left behind the most lovely aftertaste. 

Cappuccino, The Assembly, West Hollywood, CA

From beginning to end, The Assembly offers an exceptional experience. Come for a chat, or for a rest, or for a snack. But definitely give their coffee a try, and sip it slowly (and try to write down a few words that come to mind. It will be a fun challenge!). These folks know what they're doing, and they're doing it well. 

The Assembly

634 N. Robertson Blvd, 
West Hollywood, CA 90069

Coffee Commissary | Los Angeles, CA

When it comes to the new wave of artisanal coffee shops in LA, there are a few key establishments that define the movement, standing out for their popularity and undeniable excellence. Coffee Commissary is one of those places. Here, all of the artisanal coffee shop boxes have been checked: Industrial chic decor with poured concrete floors and chalkboard menu, check. Hoppin’ “mainstream indie” playlist, check. Hordes of millennials wearing plaid flannel (it’s fall after all, y’all) and working on their laptops, check and check. [Side note: I was wearing plaid flannel the day I visited Coffee Commissary, and I have never felt so basic. It might be time for a new wardrobe.]

Entrance to Coffee Commissary, Los Angeles, CA

If you’re a Los Angeles-based coffee enthusiast (and chances are good if you’ve made it to this blog, unless of course you’re part of the large portion of our readership that hails from Pennsylvania... AKA my parents), you have almost certainly come across a Coffee Commissary before, as there are currently four locations across our great city: West Hollywood, Hollywood, Burbank, and Culver City. The wind took us to the West Hollywood establishment first, though having read the enticing menu for the cafe at the Burbank location, it won’t be long until we make our way over there, too.

Cappuccino (behind), Cubano (front), Coffee Commissary, Los Angeles, CA

Coffee Commissary’s motto, “in pursuit of the perfect cup,” is reflected in the variety of excellent beans they offer. Included in their lineup are popular indie roasteries like Coava, Madcap, and one of my absolute favorites from Sacramento, Temple Coffee. The menu here is simple, offering the classic espresso staples including a Cubano, as well as pour over and cold brew options (even an iced pour over for those of us who aren’t cold brew fanatics). At the West Hollywood location, a short handmade food menu is also available, including some beautiful pastries and turnovers.

Cappuccino, Coffee Commissary, Los Angeles, CA

I ordered my usual cappuccino, and it did not disappoint. Served in a beautiful mug with a little wooden saucer, this cuppa warm cozy goodness boasted some solid latte art. The flavor was bold and strikingly bitter, pleasantly so, while its texture was rich, creamy, and almost decadent. Overall, this was a robust cappuccino, delightful in its complex flavor profile and smoothness.

Cappuccino (left), Cubano (right), Coffee Commissary, Los Angeles, CA

My friend tried the Cubano, which was also very good. It was sharply sweet, but lacked that uncomfortable aftertaste that often accompanies a sweetened drink. That touch of sugar also complemented the bold espresso flavor very nicely. Even I, who cannot stand sweetened coffee, could see the merits of this lovely concoction.

Coffee Commissary is probably one of the more popular locations on our list, and we can understand why. By offering up excellent coffee in their four beautiful locations, they’re helping to make an elevated coffee experience easily accessible on a daily basis - just one of the many things to be thankful for about living in LA! 

Coffee Commissary - 801 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046