quas Senior Member Joined: 24 May 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Los Angeles Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Vivace: Dolce
Posted Tue Sep 11, 2007, 10:16pm Subject: Intellegentsia in LA opinions
I finally stopped by the fairly new Intellegentsia in LA (Sunset Junction) since I had heard some good things about them. I decided to try the drip coffee via their Clover machine. I must say I was pretty dissapointed. The coffee was really sour and I couldn't finish it. Are the Clover machines suppossed to be pretty standard in terms of taste or is it determined by the person working the machine. I had drip coffee from a Clover machine in Seattle (Zoka near Greenlake) and it was awesome...so I'm wondering if the difference in taste is from the operator or roast.
I want to go back to Intellegentsia and try an americano which will probably give me a better assessment of their coffee. I usually order beans from Vivace or Lighthouse in Seattle but I was hoping that Intellegentsia would be a good local option for coffee beans. However, I'm thinking that Vivace and Lighthouse are going to be very hard to top. I do like Intellegentsia's logo and package design though.
Anybody else have any opinions on Intellegentsia? I'm hoping my first experience there was just bad luck as I would like to find a place where I can buy coffee/beans on a regular basis. I've heard Caffe Luxxe in Santa Monica might be a stronger option which I am going to try this weekend.
sneakypeteiii Senior Member Joined: 8 Nov 2004 Posts: 166 Location: Pasadena, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Isomac Zaffiro Grinder: Rancilio Rocky Vac Pot: Cona, baby Drip: Frieling French Press Roaster: George Howell and Mike Perry...
Posted Wed Sep 12, 2007, 8:13am Subject: Re: Intellegentsia in LA opinions
If you don't like it, tell them (that is, if they're not too busy at the moment). I've found them to be a really warm bunch of people, ultimately uncompromising when it comes to quality.
I really like the espresso drinks I've had, though I have not had much coffee from the Clover there. Also, I am a fan of a little more acidity to brighten the cup a bit, and when I had Vivace in Seattle I didn't like it as much as I'd hoped, probably for the same reasons you didn't like Intelly. Luxxe is great, though a bit more "traditional" in style (e.g. 1.5 oz macchiatos). Also try Groundwork at 2nd and Main on the weekends for either espresso or Clover (I think they still have some "true" Esmeralda Especiale); Amber is the best!
galtman Senior Member Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 56 Location: Los Angeles, CA Expertise: Professional
Espresso: La Pavoni Professional,... Grinder: Cunill El Tranquilo
Posted Wed Sep 12, 2007, 12:30pm Subject: Re: Intellegentsia in LA opinions
So far my experience at Intelligentsia has been the consumption of 7 or so shots of espresso, and a cup from the Clover. Unlike your experience, quas, I very much enjoyed my clover cup of La Tortuga.
High-end espresso offerings within LA city limits/neighboring cities are so sparse, the question really came down to: will Intelligentsia knock Caffe Luxxe from my #1 spot? The distance from my apt to either is the same--about 9 miles--so luckily that doesn't impact my decision. (Too bad neither is closer, though.) The answer is mixed. On the one hand, I prefer Intelly's location, decor, atmosphere and expanded menu (no drip at Luxxe), but in terms of customer service and espresso, Luxxe is ahead.
I'm not as satisfied with the shot I'm served at Intelligentsia, compared to Luxxe. I want to say Intelly shots are pulled just a bit too long for my preference--but I'm not sure if that's it. Will someone who has been to both repeatedly with better articulative skills than i try explained why this is?
Posted Wed Sep 12, 2007, 6:28pm Subject: Re: Intellegentsia in LA opinions
I've only been to Intelly once, but I was pretty impressed with the Black Cat shots my wife and I got. I also got a cappucino, which was one of the better I've had in a while. As far as the Clover, I haven't tried it at Intelly and probably won't (trying to stick to espresso drinks only these days). My only experience with a Clover was up in Santa Cruz at Lulu's at the Octagon. I tried some Sumatra and found it too watery for my taste. Later, on another visit, I was talking with Manthri and he recommended upping the dose (I think it was to 16g). I can't recall what the "normal" dose is for a 12oz, maybe 8 or 10g? Anyway, it made a world of difference in the cup and on the palate. If you're set on getting some coffee from the Clover, you might want to ask the barista if they can up the dose a bit and see how it goes. One thing Manthri pointed out is the ability of the Clover to pull out all the intricacies of a coffee, be that good AND bad. Something to keep in mind. (Manthri, if you're reading this and I've misquoted something you said, be sure to correct me on it!).
As far as buying beans, I purchased a pound of Intelly's Kid-O Espresso blend. Wow. I really had some awesome luck with it. The description on the bag said nutty, fruity, with a creamy finish (is that what it said?). Man, I pulled some seriously FANTASTIC shots with that stuff. 1.5 oz doubles between 32 and 38 seconds.....
Actually on my way to the Dodger game right now and just called Intelly. Turns out they're out of Black Cat till the weekend. Looks like it's another pound of Kid-O this week!
EDIT: Intelly is out of Kid-O also, at least until the weekend. Picked up some Yrgacheffe instead! The barista told me the Black Cat is literally flying off the shelf as soon as it comes in. Those who really want to get some might want to call in early in the weekend and see if you can get some pulled off the shelf just in case (no guarentees there, but it's worth a try!)
Oh, as far as Intelly vs. Luxxe. C'mon my peeps. Both of the these places are welcomed additions to the LA espresso scene! Both shots are completely different. SAVOR THE DIFFERENCE! At least now we have ESPRESSO TO COMPARE!
goschool Senior Member Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 45 Location: Los Angeles, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Grinder: Baratza Virtuoso Drip: Bodum French Press,...
Posted Wed Sep 12, 2007, 6:44pm Subject: Re: Intellegentsia in LA opinions
As far as comparisons go, I'll weigh in with my two cents.
Caffee Luxxe is the most convenient for me. The parking on Montana is better than at Sunset & Hyperion and it's across the street from Father's Office. The shots are great, as are the drinks, and the costumer service. The layout could be a lot warmer and prices could be a bit lower. I don't know how much Inteli charges since I only went to the party, but the drinks, including a couple on the Clover, were great. The layout is better looking, but not necessarily more comfortable. Cafe owners should know that they can have cushy chairs and not be Starbucks. Coupa is the most comfortable, but they are probably the weakest of the four good cafes in LA. Choke is my favorite for quality and atmosphere. Great coffee, good music, hip shop.
palerunner7 Senior Member Joined: 8 Sep 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Pasadena Expertise: Just starting
Posted Wed Sep 12, 2007, 8:07pm Subject: Re: Intellegentsia in LA opinions
I have not been to the Intelligentsia location, but I have met folk from there, I have had their Espresso, and I was impressed with the people and the product....However, there is a new kid in town... Silverlake that is. To answer your question, I have had the luxury of a Clover cup every morning for over one month, with a wide variety of origins. Based on that "sour" taste, my experience has been that the solution is more apt to be in the machine programming. Certainly, it could also be the result of an underdeveloped roast. No matter what, my experience has shown me that the Clover is awesome.. It's fun to play with & goes to a different flavor level. It can reveal much from a production roast.
quas Senior Member Joined: 24 May 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Los Angeles Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Vivace: Dolce
Posted Thu Sep 13, 2007, 12:57am Subject: Re: Intellegentsia in LA opinions
Thanks for all the great, detailed replies. I will take into account everything that was said. I am excited to try Luxxe this weekend though. Thanks all.
goschool Senior Member Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 45 Location: Los Angeles, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Grinder: Baratza Virtuoso Drip: Bodum French Press,...
Posted Thu Sep 13, 2007, 1:45pm Subject: Re: Intellegentsia in LA opinions
I have to update my reply. I took advantage of my day off (I'll atone for not going to temple on Yom Kippur) and drove over to Inteligentsia. I got a spot right in front of the store with no meter. I ordered a shot and a New Guinea on the clover. $4 for both. I threw a buck in the tip jar and the karma came back to me in the form of a coupon for a free coffee after the barista messed up my order... barely- the extra wait was only like a minute and a half, so it was no big deal. I spent about 20 minutes sitting out in the foyer reading. It was fairly calm and quiet with good music playing at a low volume. Very relaxing. That being said, I overheard a couple of Silverlake residents bemoaning Inteli as part of the "New Silverlake." If the area is undergoing gentrification, it's certainly the kind I can get behind... for now at least.
quas Senior Member Joined: 24 May 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Los Angeles Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Vivace: Dolce
Posted Sat Oct 27, 2007, 1:16pm Subject: Re: Intellegentsia in LA opinions
Well, I finally got over to Caffe Luxxe...and I must say that it is my new LA favorite. The people were much more friendlier and the americano I ordered was one of the best I've had in Southern California (probably tied with Cafe Calabria in San Diego). So, Caffe Luxxe hands down is in my opinion the best espresso in the LA area. I'm glad I tried Intelligentsia, but I will probably not be making the effort to go back there unless I happen to be in the area. I will gladly make the effort to go to Luxxe though and will probably make it a weekly ritual.
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