poison Senior Member Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 1,074 Location: www.westcoastroasting.com Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Silvia? Nah, teh PuLs3R!!! Grinder: Maestro Plus, Super J deal Drip: Cone filter Roaster: RK drum
Posted Thu Dec 2, 2004, 4:42pm Subject: Re: best espresso in CA?
In my opinion there is no good espresso in LA. I live on the West Side near Venice and work in the Valley and have not found anything. The only place worthy of coffeegeekdom was the Coffee Roaster in Sherman Oaks, but the owner sold the shop, and it sucks now.
You might find some decent preparation, but that doesn't change the beans.
I really want to try barefoot, and re-try Global in Mt View, my old stomping grounds. Blue Bottle Coffee is good, I like it, and his prep is good at his cart too.
City Bean only has one location, but their coffee is served in some cafes, including Manis on Main in Santa Monica, or it was at one point. I don't like their espresso though, way too much brazil/robusta.
I frequented the Coffee Conservatory for a while. AJ, the roaster there, used to roast for City Bean, and knows what he is doing. He is very knowledgeable, and a super nice guy. It kind of went down hill there for a while. Not sure why, because he can do great stuff, and he is an excellent barista. I would rate it as the best in LA right now: beans are hit or miss (though always fresh and SO beans are good), but people and prep rock!
Posted Sun Dec 5, 2004, 12:28am Subject: Re: best espresso in CA?
dont forget me... ETONIQ ESPRESSO... catering service in the bay area...
I may start to do some farmers markets in the area when i get more situated...
just had my first gig today...ended up serving about 145 drinks in 3hrs (120min... faster then 1drink/min by myself...) IT WAS CRAZY !! also...may try late night delivery also just for kicks =)
I worked at Global for awhile and am not buying espresso from barefoot SWEETNESS ROCKS!
CremaPhile Senior Member Joined: 5 Nov 2004 Posts: 269 Location: Brooklyn, NY Expertise: Pro Barista
Espresso: Gaggia Espresso Grinder: Innova I2 Drip: French Press
Posted Tue Dec 7, 2004, 7:55pm Subject: Re: best espresso in CA?
poison Said:
I frequented the Coffee Conservatory for a while. AJ, the roaster there, used to roast for City Bean, and knows what he is doing. He is very knowledgeable, and a super nice guy. It kind of went down hill there for a while. Not sure why, because he can do great stuff, and he is an excellent barista. I would rate it as the best in LA right now: beans are hit or miss (though always fresh and SO beans are good), but people and prep rock!
the conservatory is definitly the best i've found. i've had stellar shots there everytime i've been, no matter who's pulling. my last shot there was comparable to the one i had at barefoot (only been once). barefoot definitly has the edge in the roasting category though.
the espresso beans from kaldi are quite good, but prep is hit or miss.
I visited Barking Dog Roasters in Sonoma on 12/21/04. They don't make 1oz double ristrettos and they also don't do latte art. The double 2oz espresso didn't have any tiger spots but I did enjoy the espresso taste. The double cappuccino looked and tasted great. The Barking Dog is much better than Peet's but not nearly as good as Barefoot, Stumptown or Vivace.
Posted Sat Jan 1, 2005, 8:54am Subject: Re: best espresso in CA?
My father and I made a visit to the Coffee Conservatory yesterday and both of us were quite disappointed. The espresso was well made but the roast was not good. It tasted like over-roasted brazil, ashy and very bitter. I'll give them another chance if I'm ever in that area again. Barefoot and Global Blends do much better. -Sam
CremaPhile Senior Member Joined: 5 Nov 2004 Posts: 269 Location: Brooklyn, NY Expertise: Pro Barista
Espresso: Gaggia Espresso Grinder: Innova I2 Drip: French Press
Posted Mon Jan 3, 2005, 12:33pm Subject: Re: best espresso in CA?
hmm...thats surprising. their espresso roast is usually pretty consistent. having said this, their house espresso roast isn't a dark roast at all. its very dry, light cocoa brown and i suppose resembles a brazilian blend, but seems closer to an authentic italian style to me. this is what i like about it, its generally very rich and smooth and complex and normally in my experience not bitter. its a nice change from the typical (imho overly) dark oily espresso blends that most places serve (a few places, like barefoot, do the dark blend exceptionally well, but i think its a bit harder to get right). i regularly buy the conservatory's house espresso blend for home use and get really fantastic results, lots of thick dark crema with good stripes and a really complex flavor. if their blend isn't your thing, then its not your thing. but the fact that you described it as "ashy and very bitter" makes me think it was either a newbie working the counter (its usually the same 4 or 5 people there in my experience) or maybe they pulled a bad batch from the roaster.
seagipsy Senior Member Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 41 Location: Humboldt County Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Faema Familia Grinder: Rio by Mazzer & Old A-9 Vac Pot: old bodum Drip: no drip, I press most every... Roaster: Chris @ Muddy Waters...thank...
Posted Wed Jan 12, 2005, 10:41am Subject: Re: best espresso in CA?
How about good coffee near in Long beach or San Pedro? I use to live down there, years ago, and will, be heading down there for work this year. I think a place called Portfolio in LB was ok, nice place, but every changing baristas, usually not a good sign. I remember one woman that seemed to pull sweet shots, about 6 years ago. I seem to remember I didn’t like the house coffee much. Any advice on where to go?
I’m in NoCal and really like Muddy Waters in Arcata, no the one in the Bay area. Also I have had good drinks at Café Triste in SF, not sure the exact location. It is in North beach on a corner. I like the atmosphere and they had great Sunday concerts, with old Italians belting out Sinatra and the like.
I spent a lot of time in Santa Barbara growing up. I was from Solvang…explains why I am so warped! I was one of those dead beats hanging out at Roma with a skate board. Once I was 18, I split my time between Mel’s drinking long necks and Roma drinking americanos. Remember this was in the late eighties when Mel’s was dirty, pre Paseo Nuevo. Memories…
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