Daylight saving time hits Sunday, March 8, and everyone knows what that means: an hour of precious z's lost and the ongoing plight of dark mornings, puffy eyes and an even higher likelihood of hitting the snooze button. The cure: a caffeinated beverage and a cool place to start the morning. Here are a few of L.A.'s boldest, smoothest and most personality-packed purveyors of jump-starting joe, along with the times they start brewing, so you know just where to head when you're tempted to lay that head down for just one more minute.
Navigating: caffeine culture
Get buzzed for DST
By Marissa Tinloy
Special to MetromixMarch 2, 2009
Abbot's Habit
1401 Abbot Kinney Blvd. - Venice323-512-5278
Locals insist that this funky place has its name for a reason: Those sandwiches, that home brew and Abbot’s quintessential Venetian vibe make it easy to imagine it as a habit. Besides the early morning crew that gathers on the benches out front with mocha smoothies and cappuccinos in hand, the cafe’s Friday and Saturday jam sessions fill the lively, laid-back house each weekend. It’s perfect for starting those cold mornings. Try the coffee or espresso mocha. Start time: 6 a.m.
Bourgeois Pig
5931 Franklin Ave. - Los Angeles323-464-6008
Fun, interesting and strangely dark (in lighting and in spirit), this bar-cafe hybrid is not for the weak-hearted. There are pool tables and secluded rooms, but there’s no alcohol and, in fact, no drip coffee either. The Pig strictly serves espresso. (Order an Americano if you must.) Don’t come here looking for a quiet ambiance, but do come if you want a jolt and a kitschy L.A. hang out complete with forest decor and variations of punk lounge music. Start time: 8 a.m.
Cafe Muse
6547 Santa Monica Blvd. - Los Angeles323-464-6873
A coffee shop for artsy types. If natural light, brick walls, and a bar packed with organic bean- and tea-based beverages sound inspiring to you, consider this Hollywood cafe a destination at which to discover your inner muse. Along with feeding starving artists an extensive menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner fare, Cafe Muse also offers a space to showcase local artwork and music. Free Wi-Fi. Start time: 9 a.m.
Coffee Fix
12508 Moorpark St. - Studio City818-762-0181
Valley dwellers can head to this aptly named neighborhood coffee shop to get their morning fix. It’s got all the staples: glowing wood floors, rotating local art and free Wi-Fi. For those who need a little pick-me-up but aren’t coffee sippers, the Fix offers freshly brewed ice tea, sweet crepes and other energy-pumping goodies. Word on the street says try the soy latte. Start time: 7 a.m.
Coffee Garden and Flowers by Felicia
8428 Pershing Dr. - Playa Del Rey310-305-1200
Two of our favorite things—hot beverages and blossoming flowers—come together at Felicia’s as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The cafe side of the venture offers high ceilings, cheerful decor and a variety of seating options (highlighted by a family-style wood table in the center), plus reasonably priced drinks. Try the signature Foglifter (strong black coffee mixed with a shot or two of espresso) and one of the day’s fresh pastries. Start time: Mon.-Sat. 6 a.m., Sun. 7 a.m.
Conservatory For Coffee, Tea & Cocoa
10117 Washington Blvd. - Culver City310-558-0436
The fact that this coffeehouse brews its beans on-site earns major points among coffee elitists. While the ambiance of the site itself isn’t noteworthy—this isn’t a coffee shop to hole up in for an afternoon—the expertise of the baristas still carries the Conservatory to excellence. When the clocks spring forward, Westsiders will know just where to head for strong roasts (or tea leaves) from around the world—they’re even garnished with artistic foam flourishes. Start time: 7 a.m.
Grateful Bread
1518 Montana Ave. - Santa Monica310-394-7178
Wake up over a slice of artisanal ciabatta bread, a serving of organic drip coffee and some of the best people-watching on the Westside. Granted, every day is a great day to visit Grateful Bread, but we’re willing to bet that come Sunday and the impending implications of DST, you’ll be even more grateful for this hipster-hippie place’s friendly distribution of liquid stimulation. Start time: 7 a.m.
Groundwork Coffee Shop
108 W. 2nd St. #107 - Los Angeles213-620-9668
One of the many distinguishing features of this independent coffee chain (with five thriving locations throughout L.A.) is its ultra-small-batch fair-trade coffee. For tired, thirsty patrons, this translates to fresh, hot, karma-helping coffee at any given time. The Downtown location is small and cozy with a bit of outdoor seating and a lofted upstairs lounge. Free Wi-Fi. Start time: Weekdays 7 a.m., weekends 8 a.m.
Intelligentsia
3922 W. Sunset Blvd. - Los Angeles323-663-6173
Yes, it’s true—you can have it all, at least in terms of coffee. Intelligentsia offers socially conscious, environmentally friendly, high-quality coffee at reasonable prices. The cafe’s lauded Black Cat espresso loads patrons with enough energy (and flavor) to push through the wee hours, and the shop’s two Clover machines promise micro-roasted coffee that is the envy of other coffeehouses. If you care to hang around, the patio exudes Euro-Angeleno sophistication; it’s dog-friendly, book-friendly and conversation-friendly. Westsiders, take note: A new location will soon grace Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice. Start time: 6 a.m.
LAMILL Coffee Boutique
1636 Silver Lake Blvd. - Los Angeles323-663-4441
Like most boutiques, Lamill is decadent, impressive and slightly intimidating. If sweat pants, a journal and a basic cup of coffee are your thing, this isn’t the place to go. If tip-top gourmet espresso and looking tres chic (even the morning hours) are your style, then Lamill is the fashionable place to be. Even the vinaigrette on the frisee au lardon salad is infused with coffee—how’s that for caffeinated? Start time: 7 a.m.
Lost Souls Café
124 W. 4th St. - Los Angeles213-617-7006
Don’t let the name fool you—this cafe is surprisingly warm and friendly. Miniature lights adorn the walls, and a cheerful chalkboard announces the day’s specials and the variety of gourmet coffee beverages. Plus, the remote location (a short amble down Harlem Place Alley) creates an intimate, secluded atmosphere. Depending how hard it is to lose an hour of beauty sleep this weekend, go for the signature Soul Drip (house drip coffee with condensed milk and half-and-half) or the ultra-serious Red Pill (a shot of espresso plus brewed coffee). Start time: Mon.-Sat. 7 a.m., Sun. 9 a.m.
Stories
1716 W. Sunset Blvd. - Los Angeles213-413-3733
New to the neighborhood, this bookshop and cafe offers warm, flavorful beverages that perfectly complement settling down with a good book (new or used). Stories pours coffee by Raven’s Brew, an organic-coffee company dedicated to “the deepest elixir.” This little shop doesn’t open until mid-morning, but don’t fret. Think of this as an excuse to snooze a little later, mosey on down to check out a new neighborhood beanery and enjoy a midday mug of a single-origin-blend goodness. You didn’t set the hours, right? Start time: Mon-Sat. 10 a.m., Sun. 11 a.m.
Tanner's Coffee
4342 Sepulveda Blvd. - Culver City310-636-2727
This independent coffee shop is practically an institution in its beach community—one with a completely uninstitutionalized charm, that is. Maybe it has to do with the scattered tables and floppy couches, the local postings on the walls, or the laid-back attitude of the staff and regulars. Whatever it is, it’s no mistake that Tanner’s brews coffee that can give jitters to even the most addicted caffeine fiends. Free Wi-Fi. Start time: Mon.-Fri. 6 a.m., Sat.-Sun. 7 a.m.
What other people are saying...
ft350 from West Adams - March 07, 2009 at 2:41 PM
I love the "Funk" the independents bring, but my consistency has trumped that preference and I've been a Peetnik for 15 years at least for a solid ...
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Report This Commentalternativemusik from Culver city - March 07, 2009 at 1:50 PM
You missed one of downtown's gems along the Figueroa corridor. Cafe Corsa serves up fresh cups, one at a time!! Yep, there's a Clover!! Nice cozy,...
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Report This CommentKester from Van Nuys - March 05, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Coffee Fix...a great place for coffee and another place to go in SFV is Aroma Coffe & Tea, it's also in Studio City(more like North Hollywood than ...
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