First off I had never heard of this place, and really I hadn't heard anything from word of mouth about it from my friends in the coffee world. So I was curious to see what this place was all about. I thought from the name maybe it would be at the ocean front, but it's tucked away behind this nondescript shopping plaza and if I didn't know it was here, there is no way I would just "happen" by. Since it's also *behind* all the shops, not even visable from the street. Since I am coming from work, where I just got done sucking down 2 cups of coffee (not actually thinking ahead that maybe I should have saved some room for some more coffee for my review) I wasn't in the mood for anything heavy so I just got a plain coffee. The place, to be honest, (and this is all about honesty), smells funny. I think they might be making some panini sandwiches or something but I definitely didn't smell coffee when I walked in. Though the place is cute enough. Hand painted walls, complete with orange suns and blue spirals, each wall a different color made it quaint and unique. The barista seemed nice enough, though all he did was hand me an empty cup since again, all I ordered was coffee. I still put a dollar in the tip cup since I always tip my barista regardless of what they make for me, or don't make. There are yummy pastries in the display case, though it was a little sparse. Two shelves of syrups lined the walls and I find myself staring at flavors that i had never even heard of. Though the syrup brand itself is on the cheap side. All of the tables and chairs match, black on black, which looks nice in it's simplicity. A corner has the classic coffeehouse couches and comfy chairs and on one wall it has coffees for sale, though it looks like you bag them yourself which is a little odd. And on one side note, while I was ordering my coffee i noticed there was someone sleeping in the corner. Like an employee, just catching some shut eye I guess. I don't know, maybe I am being picky but I would like to think, if you're on the clock and in uniform you should be conscious.
I couldn't spend a lot of time there since it seems I picked a day some school was doing a class project where they were filming scenes so there was a big group of kids with racks of clothes, people yelling directions and some dude filming it all. I felt really uncomfortable so I left a lot earlier than I wanted to. I did think it was a little rude and if they were going to be doing something like that, they should do it after hours so they wouldn't disturb the customers.
But all in all the coffee was yummy and if there wasn't this whole production going on around me, then I might have enjoyed myself a little more. I don't think I will go again, just because i am never in that area. It's totally out of the way for me. But if for some reason I AM in the area again, I think I would stop again. I'm curious about their espresso drinks.
So in conclusion, I'm not over the moon about this place, but it is worth a stop.
