Around the Coffee World in 5 Days
For whatever reason, I was blessed (or cursed— blursed?) with a dangerous combination: A love of coffee and a high tolerance for caffeine. Pair this with a week off from work, and it feels like the stars aligned for a coffee tour of the LA Basin. A lot of these places are already established or popular, but for some reason or another, I had not been able to visit quite yet. Instead of just mindlessly drinking the coffee, however, I gave myself some time to reflect on each coffee experience and determine if any of these would be worth a repeat visit. I visited two places each weekday, except for Thursday (just one!)
I’ll be reviewing on three criteria:
The Coffee Itself, of course! — What good is a trendy coffee place if the coffee is mediocre?
The Vibes of the Interior — While I didn’t spend a whole lot of time in each place, I took note (and took photos) of how I felt walking in and ordering.
Workability — Would this be a place I’d want to come back to and get some work done in?
At the end, I’ll say if I think if each place is either Worth It to revisit, or Not Worth It.
Monday, January 27
Stop 1: Camel
4459 W Sunset Bl — Los Feliz
First Impression: Immediately walking into Camel, it’s a feast for the senses. The interior is warm and welcoming, and the prep section is centrally located towards the back as you step through the doorway. An upstairs section, to your left houses the majority of the workspace, but there are some stools and a small table at ground level. Smooth jazz and indie was playing on what looked to be antique speakers— and you’re also able to purchase Camel-branded beans and merch.
What I Ordered: Deviating from my usual barometer of a black cold brew, I asked the barista what she recommended. She pointed me towards their creatively named Camel Coffee, a mixture of milk, cream, and finally espresso. The worker who handed me the coffee instructed me to not stir it, just sip.
How’s the Coffee? The Camel Coffee was fantastic. I usually avoid sweeter drinks but this was a solid offering. I’m glad I took the barista’s recommendation, because it was refreshing and not too sweet. The richness of the espresso was not overshadowed by the cream. The two were allowed to play off of each other in an unexpected way, and I was genuinely disappointed when I was finished. The portion felt a little stingy for $7 including tip, but that’s espresso, and definitely LA.
Coffee: A. I’d like to see how a plain cold brew tastes, but the Camel was tremendous.
Vibes: A+++. Immaculate, warm, and welcoming. Simple as.
Workability: B. You may have an issue finding a seat at busy times, but it’s a great place to sit a spell. Noise levels are present, but minimal— your ears will naturally focus on the soft and calm music. There is Wifi available.
Worth It? Definitely.
Slogan: An oasis among the usual.