Intelligent Coffee & Handsome Roasters

Define: Intelligentsia (in·tel·li·gent·si·a/inˌteliˈjentsēə/)

Intellectuals or highly educated people as a group, esp. when regarded as possessing culture and political influence.

I've been to this Coffee Shop about three times now.  The Intelligentsia Coffee on Sunset Boulevard.  To get technical, it's located in Silverlake.  If you're from California or the LA area then you'll probably smirk a little...  If you're from any other state in the United States you might be indifferent from this name...  And if you're from Silverlake itself, then you might grind your teeth or possibly break the glass vase in near proximity.  I don't know to be honest.  All I know is that the Silverlake Area is one of the most interesting areas aside from Portland, Oregon that I've ever had the pleasure to visit.  The people are actually pretty nice and the atmosphere is eclectic and random.

After having my manager at Peet's Coffee tell me about a restaurant in Chicago that collectively harasses and verbally abuses their customers just for a good laugh, I'd say the LA area and probably all of New York City have warm, fuzzy, and undeniably friendly inhabitants regardless if they say "hi" to you in the elevator.

Handsome Coffee Roasters was actually a much more relaxed coffee shop in my opinion.  Part of this is due to it's location.  It sits away from the hubbub of LA traffic and noise in the Arts District.  The Coffee wasn't nearly as good as Intelligentsia, however their atmosphere and service was impeccable.  I would choose Handsome over Intelligentsia any day of the week for a nice calm place to get some studying done or to just relax and take in my surroundings.  The most depressing thing about Handsome is that they close at 5pm... I don't even know what to say about that.

Brandon Thomas de La Cruz

So last night I went to Alta Coffee Company in old Newport and talked with a few friends but what honestly made my night was Brandon Thomas de La Cruz's voice and guitar strumming towards the front of the coffee shop.  It just made me want to rest my head on my hand and listen for hours... Which is essentially what I ended up doing.  It felt almost like a combination between M. Ward and Bright Eyes only more authentic and genuine.  He also covered multiple songs all with his own style and direction.  I regret that I didn't bring my camera. My favorite is Everything is New (5th Track) Have a lovely day! -B

The Iced Coffee Boy

It's been a long day. I check the clock every five minutes. Even that feels like an eternity. The door opens and as I help a middle aged woman decide whether to order a pumpkin spiced latte or a gingerbread cappuccino, I spot the iced coffee boy out of the corner of my eye. I could recognize this guys walk from a hundred miles away. My heart begins to race and I realize it's taking more energy to remain calm which makes my heart pound even faster. Why does this happen every time he comes in? What is this infatuation with the expressionless nicotine addicted reserved boy?... Boy? No.. Not a boy... I don't even know what to call him? And forget about his name bestowed upon him by legal rights. That one will never be known. For now he's the mysterious iced coffee boy. He approaches the dinky register that sits almost as emotionless as him between us. I rock forward to my tippy toes as he mumbles the words iced coffee. I expect him to be looking away but we make eye contact for a spilt second as I turn to grab this grippingly bitter drink. I waive the dollar he always has ready for this refill in hopes that the expenses aren't a reason to stop coming back. Dollars can add up... And those paper thin green notes won't get in the way of this thing I have for the iced coffee boy.