As Berto the barista came around the counter to deliver my usual beverage to me in line-- while I was still waiting to order and pay for it--It dawned on me: I spend a LOT of time here. It's been my home-away-from-home, study hall, and remote office for about six years now.
The Coffee Bean on Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica used to be a bank, so it's nice and spacious. There are two big wooden library tables in the middle (perfect for spreading out), plus lots of two-tops around the perimeter. Free wi-fi and a fair number of power outlets means good connectivity. I finished my dissertation at these tables once upon a time. Now, I grade papers here and work on powerpoints for class. I also do design work, and (slowly) write the occasional article or book chapter here. I have an office at home, a shared one at school, and a cube at the place where I consult; I like working at The Bean better.
The usual coffee-house suspects have become friendly acquaintances if not friends: a couple of screenwriters, a graphic designer, a few older students, another architect, a computer scientist. This is where we work, at least part of the time. Of course, the kids behind the counter are (mainly) awesome, sweet, and fun. There's the occasional celebrity sighting: a rapidly aging (but still manly) Harrison Ford has his office next door at the airport. (According to well-placed sources, he doesn't tip.)
As much as I hope for full-time, long-term and stable employment again, my multiple part-time gigs scattered around town allow me to get here for a couple of hours a few days a week. I will miss it once (if?) I get back into the rat race with both feet.
Coffee houses are, I think, really interesting and important places where things happen. First dates, job interviews, work meetings, studying for school, you name it.
Tell us about your coffee house, and why you like (or hate) it there.
hey citizen didn't you start this thread on coffee houses last Sept? I personally get all my writing (and have since undergrad) done at coffee houses. I too have a "home office" yet find that paying for a drink and making myself dedicate time to an activity ensure i actually get stuff done.
Plus, it is only way i get to keep up on all latest events; art shows, pecha kucha's etc via flyers, bulletin postings etc.
Orhan that picture makes me long to go to Turkey. What a perfect spot.
A large part of the reason I studied in Vienna in college (for 6 months) was to experience their coffeehouse culture. Turns out I did not enjoy it, at all. Too many snooty people and frankly too expensive for a grad student. But I did enjoy Vienna's street cart wurstle vendors far too much.
Dammit. I haven't held residence in a coffee house since graduate school. Can someone in Los Angeles recommend one that is friendly towards loitering and heavy reading?
In addition to good coffee I also enjoy good design. Since my photostream is so large, I've turned to Pinterest to unearth some of the better photos in my collection. Here's my design Board: http://pinterest.com/petekachu/cafe-design/
Tell us about your coffee house.
As Berto the barista came around the counter to deliver my usual beverage to me in line-- while I was still waiting to order and pay for it--It dawned on me: I spend a LOT of time here. It's been my home-away-from-home, study hall, and remote office for about six years now.
The Coffee Bean on Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica used to be a bank, so it's nice and spacious. There are two big wooden library tables in the middle (perfect for spreading out), plus lots of two-tops around the perimeter. Free wi-fi and a fair number of power outlets means good connectivity. I finished my dissertation at these tables once upon a time. Now, I grade papers here and work on powerpoints for class. I also do design work, and (slowly) write the occasional article or book chapter here. I have an office at home, a shared one at school, and a cube at the place where I consult; I like working at The Bean better.
The usual coffee-house suspects have become friendly acquaintances if not friends: a couple of screenwriters, a graphic designer, a few older students, another architect, a computer scientist. This is where we work, at least part of the time. Of course, the kids behind the counter are (mainly) awesome, sweet, and fun. There's the occasional celebrity sighting: a rapidly aging (but still manly) Harrison Ford has his office next door at the airport. (According to well-placed sources, he doesn't tip.)
As much as I hope for full-time, long-term and stable employment again, my multiple part-time gigs scattered around town allow me to get here for a couple of hours a few days a week. I will miss it once (if?) I get back into the rat race with both feet.
Blah, blah, blah. That's my story. What's yours?
Coffee houses are, I think, really interesting and important places where things happen. First dates, job interviews, work meetings, studying for school, you name it.
Tell us about your coffee house, and why you like (or hate) it there.
hey citizen didn't you start this thread on coffee houses last Sept? I personally get all my writing (and have since undergrad) done at coffee houses. I too have a "home office" yet find that paying for a drink and making myself dedicate time to an activity ensure i actually get stuff done.
Plus, it is only way i get to keep up on all latest events; art shows, pecha kucha's etc via flyers, bulletin postings etc.
Also I recently read an article re: the etiquette of Third Wave coffee houses. Didn't even know the term applied to coffee until I read....
This would be hilarious, Nam, if it wasn't more evidence that my memory is even worse than I'd imagined. I'll laugh through the tears.
To be honest, my windy post above was as much a distraction from the big stack o' papers I have to grade as it was a thoughtful editorial.
To recap, Kids: stay in school, don't do drugs, and be nice to the old guy at the coffee house ;-)
heh. i feel you....
i design coffee houses
I'm currently avoiding my local coffee house as I'm hiding out from PTA members with whom I'm having disagreements.
Not really, but kinda.
Why does it always have to be a coffeehouse? How come nobody does a coffee garage or a coffee office?
Yo!
Vote yes on prop B33N for legalization of safe coffee injection sites. No more backalley java!
grew up in places like this
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RtM8KXSeI-w/S6jdGLNoGiI/AAAAAAAABbY/vIvxBOH2yjc/s1600/DSC_0157.JPG
I do all my best design work in restaurants. Particularly ones with booth seating. Coffee shops don't really do it for me.
3 blocks from where I work is: I go there during lunch to get my espresso fix - good espresso - it's old BEAT era still hanging on.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffe_Trieste
Orhan that picture makes me long to go to Turkey. What a perfect spot.
A large part of the reason I studied in Vienna in college (for 6 months) was to experience their coffeehouse culture. Turns out I did not enjoy it, at all. Too many snooty people and frankly too expensive for a grad student. But I did enjoy Vienna's street cart wurstle vendors far too much.
That would bug me, Donna: having to avoid my favorite haunt due to unpleasant people. But I have done it once or twice.
And, yes! One reason I spent so long in grad school was a love for reading for hours on end in a few great coffee houses.
My kitchen, and a pot of Folgers.
Stumptown Coffee, W 29th St NYC
Love the coffee, not the wait. Usually a line going into the lobby of the hotel (they're connected).
I usually get to see this sign on an average day...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aranciaproject/3898596709/in/photostream/
...which means I'm im in the lobby.
There's a ledge against the window where you can take a sip but usually you can't linger, people are moving in and out here.
I've never delved into the lobby to have my coffee:
http://karimcintoshdesign.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/ace-hotel-lobby.jpg?w=500
http://gothamist.com/attachments/nyc_arts_john/031110acelobby.jpg
photos (not mine):
https://picasaweb.google.com/aleschstephen/WorkStumptownCoffeeRoastersAceHotel?authkey=Gv1sRgCMXwqfO8jNKJXg#
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aranciaproject/3898598215/
http://www.katyelliott.com/beta/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/ag-stumptown3.jpeg.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aranciaproject/3898588351/
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C8oHPGsV6wU/S6ljh67b8yI/AAAAAAAABUo/V65SDNlfk4g/s640/IMG_0407.JPG
Stumptown coffee taste like crappy tea
mdler that's funny cause all my Portland friends love the stuff.....
Dammit. I haven't held residence in a coffee house since graduate school. Can someone in Los Angeles recommend one that is friendly towards loitering and heavy reading?
Some of my pictures are linked above, which is how I found this discussion. I'm soon launching a web guide to NYC cafes which will be at this address:
http://projectlatte.com
In addition to good coffee I also enjoy good design. Since my photostream is so large, I've turned to Pinterest to unearth some of the better photos in my collection. Here's my design Board: http://pinterest.com/petekachu/cafe-design/
My entire photostream can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aranciaproject/
I use Tumblr as a sort of daily guide to cafes, at least until I get my main site up: http://mydailycoffee.tumblr.com/
And my Twitter account: @projectlatte
If you have any questions about the NYC coffee scene, feel free to contact me on one of the above channels, or respond to this discussion. Thanks.
Peter
Nam
A lot of people like Stumptown. Personally their flavor profile doesnt appeal to me. They are part of the Rudys Barbershop / Ace Hotel crew, BTW
^ or they were. They were recently bought by an equity firm. Cant stay small forever...
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