Sabor Y Cultura

09/23/11

Awesome place

by dhallvelocity

I always visit the Pasadena location and the coffee is great with a cool atmosphere. I met the owner a few times and he is definitely interested in providing quality service and food/coffee. I highly recommend this place.

08/17/10

No real barista training or experience BUT great food

by CalenceEmerson

Turkey Pesto = best sandwich in the world! This place rocks in the food department.

Despite their lack of TRUE barista training, their coffee comes out tasting pretty good. IF you happen to get it made on a day where the grind is correct and it's made by a long time employee.

Wifi is great! Chairs are uncomfortable, hard wood and small. I can take 20 minutes before my back is killing me.

If you want real coffee, though, by trained baristas, Sabor Y Cultura lacks severely. For instance, I see the following preparation methods regularly:

They don't always grind the espresso to order which leaves it stale. Filter baskets are always wet, not cleaned before each use. Sometimes they under-dose the filter basket. Sometimes they over-dose the filter basket without leveling it off and then they tamp it 6 times - and then slam the portafilter on the countertop which unsettles the tightly packed filter basket... may as well NOT tamp it at all. They slam the portafilter into the group head, unsettling the grounds again. Sometimes leaving the portafilter in the group for a while before brewing it. This burns the espresso. Then they don't watch the shot - so when it blonds, it turns bitter - and they serve that! Then the new people pour the espresso directly over the ice sometimes...

My only other complaint is the music. Someone must have an "experimental" band because the music they play is not understandable, and grating on the nerves... no known music, nope, just random screaming, banshee like noise with lots of loud drum kits and screeching like nails on a chalkboard.

Despite my complaints about preparation, their coffee tastes better than Starbucks, and is actually very decent. I've had way worse, but there's just no "experience" to be had at this place. I get in and get the F* out!

08/17/09

Too expensive!!!!!

by lorin77

Because I want a double mexican mocha over ice, I get charged roughly 75 cents more. Not sure why. Most all the other "chains" don't charge that for over ice. Also when I simply want the espresso and the chocolate, sans the milk, they charge me no less. When I ask why I am told because "its not on the menu" and "you are paying for the espresso and the chocolate" . Even the chains realize the difference between a mocha and a double espresso with chocolate, and that is precisely why eventually these "narrow minded" small businesses with sarcastic service staff will fail. Too bad.

• Pros: Yummy Mexican mocha
• Cons: Rude staff and more expensive than the chains

12/19/07

great coffee, lunch, and dessert place.. can avoid annoying and loud crowd

by kl9477

If you're sick and tired of those franchise coffee places, i recommend Sabor y cultura. It's one of those cozy, quiet, and friendly neighborhood cafe' in Hollywood. They have wonderful coffees, desserts, and delicious sandwiches. I would definitely recommend this place for a date, wifi laptop, or just reading by yourself. One of the best cafe' in Los Angeles! cheers!

• Pros: great coffee, dessert, sandwiches, etc....
• Cons: none

12/07/07

free wifi coffee cafe

by richardchubb

Great place for coffee/espresso and free wifi, but assistant mgr is a real 'itch. I would never have hired here, makes going there very unpleasant. Try to get sevice from anyone but her, you'll feel better.

• Pros: good espresso, pastries, atmosphere
• Cons: assistant mgr is very unpleasant