Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea

11/04/09

Extremely rude

by chishirtfactory at Citysearch

I went to Intelligentsia yesterday for a meeting. It was my 1st time there so I did not know how the line worked. I got what I can only describe as a dirty look when I walked up to the assembly like line to ask a question about their blended type drinks. This annoyed the person I was speaking to as I did not know the menu. OK, fine.

Then I pay the $5.50 for my regular size iced coffee with vanilla (I guess syrup? looked like coffee with ice but had a hint of vanilla). As I had waited almost 15 minutes to place my order I figured it would take a few minutes for it to come up so I went to sit with the person I was meeting with.

About 3 minutes later, 4 TOPS, a man came outside and practically pushed my drink it my face. He said in a VERY rude tone- "In the future you need to wait for your drink. We do NOT do table service here". I said "I'm sorry! I was going to come pick it up". He reiterated I needed to wait at the counter and added that my drink was just sitting there.

I swear not more than 4 minutes went by. I frequent Coffee Bean and Solar de Cahuenga often, both of which also do not offer table service. It is OK however if you go speak to someone, use the restroom, what have you. This guy spoke to me in such a way (and not a quiet tone might I add) that I felt like I had offended him and the entire establishment. Had I not been there for a meeting I would have left.

The guy was tall, skinny, close to bald head with a sneer. Steer clear on him if you would like to be treated with a smile.

I have read the reviews here that it is a super cool place with great coffee (my coffee was indeed good) but I just cannot spend another dime there after being talked to like I has an infectious disease.. b/c I sat down before retrieving my coffee.

• Pros: Coffee was good
• Cons: Attitude made me feel most unwelcome

10/30/09

Best Coffee on the East Side

by Michael Fran at Citysearch

It lives completely up to its Chicago reputation. The staff takes their coffee making very seriously. Not taking it to go? They'll be quick to tell you porcelain makes all the difference in taste. Go for the drip coffees of the day, brewed on the spot one cup at a time. The lattes are pretty damn good too. It's pet friendly for those curious.

• Pros: Coffee
• Cons: Wait

10/01/08

Excellent coffee, knowledgeable staff and neighborhood!

by wonderlily at Citysearch

The best coffee I’ve had in Los Angeles. High in quality and richly prepared to perfection by highly knowledgeable and skilled baristas. You can give the barista a list of 30 specifications and they will nod their head without taking down your order and prepare it exactly the way you wanted after making seven orders previous to yours.

The atmosphere and design is chic, minimal and clean. The interior is finished with Moroccan print tiling, coffee inspired graphics, granite counter tops with gleaming espresso machines coupled with local artist's works set for display and sale.

The staff reek of coolness without effort; don’t let their Iaid back image fool you; they are by far the best coffee makers in Los Angeles and take their coffee very seriously.

Over the weekends and during lunch hours seating can be scarce. Lines do tend to get long, but move quickly. You'll find the clientèle varies among locals, hipsters, down town crowds, parents with strollers and children to people waiting for their kids to finish a session next door at the music conservatory.

Parking can be annoying, seeing as the junction parking lot is now closed off for valet parking only and reserved for 15 minute interval visits to stores like The Cheese Store and Kicks. There is metered parking on Sunset which is often not available, on Hyperion and Sanborn (read the signs carefully; often for residents only after 5 pm-ish and not available at all over the weekend); you'll have to park far and walk. I always have the best luck finding a spot on Hyperion between Fountain and Sunset.

Even with the parking inconveniences and the annoying hipsters you have to deal with, the coffee keeps you coming back time and time again.

• Pros: coffee, quality, iced teas, service, music,
• Cons: parking, seating, no food, high prices, annoying hipsters