Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea

Intelligentsia has the best mocha in

by Brittney Barrett

Intelligentsia has the best mocha in town. The lines are unparalleled but so is the quality of he coffee

Intelligentsia, Silver Lake, the New World of Espresso!

by Augustus1

Intelligentsia in Silver Lake. I'll have one latte with a sprinkle of Silicon Valley, and could you put that in a wine glass please!

Intelligentsia, Silver Lake. What can you say. First things first.

For those who have not had the opportunity to visit Silver Lake and the Intelligentsia coffee shop it's well worth the trip. Both coffee and staff are exceptional, they have free wifi, and being in Silver Lake the people are generally nice.

While you're there you will generally see plenty of neighborhood people with their pets walking around. They also have very large windows if you like to read inside or outside they have outdoor seating and most of that is shaded.

If you go on the weekends a farmers market is open near-by. Not a bad start if you are looking for a place to enjoy a good cup of coffee and relax.

However the downside can be many. Sometimes the lines are long, the drinks can be expensive and parking in their lot can be a mess. They don't seem to have or wish to promote a large variety like many coffee shops.

Also Intelligentsia is just that, and the clientele can be a bit much, especially if your main coffee house is something like a Starbucks.

Through out the line you'll see macbooks, smart phones and people scribbling on pads and many times you wonder if you're in a coffee shop or Silicon Valley.

However this is "Intelligentsia," and it is one of many Landmark Coffee Houses in one of the most unique areas you will find in the country.

The people behind the bar are well trained. When things begin to stack up they move fast and get people through the line quicklywith their coffee. In all the times I've had coffee at the Intelligentsia I have yet to see anybody truly complain about the taste or quality of the coffee.

There is nothing I love more than espresso, and their espresso is right on the money!

The next time you visit the Intelligentsia or your favorite coffee house see if you can get a good view of the barista as he,she makes your espresso, and you will be amazed at just how close you can come in judging a good espresso.

What you will see is the barista grinding the roast, scooping the roast into a portafilter, and tamping (applying pressure) to the grounds and then finishing with a slight twist. What he's doing is making a little disk just like a little sports puck in the bottom of the portafilter.

This entire process is to make sure the coffee is evenly distributed and compressed. If there are loose spots, weak spots, the high pressure of most commercial espresso machines will shoot right through.

Also look at the grind. Normally the coffee will be very fine,very compact, and the color will generally be a dark roast.

Brew time will normally be under 30 seconds and when the espresso begins to stream out the color will look almost like maple syrup. Also the flow will be smooth and consistent, not too fast or too slow.

The 30 seconds just a guideline. But it is taken seriously by connoisseurs because any thing after 30 seconds and the epresso flow pulls too much acidity and caffine. And both will add nothing but bitterness to your espresso.

If you have ever watched and wondered why a barista is pulling the demitasse before all the espresso has finished and wasting good espresso this is the reason why.

It is true today, that more and more coffee shops are doing their own thing, making their own specialty blends. This is exactly how they establish a clientele by offering the public their own unique blends and building their brand. But they all start with a base espresso and go from their.

Espresso is the basis, the foundation of almost every popular drink you will find today. No matter which coffee shop you go to, no matter east or west coast, if the espresso is not right you will taste it in the drink. There is no middle ground. No in between when it comes to espresso. You either make a good espresso or you don't.

Augustus Smith, Worlds Finest Coffees

www.worldsfinestcoffees

good coffee good pasta!

by Sevanne

had the ravioli there the other day with a latte....very good and light pasta. salad was also very fresh and clean. Latte was great too and its a good price for how nice it is in there. Great atmosphere! AAAA

definitely recommend this place. Sounds system is awesome. I believe Solutions in Los Angeles (nextdoor) did it. That makes me like it more haha.

My favorite coffee spot

by Amanda Grace

I truly believe that Intelligentsia makes the best cup of coffee in Los Angeles. If I want a real afternoon treat/pick me up, I'll definitely stop in for a large cup of iced coffee.

Sometimes it can take a bit to get your specialty coffee drink, but it's always worth the wait.

Pricey, But Worth It

by Kika Davis 2

Hands-down the best coffee in Los Angeles. Intelligentsia puts a lot of work into making each individual cup, and it shows in the taste, and price. Be sure, it's not the type of coffee you drink four times a day (leave that to Dunkin' Donuts), but it's a nice treat for yourself on those days you need that extra kick.