Back in the day, coffee was a simple drink; something to lift the morning, fog from your eyes as you reached for the Folger’s or set your timer to start a brew in the AM. Nowadays? Coffee is on par with those who fall to their knees at IPA brews and wine tasting notes. Rightly so, coffee and the bean roasting process is an extremely detailed, elaborate process that can make or break the aroma and taste.

Here in Los Angeles, this is especially true. For those of us who like to go beyond Starbucks, LA is bursting with coffee houses and is quickly rivaling Seattle as the coffee capital of the world. We decided to get the scoop on one of our favorite spots for coffee in the City West end of Los Angeles.

Enter Blue Bottle Coffee. Quickly popping up in stores across the USA and several shop fronts in multiple metropolitan cities (and Tokyo). It all began in the early 2000s, in Oakland, California. When a group of musicians and artists were weary of the commercial coffee enterprise and stale, overly roasted beans, they decided to open a roaster for people who were clamoring for the actual taste of fresh coffee. Using a minuscule six-pound batch roaster, a historic vow was made and is Blue Bottle’s motto: We will only sell coffee less than 48 hours out of the roaster to our guests, so they may enjoy coffee at peak flavor. Only the use of the finest, most delicious, and responsibly sourced beans are used.

Pretty bold and deep for a cup of coffee, no?

Fast forward 15 years later, and Blue Bottle is continuing this mindset, and we are thankful for it anytime we hit up their coffee shop in Los Angeles’ City West in Downtown Los Angeles. Located in the beautiful Bradbury Building, this classic and historic center is the setting for many of Hollywood’s most famous scenes (mainly Blade Runner and The White Cliffs of Dover). Blue Bottle Coffee opens daily at 7 am and, while it can get that morning rush, they keep the line moving and the java coming.

“I’ve ordered the New Orleans twice, and Blue Bottle has never failed me.” Writes just one of their many happy Yelp reviews, “This drink is very creamy and refreshing. Their coffee beans are very exotic.”

While another adds, “I love the layout that they have. You can sit outside and enjoy the warm sun if you wish. They have comfy bean bags that will get you cozy. I love the stairs! Interior has the aesthetic minimalist look that everyone seems to want.”

We definitely can attest that Blue Bottle’s New Orleans coffee is the way to go. Add in a tiramisu shortbread cookie and you really are in for a treat. You can visit their website here and make sure to check them out when you venture forth to City West from Downtown LA.
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