Intelligentsia in Silver Lake, CA

[edwa]

Just curious if anyone else has been to the new Intelligentsia Cafe in Silver Lake, Ca.?

I suppose my expectations were too high walking into the place. For some dang reason, I assumed that you'd be able to order either a shot of Kid O or Black Cat or both, depending on your fancy. They didn't even have either blend for sale and the place had only been open for 3 days. I ordered the only choice a double Black Cat and sat at the bar which surrounds the back half of the coffee prep area. The espresso was served in their handsome logo bearing cups with a small glass of water. There are tables outside setback from Sunset Blvd and it looks like a comfortable place to hang out. There is a classy cheese shop practically next door.

Unfortunately, the shot was cool and a little sour. I could have complained, but then I'd get another shot of Black Cat when I really wanted a Kid O. I don't know why, but Black Cat is the only espresso I've had that upsets my stomach. All this was the basis for my decision not to travel 45 min. (one way) thru traffic to visit again. Honestly, the $50 parking ticket for being THREE whole minutes late to my car only sealed the deal not formed it!

[Marshall]

Just curious if anyone else has been to the new Intelligentsia Cafe in Silver Lake, Ca.?

I suppose my expectations were too high walking into the place. For some dang reason, I assumed that you'd be able to order either a shot of Kid O or Black Cat or both, depending on your fancy. They didn't even have either blend for sale and the place had only been open for 3 days. I ordered the only choice a double Black Cat and sat at the bar which surrounds the back half of the coffee prep area. The espresso was served in their handsome logo bearing cups with a small glass of water. There are tables outside setback from Sunset Blvd and it looks like a comfortable place to hang out. There is a classy cheese shop practically next door.

Unfortunately, the shot was cool and a little sour. I could have complained, but then I'd get another shot of Black Cat when I really wanted a Kid O. I don't know why, but Black Cat is the only espresso I've had that upsets my stomach. All this was the basis for my decision not to travel 45 min. (one way) thru traffic to visit again. Honestly, the $50 parking ticket for being THREE whole minutes late to my car only sealed the deal not formed it!

Lots of people have visited. Check the CoffeeGeek West Coast forum.

The bagged espresso blends sold out and were given out pretty quickly on opening day. The L.A. roastery won't be on line for several more weeks, so they are depending on shipments from Chicago. It will take them a while to figure out what the "normal" stocking needs of the "Silver Lake" shop are. (Just to clarify for out-of-towners, "Silver Lake" is a district of Los Angeles, near Downtown, and not its own city.)

As for Black Cat and your stomach, I have to say this is probably mind over matter. "Black Cat" is simply a trademark for a coffee blend that constantly changes as various crops appear and disappear from the coffee market. Intelly is working right now on re-formulating it once again.

[edwa]

As for Black Cat and your stomach, I have to say this is probably mind over matter.

Knowing my mind the way I do ... you're probably right!

Chocolate gives me indigestion so its probably an associative reaction to the strong chocolate taste of their blend.

... Still, I wished they offered Kid O.

And again, that's just me.

[rindfest]

I just visited here, my first Intelligentsia experience.

my black cat latte was cold [maybe 110f tops], tasted very bitter. barista didnt use a thermometer on steaming. [look Ma, no hands!]

but there was latte art [does that ever make it taste better?]

asked if that was an oatmeal/raisin cookie? "yes". it wasnt-- it was cranberry I think?

shoulda complained but it was a long day, and v busy in there

got an upset stomach/felt queasy later too!

they are selling silvia/rocky and some other equip in there

[malachi]

barista didnt use a thermometer on steaming.

You will rarely (if in fact ever) see a thermometer used in steaming milk in a quality coffee bar.
In fact, I could argue that seeing a thermometer used is likely to directly correlate to poor quality.

[Marshall]

I just visited here, my first Intelligentsia experience.

my black cat latte was cold [maybe 110f tops], tasted very bitter. barista didnt use a thermometer on steaming. [look Ma, no hands!]

but there was latte art [does that ever make it taste better?]

asked if that was an oatmeal/raisin cookie? "yes". it wasnt-- it was cranberry I think?

shoulda complained but it was a long day, and v busy in there

got an upset stomach/felt queasy later too!

they are selling silvia/rocky and some other equip in there

Makes you wonder why all those people stand in line every day to get their luke warm, bitter, nausea-inducing lattes.

Does a beautiful presentation make food taste better? Of course it does.

And, as malachi says, top baristas rarely (if ever) use thermometers. They judge by the heat reaching their hands.

[rindfest]

Makes you wonder why all those people stand in line every day to get their luke warm, bitter, nausea-inducing lattes.

Does a beautiful presentation make food taste better? Of course it does.

And, as malachi says, top baristas rarely (if ever) use thermometers. They judge by the heat reaching their hands.

marshall, surely by your reasoning, then starbucks must make the very best coffee in the world!-- they have thousands and thousands of stores with literally millions of people lining up in droves every single day?

who said he was a top barista-- could've been his first day for all I know?

anyhoo, my mistake, I guess my drink wasnt really cold and actually didnt taste bitter. [but it had a pretty picture on it. ]

what was I thinking, expressing my opinion / my experience...

[cannonfodder]

Sound works as well. There is a distinct change in pitch as the milk passes the 140 range. If you stop as the pitch shifts you will carry over into the low-mid 150's depending on the machine. Throw away the training wheels; put the thermometer in the cupboard.

As to the sub par drink, I would have complained, Intelli is top notch, at least they are in Chicago, and would make it right.

[Marshall]

marshall, surely by your reasoning, then starbucks must make the very best coffee in the world!-- they have thousands and thousands of stores with literally millions of people lining up in droves every single day?

Are they standing in line for lukewarm, bitter, nausea-inducing drinks, as you described? No. They are mainly buying and enjoying flavored, sweetened lattes and ice blended drinks. By the way, how many syrups did you see at Intelligentsia? How do you suppose they stay in business, if your experience was typical?

who said he was a top barista-- could've been his first day for all I know?

He wouldn't be on the line, if he didn't have months of training. In any event, that wasn't my point. You assumed the absence of a thermometer demonstrated poor technique. It does not.

[ThaRiddla]

Hello rindfest,

First off, let me apologize that you had an unpleasant experience at our Silver Lake store. I hope that you were not so deterred that you will not give us a second chance, as I'm sure your next experience would be much more pleasurable.

If I may, did you alert the Barista that your beverage was sub-par? Any Barista working in our stores holds quality in the highest regard. I am 100% positive that they would have instantly apologized and remade the drink for you. Did you let them know they made a mistake in pastry identification? Again, I'm positive they would have apologized and offered you something else to your liking. When I'm (on the rare occasion) working the bar I'm not 100% perfect, but I do enjoy the recourse of fixing any mistakes I do make...I'm sure you are the same way at your job.

If you (or anyone else, for that matter) have any questions or concerns in the future about our shops, please feel free to email me mriddle AT intelligentsiacoffee.com or click through on my profile. I will be sure to alert the appropriate people to remedy the situations.

Thanks.
Matt Riddle