Menotti's Coffee Stop

Menotti's Coffee Stop, with an emphasis on the word "stop," has the atmosphere of a welcoming haven away from the nearby Venice Boardwalk. The decor is warm but sparse, with the bulk of the attention going to the bean variety and some vinyl records, and a taxidermied armadillo behind it. There isn't much seating; there is a bench, a little table, and a tiny wooden bar that just about makes room for a coffee cup and a delicious cinnamon roll that resembles a croissant. Think of your $5 almond milk latte as a tranquilizer to carry around the boardwalk. However, there are occasionally opportunities to stay inside, particularly during coffee tasting events hosted by Four Barrel Coffee, a San Francisco-based company.

The majority of the equipment is recognizable to customers, including a curving aqua La Marzocco espresso machine, a line of Mazzer grinders, and a Curtis batch brewer. Nevertheless, Nicely, the chief barista, has several surprises in store. One of the 10 machines already in place from Bona Fide Nitro Coffee & Tea can use nitro to make creamier drinks out of either cold or hot coffee kegs. Menotti's has also forged a working partnership with Cat & Cloud Coffee, a roaster based in Santa Cruz that produces batches for the LA coffee company according to Nicely's standards.

Google Rating: 4.6/5.0

Location: 56 Windward Ave., Los Angeles, 90291
Website: menottis.com

Phone: 310-392-7232
Opening hours: 8am-8pm