Stumptown Coffee in DTLA – Third Wave Coffee Slouching Towards Bethlehem

In light of the recent news that Blue Bottle is going to open up at least four sites in LA, let’s celebrate the third wave coffee titan that has already started to take over LA, Portland’s Stumptown Coffee. The Arts District roastery and shop is situated near Bestia and Bread Lounge, forming an emerging power center in LA’s culinary landscape.

Bread Lounge — Focaccia for Breakfast

When last we visited Bread Lounge, we checked out the kouign amann and found it a little lacking. Since then, I’ve seen BL’s bread around town and am about ready to say they make the best baguette in town. DTLA Cheese’s fantastic sandwiches feature this bread.

The Pie Hole – a Slice for National Pi Day

In celebration of 3/14, National Pi Day, I ventured back to the Pie Hole, a place I had wanted to love but found so disappointing.

Proof Bakery at Handsome Coffee

While getting Guerilla Tacos at Handsome Coffee the other day, I couldn’t pass up a pain au chocolat from Proof Bakery.

Guerrilla Tacos – Gourmet Street Meat

Back to our regularly scheduled programming, could there be a new contender for best tacos in LA? Guerrilla Tacos is a months-old pop-up serving up gourmet foodstuffs in taco form.

Bread Lounge – Kouign Amann for Hipsters

A newly open to the public operation, Bread Lounge brings serious pastry and breads to the Arts District. They’ve been supplying bread to the likes of Church and State and underground supper club Wolvesmouth for a while but have just opened the front to the public and introduced pastries, coffee, and sandwiches.

Handsome Coffee in the Office

Just got a bag of Handsome Coffee’s Kiawamururu beans from last week’s event. Brewing it up at the office, it’s pretty great. It’s a light touch on the roast, with an acidic feel and a mellow roastiness. I prefer a chocolatey brew, so this is not quite a repeat buy. But it’s two coffeedouchey thumbs up here.

If you want their coffeedouche tasting notes:

“Tangelo and meyer lemon with a hint of red fruit and black tea. The beautiful acidity of a fresh made marinara sauce.”

Ah, how coffeedouchey.

Handsome Coffee – Hipster Apotheosis

Can I be douchebag about coffee? Considering my complete lack of qualifications to talk about food, why not?

Speaking of DBs, is Handsome Coffee a worthy place to start the criticism of the coffee you have in your hand right now?

The Pie Hole – What’s Missing Here?

Seems like a pretty simple recipe for greatness: hipster neighborhood, social media marketing, previews at summer food events, AND PIE! Shouldn’t this be the greatest thing ever?