Intelligentsia Coffee recently hosted a tasting event at their Silver Lake store, giving guests samples of a coffee called Geisha, from Hacienda La Esmeralda in Panama. Apparently this coffee is "the world's most award winning coffee," winning every competition it was entered in. It may also be the world's most expensive coffee, retailing for $99 per half pound. Unfortunately, my critical coffee tasting abilities were not quite advanced enough to fully appreciate all the complexities and nuances this coffee has to offer. It was very good, I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I also really like their Los Delirios coffee from Nicaragua I bought that night for a relatively modest $15/lb. They got a good turn out. Coffee buyer Geoff Watts gave a presentation outside on the patio while my friend and I mingled inside, snacking on cheese and wine, watching the Clover machine in action. I also had the pleasure of meeting Doug Zell, the founder of Intelligentsia (who, by the way, said he read my previous Intelligentsia post). Doug, if you catch this post, may I put in a request? Open your next LA location on the west side. Preferably Mar Vista. Thanks.
6 comments:
Bree,
It was nice to meet you. As for a store in another part of Los Angeles closer to you...
Stay tuned.
Doug Zell
Intelligentsia
Coffee, like wine, has little to do with winning contests and more about people enjoying it. It may have been a real contest winner but many would still probably enjoy a cup of Dunkin Donuts over it. Does that discount the fact that both are amazing? Not at all...just means we all have our own tastes...thankfully. It was one of the first things I learned when I was learning about wines. Unless you're selling wine only your opinion matters cause you'll be the one drinking it.
BTW, I'd love an Intelligentsia to open on the west side as well ;)
I second the Westside request...not only is the coffee fab, but this little piece of Chicago in LA makes me a happy girl.
I third the request for a Westside location. Say, you know, downtown Culver City is booming but doesn't yet have a coffehouse. That would be a perfect place.
i think culver city would be a great place for Intelligentsia - or even better yet, the soon to be demolished and re-developed intersection of Centinela and Washington Blvd.
I recently learned that the developers behind Beechwood, The Alibi Room, and The Del have made an offer to buy the NE and NW corners of the intersection. Apparently the offer is being accepted and their plans include space for a coffee house.
hmmm...
i randomly came across your blog while doing a search for "award winning coffee." i decided to go out on a limb and buy a couple of 1/2 lb. bags from intelligentsia, and when i took the first sip of the kenya, i was blown away.
quite possibly the best cup of coffee i've ever had.
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