Intelligentsia Coffee ~ Venice Coffeebar

Since their name was mentioned, here is L.A.'s one of the most popular, the highest media exposure coffee roaster, Intelligentsia, known as "big-three" of third wave coffee in the United States.


Maybe, there is nothing to say about them, but here is brief overview about who they are just for reminder.  

Dated back in 1995,  Doug Zell and Emily Mange left San Francisco, a sanctuary for third wave coffee, to plant a seed of their dream coffee roaster.  The idea of Intelligentsia sprouted and rooted in Chicago, where they opens the very first roastery to bring freshly roasted coffee beans to their own.  After they bloomed in Chicago, Intelligentsia planted a seed in L.A., then in NYC, and now in SF, the city where picked up the seed.
Although they have more coffee house in Chicago than any other location, 7 in Chicago and 3 each in L.A. and NYC for now, somewhat L.A. has more media exposure than any others.  Is this because so called "Specialty coffee movement" has more active and influence on West Coast?  Maybe so.

Although all of their coffee bars has significant meanings to Intelligentsia, here is the one in Santa Monica, where celebrities and money actively flows.

Located on Abbot Kinney Blvd., the cutting-edge/sophisticated area ranked with Robertson Blvd. and  Melrose Ave.,  Venice Coffeebar shows its creativity emerged by corroboration with sophisticated L.A. architectural design.  The coffeebar hides itself in inside of old brick made building on almost end of Abbot Kinney shopping area.  The building appears historical, but inside of the building is nothing historical.  As you walk along a short shaded approach to the door, you will find a modern metallic interior merged into natural woody warmness.
Seating area are arranged like a stadium:  the stairs of bench seats are located by the window at the end looking down the espresso bar area.     

To be honest, all baristas appears in training, not fully professional enough to be at the championships.  Not only my cup but also other cups I watch did not appear fancy enough.  My usual choice "Soy Latte" was served as it shown, and creaminess of formed soy milk was far away from San Francisco quality.  

Maybe, this happened just because timing wasn't right.  
Maybe, my expectation was too high. 

Whenever I visit roasteries, I focus to read how much they enjoy "Coffee" and how strong they have the faith in their business.  Sometimes it is better to just simply visit their original location to observe and find out how they are.