Place to catch up in West LA, Mar Vista or East Samo?
I'd like to grab to some coffee later this afternoon with a friend in this area and am drawing a blank on anything but Starbuck's or Coffee Bean (either or which would be fine, although I'd be interested in grabbing something else). We've done Literati and so I was trying to think of another place. It would also be helpful if it's somewhere that parking isn't a nightmare, although now I may be dreaming. Any thoughts?
![header=[] body=[<img alt='' class='photo' src='http://www.chow.com/uploads/0/1/9/18910_birthday_cheese_large.jpg?20120523220005' /><br /><strong>mollyomormon</strong>] cssbody=[user_tooltip]](http://www.chow.com/uploads/7/0/9/18907_birthday_cheese_tiny.jpg)
What about Amandine? They have some nice little tables out back facing the alley if the weather is okay (which it looks like it will be) or even Bite Bar and Bakery might be nice on a weekday.
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Another couple of thoughts would be 17th Street Cafe on Montana just west of 17th Street and Novel Cafe on Ocean Park Blvd. in the same mini mall as a Starbucks and with il Forno and the Counter on the NW corner.
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Amandine Patissiere would be great except that the op is looking for a place "...later this afternoon..." and Amandine is unfortunately closed on Mondays.
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Amandine Patissiere
12225 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
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I always forget that. How can a place which mostly relies on local business types for their traffic flow close on a workday? That's why I never remember they are closed on Mondays!
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I won't admit how many times I got up far too early, dropped the lads off at school and headed to Amandine Patisserie on a Monday morn for a big cup of their dark roast and some pastries and as I pulled up to their store (before my morning caffeine mind you) wondered why there were so many empty parking spaces in front!
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I have not tried their coffee but Thyme Cafe & Market might work, coffee, good pastries and sandwiches in a casual cafe/market.
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Thyme Cafe & Market
1630 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
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Another vote for Thyme Cafe. Really nice neighborhood cafe.
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The Larder. Free, easy parking, great coffee and pastries.
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The Larchmont Larder? Only been once, last week, for a late lunch. Had a great sandwich and too many excellent sweets but if this is the place you're suggesting, it's not in the area mentioned by the op. Worth the extra travel time though, lots more that I want to try!
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The Larchmont Larder
Los Angeles, CA, Los Angeles, CA
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I am talking about The Larder at Tavern in Brentwood
ttp://www.tavernla.com/larder.html
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Oops, my bad.......sorry!
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How about Bite Bar & Bakery? I think that would be a perfect place to catch up with a friend.
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Bite Bar & Bakery
3221 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405
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Second bite, or if you don't mind going a little east... LOVE the coffee @ Paper or Plastik...
http://paperorplastikcafe.com/
--Dommy!
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Oh, I drove by that place the other day and wondered what it was! I'll have to check it out...
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Yeah, I am an iced coffee SNOB... usually I get it at Hub in Playa Vista (They use LA Mill coffeee and were properly trained) but LA Mill at the Hub in Playa Vista but they do the whole Blue Bottle 12 hour drip thing... AMAZING. You truly taste every note.... *happiliess*
--Dommy!
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Bite Bar is the first place that came to mind.
Another idea would be Novel Cafe on Ocean Park/30th
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Also Lazy Daisy, if the weather is nice - it's pleasant on the patio.
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Lazy Daisy Cafe
2300 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
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Bite would be my top choice as well, depending on how late in the afternoon you were planning on, but what about Funnel Mill or Jin as other options (if not too far West)? Heading the other way, Coupa Cafe is also nice but perhaps too far East for your purposes.
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Jin Patisserie
1202 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Funnel Mill
930 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA
Coupa Cafe
419 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
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Another option is Cafe Bolivar for Venezuelan coffee and maybe an arepa. Very friendly owner from Venezuela...
http://losangeles.menupages.com/resta...
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Cafe Bolivar
1741 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
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Bite is closed on Mondays
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Oh, did the OP say it was for today?
EDIT: Yes, she did - I missed it! Okay, scratch the Bite rec.
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Jin is closed Mondays as well. :(
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Thanks all for your thoughtful responses! We ended up at Literati II for various reasons, but I'll definitely keep these other options in mind for other (non-Monday) meet ups.
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Literati II
12081 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
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