Drip in Koreatown

[bad nono]

This is a newish coffee place in Koreatown, Drip.

I stumbled upon that place with a friend this weekend and feared the worst as it's located on the 2nd floor of a shopping mall (on 8th street and Serrano I think) that was rather deserted at that particular time.
The decor would be alright (hip and modern but not too aggressively so) but the lack of natural light makes it a bit depressing. It's not very big, I saw a couple of people with computers working but I didn't check if there were outlets or if they offered wifi.
The staff was super sweet and friendly.

I'm strictly an espresso drinker and being European I usually despair of the quality of espresso in this town (no, I don't like Intelligentsia, nor LA Mill, nor Groundworks renditions of it), or maybe it's just my taste buds that are used to something different. I usually stick with places offering Danesi or Illy but even that isn't a guaranty I'll like it (i.e. the espresso at the now defunct Massimo's Mudspot was terrible, and it was made with Danesi).

I winced at the $3 charged for the espresso at Drip, but after I drank it I thought it was well worth the price. Smooth and sharp, no hint of burnt rubber like I usually get elsewhere, and not too watery (I'm looking at you, coffee chain from Seattle).
I also had a sample of the dark chocolate they sell and it was very good even if it didn't look so. They sell it for I believe $4 per bar.

I'm not sure Drip can survive in its current location since you need to know it's there and that mall doesn't look super popular. I sure hope Drip will be around for a while because I would certainly come back when I'm in the area and caffeine-deprived and I can drop $3 on some espresso.

[dharmathug]

go to Caffee Luxxe in Brentwood - a dream of an espresso, exactly like Italy.

I currently am into the syphon coffee experience around town and Balconi on Sawtelle in particular. They make a good looking espresso there as well. Haven't tried it but I warrant it's good.

Heard of drip. In K town a lot, will check it out.

[kevin]

Balconi is great for their coffees, and I also really like their cappachinos a lot. I would presume they would make a great espresso too.

Another joint to try is Coffee Tomo, just a handful of blocks from Balconi, where you can get a perfect cappachino.

I think double trouble is in store in the very near future.

Btw, what else is located inside the shopping center along with Drip in koreatown on eighth street with regards to food???

thanks.

[Peripatetic]

Place Link:

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Drip
3525 W 8th St, Ste 203, Los Angeles, CA 90005

[kevin]

Darn I gotta check this place out. Interesting enough, I really liked the tiny demitasse of cappachino at Intelligentsia in old towne Pasadena.

[Dommy]

Thanks for the review!! My brother also has high standards for his espresso... and his current favorites around town are Demitasse and Antigua Coffee House.

--Dommy!