The Refinery — Santa Monica
Figured it was proper to start this off by paying homage to a legendary local barista, who has played a huge part in teaching locals to expect better coffee from the establishments they frequent.
Location
The Refinery is a small coffee shop in Santa Monica whose ebullient barista has steadily built a cult following over the past few years. After a few visits, you may get a lesson in Coffee Appreciation. A few weeks later, you might even become a coffee snob.
Each morning and throughout the day, Yaro calibrates the grind settings to yield that consistently perfect shot of espresso that his customers have grown accustomed to.
The Vibe
While it does not boast the most reliable wifi, it does have a laid back vibe on most early mornings. As the sun rises, you may find the window seating a bit unfriendly due to the glare. This is more of a place to congregate and socialize, rather than sit and work for an extended amount of time.
But for light laptop work, most of the indoor seating will do. Just keep in mind, there are no sweet or savory pastries to fill your hungry belly.
If you peek around long enough, you’ll notice a few quirks, like the customer-submitted “art” placed throughout the shop
The Coffee
The espresso is smooth and nutty, never bitter. After a few visits, you will most likely give in to the barista deciding what you’ll be having that day. I personally have gone this route many times, and have yet to be disappointed.
As an avid espresso fan, I’ve only sampled the pour-over coffee a handful of times. But drip / pour-over die hards swear by the light roast that gets regularly rotated out (every 2 weeks). Currently they are using a Nicaraguan blend — just keep an eye on the sign outside the shop, or ask them what’s new when you drop in.
Best way to enjoy the full flavor of the Ritual beans espresso is to get a cortado, otherwise you risk the cream masking too much of the nutty flavor. If in doubt, you can always ask the barista for advice based on your personal preference.
This article is part of the Santa Monica Coffee Shops section.
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