My graduation weekend celebration ended in the best possible way. By now, you know I like good coffee at indie shops and you know I love Vancouver. So what happens when you combine both? A unique and lovely indie shop brewing Vancouver’s finest, 49th Parallel, aptly called Espresso Cielo. Yes, this place is pretty much heaven on Earth.
This cafe is brand new and the only reason I knew about it, is because Tyler from Intelli told me. Coincidentally, Tyler is now my favorite barista, despite the fact he has never made me a drink. Trufax! Yesterday? Profeta. Today? Espresso Cielo! What’s next Tyler?
I had a little bit of trouble finding this place because the only address I had for it led me to a barber shop. It turns out this place is right on the corner and they will get proper signage very soon.
The first thing I noticed were the pastries which happened to be from Cake Monkey! I talk about CM as much as possible on this blog. I love their pastries! And, they can’t be found just anywhere! I got a muffin which was perfect. We shared some other pastries which were all great.
Then again, when is Cake Monkey not great?
I ordered a mocha latte because lately I have been ordering lattes instead of iced coffee. This was THE BEST latte I have ever had. EVER. I thought Profeta was excellent (it still is) but Espresso Cielo was just on a different level. It was amazing. Unicorns and rainbows!
As I sat there drinking my latte and eating my muffin, I looked around the shop just to take it all in. Every detail is special. Starting with this clock on the back wall. So simple, yet so nice.
Since I prefer my coffee shaken, not stirred, I decided to order a second round. As you know, the Angeleno is my usual at Intelli. I went to the counter, unsure of how to order what I wanted. I don’t know exactly what makes up an Angeleno (I’m a coffee doofus, remember?) so I asked for my coffee iced, with agave, milk, and finally, I just said I wanted something that tasted like my usual Angeleno. The girl at the counter had an Angeleno once and was able to replicate it based on taste alone, even adding the appropriate espresso! It was excellent! Perfection! I loved it!
I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to stay inside this shop which allowed me to escape the thoughts of lesson plans, emails I have to return, dry cleaning I need to pick up, and finalizing plans for my next trip to Vancouver. And speaking of Vancouver…
As I mentioned previously, this place is using beans from Vancouver’s finest! 49th Paralell! There are only three places in the United States using 49th Parallel, and Espresso Cielo is the only place in California. THAT is really impressive.
Oh, and in case you didn’t catch it…they have Agave…major score!
The barista pictured below told us that he used to live in Seattle and worked at Vivace (which I visited last month). He really knows his stuff! The owner is pictured below as well. She told me that she pretty much has opened up the coffee shop of her dreams…and in doing so, she pretty much opened up the coffee shop of my dreams too. Thank you.
Espresso Cielo
3101 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405(310) 314-9999
Wow, I don’t drink coffee but I may have to be on the look out for a certain cute barista!
Big fan of CakeMonkey myself. Have you ever tried their maple cream cookies??
It’s a shame all the good coffee shops are far away from you and me. Though I do like Intelligencia in Silver Lake or LAMill.
this is a much needed addition to Main St in SaMo. Can’t wait to try! Thanks for the post