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Espresso Chronicles: Concierge Coffee handles classic drinks, serene arts atmosphere with care

(Vivian Sun/Daily Bruin)

By Eric Sican

Oct. 8, 2024 2:00 p.m.

This post was updated Oct. 13 at 8:29 p.m.

Concierge Coffee, tucked away in a quiet corner of downtown Los Angeles, is the kind of place you could easily miss if you weren’t paying attention.

With its minimalist aesthetic, exposed walls and cozy vibe, it’s an ideal spot for anyone looking for a quick pick-me-up before wandering the nearby art galleries or exploring the rich culture of the neighborhood. However, the intimate space of Concierge Coffee may make it less than ideal for students looking for a place to hunker down and study. Yet what it lacks in size is made up for in character and quality.

I first stumbled upon Concierge Coffee during an early afternoon trip downtown. I had some time to kill between visiting an art exhibit and meeting up with friends for pizza around the corner, so I figured a quick coffee run would do the trick. The shop’s simple exterior drew me in – there were no flashy signs or excessive branding, just a small, inviting door and the comforting aroma of freshly-brewed coffee. As soon as I stepped inside, I was greeted with the unmistakable hum of espresso machines that seemed perfectly curated for the space. The barista behind the counter, dressed in a vintage band tee, worked quickly but with the kind of care that you can only expect from someone passionate about their craft.

The shop’s menu is straightforward, offering all the classics like espresso drinks, lattes and cortados, along with a few house specialties. One of their most popular drinks is the saffron latte – a perfectly balanced espresso and steamed milk concoction, topped with saffron that hits just the right note between bold and smooth. The prices are refreshingly reasonable, especially for a coffee shop located in such a prime spot downtown. At the price of $6 a latte, it won’t cost you much more than what you’d pay at a chain cafe, but the quality is in a league of its own. Ryan Dao, a customer at Concierge, agreed that the coffee was a plus of the shop despite the mediocre seating arrangement.

Pictured is a saffron latte from Concierge Coffee. The cafe offers reasonably priced drinks. (Eric Sican/Daily Bruin senior staff)
Pictured is a saffron latte from Concierge Coffee. The cafe offers reasonably priced drinks. (Eric Sican/Daily Bruin senior staff)

I ordered my latte and settled into a small table by the window, taking in the space around me. Concierge Coffee is small – really small. There are only a few tables inside, and with a steady flow of customers, the space can fill up quickly. While I enjoyed the shop’s vibe, it became clear to me that it wasn’t going to be the kind of place where I could sit down for hours with my laptop and knock out a study session. The atmosphere, though friendly, is more suited for a quick coffee break or catching up with a friend for a casual chat. Visitor Jacob Lee, like Dao, said the coffee was good, yet the atmosphere needed a change.

“I think what I enjoy most about the shop is that the coffee is relatively cheap, but I tried studying here, and it just wasn’t happening,” Lee said. “I think if there were better seating options, this would be one of my go-tos.”

During peak hours, it’s common to see people coming and going within a matter of minutes, grabbing their coffee and heading off to their next destination. But as I sat there, I realized that this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Instead of feeling like I needed to be in “work mode,” I felt encouraged to simply enjoy my coffee and the atmosphere around me.

The shop’s proximity to the downtown art district is one of its biggest selling points, especially for students interested in LA’s vibrant art scene. Just steps away from some of the city’s most renowned galleries and murals, Concierge Coffee feels like a natural part of the area’s creative energy. As I finished my latte, I noticed several patrons who were clearly taking advantage of the location, discussing the exhibits they had just seen or planning their next stop on a gallery tour. In a way, Concierge Coffee almost serves as a meeting point for the artists, curators and enthusiasts who frequent the area. Lily Presti, another patron, said Concierge was an ideal spot for her and her friends.

“Literally I think the coffee here is so good. I was with a couple of my friends at the art gallery across the street, and we decided to stop in for a drink,” Presti said. “I have zero regrets.”

When I left the shop, the sun was shining brightly, and the city’s electric energy was palpable. I had originally intended to find a spot to work on a project, but instead, I left feeling refreshed in a different way – creatively inspired and ready to take on the rest of my day. The coffee had been excellent, and the space, while small, had given me exactly what I needed in that moment.

As I boarded the bus back to campus, I reflected on my experience. While Concierge Coffee may not be a go-to spot for students looking for a long study session, it’s the perfect pit stop for those who need a quick caffeine fix before immersing themselves in the downtown art scene. Its location makes it an excellent choice for students and young professionals who want to feel connected to the city’s creative pulse. The shop’s small size, which at first seemed like a limitation, became part of its charm – a reminder that sometimes, less really is more.

In a city like Los Angeles, where coffee shops are as diverse as neighborhoods, Concierge Coffee stands out not because it tries to be something for everyone, but because it knows exactly what it is: a cozy, unpretentious cafe with great coffee at a great price.

A good cafe doesn’t expect you to be productive or to linger for hours; it simply invites you to enjoy your drink and move on to the next thing – Concierge Coffee does just that.

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Eric Sican | Lifestyle editor
Sican is the 2024-2025 lifestyle editor. He was previously an Arts contributor from 2023-2024. He is a third-year English student minoring in history from Los Angeles.
Sican is the 2024-2025 lifestyle editor. He was previously an Arts contributor from 2023-2024. He is a third-year English student minoring in history from Los Angeles.
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