It’s so strange when I get emails from my fellow interns saying: “Let’s go out for drinks tonight!”
I must hang out with the virgin baby crowd or something, because I’ve never heard that phrase directed to me before. Most of the time, what we say is something along the lines of: “Let’s go get ice-cream!” Well, for me it’s more “Let’s go get McDonald’s ice-cream cone!” while for some of my girlfriends, it’s more “Let’s go get frozen yogurt!”
But for whatever reason, I’m just not a wine/cocktail/beer kind of girl.
I tried. I even bought a bottle of Vodka (Fine, a cheap one from Trader Joes) to get myself excited to make cocktails.
I love the idea of it. I want to stare out the window in melancholy with a glass of Jack like Alec Baldwin does on 30 Rock (he’s my favorite character, by the way). I want to giggle over Cosmopolitans with my girlfriends at a nightclub like Sarah Jessica Parker on Sex and the City (Hate the show, love the fashion).
But I want to do that in the comfort of my room. Maybe behind my Macbook screen. You know what? Someone should invent a virtual bar online, where you get to act cool with a glass of shimmering liquid and flirt with other “interesting” people who detest nightlife and alcohol as much as you do. Or is that called online dating?
Anyway…do you know what “your spot” is? The spot where you like to meet friends?
Last weekend, Mimi and I was trying to get together with a mutual college friend, who used to be my editor at the Daily Trojan. We decided to get together and have caffeine and sugar, the two best combination ever. Way better than alcohol, in my opinion.
We were planning to meet at Urth Caffe, this really popular coffee and tea shop in Los Angeles. They’ve got several branches, and we chose the downtown location since it’s closest to us. Unfortunately, my friend had to take a rain check at the last minute and it was just Mimi and I.
Downtown’s Urth Caffe is located in the most seedy area ever:
The street was creepy, like a back alley. It also reeked of human filth. And in the midst of this grey drabby spot, there is this funky tower… 
Do you see the clock tower on the left? It’s got splotches of bright blue and says “Urth.” 
Now you see it. I kind of felt like I was Alice in Wonderland. Curiouser and curiouser… 
Once you reach the front steps, you realize that the place isn’t that empty after all. It was late Sunday afternoon, and the cafe was packed. 
I really don’t like crowds, so I almost just wanted to drive back home. It just didn’t seem like “my spot” to me. But Mimi really wanted to try the place so in we went. 
The inside was dark, noisy and cramped. Strike two. I could barely hear my server and made him repeat 5 times.
But I have to admit, the drinks were good. I got a green tea espresso: 
It’s really not an espresso, of course. No coffee beans were involved, just really pure-grade matcha powder brewed into a bitter, grassy half-foamy drink. 
It took a while for me to grow into it. At first sip, I made a dreadful face that tickled Mimi. But by third sip, I really started appreciating the aroma and the refreshing kick of the fine-ground tea. 
I also really loved the multi-colored sheen of the cup. Absolutely lovely.
Mimi, the latte lover, got the Spanish latte, which is apparently inspired by the coffee of Barcelona. 
The artwork on top was gorgeous. 
Creamy, smooth and just a right touch of sweetness.
We also shared an apple tartine: 
Hm. Not a fan. I was a bit flabbergasted that this slice cost $6. 
Plus it was a bit too sweet. I felt like I was eating a chunk of melted sugar with butter. 
But at least I discovered it was all-natural, as I had to spit out pieces of inedible apple core from time to time. 
So I guess Urth Caffe isn’t my spot. Maybe I’m picky. I want someplace quiet. I want someplace with wi-fi. I want someplace that isn’t in a seedy place. I want someplace that won’t break my bank, but not someplace that has $1 coffee with free refills, either.
And the search continues…
Question of the Day: Where and what is the prime spot you love to meet up with friends?
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{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }
Great review, Sophia. Witty, interesting and filled with your personality. I don’t think Urth sounds like my place either. p.s. I’m not a “go out for drinks” kinda gal, either.
woah i’ve never seen the downtown location! have been to the other ones a few times. you have to try their pumpkin pie!
Unfortunately I hate pumpkin pie! Are the other ones less sketchy?
omgshhh! haha this is so cool toootally recognizing everything! I was here lastttttt nighhhhttt and I love this place. I recognize the guy behind the counter! He’s so sweet. Sophia, try the blueberry cheesecake! Mayyyybe you’ll like it? Oh, I hope so~~~
Not my kind of place either. I’m not into loud, dark, and cramped. I like a more open ambiance, one that feels inviting and encourages you to open your laptop to check out the news online, do your homework, or even simply read a book sans laptop.
My friends and I (what few local ones we have and actually get together with) usually just hang out at a local Starbucks or grab lunch somewhere. My friend Jonathan and I often hit Chipotle but I am addicted to the stuff so I naturally gravitate there and beg and plead to go on occasion. If not there, then it’s usually hanging out at mine and the hubs’ place.
Great review, Sofia! Interesting how you slowly warmed up to the green tea but didn’t like the apple tartine. I’m with you though. If it’s too sweet I can’t and won’t eat it.
Hmm. Yeah, I think I’m more like you. I’d rather do it in the comfort of my own home. Actually, I think it’s nice to just invite friends over and grab some liters of soda or whatever from Ralphs and bring it back to my house — and just hang out in the living room and play scrabble or something. It’s cheaper that way, although I probably sound like a grandma. I dislike really crowded places because I can barely hear anyone anyways. But every so often it is nice to get out.
I like how honest your restaurant/food reviews are. Anyway, better luck next time!
I’ve never understood the attraction of ‘going out for drinks’ either. Give me a soy cappucino any day (if only I could spell it).
My favourite ‘spot’ is a smallish shop in Durham called Caffe Nero (they apparrently cannot spell ‘café’ either) that I went to with a blogging pal last Saturday: had never really been in there before but I enjoyed the experience so much I think that sometimes the people define the ‘spot’ when it’s associated with happy memories.
xxx
Teehee, I think that’s because Caffe Nero bases itself on Italian espresso, and in Italian coffee is spelled “caffe,” similar to the French “café.”
Doesn’t look like my kind of place either. How do they do that on the latte? I always wondered that Have a great weekend!
I wish I was like you, and didn’t like alcohol. But I am like you in that I would much rather drink in the privacy of my own home, in front of a Mac or a TV, or outside on my porch, with a fire. So much more fun. My “spot” is a place called Brazenhead. It’s huge and there are always tables and great people and a nice patio. Nick and I love it! They also have deeeelicious blueberry ale from Bar Harbo, Maine, on TAP!
Aww, sorry you didn’t like the place, dear. Kudos to you for giving it a try for a friend though. I’d love a sip of that green tea espresso, looks really good and packed full of flavour. The one thing I hate about espresso is that they’re always so tiny, 3 sips and it’s gone. Can’t they just make them like “big gulp” sized or something? Haha, jk.
I think my choice would be hanging out at home or a friend’s house. No outside noise, good home cooked food or even take out if that’s what you prefer, and you can stay as long as you want and not have to worry about being kicked out (well, most of the time teehee). Anyways, have a lovely weekend, dear!
My cousins bring us pastries from the urth cafe and I have to say, I’m never impressed.
Crowds are an instant turn-off for me, too. I prefer coffee shops that feel like a hideaway from the outside world.
And I’m with you on the “going out for drinks” thing. If not at someone’s house, I at least like to meet somewhere cozy, open, and laid-back. Sometimes I wish we had a Central Perk or Chubby’s, but alas, television does not equal life.
What I want is the diner Lorelai and Rory always visit in “Gilmore Girls!” That would be lovely.
I’m the same way, regarding cocktails. I’d really rather just have tea, haha. There’s this cafe that I used to go to that’s super adorable; it’s in a historical house, all the furniture is mismatched, and they have the most interesting flavors of loose tea. Too bad it’s 500 miles away, haha.
I know how you feel, chica! A lot of times, I don’t like to go out for drinks either – any time where I have to shave my legs is NOT a relaxing experience. A great idea is a wine bar-t – they usually have awesome happy hours with food specials, there is always a place to sit, and you can just get a soda while you eat some delicious nibbles and gab away. These are huge in NYC – hope there are some in Cali! I really think you would like them!
Ah, thanks for the rec! I’m sure L.A. has some…I’ll look them up!
My friends and I LOVE to meetup at Starbucks. It is a bit pricey, but I ALWAYS like whatever I order.
That torte-thing looks interesting but 6 dollars?! Holy smokes.
Yeah, I’m with you on the tartine. I could’ve made something better, with less sugar, and topped with whipping cream.
I much prefer going out for yogurt or coffee than alcohol. I like hard cider and sweeter drinks but that’s about it. Not worth the money in my opinion, unless I’m paying to get drunk.
Bars are so not my scene either. I feel so uncomfortable in them and I don’t like alcohol, so I’d much prefer a small coffee/tea shop or restaurant to meet my friends. I don’t have a favorite place. I can’t believe there were apple cores in your $6 dessert! So wrong.
I once went to a place in Koreatown called Koffea. It’s a large, two-story cafe that serves coffee, tea, and pastries. It’s generally pretty quiet and full of people who go there to study, there’s free wifi, and the assortment of furniture makes it feel like you’re in a house! It’s in a nice area and not too far from a Yogurtland I believe. I think the pricing is just a little cheaper than Urth Cafe…I think. Btw, fight on!
Oh! I’ve been planning to visit that place for some time. Free wifi?! Totally going there during school semesters! Thanks for the rec!
P.S. Woo hoo! Fellow Trojan?
Yes, I am.
Marshall, 2013.
I’m 2013 too! Yay!
I live in Los Angeles and have been to both this Urth Caffe location, and the one on Melrose Ave. Honestly, I enjoyed the Melrose location more. It’s a tad insane to find parking, but honestly I think it’s worth it. If you’re not one for crowds, though, I’d suggest that Urth Caffe isn’t for you. Their food is also a tad pricey, but the flavors are really wonderful and homey.
Darn, sorry the restaurant was a bit of a bust. (though that latte looks pretty darn good – and I am needing a coffee this morning!
) Have a great rest of the weekend.
LOL you are so sweet and unspoiled that is one of the many things I love about you. Alcohol is not worth your time, trust me on that one
I have to catch up on what you have been doing, hubby and I have been sick for weeks!
Oh no! I hope you and your husband are feeling much better now! Sending you a virtual bowl of chicken noodle soup!
speaking of online dating, all of these guys always want to “grab a drink”. And I am SO not a grab a drink girl! Now. Grab dessert. That would be way more like it. Especially if he’s paying.
I would also totally grab coffee. I’m a coffee lovin kind of gal. I wish you luck on your search for the perfect caffe!
MY favorite meetup spots with friends are casual-ish restaurants that we can grab appetizers and a fancy-ish cocktail together or self serve frozen yogurt.
Well at least the drinks look awesome
That dessert looks good – sorry to hear that it wasn’t that great.
I LOVE crowds, and love mingling with people. I like dance clubs, but I will mingle anywhere
getting drinks after work…the phrase makes me think of offices that are like that in Mad Men. Which is such a sexy, sexy show that I can’t help but want someone to ask me to get drinks after work. But I know I’d rather go home and sit on the couch with food. and that Mad Men also makes smoking and cheating look sexy, so…
Just by your description alone I can already tell that I wouldn’t have liked that place either. Creepy surroundings? Yeah, no thanks. And that dessert doesn’t look good at all.. my teeth ache just looking at it. But hey, at least you tried it out and that’s what counts! Right? Right. One of my favorite places to go to is my favorite sushi place that I discovered totally by accident and then this popular vegan/vegetarian place called Naam. Naam is open 24 hours and I kind of love it even more just because of that.
I’m a pub or coffeeshop kinda girl—or anywhere that they don’t BLARE music so you can still chat to the people you’re with. I’m not having fun anymore when it’s too loud and my lame-ass lungs have an asthma attack if I have to yell for an extended period.
I like the look of Urth, but… a sketch neighbourhood would lose me, too.
Definitely a coffee shop meet-up sort of person! I don’t do alcohol/anywhere where you can’t hear people talking so…we all usually meet up in cafés or malls etc! I’m referred to as the granny of the group but whatever!
That coffee froth looks perfect!
i miss the days where I would meet my friends at the park or something active like bowling! Now, since we’re adults it’s always an expensive dinner or drinks -_-
I’m more of a “let’s eat!” kinda gal. Not a big drinker by any stretch. That Urth location does seem a bit spooky. Maybe I’d go to another one. Thanks for the review though.
Sophia, you are hilarious! Your post made me chuckle, haha. Anways, I’m not a bar-drink wine-beer-type-of-person. I’m more of a coffee-type. Hey, you can find a lot of pastries at coffee shops too so that is a plus for me. Sorry to hear that the place you went to wasn’t that good even if the photos make me want to go there, hehe. Hey, maybe next time we can go for a “drink”, hehe.
Thanks for the review, Sophia! Sorry that it wasn’t quite as good as it could have been, but I really appreciate your honesty. And I love Mimi’s drink — definitely a work of art!