Seeking That Moment of Calm with an Espresso

No matter how busy she is, my mother once told me, she will never drink her coffee in a hurry.  In fact, for as long as I can remember, I’ve watched her “just sit”- as Zen practitioners would say - and sip; enjoying her own version of a morning meditation.  Following in her footsteps, I too usually make an espresso after breakfast --- and make a point of slowing down to enjoy it.

But this week I was lazy about getting to El Camaguey to stock up on my usual vacuum packed bricks of La Llave and so every day, I  either walked or drove a few blocks for my own morning (or afternoon) meditation.

On Monday, I started at  where Ashton was easily entertained by the tiny packets of jam on the tables. He loves Metro because they often have foil-wrapped chocolates at the counter and Tellefson Park is across the street.  I love it because their espresso is excellent and Ron the waiter cracks me up.

I did the Starbucks thing on Tuesday. After years of resistance, I now embrace Starbucks for two very important reasons: the consistency and the leather easy chairs. Those spacious chairs were a godsend when Ashton was a baby and I needed a comfy, semi-private place to nurse - while drinking an espresso.

On Wednesday, I hit. The Conservatory was ahead of the curve for years by roasting their own high-quality beans and this week I discovered that A.J. (who pulls a particularly short and flavorful ristretto) and his wife have also home schooled four kids.  No wonder everyone there is so sweet to my kids when I bring them along.  

Ashton practically jumped out of his car seat when I pulled up to on Thursday. Hands down, this is my kids’ favorite place to go when I’m in need of a caffeine meditation. Not only can I get a decent espresso but they can enjoy a boba and, on occasion, a piece of blue velvet cake: something I’m fairly certain you won’t’ find anywhere else in Culver City.

Last but not least, Friday brought me to on Sepulveda. I hadn’t been there since they’d redecorated with groovy surfboards and, seeing as I lead a double life as a surf blogger, they won my personal award for best thematic décor.

As five-day coffee tours go, this one reminded me that, in Culver City, we are extremely blessed to have so many options for meditating over a good cup of coffee  - even while dragging the kids along.