#monolith coffee

[laptopcamper]

Monolith Coffee, 43 E Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91801, Score: 40/50

If you’re looking for an unusual coffee, Monolith Coffee is the place to go. They roast their own beans and make their own syrups in house. The beans are light roast or medium-light roast.

Score: 40/50

Food: 5/5 – For food, the Asian pastries are made in-house. During my visit there were only two kinds to choose from. The croissants and Danish are sourced from Out of Thin Air. The ham & comte croissant had many layers and quality ingredients.

Coffee: 4/5 – You can get the classic espresso drinks, but they also have signature drinks that are more like coffee mocktails, priced at $9 - $12 each. For example, Rift features cold brew coffee, sous vide bonito kombu syrup, yuzu, uji genmaimatcha, and applewood smoke. Or you can try the Four Movement set with four coffee mocktails. Milk options: whole or milk alternatives. The latte was good but slightly bitter

Wi-fi: 5/5 – Free, password by the register

Ambiance: 5/5 – The space seems to be set up more for socializing than laptop camping. The tables are small. It’s an attractive, artsy space with a rock theme (with hanging rock mobiles, grey walls that look like rock surfaces). When you order, you get a rock with a number on it. Return the rock when you pick up your drink.

Noise: 4/5 – quiet music but a lot of people talking

Plugs: 2/5 – Saw two outlets

Parking: 3/5 – free, easy street parking but limited to 2 hours

Comfort: 3/5 – Tables are close together, some are very small

Bathroom: 4/5 – One unisex, but nice

Art: 5/5 – The things hanging above looked artsy

Tips: They sell coffee beans. Cash is not accMonepted. The shop is popular, so it might be hard to find a table even on a weekday.

“Laptop Campers Unite!”

[formeryelpers]

Monolith Coffee,  43 E Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91801

If you’re looking for an unusual coffee, Monolith Coffee is the place to go. They roast their own beans and make their own syrups in house. The beans are light roast or medium-light roast.

You can get the classic espresso drinks, cold brew, and pour over coffee, but they also have signature drinks that are more like coffee mocktails, priced at $9 - $12 each. For example, Rift features cold brew coffee, sous vide bonito kombu syrup, yuzu, uji genmaimatcha, and applewood smoke. Or you can try the Four Movement set with four coffee mocktails. And they have matcha and hojicha lattes. Milk options: whole or milk alternatives.

For food, the Asian pastries are made in-house. During my visit there were only two kinds to choose from. The croissants and Danish are sourced from Out of Thin Air.

The space seems to be set up more for socializing than laptop camping. The tables are small. It’s an attractive, artsy space with a rock theme (with hanging rock mobiles, grey walls that look like rock surfaces). When you order, you get a rock with a number on it. Return the rock when you pick up your drink.

Ham & comte cheese croissant ($7): they offered to warm it but it didn’t seem warm at all. It was a big croissant with thin layers (the top layers fell off), lots of ham, quality cheese. The ham wasn’t too salty. I was pleasantly surprised to encounter a crunchy cornichon inside. This was a quality croissant.

Latte ($6): made with skill, a slightly bitter aftertaste

Cash is not accepted. Free wi-fi. I found free street parking but it was limited to two hours. The shop is popular, so it might be hard to find a table even on a weekday.

4 out of 5 stars

By Lolia S.