April 02, 2011

Funnel Mill

Vanilla Nut Cream (roasted with real vanilla beans and almond slices) w/ vanilla cream and vanilla sugar - $3.30

For some miraculous reason, neither work nor law school has turned me into a coffee monster/ addict. (cookie monster, maybe).  I drink it occasionally for taste than for the caffeine effect.  But even if purely for taste, I am, by no means, a coffee aficionado.  I don't own a coffee grinder, a French press, or seven different kinds of beans.  I don't consider coffee-tasting a culinary ritual.  (wine, maybe).  And quite frankly, I will not be able to tell you the subtle variances between different brews beyond "ooh, bold," "ooh, not as strong," and "ooh, weaksauce."  That said, I still appreciate a good cup o' Joe.  And what better place to grab one on the Westside than Funnel Mill?*


Aside from their extensive list (or books, rather) of tea and coffee selections, this small nook is the ultimate place to get your study on. (free wifi, too!)  Everything from the light and peaceful music playing in the background to the "airy" space and mixture of wooden & leather furni (what, a rocking chair too??), Funnel Mill's ambiance does a very great job maintaining the "Zen atmosphere."

Plus, the coffee - from what I can tell - is of very high quality.  Maybe that's why my coffee + super moist zucchini bread cost nearly $7.  (yeah, not cheap).  But once in awhile, quality justifies price.  Plus, the service is one of the best I've ever encountered at a coffee shop.  Funnel Mill, you do a fine job.  See you again soon!

Zucchini & Pecan Bread - $2.99



Just a glimpse

What are you waiting for?

*Other notable coffee beanery W of 405 is Intelligentsia Venice.  Eastside boasts LAMILL and Intelligentsia Silverlake and Pasadena.



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cuisine:  Coffee & Tea
location: Santa Monica
website: { FM | yelp }
hours: M-F: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM; Sat: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM; closed Sundays
attire: Casual
parking: street (meter) 
notes: No cell phone usage indoors.  Limited seating.  They carry Kopi Luwak, the most coveted coffee in the world... for $80/cup!