A hidden jewel across the street from MacArthur Park: The Coffee Cellar (aka La Bodega De Cafe).

This artisan coffee roaster specializes in certified coffees — fair trade, organic, and shade grown. Angel, the ex-Bruin that runs The Coffee Cellar, buys his green coffee from Elan Coffee Roasters in San Diego and roasts it in small batches in the back roasting room!

I stopped by for a cup yesterday — Yum. The drip’s made a cup at a time, and the beans for espresso drinks aren’t ground until the beverage is actually being made :) No bland venti cappuccinos here — The largest drink’s just 12 oz :)

For bike enthusiasts: The Coffee Cellar delivers to the Bicycle Kitchen on Tuesdays and to the Los Angeles Ecovillage on Sunday evenings. Silverlake hipsters can find TCC at their local farmers market at Sunset Junction on Saturdays from 8 am – 1 pm.

The Coffee Cellar’s actually based within Mama’s Hot Tamales, a nonprofit apprentice-operated biz training restaurant for street vendors — a program of the Institute for Urban Research and Development.

I had the yummiest veggie-filled tamale — The place is only open for breakfast and lunch, but would make an excellent fun meeting place for people who work downtown. And I’ll be stopping by from time to time on my way to USC. That is, once the semester start’s again — right now I’m school-free!

The Coffee Cellar and Mama’s Hot Tamales. 2124 W. 7th St. Los Angeles. 213.487.4300. 8:30 am to 2:30 pm every day.

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