Redshift Coffee Roasters — Restaurant in Lake Forest

Great coffee made by a passionate team!

I’ve been on the hunt for a proper specialty coffee joint in Irvine for about a month and haven’t had much luck. I searched for specialty coffee on Google maps and saw a new shop I hadn’t seen before (Redshift), and decided to check it out. I’m so glad I did!

Drink:

I ordered the usual cortado to test the espresso and milk foam at any new shop I visit, and I was so impressed!

The espresso was very balanced: not too acidic, but has a pleasant floral head. Nice earthy, chocolatey, lightly sweet finish that lingers.

The milk foam was definitely the best part of the drink! Cortado milk tends to be overfrothed and overheated at most shops because there’s less milk in a cortado than in a latte. Not the case here! The microfoam was silky smooth and it was the perfect temperature for sipping right away.

Other notes:

The team at Redshift is small but very friendly and knowledgeable! I had a great chat with Denis, Lisa, and Vitaliy about pour over drippers, espresso machines, grinders, roasting, etc. I highly recommend chatting them up if you like to nerd out about coffee!

The ambiance is easygoing with a bit of light music playing. The plentiful seating (with outlets!) is comfortable and good for having a chat with a friend, reading a book, or getting some work done (ask for WiFi access).

Parking is easy in the plaza’s huge lot. No EV charging as far as I’m aware.

Overall, Redshift is a very welcoming spot with well-made drinks made by people passionate about the craft of coffee. This will be one of my go-to shops from now on!

P.S. They are in soft opening as of 5/1, so pricing and menu...

I didn’t appreciate the barista’s attitude, and unwillingness to adjust my drink by putting in less milk. He showed his attitude by telling me, “we are not like other coffee shops”. I respect original recipes but I also felt like my request was too simple to be rejected. I paid for a chai latte and asked to make it small - flat white size. Normally, other third wave coffee shops adjust easily. I was also profiled as a Russian and I didn’t appreciate that. It is apparently a Russian owned coffee shop with a sweet and polite service on the surface and first encounter but the attitude comes through as soon as the workers face a more challenging situation like a drink adjustment. I felt a hint of soviet attitude and service.

I highly recommend other third wave coffee shops such as Moon Goat, Coffee Wall Writers, Jedidiah, Roosevelt Coffee where you are not just buying a drink, but an experience and the staff make the day happier because of the way they communicate and...

From their modern decor to their talented barista, this roasted coffee heaven did not miss a step! I accidentally discovered Redshift coffee as I was driving through the area and desperately googled for a caffeine boost. Tired of the same old coffee shops, I decided to give this place a try because of their curious name and late hours. Nevertheless, they didn't disappoint! Immediately upon my arrival, I was greeted by the owner and ordered "Raf Coffee" with Salmon bagel, which caught my attention. Needless to say, their coffee was delicious. These guys truly know coffee! You could taste the difference in the craft, freshly ground beans, water heated to perfection, and flavors you can taste within the aroma. The salmon bagel was fresh, however, it had too much spread (based on my palate), and will consider to go...