Go Get Em Tiger — Restaurant in Los Angeles

I was on a coffee crawl with a barista friend the day I came to try some coffee here. I'd been told they had great coffee and was excited to see what they had to offer.

First off I gotta say the location, look, and atmosphere were pretty cool. Everything you'd expect of a hip coffee shop in a prime location. There was a lot of movement, coffee being poured, conversations. My Hope's were high as we stepped up and ordered some cappuccinos.

Now, I might be a bit spoiled when it comes to coffee because of the places I hang out and people I know and jobs I've had. Espresso is a finicky thing. You pull it wrong and, snap, it sucks. Mistimed, too much, too little grounds, tamped too soft or hard...so much. Newer machines take a chunk of the thinking out of it by trying to keep things constant...but it also makes people lazy.

One of our drinks had a shot that made me cringe hard enough that I had to get them to remake the drink. The barista seemed a bit confused because I dont think many people bring things back to them...

Bitter, mouth-drying finish, with a crazy sour head. No milk could cut it. And, the other one...just bland. Like milky coffee with no real espresso notes that make a cappuccino a cappuccino. After one drink having to be redone I wasn't going to ask to have the second one as well.

It's a hip, cool place, and great for people-watching but sadly to say it doesn't live up to the hype when it comes to taste. I'm probably being harder than necessary on the rating, but, when you tout yourself to be a high-class top-shelf coffee shop, you really got to live up to those standards or expect people who really love their coffee to speak up.

I'll give them another try to see if it was just an off day...but it will be a while before that happens. Lots of other shops I've been recommended to to...

Went back to the G&B coffee place in the Grand Central Market - and for the 2nd day in a row they gave me a free Americano (on top of what I bought) today I had the Yeast raised waffle - it smelled like beer trub (when you brew beer, it is the layer of used yeast at the bottom of the fermentation container) when it is cooking and while lite and fluffy it has a subtle acidity that comes from fermentation (a sourdough waffle) - at $8.50 it is maybe the best deal going - high on flavor and a perfect breakfast with a cup of coffee - even better with a beer.  If you sit facing the outside (on the right), you can watch the trolley cars, for the angel trolley, go up and down and see the people coming to get coffee and pastries - a delightful experience. I love the Americano though - great coffee flavor and ask for a side of milk (cow milk or plant-based) to add to it to smooth it out and cut that edge of acidity - I tried it without as well but I like the smoothness addition of some form of milk adds to the experience (like I said, smooths it out) - do note, that if you are having coffee there they don't take payment till you are done, which is nice and watching the coffee and waffles being made is a lot of fun. There is a blue bottle coffee place, in the Bradbury building, catty-corner to the side of the market G&B is on but the coffee at G&B, for me, was better - and finally, everyone who worked there was super nice - pleasant and polite and just a real pleasure to get to know over the three days I went for coffee, in the morning. Oh, and there is music, which is great - not too loud but it adds to...

G&B is a great addition to Grand Central Market. It's located on the Hill St entrance, right across from Angels flight. There is an Italian style feel to G&B's setup with the stand up bar service when you order. There are a few stools on each end of the bar if you want to just chill with your coffee and do your wifi thing. And of course, open seating throughout Grand Central Market as well.

The staff has always been super friendly each time I've gone there, and they whip up some mean drinks!

Sparkling White Tea (w/ hops) - mmm on a warm day this has a great refreshing taste to it! Dunno if it was gimmicky, but I loved the idea of them pouring it from the barrel tap=).

Almond Cappuccino - this may be an acquired taste for some. They make their own almond milk so the milk has that raw, earthy taste to it. Not the boxed, flavored stuff you get at the market. This was maybe my least favorite of the drinks so far.

Cappuccino - mmm, when made with a great espresso & barista - you get a great drink!

G&B shake - kind of reminded me of an affogato. G&B's shake has 4 (yup 4!!) shots of espresso in it. There are also some coffee grains sprinkled into the shake as well. I've only had this one once and it was a little runnier than I'm used to when drinking shakes. Though the taste was mmm, yum! I will admit, I only drank half since I was sharing and I had the caffeine jitters after - haha so not for the caffeine wary!

And one of my all time faves of this place? The yummy donuts they have here by the Donut Snob. The Razzy Lemon Lulu is a winner!

y'know the mantra: great service + yummy goodness =...