Grounded Coffee House — Restaurant in Newport Beach

My wife and I went to Grounded and got there @5:55pm. The woman at the door said they were closed, and my wife asked if they closed @6pm? She said yes. So even though there were a few minutes left we started walking away because we knew we were showing up with just a few minutes to spare. Understandably, if they decided to close we wouldn’t have been frustrated. However, the lady came back and told us since there were a few more minutes she could take us. We said thank you and I told her we would give her a big tip. It was generous of her to let us in. I noticed the motor cycle in the shop and asked the woman serving us, “Why the motorcycle?” I was curious and wondered if the owner was a police officer or had connections since there were police patches on the wall. However she responded in a sassy tone, “Why not!?” And I could tell maybe she was having a bad day. I told her, “Well, I was just asking because I see the police patches and was wondering if the owner was an officer?” She said, “I am the owner, and yes my husband is a police officer.” I proceeded to have a little convo about where he worked. But her answers were short and had some attitude behind them. My wife and I were particularly surprised since this was the owner of the shop who had a bad attitude towards her customers. My wife proceeded to ask her a question about her coffee she ordered which the owner had a poor response to. Poor meaning with attitude and negative. We left feeling like the owner didn’t want us there, even though giving her business. My wife’s coffee was not well made, and we were disappointed. It was a poor experience and made us sad to experience that from the owner,...

I recently decided to try Grounded. This is not my typical coffee style, as I usually stick with my Starbucks where I get my typical triple shot of espresso with a pump of vanilla and white mocha over ice in a venti cup. I know the baristas there, I know what I'm getting, and I'm a guy of routine. But recently I was traveling in the direction opposite of my starbucks, so I looked up coffee shops on the way to where I was going and Grounded came up. Independent coffee shops aren't my thing, but I decided to go in and try. I went in and I quickly spoke to the barista, whose name I later learned was Catherine, and asked them what I should get, considering I felt like such a foreigner at the establishment. She said what do I usually go for, to which I laughed and listed my whole typical starbucks order. She suggested I go for something a little more simple, just getting a vanilla latte. I've obviously had one of these before, so I decided to go for something safe, and she also convinced me to get a chocolate chip cookie. Let me say, this coffee was some of the best I've ever had. I almost wanted to go up and just try a simple shot of espresso (I decided against it) just to taste the flavor on its own without the syrup and milk. I can't believe I haven't been here yet! The cookie was delicious too, albeit a little pricy for just a simple cookie, but that's not something to deter you from taking a trip on down to the coffee house. And if you go, see if the Barista is Catherine, she's lovely...

Excellent coffee house!

We 'discovered' this place spontaneously when the family was returning from a trip to Laguna Beach and I needed to re-fuel on the way back. If you are on the PCH, circa Newport or Laguna Beach and are in search for an excellent cup of coffee and a tasty cookie, then you have to stop by here.

There aren't many coffee types offered here BUT the brew was excellent. I am usually not a medium roast person (I prefer dark roast coffee) but they had just poured the last bit out because we arrived circa 5. This medium roast brew had a depth of flavor (which I find lacking in many others) which I appreciated.

We also had the OG cookie and it was delicious. Just sweet enough and the walnuts added a nice crunch and balance. On a personal note I would prefer dark chocolate - but that's neither here nor there. We live a bit far but would return to try other cookies, the espresso, and the dark roast.

The service was wonderful - one of the best cafe experiences I have had and I love trying new places. I also really liked the modern-yet-not-clinical atmosphere in the shop. Keep up the good work and keep the good brews...