Referral Friday is part of an ongoing series inspired by John Jantsch's Make-a-Referral Week. For more about that, and loads more referrals for everything from cobblers to coaches to gee-tar teachers, start here. Pass it on, baby!

Yes, we have Peet's here in Los Angeles.

We also have nearly two outposts of Chicago-based Intelligentsia, a handful of local indie joints that ain't bad (albeit one among them that drives me batshit crazy with its goddamned preciousness, which quality should be kept OUT of coffee, thank you), and a robust locally-based chain that at least beats that national one.

Here's what I love: Kaldi.

I love the way it smells when you walk in. I love the crazy Japanese candies and snacks on display (they have regular baked goods, too, although as a non-partaker, I can't vouch for them). I love the mix of people who go there and how cool and dark it is inside and how funky-frozen-in-time the Atwater Village street is outside. I love that the wifi is free, even if I never use it.

But mainly, I love that every single time I go, I have gotten a superb Americano with perfect crema and no 'tude.

In Los Angeles, this is not easy. But when it happens, it is delicious...

xxx
c

Kaldi Coffee & Tea
3147 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 660-6005

Image by atwater village newbie via Flickr, used under a Creative Commons license. There ain't always a cookie contest going, so caveat, and all that.