On my way to the Asics World Series of Beach Volleyball event yesterday, I took a detour through downtown Long Beach to try out this specialty coffee shop with 4.5 star reviews and it didn't disappoint. "Drink good coffee" is the motto that welcomes guests into the storefront located on Long Beach Blvd. and 3rd. Upon entry they're greeted by friendly baristas and Hario V-60 pour overs on display behind clear glass sneeze guards and brick walls decorated by living green plants providing simplistic decor and ambiance . From my experience, their baristas are knowledgable without having that know-it-all-too-cool-for-you attitude you might experience at other specialty shops. They offer workshops and a blog teaching the basics of coffee brewing methods and coffee cuppings and serve coffee from Portola Coffee Lab in Costa Mesa, CA and Case Coffee Roasters in Ashland, OR. I ordered an iced mocha (with house made ganache!) to go and loved every sip... and after seeing the full menu of offerings online, I plan to stop back in soon to try a "hoppy iced coffee" or "sea salt affogato."
Check them out at www.recreationalcoffee.com
