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Wow, I really loved my experience at Monolith Coffee! I've been meaning to try it, but I sometimes hesitate to try new coffee shops for fear that I will be disappointed. Not with Monolith Coffee, thankfully! I got an iced latte, and it was enjoyable. They roast their own coffee beans! How cool is that? It tastes like a medium roast. The decor inside is superb. It is so nicely decorated, you can tell a LOT of thought went into crafting this place. It was very busy, but I was able to snag a seat. I was able to read my book for a while, so it's a nice place to read even amidst the hum of conversations. I'd definitely return! Also bonus points for having the most adorable postcard of the shop itself! I'm going to hang it like a mini print.
I live few blocks from this spot and seen it during my walks. Decided to give it a try and wow great ambiance and tranquility walking in. The customers look relaxed and enjoying their coffee or pastries. The gentleman was very helpful and advised what they offered and I ordered a coffee with croissant. Sitting there omg I was really relaxed taking it all in and cool part they give a rock with your number on the back lol. It's little pricey, but definitely good to support your local small business plus it was awesome location on the corner plenty of parking. Next time bringing my lady she loves her coffee.
great atmosphere, aesthetic drinks, quick service. Love the vibe and creativity. Great place for a catchup and get some photo ops. Only comment is they don't allow any adjustments or have decaf options as I have an espresso/regular coffee sensitivity. And I don't think you can adjust the sugar level either.
The place was very crowded, so it seems to be quite popular! The cafe was beautifully designed and had a trendy vibe. The drinks tasted good, and the presentation was nice, but I'm not sure if it is worth $20, including tax and tip.
Went here for a little coffee date. Really enjoyed the revolving seasonal menu as I got to try a fun coffee drink as opposed to the standard/basic drinks you'd get from a local cafe. Would go here again if I'm ever in the area.
WOW!!!! I LOVE this place. I was just in the area getting the best Pastrami from The Hat and was looking for a coffee place. It was right there, on the next block. Amazing coffee, and then coffee Mocktails! The place had such a nice hang calm feeling with space to work and talk, not loud but cozy. The staff, wow so nice and sweet it was at it should be kindness, with knowledge about the coffee and the drinks. I had some questions and they just gave me the time to enjoy and talk about the craft of what they were serving. HIGHLY recommend, if you like coffee and if you love coffee it's way worth the drive to go experience this. Now they need to expand and make one in the south bay!
experience: this was a really cool coffee place with a very unique concept. the ambiance was clam and earthy. love how they incorporated their name throughout their shop. GOSO MATCHA: great for the picture but 3.5/5 taste. really nutty matcha, not sweet. boring me upon first sip. the rice balls were a fun touch. service: Very kind and patient workers!
I love the theme, ambiance, and baristas are always friendly! The coffee is on the pricier side, but you can tell they care about their craft and each drink is curated to be an experience. Definitely worth the price! I live 30-45 mins away and my cousin and I will make the drive just for Monolith!
The interior has a different aesthetic, featuring a dark industrial vibe. It's nice, and the staff explained the different drink options and the recent menu. I ordered from the seasonal menu: The Coconut Elephant - with cream on top and toasted coconut; the espresso was good too. However, I think it was a bit overpriced for such a small cup. Parking is available behind the store, and there's another lot behind it as well. The seating is average.
Service the young man was very helpful steering me clear of a really sweet latte and making adjustments on the Coconut elephant as well in the same directionVery clean, calm intriguing aesthetic. Today we partook in the Coconut elephant and a Latte w/oatmilk and a hint of vanilla.
I am always so excited to try out Monolith Coffee's seasonal drinks and collaboration items! They are the only cafe that I follow closely for updates on new releases and events. I can tell that they are dedicated to their craft; each and every item is always so well thought out. This time I got the Pankohi (Shokupan infused milk, Earl Grey, Calamansi, Coffee foam) which was a collaboration item with Ginza Nishikawa from Aug 22-23. The drink was presented beautifully - white, creamy milk, with a clear distinct layer of coffee foam, adorned with delicate flowers. The drink was refreshing, the bread-infused milk fragrant, and the coffee foam so smooth (not bitter at all), with one large ice cube sitting at the center cooling the drink. Everything felt intentional and the details do not go unnoticed! They also offered french toast on their collaboration menu which I didn't get a chance to try. Yes, the price is quite hefty ($14.36 including tax) for a small drink that I finished in minutes. But every time I walk into the coffee shop, I see the unique rock-themed decor, am given a small rock marked with my order number, get called to to see a beautiful presentation of my order, and enjoy the most well-crafted cup of coffee, I am reminded that coffee can be an experience and not just a drink to be consumed and forgotten the next day. Monolith Coffee offers you a delightful journey from the moment you walk in to the moment you finish your last sip of coffee.
Monolith Coffee is one of the most unique specialty coffee experiences I've had in the San Gabriel Valley. Rather than being just another neighborhood café, it feels like the coffee equivalent of a craft cocktail bar--every drink is thoughtfully designed, carefully presented, and meant to be enjoyed slowly. The coffee is where Monolith really shines. Their signature drinks are incredibly creative without feeling gimmicky. You can tell the team puts a tremendous amount of thought into balancing flavors, and each drink tells its own story. The ingredient cards and meticulous preparation make the experience feel immersive rather than simply ordering a cup of coffee. If I had one piece of advice, it's to come with an open mind. Don't expect a traditional coffee shop. Monolith pushes boundaries with flavors and presentation, and that's exactly what makes it memorable. This place definitely sets a bar for coffee shop, especially being in Alhambra of all places around LA.
Unique rock-themed cafe with creatively crafted caffeinated drinks. It seems they rotate their menu regularly, as the drink I had planned to order from a previous menu was no longer available when I visited. The prices are on the higher side, and the drinks tend to be on the lighter end. TIDE- light cold brew with a slight pineapple flavor DOWNPOUR- more of a dessert, thats coffee jelly and shaved ice Overall it was a great experience , and the presentation of the drinks were great.
27 days ago
Aesthetic cafe, decent coffee but very dry pastry. I got the hojicha chestnut financier. The cake was so dry that I couldn't slice it with my fork. I had to press down really hard with my fork to take a bite. I only had a few bites and left the rest. I know. I feel bad, so wasteful. But it was really bad: tough texture and lacked flavor. The chestnut cream on top was barely a smear. This place is overhyped by social media and Eater LA. The interior is more narrow than what the videos and pictures have shown. It's not a bad place to hang out and study if you can find seating. The interior is a bit tight. There are stools and seats on both sides of the cafe. I got an iced oatmilk latte. The coffee was good but not exceptional. Not worth the drive if you don't live close by. Service was fine. There is street parking. It's across the street from Savoy. read more
Monolith Coffee (Alhambra) is upscale, luxury coffee. I had a lovely experience. I ordered the Rift Coffee ($11). It's coffee that tastes like crisp Fruit Tea! WHAT?! There's hidden power inside that dainty glass. It's high quality coffee dressed up as a Jazz Nightclub's mocktail. I arrived at Monolith Coffee (Alhambra) on Sunday (around 12:25PM). Parking is simple if familiar with the area. I parked at the nearby neighborhood and briskly walked over; signs say, "2 Hour Parking - 9AM to 6PM - Except Sunday." Customers order at the counter; Customers have the option "For Here" or "To Go"; Customers are given a stone with a number; and Customers pick up the drink when their number is called in the corner. This place is very popular!! Staff is knowledgeable and welcoming. Staff (receipt says Will) promptly answered all my questions. Staff worked quickly. My drink took two minutes and 11 seconds. As mentioned, I ordered the Rift Coffee ($11). WOW!! This coffee tastes like lightly sweetened fruit juice. There's no bitter flavor; rather, the recognizable notes of coffee lightly hovers by. The liquid flows soft like silk, and its floral scent is even refreshing. I broke into laughter as I continued to sip. It's GOOD! After twenty minutes, the caffeine gripped me passionately which I vigorously embraced. My lips and throat felt dry as this seductive coffee took effect. On ambiance, Monolith Coffee (Alhambra) is unique. The location is stone-themed; it's all connected to nature and rocks. The music plays smooth jazz. And the location felt like an upscale Jazz Nightclub for coffee enthusiasts. However, despite the difficulty to find a seat, there's utility. The location has customer internet with password; the details are on the counter and wall. There's also a self-service water station nestled in the back. There's also three electrical outlets which are somewhat difficult to reach. This is not an ideal study/work spot. Rather, this location feels like a spot to impress a friend, family member, or special companion. Monolith Coffee (Alhambra) is something saved for a special occasion. Overall, I had a memorable & magical experience at Monolith Coffee (Alhambra). It's one of the best coffee experiences that I've ever had. If you love coffee, this is a must-try. 5 out of 5! GO!! Just GO!! read more
Dog friendly, they even have dog treats by the pick up counter. Upscale aesthetic coffee shop are on the rise especially in downtown area but having one in the heart of 626 is new.. Great spot to have a coffee date or meet friends but really hyped up in my opinion. We visited on a Friday around 1pm and it was overly crowded. Overall they have plenty of seating but not enough for a rush. Hojicha Latte (iced)- quite watered down in all aspects. Not enough hojicha and not sweet enough. It was creamy but still felt watered down. Matcha Latte -it was alright, not great. Still (hot Assamiya Houjicha)- much better than the iced version. Rich roasted flavors with just the right amount of creaminess from the oat milk. Would love to see if they can have the Miso Caramel Cream as an add on to other drinks, that would be delicious but having it on the side with a soda cracker seemed too underwhelming. Rush (Single Shot Espresso w/ Orange Juice, Nitro infused)- soo good, perfect tanginess over the espresso. Orange zest was great added some depth to the drink. read more
We came in and I felt quite intimidated because I am a basic coffee drinker. I asked for the sweetest drink which they said was the Thai milk coffee. It was good. The boyfriend got the Americano and he said it was good. It was really busy Saturday 2pm and there were no seating. We found street parking. read more
I would describe Monolith as an upscale, casual cafe. Their menu feels very curated and seems to use ingredients and blends that are not typically found at many other coffee shops. The prices are quite high for the size they provide, but they seem to offer a different experience--almost like their own version of afternoon tea. We ordered the Echo and Edwin Norena "Watermelon". The Echo was very refreshing and earthy, with a hint of spice from the cinnamon and ginger. I don't typically drink coffee, but I also had a sip of the Edwin Norena, which is a Colombian pour-over blend, and surprisingly had strong notes of watermelon. It was our first time at Monolith, and the staff was very helpful and informative, walking us through the menu and answering questions we had. Overall, the experience was good, and I recommend that if you do come here, the best way to enjoy their drinks is to sip and savor them. read more
30 days ago
very aesthetic inside and aesthetic drinks. would have preferred for the dark milo to be a little sweeter. plenty of seating throughout the cafe. mostly seems like people come here to meet up and talk rather than getting work done, however, there is wifi if you choose to come here for work! read more
I've watched Monolith grow from a bold bet on good coffee on a very nondescript section of Valley Blvd to a bustling outpost of great coffee. The service is always friendly, the drinks are superb, and the vibe is intentionally curated. I'm a particular fan of their espresso tonics, my favorite being the Confetti. Fresh basil and cherry tomatoes blend effortlessly with the coffee and tonic in a surprising and effective flavor combination. Whether you're in the area or looking to make the trip, Monolith is worth it. read more
6 months ago
Interesting concept that's probably still quite uncommon in town if you're having the ones from their signature drink-in only menus. The ambiance flawlessly delivered that coffee bar concept as well with some nibbles to pair with your drink. Price was more on the high-end when you ordered from these selections given they're at mid-teen $ with tip. Being first timer, the barista was pretty helpful in giving recos and assisting me with my pick. We got the RIFT and STILL. The first one was not for me as the interesting combo of cold brew with bonito, kombu, yuzu, and Uji Geinmacha made the drink somehow tasted savory to me. The smokey hint was surely peculiar as well. I was pleased by the STILL. The Miso Caramel Cream served with cracker made a great pairing to the Hojicha for sure. The Hojicha itself was decent but not WOW-ing. read more
A highly unique coffee spot, although the hype is very real in that the wait can be upwards of 30mins to 1 hour. The interior is neat and deceptive with the line so that it snakes insides, rather than outside, leading you to think there isn't a line when there's a pretty long wait inside. They did a good job socializing this on social media, so unless you're willing to wait a while, plan on getting here early or waiting until the opening phase slows this place down a bit. Hands-down, one of the more unique coffee experiences I've had and the coffee is legit good, well thought out, and very aesthetically pleasing. You can see the care they take into making the drinks with the open bar situation. The flavors are very interesting and I don't think I've ever tried anything like these. I'm not much of a sweets person so I went for the cold brew named the Rift, but I actually really liked the Echo. The cream is dangerously good and the flavors are so nice and unique to where I don't think I've ever tasted tea like this before. If you can, definitely opt to dine in because the presentation of how these drinks look with the cup adds to the whole experience, sort of like a refined cocktail look. Unfortunately seating is kind of limited, so you're taking a bit of a gamble in order to sit down. read more
6 months ago
Visited Monolith recently and really enjoyed the experience. The interior has a super interesting concept with rocks, natural textures, and decor that makes the space feel unique in its own way. It definitely stands out from your typical coffee shop. I also liked that some of their drinks are exclusive for dine-in only. Even though we wanted to order it, we needed something on the go so I ordered the latte, which was really good, and I loved the ice shape they use for the drinks. My boyfriend got the iced americano and enjoyed his as well. Overall, a very aesthetic and creative spot worth checking out if you want something a little different. read more
This is a narrow coffee shop located on Valley with plenty of street parking and has additional parking nearby the food court. That being said, the ordering experience could use some improvement. There's no hanging menu, and the menu consists of individual cards placed right in front of the cashier. When the line gets long, you don't really get a chance to browse the menu unless you've Yelped the place or ask the staff the prices of the pastries. Each card represents a single drink with the ingredients listed below. I ordered the RIFT (cold brew) along with a cherry danish. The dandish was crispy and slightly tart which paired nicely with coffee. Unfortunately, the cold brew wasn't for me. The yuzu and genmaicha infusion had a savory, almost miso like flavor which I didnt enjoy. They also offer WiFi, butI wouldn't recommend coming here to study. The space is pretty limited and gets crowded quickly. read more
tl;dr the carefully curated coffees and teas overshadow the sometimes underwhelming pastries at this pricey, ultra-modern coffee shop Like the monolith in 2001: A Space Odyssey, Monolith Coffee remained a relative mystery leading up to its debut. The Instagram page (which has been active for nearly a year) shared minimalist updates featuring the shop's Castle in the Sky-esque monolith logo. But, as of today, you can experience the ultra-modern coffee shop, with a sophisticated drink menu spanning from standard espressos to curated teas to elevated "Moments" (rotating caffeinated mocktails with descriptions like a haiku). Monolith shares a small shopping plaza just off the intersection of Valley and Garfield. From outside, you can barely see through the tinted windows of the rounded storefront. The interior is a desert-y chic. The color-washed walls and plentiful stone motifs offer a surreal take on minimalism. Some tables seem to sprout from the rounded rocks. Pringle-shaped lamps and more stones hang from the slate-shaded ceiling. All of the action surrounded the glass-enclosed, extended horseshoe-shaped kitchen. Seating options range from backless half-booths to raised barstools. Fast-paced jazz rattles the room. My fiancée and I arrived close to opening for the first day of the soft opening, and the line wound through the shop out the back door. We waited an hour to finally place our order, and it was prepared relatively quickly. Our favorite item was the "Still" houjicha latte, a toasty and comforting beverage with hints of sweetness; admittedly, the side of salted caramel cream was impractical to incorporate. But the smoky "Rift" cold brew was no slouch -- its unique combination of salty bonito flakes and acidic yuzu added new dimensions without ever overpowering the drink. Of our pastries, we preferred the Miso Nori Scone, which appropriately balanced salty, savory, and sweet. In contrast, the Matcha Yuzu Pound Cake was mostly dry and one-dimensional. The prices aren't cheap (pasties are over $5, and the Moments hover around $10). On the first day of the soft opening, the service was clearly working hard but maintained a friendly and approachable attitude; I expect they'll work out the kinks over the next few weeks. Overall, I was impressed by the premium Moments, which reminded me of Asia's super-sophisticated cafes; I probably wouldn't dabble in the pastries again. Even for the premium price, I'm excited to try more drinks in the future. Monolith is definitely adding to Alhambra's thriving premium-coffee scene. read more
It's during their soft opening right now so that's why there are limited hours. Brand new coffee shop with a sleek, clean theme. It's also busy with new hype! Delivers good and aesthetic coffee that look like cocktails. I would say this is more of a sit down and enjoy the coffee and company kind of coffee shop rather than a takeout coffee place. Pros: -very friendly and nice service -clean decor -plenty of outlets everywhere -cute decor -some cool merch -roasts their own beans -self serve free water -coffee meats cocktail themes -yummy pastries -bathroom Cons: -is there any right now? Tip: plenty of free street parking read more
7 months ago
Tried Monolith Coffee in Alhambra during their soft opening and it's already drawing a crowd--line was out the door when I went the first time. Second time was a bit better. The space is really unique, with rock installations and cementitious materials throughout. Even the order numbers are written on little pebbles, very consistent branding. It feels modern and thoughtfully designed without being over the top. Drinks are the highlight. Their menu leans more craft coffee / coffee cocktail style. I ordered "The Rush" (citrus + espresso), which was bright, balanced, and nicely executed. You can tell they put care into both the flavor and presentation. They also have a good selection of pastries and desserts that aren't overly sweet. Service was friendly and efficient despite the crowd, and there's easy parking nearby. It's also dog-friendly, which is a nice bonus. Overall, really happy to have a place like this in the SGV. Definitely a strong addition to the Alhambra coffee scene and definitely worth checking out if you're into more specialty-style drinks. read more
4 months ago
This is a very hip and new coffee shop that just opened in Alhambra. I was able to try coconut elephant and the downpour. The coconut elephant is basically a Thai tea and espresso coffee. The flavors were mild and you can taste both. The coffee size is small for a $9 cup. The downpour was more of a dessert for $15. The dill pickle melon shaved ice was perfect texture. It was a good mix of sweet and tangy and the coffee jelly underneath added a slight bitter tone. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and it's a nice spot for a date or a place to catch up with friends. I don't think it's a regular spot due to price but definitely worth it to check it out once. read more
8 months ago
Got a chance to check out Monolith at one of their soft opening dates. The store is decent in size with multiple seating areas. Monolith is not your typical coffee shop. Their aim seems to be more boutique, opting for bolder/complex flavors with their drinks. They do have your typical set list of drinks (e.g., americanos, lattes, and matcha lattes) but what you're really coming here for are their speciality drinks. They have a bevy of choices that are a mixture of coffee based drinks and those that are tea based, none of which are simple in taste. I ordered a matcha latte and one of their speciality drinks, Echo. Word of note, there were only 2 drinks that could be served to go as of their soft opening. The goal of the shop is for people to enjoy their drinks in house as they serve them in fancy glasses. It was a bit difficult to do that day since the whole shop was packed. Now for the drinks, honestly the matcha wasn't anything to write home about. It tasted a bit watered down. For the specialty drink Echo, I would describe it as a sophisticated Apple juice. It was complex in flavor both with the foam and the drink itself so if you're not into that, don't get this drink. Overall it was an enjoyable drink but a bit steep in price at $12. Also, word of note, if you take your drinks togo they currently don't have caps. If you're looking for a boutique coffee shop, this is definitely the place for you. If you're looking for a coffee shop to grab something in the go, probably would skip. read more
Monolith Coffee is an establishment where it's apparent that the most minute details are curated to showcase what the cafe has to offer from the beautifully crafted beverages, stoic, yet bright interior, and even the baristas behind the counter bringing great vibes despite being incredibly packed this week. My girlfriend and I decided to share a pour over and one signature drink (and would have loved to try a desert but it was sold out by the time. The Nestor Lasso was downright incredible. The strawberry and watermelon notes are super forward and genuinely shocked me my first sip (positively) and the whole cup was incredibly smooth. In this current LA heat wave, ordering it iced was definitely the move, it was so refreshing. The Still was a richer Hojicha latte with burnt sugar notes and made with Koatji which is also very forward in this drink. Overall, don't think it's for me, but I'm just not the biggest Koatji fan - if you are though you'll enjoy it. Gotta say though, did not think that the cracker with the miso caramel was gonna be that good - I needed to ration out more cream because i felt like my leftovers were a waste haha Overall, so glad that Monolith has joined the specialty coffee scene in the SGV. Lines were long when we went and waited about 30 plus mins, but it's clear the team is working hard. Definitely on the pricier point, but as a craft beverage shop it's priced accordingly to what they're offering. read more
The line was crazy on Sunday all the way to the back of the cafe but it moved fast. Rush was sold out when we arrived around 2pm. Echo was good, definitely a tea + apple juice flavor. Hojicha latte was good too. The matcha latte looked good but it was tasteless kind of disappointed. The rift we all agreed tasted like udon soup! Later we realize it said it was made with kombu syrup, so that made sense. It was interesting but nobody liked it. Would not recommend that; it was a salty soup-like coffee. The vibe was really nice in there though, SGV really need more cafes like that. It reminds me of cafes in Asia. read more
8 months ago
Elevated "cocktail" coffee shop that offers coffee in a refreshing twist. Echo 9/10 This drink has a refreshing and pleasant apple taste with a slight taste of cinnamon. The foam on top is light and airy which makes the drink more fun especially with the dried apple topping. Think an elevated version of apple juice that's perfect for the summer. Still This has a very smooth taste of Hojicha blended with chocolate. Malty flavor with a hint of sweetness. Paired with the miso caramel cream and soda cracker, the snack is perfectly sweet with a little salt from the nori crumble. 10/10 Fast service but expect a long wait. We waited around 30 minutes at 2 pm just to order and around 10 minutes to pick up. Limited seating and there's a small parking lot behind the shop. Very aesthetically pleasing that reminds me of a museum. Definitely will come back for the pastries and to try the other drinks! read more
1 month ago
Not only a beautiful space, delicious coffee in an original and unique presentation. Can't wait to come back and try the rest of the delicious items read more
8 months ago
I've been seeing Monolith on social media. Decided to give it a try today, and I unknowingly went during soft opening (my fault for that), so it was a long wait! I arrived at around 11:20 and finally got to order at around 12:04. Waited about another 10 minutes to get all my orders. Nestor Lasso - hot pour over with notes of watermelon, strawberry, and lychee. I tasted more of the lychee and floralness, while the body of the coffee was slightly thick. Overall great mouth feel and flavor. Matcha Latte - I opted to get whole milk and unsweetened. Tasted very smooth, but I do think the matcha flavor is a little light. Coffee Chocolate Pound Cake - it was soft, light, and the chocolate had a good bitterness to counteract the sweet notes. Overall, I think I had a good experience. I'd probably wait till the hype dies down to avoid the long lines. Prices for the hot pour overs are a tad higher than most places (my total for all 3 items came out to $25 after tax). Plenty of parking is available. read more
3 months ago
Stopped by on my day off, and I was so happy to see they've expanded their hours and are now open more days! I parked in the large lot behind the building, which made getting in and out super easy. It was a peaceful Friday morning, not crowded at all, but there was a steady stream of customers coming and going the entire time I was there. The café had a calm, welcoming atmosphere that made it easy to slow down and enjoy my drink. I ordered the Dark Milo, which comes iced, and it was absolutely delicious. It had the perfect balance of sweetness with subtle chocolate notes, while still letting the rich coffee flavor come through. It wasn't overly sweet or heavy, making it really easy to sip and enjoy. Now I'm already looking forward to coming back to work my way through more of the drink menu and finally trying one of their pastries. There's plenty of seating throughout the café, making it a great place to relax, study, read, work, or catch up with friends. They have two bar-style seating areas with four seats each, several two-person tables, plus individual window seats if you prefer a quieter spot. Whether you're staying for a quick coffee or settling in for a while, there's plenty of space to get comfortable. read more
4 months ago
Great little coffee shop. Can get somewhat busy. Drinks are presented in a delightful way. I enjoy their pour overs and the beans they select. You can watch them make your drink with intention! The specialty drinks are neat with interesting twists. Will stop by whenever I'm in the area. Only thing is a big on the pricier end. You are definitely paying for the vibes and aesthetics. Worth checking out! read more
5 months ago
2 months ago
TLDR decent drinks, dry pastries / desserts this place has the potential to be really good, but I believe they're still refining their drinks and desserts. The reason for the 3 stars is that some of their drinks can be pretty weak such as their coconut matcha drink that taste decent and then theres the milo espresso that is good but not out of the world good. Their biggest weakness are their desserts ive been here twice and both times I had something that was super dry their hojicha pudding cake was dry I would give that a 1/5 because of the amount it cost / how dry it was. Then their earl grey pound cake WOW WAS IT DRY, im better off going to Costco to get a moist pound cake and drink it with earl grey tea. Hopefully they find a new pastry chef or the one currently doing their program can improve their technique. read more
I had a mixed experience at this cafe in Alhambra. I had two drinks here: - Still: One of their signature drinks. A hot hojicha drink made with oat milk and other ingredients. This was pretty good and comforting from the warmness of the drink. The drink was nicely sweet, but not too sweet. There was some chocolate sludge on the bottom of the drink which wasn't ideal though. It also came with a cracker and cream which was delicious. The cracker was nutty and buttery. The flavor and texture was very similar to a Filipino Skyflake cracker. The cream was light, but full of flavor. Marrying the umami and sweet flavors. A great little snack to go along with the drink. This was around $13. - Breeze Matcha: Literally coconut milk ft. matcha. This drink was just too milky, it was disappointing. The coconut flavor was good though, it was very similar to Filipino coconut flavoring. However, this was supposed to be a matcha not just coconut milk. Was not worth the $10 paid for this. The drink selection here was unique which I appreciated. They are on the pricier side though. The service here was good even though they messed up one of my drink orders which they fixed right away. I enjoyed the decorative interior themed around rocks. They have wifi, but I did not see any outlets. Not the most ideal place to work/study from. At the time I went (Saturday noon), it was pretty busy and there were limited seats and tables. They have a good amount of free parking behind the restaurant. Overall, it was nice to try this out, but I wouldn't necessarily come back here again. This spot is more if you want to experiment with coffee culture. I would still opt for going to reliable spots with good value. read more
4 months ago
I stopped by Monolith Coffee after it was recommended to me by Jack from Endorffeine, I ordered a cortado. From a technical standpoint, it was a well-executed drink. The milk was steamed well, producing smooth, glossy microfoam that integrated beautifully with the espresso. My only technical critique was the microfoam was slightly thicker than what you'd typically expect in a competition-style cortado, but it never felt foamy or airy and the milk temperature was a hairline hotter than I personally prefer for a cortado, but it was still a great drink overall. Visually, the cortado was equally well done. The latte art was clean, the surface had a beautiful sheen, and the body held together nicely throughout the drink instead of breaking apart early, showing good milk integration and solid technique. The first cortado I tried was made with their Guatemalan espresso. While it was technically well prepared, the flavor profile leaned a little more bitter than my personal preference. After I mentioned it, the staff immediately offered to make me another cortado using their Ethiopian beans at no charge. I really appreciated that they understood it was simply a matter of preference and wanted me to experience a coffee that better matched my palate. That level of service really stood out. The staff was friendly, welcoming, and genuinely cared about making sure I enjoyed the experience. It's always refreshing to visit a coffee shop that's confident in its craft and willing to go the extra mile for its customers. read more
I drink coffee everyday, and I would say their coffee is high quality! I ordered a cold brew, and although the drinks here can be pricy, the cold brew is a fair price. My favorite aspect of the drink is that it is cold, crispy, the ice is great quality with no bubbles, and most important the acidity. I like the slight tart of the coffee while it did not cause me to have any heart burn. The service is great - quick and the presentation of the drinks were classy. This is a great place to catch up with friends as the atmosphere is spa-like and calming. They did a great job decorating the store. read more
Hottest coffee shop in the area. My wife is a coffee fan so we came here on a Friday morning. Luckily, only one person ahead of us although the establishment was packed. Luckily, we were able to snack a seat. The drinks are unique but honestly not my cup of tea - although my wife did enjoy it. The pastries were dry and stale so I am skipping those. Would come back again and try other drinks but they are on the pricier side. read more
6 months ago
First time coming to this coffee shop and the vibes were so cool! The interior of the cafe had an earthy and elegant design. There were enough seats and tables for people to do work at and wifi included. The server suggested these two drinks and wow was the RIFT so good. Highly recommend coming here and I can't wait to come back to try their other specialties!! read more
Saw this place online and thought it would be cool to check out! The theming and presentation were what originally drew me in. I went for my go-to iced vanilla latte. It's pretty standard, but the presentation and glassware gave it a really elegant touch. My sister ordered the Rift: a smoky cold brew with notes of yuzu and uji. The smokiness comes through both in the flavor and the presentation; you can actually see the smoke rising from the glass when it's served. The applewood smoke reminded me of a BBQ or roasted marshmallow scent. It's definitely a strong flavour/smell, but such a unique touch for a cold brew. My sister loved it and it's become a staple order for her. I'm more used to traditional coffee drinks, so it was a little too fancy for my palate. We shared the miso nori scone. A nice thing to have with coffee, it can be on the more savory/salty side. The baristas were friendly and happy to make suggestions or answer any questions. For the signature drinks, they give you a little card explaining the notes and ingredients, which I thought was a really nice detail. After ordering, you're handed a smooth stone with your order number on it (I luv that :-D ) It fits the vibe of the place perfectly. I'd highly recommend enjoying your drinks there rather than taking them to go, just so you can really soak in the ambiance and interior. The seating is cute, modern, and cozy. Just keep in mind that their hours are limited, and they usually close around 3 p.m. Definitely a spot worth trying if you're in the area! read more
21 days ago
We wanted to check out the hype and the line wrapped alllll the way to the back of the place and it was very busy, all the seats were taken. They serve like more mocktail type of drinks and I got the RUSH and it was pretty good but pricey for just a few sips but that's the price of a drink now a days. Love the vibes and the presentation of the drinks even though it was busy, the staff did not rush anything and our number for the drinks even though was a rock, going with the whole monolith rock theme. Would come back again! read more
8 months ago
Every since my first sip of Chinese deli powdered milk tea, it has become my obsession to try different bubble teas, fruit teas, and coffees. I am always searching for the "Best" of a drink and for new and previously untasted flavors. I've tried some of the top chains from China and Taiwan, as well as some sweet local spots in every city I visit. Monolith coffee is a coffee shop that absolutely surprised and delighted me with its Moments mocktails, giving me flavors both comforting and innovative. I had seen an Instagram post about Monolith's soft opening, but had originally planned to visit in the coming weeks. By happy accident, I found myself at my favorite bakery in the 626 on the day of their soft opening and well, how could I not?! The store seemed deceptively unoccupied from the outside, as the line didn't go out the door. Instead, as I stepped into Monolith's minimalist, stone-inspired space, I was met with a looong line snaking to the back of the store. I followed the line past the merch and coffee beans, past the restroom, and to the back door where the line had folded up on itself. Despite the intimidating length, the line moved steadily. I spent about 30 minutes in line, which was time I spent trying to decide what I would like to order. The worker at the front was very friendly and good about answering questions about the menu. Despite contemplating a pastry, I ended up getting two drinks from their Moments series, Rift and Echo. I was given a literal rock with my order number written on it, and found a seat to wait. Drinks came out within a reasonable timeframe, and they each came with their menu card with the details of what went into them. I smelled Rift before I tasted it. As soon as the barista took the lid off of the glass, I inhaled the fragrant applewood smoke. At first sip, I was speechless; this drink was really something else, going from bright and sour to a dark, rich umami that lingers. I really like a savory drink, something that lies in the grey area between fun drink and soup, and Rift really does the job right. The cold brew itself is smooth and sour with no hint of bitterness. It integrates beautifully with the kombu syrup thanks to the addition of yuzu. The smoke infusion made this drink a true multi-sensory experience, enhancing the deep, savory flavors of the bonito and genmaimatcha with each sip and each breath. I was struck by a strong sense of deja-vu as I worked my way through this drink, until l realized that I had tasted and loved these same flavors two years ago at a ramen shop in Kyoto. Inoichi, a highlight of that Japan trip, was known for their shoyu ramen served with yuzu zest. How marvelous that I got to enjoy that delicious flavor again, thousands of miles and thousands of minutes away! My other drink, Echo, was markedly different. In contrast to the bolder, heavier flavors of Rift, Echo was warm and comforting from ginger and cinnamon, fluffy from the soba cha foam and fresh from the apple with a crisp, clean finish and no aftertaste. Overall, this drink was greater than the sum of its parts, and tasted more homogenous compared to Rift, where each flavor had its time to shine. Despite the steep prices (~$11 per drink), I highly recommend Monolith as an elevated drink experience. There is a thoughtfulness to their drink composition that makes you savor every last sip, and I am already planning to come back to try the other two beverages in their Moments series! read more
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