Intelligentsia Coffee, the much esteemed roaster from Chicago, moved into Silver Lake this weekend just in time for the Sunset Junction Festival, which gave it perhaps the biggest opening weekend a coffee shop has ever enjoyed (or not enjoyed: “Everyone wanted iced drinks,” sniffed the baristas about the weekend’s hipster revelers). Now that the hubbub is over, the highly trained, highly motivated staffers were able for the first time Monday to concentrate on what they do best, which is, obviously, crafting coffee. These people know their stuff, and know how to educate a palate.

When I announced myself as a coffee newbie, one of the baristas recommended a latte with agave syrup. So mysterious, and so right. It balanced out the bitterness I don’t like without getting overly sweet like a mocha. But then, the barista is from Seattle. They’re so authentic at Intelligentsia! And as if the Northwestern staff wasn’t proof enough, this is what truly blew my mind: students. Actual students, with charts and graphing calculators and anatomy textbooks and highlighters. Not a script in sight. Oh, I am so in love with Intelligentsia.

Yesterday, we moved into the LA Times building; I'm giddy, and want to obtain a beret for the purpose of flinging it off like Mary Tyler Moore.

After a long day, I headed west to Whist, where the MMX ladies got our grub on and ate elk. (Check Jiyeon's restaurant page in a week for the full review. I'm pretty sure the declaration: "I'm game for game!" was involved.) 

Defying all odds, I then hit  the Echoplex, and later consumed a 900-calorie Fatburger  milkshake with the bitches from the Pity Party at 2am. 

I've recovered, and am ready to move on to Hump Day:

I think I've adequately trumpeted my love for Mortified tonight. 

But for you peeps who simply can't handle the humiliation of others, I recommned a roadtrip to Awesometown. Hit the Shortstop for some dancey pants ridiculousness courtesy Indie Masher-upper DJ Paul V, and the hotties who bring you Blow Up LA. Hump it up for the ever-lovey Shadowscene for a  new, somewhat indecent, profile pic.

PS- For a second I thought that was my hair on the flyer.

Sadness. Trifecta finally bit the bullet and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. And rumor has it that one of my favorite wine bars, Bodega DeCordova, is closing down too. At least I'll have The Beach's opening party to cheer me up tonight. The party starts at 8 p.m. and food and booze is free until 10 p.m. Steve Aoki is DJing (hot) and Jesse McCartney and Ryan Cabrera are performing (ummm?), but mainly I'm excited to dive into the Wipeout margarita. I also hear that there'll be lifeguard booths out front. RSVP for tonight's bash at rsvp@platformgrp.com.