Aah, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. My office away from home. I’m back in California, and that means no more hip burnt Seattle beans for me, just the homey, relaxed, work-conducive and kosher Coffee Bean. This branch on Ocean Park isn’t actually my favorite for kicking back (other branches have outdoor fireplaces and less traffic noise), but it does have a good variety of seating choices: four big slumpy leather chairs, lots of tables with the standard wicker-style chairs indoor and out, and two big country-kitchen wood tables with power sockets below (my favorite spots). The staff is friendly, the light perfect, the parking only somewhat exorbitant.

It’s one of the things I miss when traveling on the East coast…