Best Thing: Coffee at the Refinery

I work from home, which means I spend so much time at places such as La Monarca and 18th Street Coffee House that my clothes often smell like coffee. So that one doesn't start charging me rent, I bounce from coffeehouse to coffeehouse.

I learned of a new coffeeshop this week: TheRefinery on Santa Monica Boulevard, just off the Third Street Promenade in the former EarthBar location. 

Owner Jimmy Chang, a former financial analyst, is slowly setting up shop. The Refinery offers a limited menu that should expand in the coming weeks. But even if Chang were to just stick to coffee, I'd return.

It's among the best I've sipped in Santa Monica.

Each cup is brewed-to-order, which means your coffee won't be burnt, as often happens when coffee is brewed in large quantities, such as at Starbucks. Prices per cup range from $5-5.50. The three premium coffee selections are each organic.

Los Chacones Boutique is Chang's favorite, and I can tell why. It's flavorful and smooth. It's not too bold, but it's rich with citrus and hints of fruit, peach and mango. According to brucoffeebar.com, the beans are farmed by a father-daughter duo at a high elevation outside of San Pablo in Costa Rica. 

I paired my cup of Los Chacones with a blueberry muffin, one of the few treats The Refinery is currently selling, all of them from the BreadBar.

Other coffees include: Sao Benedito (Brazil) and Abakunda Kawa (Rwanda).

The Refinery is open 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. For more information, visit refineryconcept.com.