I spent a couple hours Saturday with a friend at The Pearl Cup, on Henderson between Ross and Belmont (right across from Cafe San Miguel and Blue Collar Bar). It was so packed that we couldn’t snag a table, so we bellied up to the bar. Now, granted, the place isn’t that big, but between the people dining (or drinking) in and the people grabbing coffee to go, there was a steady stream at the cash register — the barista making drinks worked pretty much nonstop the entire time we sat there.
He obviously took pleasure in his latte and cappuccino designs — leaves, hearts and the like made with milk foam and syrup manipulation — so we asked him if he enjoyed his job. It turned out he owns a boutique advertising agency and consulted with the owners when they were dreaming up the shop, but he went to culinary school and learned the art of coffee making, so he comes in and works for fun. The drinks were not only pretty but tasty, too. I ordered a regular Pearl latte with caramel syrup, and it was the perfect amount, not to mention very smooth.
I’m impressed that the place is already so busy since it has been open mere weeks. From a few glances around the room, The Pearl Cup obviously attracts the Macbook, hipster, college types, but I saw all kinds of people walk in and out of the shop — including Hollywood Heights resident and art show Fairefather Michael Langley, who happened to sit down next to me at the bar. He told me he had been in before — he likes supporting neighborhood businesses in hopes that they will stay open. The Pearl Cup, with its simple yet solid menu, looks like it will be a winner.
