Caffe Luxxe
925 Montana Ave.
Santa Monica, CA
310-394-2222

This coffeehouse is an all-around aesthetic experience, from the chic Montana Avenue address to the sleek coffee bar where you order your drinks to the black-clad baristas (all adept in latte art). Co-owner Mark Wain got his training — and gets his beans — from Seattle, but returned to Southern California (he went to high school in Orange County) to open his cafe. You won't find a blender or a drip machine here. Instead, activities focus on two Synesso espresso machines, which make beautiful espresso drinks, including cappuccino that comes only in the traditional eight ounces, and a perfectly made ristretto — a shorter pull of espresso, all gorgeous caramelly crema. The drinks are served in Italian porcelain cups (for a little more cultural authenticity) and if you get hungry, they serve excellent pastries from Breadbar.