WHY A place to hang in bitchin’ Boyle Heights.

WHAT This funky, rather cramped coffeehouse is emblematic of the gentrification of Boyle Heights (in case you didn’t know, it’s the new Echo Park, which in turn was the new Silver Lake only yesterday), thanks in part to the newish Metro station out front. It has all the essentials: free WiFi, art-for-sale on the walls, occasional live music and the expected coffee drinks, smoothies, pastries and light dishes. Try the Taza de Mocha, a latte made with Mexican cocoa.

WHO Boyle Heights cool people and east Downtowners making the trek over the 1st Street bridge.