It's hard to pinpoint exactly what I like so much about this place; the drinks are great, the food is tasty, the people are all Santa Monica eccentricity, but friendly. I think what pulls me back is just the overall character of the place - used books line shelves on both upper and lower levels, and on both sides of the wall that clearly used to divide the room into separate restuarants. The used book ethos is perfectly complemented by intriguing local art, the smells of local (Groundwork) coffees and freshly cooked omelettes and sandwiches, and the perfectly subdued but never dull chaotic din of people talking and ordering. Whether you're looking for a place to soak up the energy of other people studying for class or a good ambiance for a casual tête - à - tête, this is it.
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