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What's Brewing: Bru Artisan Coffee + Tea Replaces Psychobabble
By Adrienne Dorsey/Special to LAist
After six months of renovations, Psychobabble on Vermont has been transformed into the decidedly sleek and sophisticated Bru Artisan Coffee + Tea. Forget the dark interior, mismatched couches, and Bohemian vibe that defined Psychobabble- the new look is minimalist, complete with high ceilings, stark white walls, and polished cement floors. Bru officially opened in Los Feliz on February 7, with an all-new staff and brand new concept.
Co-owners Sharleen Mokhtarzadeh and Vida Tabibian wanted to move away from the 80s/90s café style made popular by TV's Friends and focus on their coffee and tea selection, which they plan to change seasonally. Coffee from Bay-area’s Ritual Roasters, loose teas from T Salon, and freshly baked pastries from Susina Bakery on Beverly round out their offerings. Fans of Psychobabble’s mint tea won’t be disappointed- it’s one of the only items they carried over to Bru’s streamlined menu.
From iced mochas to macchiatos, customers are able to watch baristas make their coffee of choice in individual pour-over cups. Mokhtarzadeh believes this will enhance the whole coffee-drinking experience by engaging all of the senses. Bru features a communal table with benches in front and walls lined with small two-person tables, as well as a lofted seating area. Exposed wooden beams and natural light pouring in give the coffee shop a modern feel, as do the assorted 20-somethings typing away on their laptops taking advantage of the free wifi. Mokhtarzadeh anticipates Bru to be more of a daytime destination rather than a late-night spot. She plans to line the walls with work from local artists soon.
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