"You can tell that PPL take their hot, caffeinated beverages seriously just from the smell of the shop: a pleasant mix of steeping Japanese teas, smoldering hoja santa, and coffee from a constantly hissing espresso machine. To make a perfect shot of that espresso, your barista weighs out the coffee on a scale and uses a WDT to ensure even distribution of the grounds before tamping them down. PPL originally started as a clothing brand before eventually transforming into its current form as a coffee shop. It’s a nice space lined with plants and rustic-chic distressed walls but there isn’t a ton of seating here. So take your expertly made oat milk cortado or some tea from Japan’s Shizouka region to go, along with a moist slice of vegan banana bread. photo credit: Alex Staniloff" - Will Hartman