La La Land Kind Cafe

"Yes, we're rolling our eyes at the name and technicolor beverages. But La La Land Kind Café in Santa Monica is the chic, minimalist escape you need whenever your pass at NeueHouse expires. There's a pleasing, all-white aesthetic (think high ceilings and minimalist décor) that is so sparse you're coaxed into a sort of zen-like trance. Plus, there are plenty of places to sit: at the bar, on the sprawling wooden patio, or in your car while pretending to be at home for a Zoom call. " - nikko duren, brant cox, sylvio martins

"With its airy ambiance and well-appointed decor, La La Land Kind Cafe blends in with its surroundings. But scratch beneath the surface to find that this coffee shop is on a mission to normalize kindness and to provide foster youth with career opportunities. The store runs an eight-week program that gives on-the-job training, life skills, mentorship, and customer service training to those leaving foster care." - Cathy Chaplin

"Yes, we’re rolling our eyes at the name and technicolor beverages. But La La Land Kind Café on Montana in Santa Monica is the chic, minimalist escape you need whenever your pass at NeueHouse runs out. There’s a pleasing, all-white aesthetic (think high ceilings and minimalist décor) that is so sparse, you’re coaxed into a sort of zen-like trance. Suddenly, the words just flow out of you. Spreadsheets fill themselves. And your boss is randomly giving you a thumbs up over the internal messaging system? Life is good here. Plus, there’s plenty of places to sit: at the bar, on the sprawling wooden patio, on indoors and outdoor couches, in your car while you pretend to be at home for a Zoom call, etc." - Kat Hong