Red's

 

3

82

Aaron B.

Ann Arbor, MI

This is what a cafe should be, except it should be open 24 hrs and have live music on weekend nights.  Every detail is considered and the decor is great in every way: from the undersea mural in the bathroom to the integrated and international ad-covered tables, and all the walls and floors in between.  It's a joy to be there.  The food is passable, but I would eat before going.  They have some unique items in there too so look out for them (micro-brewed ginger ale, Japanese white tea, etc.).  

And starting April 20th they'll be open until 9PM every day.  That's the right direction, but being open at least as late as the Living Room across the street might be a good idea.  I'm writing this in the living room only because Red's closed too early.  What's with these Californian's and their early schedules?

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7

15

Christopher B.

Denver, CO

This Espresso Gallery is just what a coffee lounge is supposed to be.

They roast their own sexy beans on site, and the quality of the coffee reflects that.  Good light foods and such.

Comfy chairs and couches, with a few small chess boards scattered about. A piano in the corner, often being played by a friendly fella who claims to have been playing that piano for years and who claims "the longest running gig in all of San Diego."

Nice photos on the wall.

There's a larger, franchise "Living Room" coffee shop across the street, but why would you go there when you could enjoy this cozy cafe?

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Elite '08

272

331

Teej T.

San Diego, CA

On a cold, icky Saturday morning, Red's seemed like the best place to stop for a cup of coffee and to get some very necessary grading done (oh the joys of teaching!).

Red's is an unprepossessing coffee shop located on Rosecrans right across the street from the historic Victorian home that hosts the Living Room: Point Loma.  While I can see there being some competition, I think they both provide very different coffee experiences, and I like them both quite a bit.  

I decided to try their mocha, which was well-crafted and a great mix of flavours.  I also tried the "screaming green" breakfast bagel, which was a tasty but unorthodox mix of bacon, eggs, avocado, pepper jack cheese and spinach (i wasn't adventurous enough to have the usual peppercinis that come with the meal).

I squinted for a minute as I walked inside out of the surprisingly windy and cold Saturday morning air, waiting for my eyes to adjust to the slight dimness inside.  I looked around to take in the overall establishment, and noticed that the main room was painted in the faded, eponymous red, which lent a decidedly home-y and welcoming atmosphere.  I walked over to the adjoining patio area, which makes amazing use of improvised skylights to flood the area with natural light.  I parked myself at a nearby table and sipped my coffee thoughtfully while my red pen darted quickly across the test papers, staining white page with crimson ink--strangely appropriate for a place like Red's.

I was also struck by what a genuinely community coffeeshop the place was.  Old friends ran into each other, exchanged pleasantries, asked about life, and talked about topics ranging from community college, to surf reports, to the local church's most recent sermon.  The baristas were cute and extraordinarily friendly, asking questions about my job and about teaching (i do love any chance to procrastinate when i've got a stack o' papers).

The main room also boasts a large piano which an older gentleman spent all morning playing.  Hearing Mozart and Beethoven echoing throughout the charming coffee shop definitely raised my spirits and allowed me to let my students slide, particularly when they mixed up Franz Ferdinand and Francisco Franco (i mean, C'MON!  They are in NO WAY similar!!!)

Red's bills itself as an "Espresso Gallery," and it's no idle pretense.  They take their coffee seriously, and it's done artistically and aesthetically.  I loved my first time here at Red's, and I'm certain to be back.  After all, my American history students have quizzes I need to grade too, and I have a sneaking suspicion they're not going to be able to tell Marian Anderson and Mary McLeod Bethune apart.  Sigh.  Hopefully the piano guy will have some soothing melodies to accompany my delicious mocha.  Red's, you make my day better. :)

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1

4

Rainey R.

San Diego, CA

My advice: start in the bathroom.  You'll be embraced by an underwater mural of a topless mermaid and laughing dolphin, with sea currents rising up the four walls and swirling around the ceiling.  The rest of Reds Espresso Gallery is similarly exuberant in dcor: a photo gallery, wire sculptures, displays of funky jewelry, candles to promote longevity and creativity, and some inscrutable anti-communist t-shirts.  It's all 100% local and 100% artistic.  There is natural energy and joie de vivre in the atmosphere of Reds that makes it easy lose a few hours or a whole day.  On Sundays, there's often a local pianist whose enthusiasm perhaps outstrips his talent.  

Other perks: wireless internet, outdoor patio, dog-friendly atmosphere and soul.

Reds was recommended to me by locals as "THE place for muffins," and the muffins are enormous, crumbly and fresh-baked.  The rest of the available food, simple and fresh-made, is adequate but not nearly so remarkable as the muffins.  

The best feature of this artsy caf is, naturally, the coffee.  The 100% organic and bird-friendly coffee is roasted with care and perfectly prepared.  I've been to this establishment more than a dozen times and I've never received the wrong drink or an inferior cup of coffee.  Cappuccinos and  lattes are served with a little  heart swirled into the foam - adding the sort of charm that separates Reds from other  independently owned coffee shops in San Diego.  The fact that they buy only organic, sustainable coffees means the price per  pound is rather high ($12 and up) but the quality and consistency make it worth the investment.

However, a word of advice for the hurried and harried coffee consumer: quality cannot be rushed.  The baristas will take their time creating the perfect drink for you.  If you can't stand to wait, head back to the coffee pods on the back table.  Drop your cash, grab your drink, and hit the door.

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Elite '08

124

76

Jacob G.

New York, NY

I wish I could grant four stars to Red's, but there's something missing in this cute coffee shop.  I like the piano in the back, the cute barista girl (though she shouldn't prepare food when she's sick like that), and the photos on the walls (they're too pricy for local photographers).  The coffee is B+ on good days.  There's another decent coffee house literally across the street.  I'm not sure who was there first but the second one has some frickin cajones.

Red's has a couple of small brand sodas.  You know, creme soda and ginger beer type things from brands you've never heard of.  And kombucha, too!

Tea Notes:
Tea is available by the quarter, half, or full pound.  They're supplied by Eclipse and Cafe Moto.  Normally  I'd never buy tea like this, but I have none of my tea with me so it had to do.  I inspected and tasted quite a few.  

'Fujian Oolong:' Has a lot of stem in it.  Upon further research, the supplier lists it as a tikuanyin.  So far as my tastebuds say, this was no tikuanyin.  It has a funky taste too.  I wouldn't get it unless you really really needed some oolong.

Gen mai cha: It looked like a good mixture of bancha and popped rice, etc., but must have been very old and stale.  That's usually a hard one to screw up.

Phoenix eye jasmine: I ordered 'green tea' a few weeks ago (before I realized they had a substantial selection) and received this.  As phoenix eye jasmines go, this was right on par.  Not my favorite tea, but that's incidental.

Keemum: Not as twisted as I'd expect, but is identifiable by taste and smell.

Herbals:  These were very fresh, with surprising quality and value.  I picked up a quarter pound of chamomile and spearmint.

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Elite '08

64

62

Diana D.

San Diego, CA

While "lost" in Point Loma earlier today I found this place on accident. I drove past it, U-turned back & went in.

I found:
- A Clean Atmosphere
- Good Music
- A Chill Little Dog Friendly Patio
- Beautiful Photos  
- Tasty Coffee

Mainly somewhere to go if your out with a friend and want a little intimate chat. This place isn't that big, which adds to it's overall charm.

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8

14

Mae K.

San Diego, CA

This place is a nice escape. I don't get to this part of town a lot. I do enjoy the back outside because the inside is a little cramped.
The coffee is pretty good, roasted on site. They have a wide variety of food but nothing too original and all too pricy.

The staff seems pretty cheery though--always good to see!

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6

35

Jeremy R.

San Diego, CA

When I moved Point Loma, I made a commitment to myself to avoid going to Starbucks as much as I have been known to do. I went to Reds once about three years ago, didnt think much of it then, but its growing on me. Between the Ibarra Mocha and the Blanco Mocha, I have been heading over more and more lately. The muffins are awesome along with the Everything bagels with just the right amount of creme cheese. The staff is friendly and attentive and the outside seating area in the back in pretty chill if you don't mind sitting at a table in a parking lot.

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4

22

Greg B.

San Diego, CA

Super cool little place. They do quite well considering they are almost right across the street from the Living Room -which is always packed ( and a bit overrated).
All kinds of local art dot the walls while you sip on some great self serve coffee and relax in one of the sofas. Its small with a mish mash of furniture but it really works. The last time I was there I was banging out some work on my laptop drinking my Joe while a local old dude cranked out some tunes on the piano.
The alley / patio seating area is funky and sort of has the feel of one of those tiny cafes you could discover in New York or San Francisco.

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0

6

Matt H.

San Diego, CA

I had avoided this place in the past because it looked like a bunch of fleabitten hippies worked and congregated there not to mention the communist innuendo of the name.  Then I stayed with my folks for a couple months and it was the first coffee shop I'd pass when driving to work at 6am so I took a chance.  

They have a good selection of coffee in the morning (I don't generally partake of the lattes and such), but the real treat are the muffins.  They are baked fresh at 5am and were still warm by the time I got there.  You can really taste the difference between those muffins and the preservative packed  gut bombs at Starbucks.  

Service is good, but every once and a while one of the employees sleeps in and the place is locked.

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Elite '08

353

2566

Anita L.

Irvine, CA

First of all let me say that this place is a coffee joint and the fact that we do not drink coffee makes it hard for me to review its specialty. However, we were drawn into Reds by the sign on its window saying they served breakfast and when we went inside, found, that the only breakfast items they had were breakfast bagels and waffles.

Basically this is a coffee house (they roast their own) which serves some basic food items such as well, BAGELS, sandwiches, parfaits and salads. The stress is definitely on bagels and they do have a variety of fillings or schmeers to go with 'em.

Bagels weren't really what I'd wanted for breakfast, but I settled for the "Greek Fisherman" which was a bagel with smoked salmon, artichoke, kalamata olives, feta and egg with a touch of tzatziki sauce. It was pretty good, but I would've liked that for lunch better.

The reason why I couldn't give it 3 stars is because the service was atrocious! When I was ordering at the window the girl who took our order (probably new) was slightly confused with my order of OJ -- but that wasn't it -- and then when she asked me large or small, I said small, and the guy in the back had started to pour into a 'small' when I guess the girl had actually charged me for the large, so I said okay large.

There was a pause and then the guy turns around and with an irritated look on his face goes "large or small" and I replied "whatever she charged me for". I guess she had trouble with the till because she couldn't find where she could void the transaction and this guy was getting more and more irritated. Another lady then came over and told her to just give me a buck back from the till and be done with it. Fine, that's settled.

We went out to the back and sat down. It took a really long time but that was excusable too. The guy who was irritated brought out mine and lil guy's orders but didn't bring hubby's or his tea. We waited. When lil guy and I had finished our 'breakfast' hubby's order was still no where to be found, so he went inside and then after a few minutes came out with his tea. When I asked him what had happened to his order he goes "they're making it now". I'm like "did they forget", he laughed "yeah".

Okay, he's obviously more forgiving than me. First I get attitude, then they forget our food. This is why they only get 2 stars from me.

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28

201

Adam V.

San Diego, CA

This is a nice Coffee Lounge -- sorry, I mean, "Espresso Gallery." (I think that title is awesome, by the way.) The coffee is good and the design, from the logo to the interior, is very cool. There is also a pretty big selection of books inside and I am a sucker for that type of thing, even though I always bring my own reading material. It's just nice to look at that, I think; A well-stocked book shelf sets an important tone in an "Espresso Gallery."

The specialty here is something they call the "Eggle" (basically just a neat way to say "Bagel-and-egg sandwich") which comes in a number of styles and makes for a very satisfying breakfast/brunch.

AV

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5

11

Nikki S.

San Diego, CA

Who needs Starbucks crappy, over-priced, sugar filled, coffee when there are great "hole in the wall" coffee shops like this. I dare you to say Red's is not better coffee. Weekend mornings were made for Red's. I love their dark roast blends. Just what a girl needs to shake off the previous nights fun with a bottle of saki in a dingy interloping on Humphrey's Concerts! They even use the place as a gallery for local artists. We like Red's.

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