Croissants, Cappuccinos and Clouds

Elena Thomas • November 4, 2024

The Promenade on the Peninsula has recently welcomed a new business that offers drinks, pastries and a calm atmosphere: misc. coffee. The café, whose name is short for “miscellaneous,” launched with a soft opening on Aug. 12 by owner JT Chung, who chose to set up his business in Palos Verdes to introduce something that was different and distinct in its taste, style and soul than other coffee shops that he sees on the hill. While liveliness and the number of shops in the Promenade have declined in recent years, misc. coffee will hopefully restore some life to the area. As for Chung’s future goals, he hopes that misc. coffee will attract a certain demographic: Peninsula students.

“There aren’t many Korean-style specialty coffee shops in [the area], and I came here to [change] that,” Chung said. “In the late afternoon, or in the evening, I wish to see high schoolers stay here [to] study and hang [out]. I want [misc. coffee] to be that kind of place.”

When walking into the café, one can see that misc. coffee has the potential to be a regular spot for high school students. Since its opening, the establishment has been doing well; however, to catch the eye of teenagers when competing against popular chains like Starbucks or Dunkin’, misc. coffee needs to be strong on all fronts.

A key ingredient for a successful café is a delectable menu. misc. coffee checks that box with a wide assortment of scrumptious pastries and a list of over 15 beverages. The café’s buttery pastries, sourced from Sweet Wheat Bakery in Redondo Beach, perfectly pair with the tasteful drinks. Their sweet Spanish latte with a palmier is a perfect way to start — or even finish — the day. Their beverage menu, which consists of both caffeinated and decaffeinated drinks, has an abundance of unique options that immediately catch one’s eye. Some of the beverages might seem a bit strange or unheard of since they are not seen much in Palos Verdes, like the strawberry yuzu, a cool and refreshing beverage made from the Japanese citrus fruit, yuzu. However, the peculiarity is all the more reason to try it — a unique new drink could turn into a fan favorite. For the devoted coffee-lovers, there are the classic choices of an espresso or cappuccino; their distinctive taste — velvety, smooth and chocolate-like — comes from the café’s special and rich blend, made from Brazilian, Guatemalan and Peruvian coffee. However, the appeal of misc. coffee does not end at their menu, as they have much more to offer.

The minimalist space has an elevated ambiance that adds to the relaxing nature of misc. coffee. The amiable staff, simple decorations, comfortable seating and soft jazz create a stress-free atmosphere. The distraction-free quality of the café creates the perfect studying spot. The café successfully provides an enjoyable space for customers to work and savor a delicious drink. For Peninsula students, misc. coffee is only 0.4 miles away and easily reachable by foot, car or bike; if one decides to go on foot, the walk is approximately 10 minutes. The pricing of the café is also relatively reasonable, with all items on the menu being under $10, which is similar to other competing coffee shops that are popular with high school students, like Starbucks. In the face of competition, however, Chung does an excellent job creating a café of unique and inviting drinks, tasty treats and a great atmosphere for Peninsula students and other customers. It is clear that misc. coffee is a delightful addition to the Promenade.