First of all, it’s great to be writing for Losanjealous again. Who knew a sprained ankle would take 8 months to heal? Certainly not my chiropractor. Anyway, for all my well-wishers I offer a hearty “Whassup”

Where was I. Oh yeah. I was rating the 50 best Starbucks stores in LA. There’s been a lot of sturm and drang about my prejudices for Westside Starbucks. Listen folks, I’m putting myself out there. And I’m not about to back down now. You got a better list, show me. Maraca-roll please. . .

Number 20: The Starbucks kiosk in the Ralph’s on Olympic just past Century City.

You want controversy. Here’s your controversy. You may say, “There you go again, DeMarco. Another Westside Starbucks. And it’s not even a real Starbucks. It’s a kiosk.” Listen, before you roll out the car battery and alligator clips let me say one thing: Good coffee is good coffee. And whatever they’re doing at this booth in this Ralph’s with these Iced Americanos, they should keep doing it. Because it works.

The layout isn’t bad either. (“DeMarco are you crazy, it’s a booth.” Hey I expect that from my readers, but from my editor???) You get your coffee, wander around the foyer area, check out the produce, rent a carpet steamer. It’s good. Get in. Get out.

And the Americanos. . .cool, jazzy, flirtatious. And filled two fingers short of the brim so you can add at least ten bags of Splenda. Who me? No, wouldn’t be caught dead with the stuff. . .

There you have it folks. ’Nuff said.

Next week: Bill DeMarco goes east of the 405–and lives to have a Frappucino.