Zephyr

by Omowale O.

This is a place for the loner that likes being lost in between the cracks of the main stream to feel at home.You can hookah it up, though I don't do anything with tobacco. You can enjoy tasty food and drinks like the gingersnap white mocha latte, and snuggle into nooks and crannies that just beg to be cherished with the closest of friends and those who are not about to become your immediate ex significant other(s). Spot the occasional goth child as you write the alternative answer to the great American novel on the outside patio. Oh how I love those dark underground cultures. If they only knew how much... I hope to come back.I just wish you were closer. And best of all free WiFi!Note: I consider this place to be an adult environment. Maybe a high school student would enjoy the comfort of this urban oasis, but not young children. Keep them away or take your order to go!

by Monica S.

This will probably become my new find-me-here coffeehouse. I set out today to find the one, and left Zona Rosa disappointed. I was about to give up and just go to Peet's where I knew there would be predictable comfort, but I decided to give yelp reviews another go and set off to find Zephyr. I thought it was in OldTown so it was a bit further than expected, but worth it.No problem finding parking, there was a spot in front. But I saw a sign that says they have their own parking lot in back, so that's definitely star-worthy. I love that it's a house with old creaky wooden floors, little nook and crannies, and a closed-in front porch. Plenty of light and definitely more than ample seating outside in the backyard, large front yard, and all around the house. And smokers like outside seating.The young dude server who took my order was shy and kept forgetting what my order was, but I forgive him because I think he just started here. The only bad thing was that in the time it took to get my coffee I finished reading the entire grimy Calendar section of the LA Times that was sitting on the table. That was after I realized it would take a while and quit wandering around in front of the bar like a nomad. Coffee is good. Very laptop-user-friendly, because they have outlets everywhere, even in the backyard. I was surprised to see someone plugging their laptop into a potted plant until I realized there was an outlet. The best surprise when I pulled up in front was seeing sign that said FREE WIFI. I had the impression that this place didn't have outlets or wifi from previous reviews, so this was a very nice surprise. All I had to do was ask for the wireless password from the server, and here I am. And yay they have food, crepes and paninis and omelettes - i had an $8 omelette and it was pretty good in spite of the price. Cash only but atm inside. I do see what people have been saying with the owner + friends, who currently are hanging out in the backyard patio playing cards in a noisy-ish manner and I think have just driven a customer inside. It is his shop, so I don't know if anyone can/will stop them. But all in all, a very nice place and I will be back.

by Jonathan T.Mary M.Kristin L.Bido B.

I'VE...BEEN...SLIMED!!!!Spent many hours here today doing that thing i do, and when i came out, my steed was absolutely covered in violet-burgundy smears, splotches, splats, streaks, squeeshes, and other random bloody-esque trickles, drips, runs and stains. and. um...yea. I have a convertible. AND. the top. was. DOWN.soooo... grotesque hyper-conspicious serial murdery carnage adorns my entire chassis--on the doors, the windows. the side panels, the floormats, the back seats, the windshield, and OOPS! SQUISH! there's a pool of violet-red goodness staining my ass from the bucket seat below me!....and PLUNK. SPLASH! are you freegin' SERIOUS?!!!--an aerial assault from, of all places, the sun visor?http://www.yelp.com/bi...http://www.yelp.com/bi...http://www.yelp.com/bi...i'm driving around tonite like some kinda Vlad the Impaler on Wheels.'Ummm yea, sure Officer. Noooooo... I haven't been drinking...i've just. been. MURDERING...'   wait. no that don't sound right. back up.'Ummm, yea, sure Ossifer, well, ya know...the economy's bad and life's been rough, so i just gotta protect meself from any potential coronary cataclysm by crushing me own grapes and drinking copious amounts of heart healthy red wine while driving. Ah. Whoo. Hoo?'  (ok i don't think they'll buy that one...)'Aight, Po-Po dude. My mamma always told me to tell the truth, so here goes. I was parked under somekinda ginormous Crabapple-Wild Berry tree curbside, directly in front this joint in the East 'Dena called Zephyr....when all of a sudden the tree attacked my poor defenseless rag top...i mean, she was left naked to the world, and then savagely bludgeoned and blitzkrieged in a hail of faux-blueberry bullets. I swear i can clear my name and identify the assailant if you can just follow me back to the scene of the crime....? er? yea? right?''Hey, by the way, Officer Po-Po, if you come back there with me, i'll be sure to buy you a stiff cup o' Joe. their mochas just t'aint half bad and i hear you badges like that sludgy stuff...how 'bout it?'...Off to jail I fly, flapping my vampire bat wings.Or then again, i could just stop procrastinating my lazy Transylvanian undead ass and get me to a petrol station to scrub off all the evidence.Such a plebeian task for the Prince of Darkness, buy hey Vataayagonnado?        V        V           0  0              L                       WBTW, i vuz a brayyvve vampire, za GARLIC CHICKEN PITA SANVICH VUZ DEE-LEESH SpaciousHomeyRusticChillIntimateCouchy (sorry Webster's, but i'm inserting my own adjectives here… This place rocks!!! Everything I need for a slightly productive morning. I love coffee shops and this one is great. If I was still in school, I'd probably be here almost everyday studying and surfing the web. They have accessible outlets indoors and outdoors.The coffee is priced similar to starbucks (which is kinda a lot for a small coffee shop). They serve Hookahs too, but it was way to early for me.When you're studying and need a snack they serve food as well. Sandwiches, salads. The internet is free with purchase -- but you don't even need a log-in. My interent logged in automaticaly, although their password is their phone number if needed. A few artists were outside painting. Parking is in rear, turn right into the alley to the side of the coffee shop. Car wash across the street -- I had that done while I was at the coffee shop. -- Turned out to be a quite productive morning afterall!When I lived in Pasadena I was a frequent customer at Zephyr.  I went back recently to discover, like many, that it has a new owner.  I am not entirely thrilled about the addition of a hookah patio, but I'm sure some are.  Another new feature of Zephyr is the free Wi-Fi that customers can enjoy.Happily, the food and drink menus have remained largely unchanged, the old house where this coffee shop "lives" still has the character I fell in love with, and great art can still be found adorning the walls.  One of my favorite aspects of Zephyr is the four different rooms, full of couches, where you can retreat for some privacy to have a conversation, read, study, or just relax.  There is also a large, now expanded, outdoor patio.  The food here has always been a favorite of mine.  I love their panini and crepes!  My favorite sandwiches are the turkey and red pepper panini or the basil, mozzarella, tomato.  They serve sweet and savory crepes, which are delicious as well as omelettes and pastries.This is a home converted into a coffeehouse.  It has a nice, home-like atmosphere and reminds me of coffeehouses like 976 in Pacific Beach, CA (San Diego County).  The food options are tasty and well-prepared.  The patio area is extensive and is a good place to chew the fat with a group of friends.  Indoor seating area has four distinct rooms.  Outdoor area is best for groups up to eight.On my most recent visit on a Saturday morning, however, encountered minor attitude from the staff.  Perhaps they were understaffed; perhaps they weren't fully awake.  But when I asked about their coffee refill policy, I was told to "read the sign."  When I returned to the counter to ask for water, I was left standing for five minutes where a "I've just got a couple things to handle and I'll be right with you" was not said but could have helped.  And when learning that I would be charged for extra jam asked "How much will the jam be?" to which the service-person replied, "Wait a moment.  I don't know how much such a little thing costs."  The attitude didn't come from just one staff person but from both people working the counter that morning.  Could perhaps the staff people use a refresher on customer service skills?  Even if I am a diffcult customer, perhaps more diplomatic measures could be employed?  Is this grumbling a reflection of dissatisfaction with wages?In sum: Atmosphere is inviting.  Staff, not so much so.

by Thelma W.

Independent, quiet, coffeehouse converted from an old house (I think it used to be a Craftsman home) with a picturesque little garden patio area and showcases exhibits of local independent artists.  It is the perfect place to study or just to have a good cup of coffee and tasty crepe.  With the exception of a few nights when they have open mic or have live music from a local act.  I am enamored with Zephyr!  When I briefly lived in Pasadena for a couple years, I patroned this local gem at least a few times a week.  As soon as I walked in for the first time I was hooked by the zen atmosphere.  The staff usually only comprises of two very chill people, one of which will take your order (CASH only) and then find you bringing your order to the comfy spot you've chosen to plant your tooshie.  Seating is available in any of the various rooms in the form of plush couches or tables and chairs.  One room has some old-school board games and cards.  Music lowly playing is usually some indie "soft" melodies like that of Beck's Sea Change.  In one corner near the register, some local handmade products are sold like scarves and teas.  Why aren't there more places like Zephyr around?  It's a beacon of hope for small mom and pop businesses and how it can be done well, surviving competition with giant conglomerate monopolies like Starbucks and Borders.  Local fares promoting and helping other local independent culture deserves a shiny medal, lots of love, and our support! =)

by Maggie T.

After hearing the sisters who owned this place had sold Zephyr to new owners who remodeled and added hookah to their menu.. I was really really hesitant to go back.  I didn't want my memory of Zephyr to be ruined.  This was my all-time fav coffeehouse to go to, whether it's with a friend to chat, to study, or just to read a book.  I went back with some friends after the ownership change and I still love Zephyr overall.  The place looks newer and lost a bit of its hippie-ish charm, but it's still a cute and quaint place to have a non-Starbucks cup of latte and chill out.  I love to hookah, but I still can't accept that Zephyr has hookah.. therefore, I will not be partaking in any hookah-ing at Zephyr.  I also don't like the new added back area that is used for hookah.  You know where there should be hookah??  Equator in old town pasadena.. except a new ownership at equator jazzed the place up into some asian-themed lounge and exchanged their hookah menu for a full bar. Read my review of equator for my take on this change.

by Jonathan T.

I'VE...BEEN...SLIMED!!!!Spent many hours here today doing that thing i do, and when i came out, my steed was absolutely covered in violet-burgundy smears, splotches, splats, streaks, squeeshes, and other random bloody-esque trickles, drips, runs and stains. and. um...yea. I have a convertible. AND. the top. was. DOWN.soooo... grotesque hyper-conspicious serial murdery carnage adorns my entire chassis--on the doors, the windows. the side panels, the floormats, the back seats, the windshield, and OOPS! SQUISH! there's a pool of violet-red goodness staining my ass from the bucket seat below me!....and PLUNK. SPLASH! are you freegin' SERIOUS?!!!--an aerial assault from, of all places, the sun visor?http://www.yelp.com/bi...http://www.yelp.com/bi...http://www.yelp.com/bi...i'm driving around tonite like some kinda Vlad the Impaler on Wheels.'Ummm yea, sure Officer. Noooooo... I haven't been drinking...i've just. been. MURDERING...'   wait. no that don't sound right. back up.'Ummm, yea, sure Ossifer, well, ya know...the economy's bad and life's been rough, so i just gotta protect meself from any potential coronary cataclysm by crushing me own grapes and drinking copious amounts of heart healthy red wine while driving. Ah. Whoo. Hoo?'  (ok i don't think they'll buy that one...)'Aight, Po-Po dude. My mamma always told me to tell the truth, so here goes. I was parked under somekinda ginormous Crabapple-Wild Berry tree curbside, directly in front this joint in the East 'Dena called Zephyr....when all of a sudden the tree attacked my poor defenseless rag top...i mean, she was left naked to the world, and then savagely bludgeoned and blitzkrieged in a hail of faux-blueberry bullets. I swear i can clear my name and identify the assailant if you can just follow me back to the scene of the crime....? er? yea? right?''Hey, by the way, Officer Po-Po, if you come back there with me, i'll be sure to buy you a stiff cup o' Joe. their mochas just t'aint half bad and i hear you badges like that sludgy stuff...how 'bout it?'...Off to jail I fly, flapping my vampire bat wings.Or then again, i could just stop procrastinating my lazy Transylvanian undead ass and get me to a petrol station to scrub off all the evidence.Such a plebeian task for the Prince of Darkness, buy hey Vataayagonnado?        V        V           0  0              L                       WBTW, i vuz a brayyvve vampire, za GARLIC CHICKEN PITA SANVICH VUZ DEE-LEESH SpaciousHomeyRusticChillIntimateCouchy (sorry Webster's, but i'm inserting my own adjectives here…

by Jonathan Y.

One of my favorite coffeeshops!I live in irvine now, so i dont' get to come back here all that often, but the ambiance is perfect. I recently came back and saw that they had widened the patio!The place is actually a house they made into a coffeeshop, and I love how all the rooms have paintings from kids etc on them. Outside is my favorite though, from the patio-garden like front entrance, walls masked in ivy to the black wrought-iron chairs gathered around low, tiled tables on brick flooring. The entire feel has an old, well-loved, country-side comfort to it. The coffee is great too. They have a sexy mocha. I used to work at starbucks a few miles away, and afterwork some of us would leave, come here and get coffee and talk about the customers we loved/hated.

by Bido B.

This is a home converted into a coffeehouse.  It has a nice, home-like atmosphere and reminds me of coffeehouses like 976 in Pacific Beach, CA (San Diego County).  The food options are tasty and well-prepared.  The patio area is extensive and is a good place to chew the fat with a group of friends.  Indoor seating area has four distinct rooms.  Outdoor area is best for groups up to eight.On my most recent visit on a Saturday morning, however, encountered minor attitude from the staff.  Perhaps they were understaffed; perhaps they weren't fully awake.  But when I asked about their coffee refill policy, I was told to "read the sign."  When I returned to the counter to ask for water, I was left standing for five minutes where a "I've just got a couple things to handle and I'll be right with you" was not said but could have helped.  And when learning that I would be charged for extra jam asked "How much will the jam be?" to which the service-person replied, "Wait a moment.  I don't know how much such a little thing costs."  The attitude didn't come from just one staff person but from both people working the counter that morning.  Could perhaps the staff people use a refresher on customer service skills?  Even if I am a diffcult customer, perhaps more diplomatic measures could be employed?  Is this grumbling a reflection of dissatisfaction with wages?In sum: Atmosphere is inviting.  Staff, not so much so.

by Robert Z.

Came here to study... pretty cool except some tables are too small even for a group of two studying. Parking might be a hassle, so be prepared.