FREE L.A.: Coffee Bean Goes Back to the Basics

Is it me, or does it seem like Coffee Bean is enticing its customers with more freebies these days?

Not that I'm complaining. The chain is passing out free cups of its so-called "heritage drinks" Cafe Mocha, Sunrise Ice Blended and Berry'd Treasure Ice Blended on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Unless you're in San Francisco, Nevada, Hawaii, Ralphs, military base, campus and airport locations. Because apparently the Coffee Bean hates grocery stores, the military and San Francisco. Draw your own conclusions. I'll be busy getting an ice blended.

FREE L.A.: If You're Hungry for Dessert, It's a Good Time to Be Here

:: New "Spanish fritter" shop Xooro -- pronounce it "Sure-oh" -- is opening its second location, on Melrose. (The fledgling chain is also in Santa Monica.)

For you and me, "Spanish fritter" = "gourmet churro." Good enough for me. Even better: The new store will be handing out FREE CHURROS TONIGHT, June 24, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Xooro is located at 8360 Melrose, #107, West Hollywood.



:: Pinkberry is introducing two new flavors for Summer: Coconut and Passion Fruit.

To introduce the new swirls, Pinkberry is handing out free samples on FRIDAY, June 26, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.



:: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf had been running a contest to determine which special Ice Blended drink its stores should feature over the Summer.

The winner was "Instant Karma," described as a "Nutty Creme Caramel." To celebrate the pick, Coffee Bean stores will be passing out free 12 oz. samples of "Instant Karma" on JULY 1 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Your Favorite Coffee Chain: Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf squeaked by Starbucks to win our poll for best coffee chain found in Los Angeles. I'm a bit surprised by the results here. Not necessarily the Coffee Bean win -- it's a hometown chain, and it's generally well-liked (especially thanks to those signature Ice Blendeds).

But given how uncool it is these days to admit you patronize Big Brother Starbucks, I'm a tad surprised that Starbucks nearly took the competition. I figured Peet's would come in second; I was also glad to see Swork perform decently, especially since it's not truly a chain. Then there's McDonalds -- which inspired this poll, given its new push into the coffee space. Turns out not many folks are "lovin' it."

The Wednesday Poll: The Coffee Wars

As the OC Register's Fast Food Maven wrote, McDonald's takes an ambitious stab at the coffee marketplace starting this week. Setting its sights on Starbucks, McDonald's was also emboldened by a positive Consumer Reports review for its drip coffee a few years ago. Now it wants to go after the high-priced drinks as well, opening "McCafes" at McDonald's locations all over Southern California.

Will it work? Or does McDonald's coffee taste too much like swill? It's your turn to vote. And if your favorite chain isn't there, add it to the list:

Free L.A.: Holiday Drinks Tonight at the Coffee Bean

Get yerself to The Coffee Bean this evening between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. The coffee chain is handing out 12 oz. holiday-themed drinks for free -- including their Peppermint ice blended, which I'm all about.

(Thanks to Joe for reminding me!)

Stock Market Jitters? Er, This Probably Won't Help the Jitters, But It's Free

Hey, just a quick reminder: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's anniversary celebration concludes today, as the chain offers up a free espresso shot to anyone who asks for it in their drink.

Hey, in this economy, I'll take anything that's free.

Happy Birthday, Coffee Bean

Discount alert: For its 45th anniversary, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is conducting discount promotions on Tuesdays throughout the next month.

First up: Today, coffee is 63 cents. (Not sure what size that is, but I'm gonna push for a large.) Next Tuesday, it's hot tea at 63 cents (less interested). The promotion finishes up on Oct. 7 with a free espresso shot to any drink.



Meanwhile, add Coffee Bean to the list of chains (like Peet's) that has brought back a pumpkin latte for the fall season. It's still a little too sweet for my liking, but I do think they've improved the flavor over the past two years. I panned the drink in 2006.

The Devil Drinks Ice Blendeds

Be on the lookout for coffee wagons (like the one above) sporting ads for the new movie "The Devil Wears Prada" -- there's free coffee and/or ice blendeds in them thar trucks!

Apparently the folks behind the Glenn Close Meryl Streep/Anne Hathaway flick decided to play the viral marketing game by passing out free java at several Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and other locations around town.

But a Coffee Bean wagon was also spotted on Wilshire, close to my office.



Doing our part to alert you to free ice blendeds. Special shout-out to Stu (psst... Stu, the upfronts are over! Update your blog!) for pointing me to the free happenings going on right on our sidewalk.