Something seems rather familiar at this place.  Perhaps it’s the bright airbrush paintings on the wall, the friendly hipster-cum-athleisure suited patrons, the sassy Sicilian guy taking my order, or all the years I spent hanging out with the X-gamer crowd.  Naaaaah, it’s the best açai bowl I’ve had since those two summers living in Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro.  This is a great little coffee spot, rife with hearty breakfasty and snacky items – it really is tough to choose and I look forward to several more mornings’ deliberations.  But that açai bowl – the right balance of granola, strawberries, banana, and just a sprinkling of coconut shavings on top.  My old Polisucos guy in Rio would be proud.  Oh, and the coffee’s good too, served with a return smile.

Dogtown Coffee, 2003 Main St., Santa Monica, CA  90405