De Cafe Baristas opened in the Atlantic Times Square outdoor mall in Monterey Park earlier this year, a very welcome relief for anyone looking for a fine cup of coffee in an area with milk teas and bobas on almost every corner. Seattle's Herkimer Coffee and San Francisco's Four Barrel Coffee Roasters often are the beans of choice here, with drinks made by friendly and earnest baristas. The big wooden tables lend themselves to laptops and textbooks, but when you do get hungry -- because you can't not get hungry in this part of town -- you'll be in luck: 101 Noodle Express, Tasty Garden and Curry House are just a walk way. 500 N. Atlantic Blvd., Monterey Park; (626) 872-6302