Montecarlo Coffee Shop

i used to come here a lot for late night chats. it seems to be one of few places that are still open for my night shift friend and i. the coffee was ktown-​like. does that make sense? the coffee here doesn’t taste like starbucks. it’s slightly nuttier and for nuts who stay up late, it hits the spot. pretty steep prices but i see someone mentioned that they give you unlimited free refills. i had no idea. imma hit them up again and stay for 4 hours now.

I would like to give Montecarlo a 4.5. But sad day. no half stars on Unilocal.
I really really like this café. During the first half of my sophomore year of college, I became obsessed with going to cafes to study. My roommate and I had many adventures to various cafes in ktown and this one is almost my favorite. (i haven’t found that PERFECT café yet… it’s still out there hiding from me)
Why do I love it so much?
Well, first off, they HAD the most amazing milk tea with boba. Oh yes, that is how the café obsession started… so I heard from my small group leader that Montecarlo has the best milk tea. So I decided to see if that was indeed true. and i fell in love. with my chilled glass of that lovely light brown tea that pleased my tummy oh so much. After that fateful day, my roommate and I frequently visited this café… on lazy afternoons in the summer or to study for midterms…
so one sad day. i really wanted the milk tea with boba. and felt that only milk tea from montecarlo could lift me out of my sad depressed state. so we went, all excited because i mean, milk tea! and we walked into the store, sat down… when the waitress came with the menus, we didn’t even glance at them. but looked at her and said
«two milk teas with boba, please»
the words that came out of her mouth were horrifying.
«we don’t sell milk tea anymore»
O_​O what. it was so sad. i wanted to cry. just writing about it makes me want to cry.
but it’s okay. i am living now. yes, my heart (and stomach) still longs for that milk tea… but its okay. i am satisfied with their above average coffee drinks and their refills…
but bring my milk tea back. and i will love you so much more. i promise.

Out of all the cafes I’ve been to, this is probably one of my faves (or my absolute fave). I love going there during the afternoon after classes to study or chill like the gangster that I am. Unlike other k-​town cafes, monte carlo actually seems to be for students and the like. The tables are large, lighting bright, the chairs comfortable and there’s plenty of room (or maybe because there aren’t many costumers during the times I like to go). It’s mostly quiet save for the occasional korean ahjushi who don’t seem to realize that speaking loudly on a cell phone does not enable one to hear the person on the other side any better.
The coffee is good, not exceptional, but the very BIG plus to this café is that you can actually get your money’s worth. It’s well known that korean cafes all seem to have agreed to overcharge their customers by 200%, but at monte carlo, while the price may look the same as any other café, they offer continuous refills of whatever drink you order. GASP! SAY IT AIN’T SO!
So if you’re planning to study for 2 hours or so and don’t want to pay for one 6 dollar drink to last you through that time, go to monte carlo where you can drink to your heart’s content for as long as you desire: D
The only reason I give this café a 4 and not a 5 is because they got rid of their milk tea. Hands down the BEST milk tea I have ever drank. Ever since that fateful day my roommate (another monte carlo milk tea fan) and I were told that they no longer served it (it took us a couple weeks to recover from the shock) I have been on a quest to find a replacement to no avail.
But the other aspects of this café merit monte carlo a good rating. An even better rating would be given if only they would bring their milk tea back…
*hint hint* *nudge nudge*

Huh. I’m a little shocked that Montecarlo hasn’t been reviewed more. Montecarlo is a great Korean café with really good espresso drinks and amazing atmosphere. My friends and I used to come here and spend hours just drinking wway.
The last guy commented on how expensive it was… he didn’t mention that Montecarlo offers unlimited refills. Yes. It has unlimited refills on the iced almond mocha or anything else.
It’s quaint and quiet. The staff is a bit brusque, but never downright rude. They really leave you alone most of the time.
The setting is gorgeous. They have really comfortable plush dish chairs, perfect lighting, and the quiet charm to it.
The drinks are a bit on the sugary side though.