In cinema, a “montage” is the art of combining discrete shots of film to create something new and original. It’s no mistake that Peter Tran, the owner and head barista at Caffe Montage in Huntington Beach, chose this name for his cafe. Tran studied film at USC, and his love for the movies is apparent in the shop’s decor, as well as the names of the coffees, cold-pressed juices, and smoothies on the menu. 

Like a good film director, Tran assembles a quality cast of fine ingredients and finds just the right techniques to put them all together in the frame. Of course, the coffee remains the star of the show here (especially the shop’s signature Vietnamese iced coffee), but other popular drinks include a carrot-ginger juice called Sunset Boulevard, a pineapple-mango smoothie called Before Sunrise, and the mocha-mint Pale Rider. Consider stopping by next time you’re in the neighborhood and craving something refreshing.