Things have changed quite a bit in the world since my last column, the most depressing change being the war in Iraq. But on the positive side I've suddenly found myself back in the UK! Yes, after six long months in the States I have returned and will once again be continuing to pursue good coffee in the Land of Tea.

But this week I'll review my last California cafe for awhile. Several Sundays ago I met my friend Schwartzie for lunch in Long Beach. After an excellent meal at Enrique's we both needed a bit of a pick-me-up, so we stopped at Columbian House, a small storefront in a shopping centre near California State University. Columbian House is yet another simple shopping centre coffeehouse, i.e. not the sort of place you'd normally choose to while away the hours but definitely a caffeinated destination for bored suburbanites. The lovely smell emanating from the door makes it obvious that they roast their own beans.

After ordering a couple of macchiatos from the nice young barista we sat at a table outside and gazed upon the spectacular view of the Ralphs supermarket and car park. Although the cafe smells wonderful my macchiato had little aroma and not much to offer in the way of flavour. Perhaps this is because the university students who obviously frequent the place have yet to develop their coffee palates. But what coffee establishments like this need is more seasoned espresso lovers like myself who demand a more robust experience in their cups. So stand up and demand, students! Trust your elders on this one.

For decor Columbian House features all sorts of Cal State Long Beach memorabilia: shirts, pennants, and photos. Personally I think they should have a model of the Great Pyramid of Long Beach near the front door. I recently went on a walking expedition to locate this Pyramid, built not by the ancient Egyptians or Mayans but by Twentieth Century architects. The large blue structure can be seen everywhere, peeking over the rooftops of suburban houses, much like the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Space Needle in Seattle. It's definitely one of the Seven Wonders of Long Beach, along with the Queen Mary, the empty Spruce Goose Dome, the Oil Islands, the Quonset Huts on the corner of Spring Street and Los Coyotes Diagonal, the oil well minimart in Signal Hill, and my mother's bench which I recently refinished. (There were eight wonders, but the teapot-shaped Hotcha Coffee Shop is sadly no more.) So there are your seven reasons to visit Long Beach, in case you needed any.