Last Crumb Bakery and Cafe

Earlier today, I was at my grandparent's house. They live a block off Main Street, so I decided to take advantage of the warm, sunny weather and go for a walk to get a coffee. I originally decided on Kafka's and as I made my way down there, I passed by Last Crumb Bakery and Cafe and the place immediately caught my eye. Since I had a habit of checking out new cafes, I decided to stop there after coming back from Kafka's. If you know me, you know that I need more than one cappuccino a day to function.

Last Crumb Bakery and Cafe is located on 3080 Main Street, between 14th and 15th. The cafe itself is super new, just opening earlier this month. In fact, when I last walked by the location, the place was yet to open and that itself was recently.

If you're a food network junkie like myself, you've probably seen numerous shows that feature cafes that are based in the upper East Side in New York. Well, that's what this place reminded of. While I've never been to New York myself, I felt like I was transported to a sophisticated, modern cafe. It looked very becoming and hip. There was tons of floor space and plenty of seating room. It almost reminded me of the cafeteria at my old college, Langara but much nicer and more appealing. The amount of pastries, baked good and other food items was amazing. If you're health conscious or have special dietary needs, you're in luck. The place has tons of vegan and gluten free items, all which look absolutely delicious. Yes, vegan and gluten free food items can be good for you and they can taste good too. If I had not eaten at my grandparents house before I left, I certainly would have bought something but in this case, I was content with admiring everything. However, as I was waiting in line, a woman walking there walked around, offering customers a sample of curry chicken salad on a piece of bread. I love curry and samples, so I gladly took her up on her offer. I was glad I did, because it was absolutely delicious. I promised myself that I would get the bigger version next time I was in. The menu was perfectly placed and easy to read. There's nothing worse than a menu being out of sight or too small. Even though I knew what I wanted already (a cappuccino) it was comforting to know that I had an easy to read menu there for me.

I was immediately helped. Most cafes only take your order at the til but in this case, I was approached in line by a worker who was kind, efficient and helpful. So efficient that by the time I got to the til, all I had to do was pay instead of reminding the person what I ordered. Talk about fast, effective service! The only thing I had to wait for was my cappuccino.

I'll admit that because the cafe was fairly new, I didn't have high expectations. I've been to a couple new cafes where I was let down because my cappuccino was either burnt, too bitter etc. I was hoping for this place to be the exception & my hopes were granted. The cappuccino was phenomenal! A lot of the cafes I frequent use the same beans from the same roasters so eventually, all cappuccino's end up tasting similar. Luckily, that wasn't the case here. It was smooth, creamy with body but in its own,unique way. Needless to say, I was pleased that the cappuccino wasn't horrible and that I actually enjoyed it.

Would I recommend this place? Absolutely! It's like a taste of New York in Vancouver, with amazing service, coffee and food choices that appeal to everyone. Next time I go, I plan to bring a friend so we can sit at one of the marvelous tables and soak the ambiance and main street vibe in. For a new cafe, it seems like it's being run by professionals who have been in the cafe and baking business for years & that is something I gladly welcome. I cannot wait to become a regular here.

49th Parallel Coffee

Before I begin my review, I want to say hello & welcome back to all my lovely readers. I apologize for neglecting my blog & ultimately you but I hope that did not stop you all for visiting the cafes I recommended while checking out other ones. If you have any cafes that you would like me to review, people let me know & I will check it out for you :).

During the time between my last blog post & now, something wonderful happened to the Vancouver coffee scene, particularly the one along the famed Main Street in Vancouver. 49th Parallel Coffee, which is known for their coffee beans & west 4th location in Kitsilano, opened up a location on Main Street. Nestled on the southeast corner of 13th & Main at 2902 Main Street, 49th Parallel took over the space where Pinky's Drycleaners once existed. The news of the cafe opening was released early last month & didn't take too long to open.

Some people go to restaurants on opening day. Others check out the grand opening of nightclubs and lounges. I, however, enjoy going to coffee shops and cafes on the first official day of business. I was especially excited about this one, as I've been a long time fan of 49th Parallel Coffee & also, having to shorten my travel time was a bonus as well.

As soon as I entered the cafe, I was left in complete and utter awe. Never have I seen such beautiful architecture and design. It was extremely spacious, with lots of generous seating scattered around the cafe. It was a welcome change compared to the tiny location on west 4th & also, other tiny cafes where you are forced to take your coffee to go instead of being able to sit down to enjoy it. Lots of cafes place importance on their coffee but lots of space is important too. Towards the back, a cute little booth was tucked in. If you're looking to take someone on a date, I highly recommend taking the person to the booth. Sitting there gives off a different ambiance. However, no matter where you sit, you are guaranteed to enjoy your experience. The ambiance felt very welcoming. I have been to cafes where it felt like I was not welcomed, like I had to just order my coffee and go. That was not the case for here. In fact, it felt strange to not have your coffee here. I felt invited, like I was having coffee at a friends house.  However, it might be able before you get to finishing your coffee as you'll likely be taken away by the breath-taking layout, design and overall architecture of the cafe. The washrooms were just as stunning as the interior. Most people just see a cafe washroom as a place to go after drinking too much coffee but it's importantly that a washroom is clean & looks inviting. Nobody wants to go to a washroom where used paper towels decorate the floor was water is splashed all over the mirror, floor & sink.

These days, most cafes are seem to be overrun by baristas who would rather give you attitude instead of good coffee. However, that was not the case here. The servers smile was as warm as a summer evening in July. They were welcoming & friendly without being overbearing. They made sure all my inquires were met with an answer & also, that my order was taking smoothly. The barista making my latte was just as friendly. They made eye contact, made small talk & served my latte with a smile. That attitude was surely welcomed, as I have gotten use to baristas giving me my coffee with a side of attitude topped off with a snarl. Customer service is key & to me, if a barista just throws your coffee onto the bar without a word escaping their lips, it seems that they are not satisfied with the coffee they just made for you. If you truly like something you just made, you would be proud to share it instead of being sulky and sullen. I was extremely pleased with the treatment I received with, starting with the person who took my order to the person who gave my order to me. Sometimes, you can get a feel of the personality of the person who is making you your coffee just by watching them make it. A mouth talks, but so does body language. I don't expect baristas to treat me like we're best buddies but eye contact & a simple smile goes a long way.

Normally, I review cappuccino's but this time, I ordered an iced latte with a shot of vanilla syrup. And wow, was I ever glad I did. As soon as I took the first sip, I could feel my taste-buds do a happy dance. They were just as pleased as I was. It was full of flavour & coffee awesomeness. Sometimes, when you order flavoured coffee, the taste of the added syrup overwhelms the taste of coffee & all your taste-buds are left with are the remnants of sugar ladden, artificial syrup. That was not the case with my iced vanilla latte. The mixture of vanilla syrup & iced latte blended perfectly in my mouth, like a margarita on a sultry, sweaty summer evening. It was like a firework full of flavour explored all over my taste-buds. The sweet vanilla syrup was the perfect compliment to the iced latte. It was like a match made in coffee heaven. It was perfection in the form of iced latte.

As you can tell, I highly, highly recommend the main street location of 49th Parallel Coffee. It was just was the Vancouver coffee scene, especially main street, needed. Come for the ambiance and service & stay for the top class coffee. Oh, and if you happen to enjoy donuts with your coffee, than make sure to pick one up from Lucky's Donuts, which is located in the cafe. Always fresh & always delicious, different varieties of donuts, such as apple bacon fritter, peanut butter & jam, salted caramel & many more are made in the back, ready for you to enjoy. You can get a coffee and donut for $4, which is great if you're looking to expand your food risings. And with the arrival of summer, sunshine and warmth, I can guarantee that this will be the cafe to be.

Coco Et Olive

This past Saturday, a couple friends and I went to the Vancouver Farmer's Market. After picking up our cheese's, bread's etc, we decided to go for coffee on Main Street since we were in the area. We decided on Coco Et Olive, which was perfect for me as I had the opportunity to go to a new cafe to check out and review.

Coco Et Olive is located on 3707 Main Street, just on 21st and Main Street.

The decor of the cafe was absolutely spectacular. It looked like a cafe that you would discover somewhere in France. It was very chic and European yet simple at the same time. It felt very Sex and The City like, meaning a place where you can go to to discuss your weekend. My friend's & I lives aren't as crazy as the women of SATC (I'm totally Samantha) but if you want to catch up over coffee instead of brunch, bring the girls here. The good majority of the people were well dressed as well. There was a cute bench towards the back as well, but my friends and I chose to occupy a table. The layout of the place was nice as well. Their pastries looked absolutely tempting and I certainly would have bought one but I decided to stick to the cranberry loaf and berry cream cheese spread that I purchased earlier at the farmer's market. They offered a lot of beverages as well so if you don't enjoy the taste and feeling of coffee, you can try something else.

The service was lagging but it picked up. When it was my turn to order, the server looked at me, waiting for me to speak up. Usually, the server will say something and than ask for your order, so I found this a bit odd. However, she became friendlier once I ordered my cappuccino. The barista was nice as well. He thanked me, which is something rare amongst barista's. Usually, I'm the one doing the thanking so I appreciated this.

Their cappuccino was excellent! It was the third best cappuccino I've ever had, right after Kafka's and Prado. The amount of foam was perfect and it lasted to the final sip. It really complimented the espresso, which was not overbearing, but it was not strong either. My only regret was the fact that I did not get the larger size, as I wish I had more cappuccino to enjoy. My friend ordered a caramel macchiato, and they served her drink in what looked a soup cup. I wish I took a photo, as it was adorable and so well presented.

I highly, highly recommend Coco Et Olive. If you ever want a good cappuccino and you find yourself on Main Street, solo or with friends, dressed in your loveliest clothing, than come on down to Coco Et Olive. Soon enough, you'll feel like you've been whisked away to Paris. All you need is a cute Parisian boy or girl to have coffee with.

Gene Coffee Bar

My next java craving led me to Gene Coffee Bar. Located on 2404 Main Street, Gene is located on 2404 Main Street, in the heart of main street and mount pleasant district, where main street and kingsway divide.

The decor of Gene was very simple, very minimal. It wasn't an eyesore, it wasn't overbearing but it wasn't bare.It looked like a studio loft, which is fitting as most of the people there were artists and writers. There were people sketching on their art pads and writers writing away on their mac books. It felt like a creativity class that happened to be serving coffee and treats, instead of a coffee shop that was invaded by art and writing students. It makes sense, as I believe coffee is the spark that lights the creative flame. After all, I do get all my writing done in a coffee shop.

The service was mediocre. The servers were a bit standoffish. They made minimal eye contact and small talk, almost like they were bored. I don't expect them to stare me straight in the eyes as we have a full on conversation but regardless, it felt awkward. Still, I've had worse service.

It ordered their cappuccino. While it didn't taste like pure espresso, it was still quite powerful. It felt like a right hook to my tastebuds and an uppercut to my brain, instantly sending a jolt of energy down and around my body. The taste of espresso was eventually replaced by the taste of milk. I'll admit that I like to experience the flavour of the milk right away with the espresso so overall, this cappuccino fared on the stronger side.

If you like your coffee strong but don't care for service, check out Gene's Coffee Bar. If you're an arts student, that I highly recommend going to Gene while getting your work done. I would not be surprised if a regular at Gene turned out to be a future artist, writer or fashion designer. The chic, modern decor encourages, not distracts. Otherwise, there are other coffee shops in the area that value good coffee and good service. Just don't forget your mac book and sketch pad!

Kafka's Coffee and Tea

I'm going to dedicate my first post (well, besides the welcome one) to my favourite cafe, Kafka's Coffee and Tea, nestled on the corner on Main and East Broadway. Just over a year old, Kafka's serves the best cappunccino's, latte's and mocha's that I have ever tasted. When you walk into Kafka's, you feel like you're walking into your best friends kitchen. The vibe and ambiance is warm and welcoming. Instead of taking your coffee to go, it invites you to sit down and enjoy every sip, which is how coffee is meant to be enjoyed. It seems to taste better when you have time to relax and sip instead of downing it on the go. I've spent countless days and hours here, whether it was catching up with friends, finishing assignments or doing some extra credit work. Hours feel like seconds there and it's almost like time stands still.

While the ambiance makes me stay, it's the coffee that keeps me coming back. I'm a simple person with a simple taste in coffee. I don't like fancy orders or fancy beverages. Don't give me an extra shot, extra foam, extra hot whatever beverage. Don't substitute, don't add, don't subtract. Luckily, Kafka gets that. They serve simple, classic beverages.  I'm a cappuccino girl and these guys make the best cappuccino. It's not subtle, but it's not strong either. It doesn't require sugar. The only thing a Kafka's cappuccino requires is someone who appreciates a good coffee. Every sip you take is better than the last. The smooth, simple taste puts you at ease and instantly relaxes you. It's perfection in a cup. It's the kind of cappuccino that would make Luigi Bezzera proud. Most importantly, it's the kind of cappuccino that keeps me coming back.

I have to give a shout out to the barista's. I have experienced more friendlier, kinder and warm service anywhere. That includes not just the food industry, but retail and any other guest service oriented service as well. These barista's have a genuine interest in forming conversation with the customers. It goes beyond the casual, "hey, how are you.", which has become a standard greeting wherever you go. They are not pretentious or rude or fake. It's not forced or faked and it feels like you're striking up conversation with one of your friends, not someone who you're paying to make your beverage. They make the effort to know you and if you frequent Kafka's as much as I do, than they make the effort to get to know your name and address you with it as soon as you step up to the counter. And if you get really lucky, you won't have to say your order because they'll have it memorized with your name. Just show up and they'll do the rest. These barista's care about you just as much as they care about their coffee. If you're unsure what to get or you want to try something new, let them know and they will give recommendations or sometimes, they'll suggest what to try. And you just might be lucky enough to get a free coffee.

If you value friendly ambiance, a welcoming and inviting vibe, fantastic coffee and also, fabulous service, than I suggest you head on down to Kafka's. Whether you need a caffeine pick me up or want to grab a coffee before a shopping adventure or dining adventure on Main Street, than stop on by. The only downside about Kafka's are the hours (if you need a late night java fix to satisfy your coffee craving, Kafka's cannot help you on that) & that the cappuccino comes in only one size. However, it provides just as much flavour and caffeine punch as a 16 ounce cappuccino.

If you're ever in the area, swing on by. Just make sure you have enough time to stay and enjoy your first ever sip from Kafka's coffee and soon enough, it'll be your favourite cafe as well.

Kafka's address is 2525 Main Street. To get there by transit, take either the #3 or #99 bus and get off at the East Broadway stop. Their website with their hours and more details is http://kafkascoffee.ca/