Old Crow Coffee

Picture yourself in an episode of the Walking Dead. The day is drawing to an end. You and your team are trudging along the desolate road. hoping for a familiar & calming sight. The frail looking train track accompanies you on your trek. You turn to your left and there it is. A coffee shop by the name of Old Crow Coffee.

Now instead of being on the episode of the Walking Dead, you're in the heart of New Westminster. New Westminster is being known as a city full of heritage buildings and bridal shops. Unlike East Vancouver and Gastown, New Westminster is not established as city known for its variety of coffee shops. However, with the addition of Old Coffee Crow, that is slowly about to change.

Old Crow Coffee is located at 655 Front Street in New Westminster. It's brand new. Literally. It just opened today (March 9th 2015). Old Crow Coffee is located just minutes away from New West and Colombia station. As someone who relies on transit to get around, that is great news. Very accessible. As someone who was born & currently resides in East Vancouver, I tend to frequent local cafes scattered amongst Commercial Drive and Main Street. However, upon hearing the opening of Cold Crow Coffee, I decided to venture out into New Westminster and shake up my routine by trying something new.

Old Crow Coffee is very aesthetically pleasing. If you are expecting one of those minimal, simple
cafes full of people glued to the screens of their mac book, think again. Now, I'm not the best at describing the interiors of businesses but Old Crow Coffee gave me a gothic, castle like vibe. Old Crow Coffee is one of those rare cafes that invite you to sit down & socialize with friends and family instead of isolating yourself with a laptop or book. Instead of going down the hipster route and blasting Simon and Garfunkel, Fleetwood Mac (no disrespect, they're my favourite band) or Bon Iver, Old Crow Coffee pumps out tunes from Bon Jovi, Janis Joplin and more.

Since Old Crow Coffee is new, I did not have high expectations for their coffee. After  going to many new cafes and being disappointed by the quality of their espresso shots, I decided to go in without any hopes. Old Crow Coffee gets their beans from Bows and Arrows coffee, a small business run in Victoria, British Columbia. A lot of coffee shops in Vancouver take pride in serving up variety on their espresso menu by using beans from roasters across the world so it is refreshing to find a coffee shop that goes local. As for their tea, they serve loose leaf tea from Granville Island Tea Company. They have an extensive food menu. Since it was sunny out, I decided to have an iced latte. I was pleasantly surprised by it. They added the perfect amount of ice. Some cafes are guilty are scooping up too much ice, thus watering down the latte after a while. The beans were well roasted and grinded. No burnt or acidic after taste and no ruminants of beans that were poorly grinded. For a cafe on their opening day, Old Crow Coffee has the craft of grade A espresso down quite well.

When my friend and I went to Old Crow Coffee, it was very busy so I did not have the opportunity to gather an opinion of the service. However, shortly after my friend and I sat down, everyone cleared out, leaving my friend and I as the only customers in the cafe. Shortly after, more people came in and the person who I assumed was the owner warmly greeted everyone who entered. I know people who work in the food and service industry have to be nice by nature but the person who acknowledged everyone seemed legitimately genuine. Most people think good coffee shops is 100% good coffee but to me, a good coffee shop is 75% solid espresso and 25% polite service and Old Crow Coffee exceeds that.

Will I return to Old Crow Coffee? Absolutely. Despite Old Crow Coffee not being a part of my East Vancouver cafe staple, I will go out of my way to become a regular while trying their food menu. While it may take a long time for New Westminster to be as established as parts of Vancouver when it comes to the coffee scene, it does not hurt to support a cafe that is trying to make itself known in an area not known for their espresso. So instead of relaxing at the Starbucks a few blocks up or settling at the Waves a short walk away, give Old Crow Coffee a try.

Website
Location: 655 Front Street, New Westminster
Facebook
Phone Number: 778-960-8790
Hours: 7:00 A.M-6:00 PM
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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.

Caffe Cittadella

Ever envision having your own personal cafe located inside your home? Caffe Cittadella is like that. Located at 2310 Ash Street, Caffe Cittadella is seconds away from the Cambie Street Bridge and Canada Line. The cafe itself is fairly young, having just celebrated its second year anniversary just this past August.

I'll admit it. I nearly got lost trying to find this place. However, it was because I kept trying to locate a building that looked like a cafe. Well, imagine my surprise when I found out that Caffe Cittadella was located in what looked like a two story house! The outdoor seating arrangement was plenty, with lots of outdoor room as well. It nearly looked like a country club or a European style outdoor coffee shop or even your own patio. The indoor of the cafe was just as gorgeous. There was plenty of indoor seating too. The cafe had a warm, inviting, homely intimate vibe. It was cozy and comfortable. The ambiance made it feel like you were at home with your own personal coffee bar and barista. Whether you were a student on your laptop or someone catching up with a friend over a cup of cappuccino, this place is for you. Some cafes make you feel like you should leave as soon as you have your drink but this cafe told you to stay. It was spacious, not tight and compact. Space is key. On the other hand, the space between the bar and the area where the server takes your order can be an issue too. I know this one cafe where you place your order at the same place where they make your coffee so that when the line gets long, it can become a nuisance to be able to order your coffee and than move it over to the till without bumping into someone. However, that wasn't the case here. The bar was two steps over from the till.

I was immediately served. The server was fast and efficient. Another nuisance is when you stand at the till, waiting forever for someone to take your order while the cafe is dead and the server is unable to be located. That was not the issue there. It was organized well enough so that the only thing you'd wait for was your coffee. As I stood at the bar, waiting in excitement for my cappuccino, I took in a deeper look of the cafe. The lids for the beverages were located inside an adorable mini cabinet. The set up of the sugars and other coffee essentials reminded me of my own kitchen. I didn't really take a good look at the pastries but from what I hear, they're quite good.  There was even stairs.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that my cappuccino had foam. Cappuccino's are actually supposed to have foam but usually when I order a cappuccino to go, I get latte art instead. When I placed the lid on, nothing spilled or ran over, indicating that the amount of foam was perfect. I took a sip and my tastebuds were greeted with a smooth, creamy rich body and flavour. It felt like there was a nutty aftertaste too. I hope to one day pick up on undertones of the espresso used, such as caramel, orange peel etc. The ratio of foam, milk and espresso was perfect. There is nothing worse than when a cappuccino tastes like a latte because of the milk or when a cappuccino tastes like an espresso because the espresso was too strong. In this case, the milk complimented the flavour of the espresso. It was not flat, but it was not overpowering. It was perfect.

I highly recommend checking out Caffe Cittadella. Lots of cafes claim to be a home away from home but this place is literally like that. Don't rush. Allow yourself to be be awed by the ambiance, service and coffee. If you're not good with directions like myself, keep your eyes peeled for a sign that reads Caffe Cittadella. And if you get lost like I did don't worry because the cappuccino will be worth the mini adventure.

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.

Thierry

After a delicious, filling meal at Steamworks, my friend and I ventured from Gastown into downtown to go to Thierry. Thierry is located on 1059 Alberni Street, minutes away from Burrard station and seconds away from the iconic tourist attraction Robson street. I've been to Thierry before, but I've only had their hot chocolate (best hot chocolate ever!) but this time, I was settled on trying their cappuccino.

Thierry was packed. My friend and I scanned the area, looking for an empty table where we can occupy ourselves. Luckily, thanks to my friends awesome vision, we found a free spot in the matter of seconds. I instantly felt like I was back in Europe. Everything from the pastry display to the tables looked very Austrian. It suddenly felt like a warm, summer evening in Vienna. It was a very chic, classic and modern looking cafe. It was also extremely loud. Maybe it was because the tables were placed so closely together but I could hear every conversation happening around me. Having a pounding head due to a bellini that I enjoyed earlier didn't help either. That sadly interfered with the ambiance, which was unfortunate.

The service was friendly, efficient and courteous. They made eye contact, smiled and were extremely helpful and kind. They even brought my friends and I beverages and dessert to our table so we wouldn't have to linger around at the counter. That right there is authentic European service, as the same occurred in Europe at the various cafes that I visited. That really impressed me and I was grateful for the extra assistance and extra effort. It was a nice, welcome change from having a barista hollering that your beverage was ready.

Their cappuccino was strong. Very, very strong. I was unable to fall asleep till 5 AM, 8 hours after I finished the cappuccino. Maybe it's because I handle my caffeine like my alcohol (not so good) but was I ever wired. My body was begging for sleep but my mind told it "no frigging way" & boy, did I ever pay the price. However, I woke up at 8, three hours later, feeling refreshed. I do wish there was a bit more milk and a bit less espresso to balance out the gut punching strength of the espresso. If you like caffeine (& how it makes you feel) and don't care much for sleep, I highly recommend ordering their cappuccino. If you want something more sweet and less subtle, stick to their world class hot chocolate. Best hot chocolate ever!

I highly recommend Thierry. It's a nice change from all the Starbucks that occupy pretty much street corner downtown. It's a taste of Europe located in downtown Vancouver. If you go to a proper hour where the noise doesn't drown you out, you'll get to fully experience the ambiance. Just make sure your stomach is strong enough to handle their cappuccino.

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!

Coffeebar

Coffeebar is located on 10 Water Street, right in the heart of Gastown and minutes away from the iconic tourist attraction, the steam clock. I discovered Coffeebar by luck. It was during a walking haunted Vancouver tour back in October that I found this place. I'll admit, a cafe named Coffeebar intrigued me. After all, it told the people what they were selling.

I decided to venture into Coffeebar one wintery Vancouver evening before I had to trek back to downtown for a meeting. If you know me, you know that I will my house extra early just so I can get my java fix before a meeting or work and this day was no different.

My vision took an immediate liking to the decor. It was very modern, very spacious, very hip, and very Gastown. It suited the area just fine, making it the perfect location. The seating arrangements very generous, offering space to everyone from students to friends to people like myself who want to escape the world and leave it out the door, go to a cafe and get some writing done. It's essentially a place for everyone who likes coffee. The setup of the bar and food selection was really lovely as well. The layouts of the sweets looked professional and European, as well as tempting and inviting. However, the only thing that my wallet (and waist) agreed to was their cappuccino.

The service was quick, friendly and efficient.  The server wasn't overbearing, but she wasn't nonchalant either. The barista was friendly and approachable as well. It was obvious that they were familiar with the basic etiquette's of service. In fact, out of all the cafes I went to in Gastown, Coffeebar had the best service.

Now, on to the cappuccino. I'm assuming the beans came from 49th parallel coffee, as the cups read forty parallel coffee on them (see the photo that I included). A lot of the cafes that I frequent use 49th parallel coffee beans so I was excited. The cappuccino had a unique taste to it, almost nutty. Now, I'm no expert on undertones (or is it overtones) in cappuccino, but I certainly liked it. This cappuccino had more of an espresso taste to it, at least for the first few sips. Afterwards, I could taste hints of milk on my tongue complete with the espresso. Compared to other cappuccino's, this one was on the stronger side.

Overall, I was pleased with this place. I would return and I would recommend it as well. And now that I'm starting to exercise regularly again, I might just treat myself to one of their desserts. Well, maybe. 

Milano Espresso Lounge Gastown

The next café that I went to was Milano Espresso Lounge Gastown. Located on 36 Powell Street, Milano Espresso Lounge is a bit of walk from central Gastown. This place was recommended to me, so I decided to check it out.

This was probably the biggest café that I’ve been to yet. It’s very spacious and there is a lot of seating room. The décor has a Gastown vibe to it, so the location was perfect. It felt like I stepped into a trendy café in SoHo. The floor and walls had a clean, simple look to it. There was nothing outrageous or extreme. The coffee bar was quite large and offered an extensive choice of pastries. The drink menu caught my eye as well. It wasn’t your typical drink menu and it looked trendy. The colours drew me in.

The service, however, was less than desirable. I stood at the counter for a few minutes, waiting to be attended too. The counter was a bit high but being 5’8” (well,  5’9” with my heeled boots) I was a bit hard to miss. The set up of the counter was a bit confusing, so I moved around for a bit. Finally, the server/barista came to me. He was friendly, but it was the standard friendly. He took my order and when I told him I wanted a cappuccino, he asked if I wanted one shot of espresso, or two shots of espresso. Having never been asked this question before, I was confused. I answered two and he went on to make my medium sized cappuccino. I was still perplexed and asked my friend, who is a barista, how many shots of espresso go into a medium sized cappuccino. She confirmed two. It makes me wonder if it was cheaper to get an espresso with one shot but even if it is, that’s still not the proper method to make a medium size cappuccino. After finishing my order, I moved on to the pick up side of the bar.

Maybe it’s because I was in a rush, but it felt like it took forever for my cappuccino to be made. Maybe the barista was new, but the whole process dragged on. Thankfully when it was made, the barista was kind enough to make eye contact and say “you’re welcome” when I thanked him instead of rushing off, which I have experienced a few times at other cafes. I placed the cap on my cappuccino and made my way back to the streets of Gastown.

My cappuccino was strong. Very strong. In fact, it tasted like an espresso. Cappuccino has milk in it, but I could not taste the milk. My taste buds were greeted with this semi bitter overpowering taste. To me, the perfect cappuccino is a blend of milk and espresso but to me, the cappuccino tasted like pure espresso. To some cappuccino lovers, they may like that. However, I prefer to taste the espresso and the milk, not just the espresso, and not just the milk.

Sadly, I won’t be returning. It makes me wonder if it’s the roasting or style of beans, as I’ve been to Turk’s on the Drive, which is a sister store, and found that the cappuccino was a bit overpowering too. However, I do plan to try the Denman street location, as I heard it fares better. I just hope when I go there, I’m not waited on forever. The silence makes it feel like eternity. 

Caffe Artigiano

My next cappuccino craving took me to Caffe Artigiano. Located on 4539 Hastings Street, this is the only Burnaby location.

As soon as I entered the café, my attention immediately was transferred to the barista’s. They were dressed all in black. This was one of the rare occasions where the barista’s at a café had uniforms on. To me, it said that the owner wanted to run a professional establishment.  I made my way over to the counter, ready to place my order. I was immediately greeted by the warmness of my server. She was cheerful, but not to the point where it became overbearing, annoying and fake. As I waited for my beverage to be prepared, my barista made small talk too. It was genuine, which I appreciate as I dislike when conversation is forced. And besides, the wait is not as long when you’re talking to someone.

Out of all the cafes that I’ve been to, Caffe Artigiano had the best décor. It looked like a café that you find tucked away on the streets of Rome or Vienna. The lovely lighting and comfy seating arrangements brought the café to life. It was like I was transported back to the summer of 2005, where I spent 6 weeks making my way through Eastern and Southern Europe. The place had a European ambiance to it and like all the cafes I went to in Europe, it invited me to stay. How could I say no to a place that my ancestors would love? It was absolutely beautiful.

While it was not the best cappuccino I’ve ever had, it certainly was one of the more memorable ones.  The tones left on my palette were pleasant and the flavour was distinct. My friend allowed me to help myself to her caramel macchiato and it was absolutely delicious. It was like there was a flavour firework in my mouth. The caramel tasted real, not synthetic or fake. The sweet taste of the caramel and vanilla was a perfect compliment to the espresso. It was like the perfect marriage in coffee heaven. I have been officially convinced to go back and try their caramel macchiato. After all, there are only so many cappuccino’s I can drink and I’m sure that not everybody who reads this blog drinks exclusively cappuccino anyway. So if you want me to try a particular beverage at a particular cafe, let me know in the comments.

Would I recommend Caffe Artigiano? Absolutely. If you want an authentic feel of Europe, both in your cup and café, than head on down to Artigiano. I hear they have the best Spanish Lattes in town so if you want a twist on the classic latte, than go grab one next time you're in the area. After all, with such a flawless caramel macchiato, it’s hard to go wrong with a Spanish latte.

 

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/