Turks West

I happened to be walking along 8th Avenue when I realised that Turks from the drive had opened a Turks on the West Side. The Co-Hosts decided to try it on for size and I have to say it was a nice fit. The cafe could easily be missed from the street as it is tucked in from the sidewalk and on a second floor. However, when you walk in you realise that you have stumbled upon a great little cafe that has floor to ceiling windows that look on to a nice little deck over looking the park, mountian views and a nice little section of the city. The place is quite cozy with its wall sofa style seating and its little tables. Strangely the majority of the people we saw in there were men who either work in the area or are just passing through to get their caffeine fix. You can get your little baked goods from the cafe but nothing more. They sell their classy coffee travel mugs and bags of Milano beans but for the most part the cafe is just that. A cafe. The purpose is clear. They are there to serve coffee and you are there to drink and enjoy it.

Out of 5 Travel Mugs
Scene 4 - The place actually doesn't feel like there is any kind of "scene" per se, but rather a great unobstructed view of scenery that highlights some of Vancouver's best features. Aside from that the staff seem very friendly and the place is comfrtable enough to talk in and hang out.

Grub 3 - It has your standard baked goods that go well with coffee. You pretty much couldn't go wrong with your choices. They even have yogurt and granola if you really wanted it.

Coffee 4 - It was actually quite yummy and it looked good. I thought the espresso was pulled a bit too long evident by the white crema on top, but for the most part, the barista wanted to make sure that the coffee was made to your liking. They use Milano beans which you can purchase straight from them.

Tastes of Prada; Looks like Prado

Commercial wasn't exactly on the hit list of Coffee Houses, but when I was invited to taste the coffee, it had to make it on. Upon first appearances, the actual coffee house is pretty bare bones. It kind of reminded me of one of those old brick buildings that has been converted into a studio or gallery space where everything is sparsely decorated so that it doesn't take away from the art work. For this coffee, I would say that the decor was on target. It has the exposed support beams, the power washed fire brick exterior, the bone paint colour with the stainless steel accents on the counter. Most tables are meant for two, the chairs are a dull aluminum and the place is almost all windows. All of the people behind he counter were the friendly cool Commercial cats, each with their individual statements pronounced by the asymmetircal alternative haircuts. While I was there, there seemed to be a diverse clientele, all of whom were representatives of the neighbourhood (Strangely enough, there were many people on laptops and all sitting in the same direction. From what I gathered from a couple of people who have also been there, they all noticed that same phenomenon.) Based on some pretty loose research, Prado gets its coffee from 49th Parallel, the home-bean-base for Artigiano. At first glance I could tell by that thick smooth brown crema frothing at the three quarter level of my mug that I was going to drink the Prada shoes of coffee beans. If they weren't from 49th Parallel, then they were another fine roast. Along with my Americano, I opted out of my usual banana loaf and tried their pear and almond loaf which I thought was a tasty little slice of moist nuttiness. Although I didn't stay long I would go back in a moment, knowing that the place served a smooth cup of coffee.

Out of 5 Brunette Assymetrical Hairdos

Scene: 5 Very relaxed atmosphere, where everyone seems welcome. There is something about the neighbourhood coffee house that brings people together. There were families in there amongst the tech heads, but I knew the place was a real 'hood' coffee house when the barista said to me, as I was holding the kid of a friend of mine, "He's really looking more and more like his father everyday." Either this is a place that knows it's customers, or my friend goes there too much.

Grub: 3 What was there looked good. I really only had the one thing but there didn't seem to be that much more. If there is any low grades , it is only because of the lack of variety.

Coffee: 5 I have to say that I just love that bean, and the barista knew how to draw out the crema. I even watched her as she did one of those Artigiano signature creamy leafs in a kid's hot chocolate. That's some coffee skills. A little note to the coffee debs out there. I was told that they have a tendency to make a traditional cappuccino a little on the wet side, and when I did specify to them that I wanted the mug to be filled three quarters full, I sensed a whiff of the "Buddy, we are not Starbucks with the special orders" kind of attitude. They still did as I requested and made the coffee, but I think if I pressed the issue, I think I would discover what kind of no-nonsense baristas they were.

A New Coffee Thought

Although we have a Facebook page, I thought that I would make the executive decision of recording different reviews and reports of the different coffee houses that we visit for our own purposes and those of our viewers. Coffee, Things 'n' Stuff will enter a coffee house, order a caffeine beverage and a tasty looking treat and then proceed to the immediate seating area and discuss anything and reviews the week or anything that comes to mind. In that time the hosts then take in the ambience and decide what they like, and sometimes what they don't like, about the place. Sometimes it takes a few visits to really give the coffee house a fair shot at the frother. The show is always open to guests, family and friends. Each episode takes place on Fridays, however, the secret location is determined at the last minute. We at CTnS hope you like the reviews and if you feel compelled to add a post and tell us your opinion, please feel free to do so. Enjoy.

Goodshoweverybody.