Don't go Brekka-in' my Heart

Brekka Bakery on Fraser is the other coffee shop in my scope of view that has been under consideration. Breka Bakery looks like a place that is so close to having it right for a cafe. They are close but for some reason it still has not hit home for me. They do serve espresso - I mean really, what self respecting European bakery claiming to be a cafe wouldn't? - but again they are using Lavazza style beans which is very European, but I still find to have too much of a burnt smokey flavour for my preferences. The baked goods are wide in selection, but truly when I have one, I always expect it to be better. I see these creamy desserts that could balance the smokey coffee taste and then I pop the baked good in my mouth and...It's baked but really not that good. I must give it credit for the breads that they create. They do produce some tasty breads that look good and come in a variety of densities and flavours which they will thin or thick slice for you on the spot. Perhaps they should just stick to Brekk-in' bread with friends.

Out of 5 slices of European style baked bread

Scene: 3 When you look around the options you have on Fraser - Starschmucks not withstanding -it is slim pickin's. This place actually has some decent seats and there is a variety of people who go there from families, hipsters, locals and students. Perhaps it is developing a bit of a following after it renovated a couple of years ago. Who knows? Maybe they will evolve into the neighbourhood establishment where people will actually head to as a destination. Ahh, who am I kidding?

Grub: 3 Mostly because of the bread. The place does serve the odd counter dish like Mac and Cheese for kids but it really is a bakery, everything from cakes, tarts, buns and breads. All of them baked. You judge which ones are good.

Coffee: 3 It's okay. I would almost say 2 but I know there are those people who love the flavour of Lavazza and the coffee is not necessarily utilitarian. If you are looking for a place to sit, have a coffee or read the paper, see the odd neighbour and maybe have a brownie, this could be your place.

Great View. Shame About the Coffee

They say that every cloud has a silver lining and the windstorms of 2006 that eliminated a large portion of the trees around prospect point made way for a 270 degree view over looking Burrard Inlet. Absolutely beautiful. The point that you used to have to wheedle your way through the crowds in order to take in the view has just been expanded into a glorious place to sit and enjoy a coffee. It’s just too bad that the real devastation that has taken place is the fact that you can’t get a decent cup of coffee up there. The coffee that we found came from the bar associated to the Prospect Point Café restaurant in the little tourist complex. The coffee came from one of those machines one might find at a self serve gas station. The coffees are tailored for someone who doesn’t know what coffee is and wants to drink something that is bland enough not to offend, but can say that they had “a coffee”. The restaurant inside seemed to have a pleasant décor with smatterings of wrought iron, vintage stain glass windows a whole whack of wood surrounded with eye candy views. The food was a bit pricey but listed something that could satisfy almost any tourists. It’s just a shame about the coffee.
Out of 5 blown down trees

Grub: 2 – The baked goods sold at the counter were pretty borderline. They had your packaged chips and cookies and the actual “baked goods” were probably a couple of days old from a wanna-be Bread Garden.
Scene: 5 – Great for people watching and when you get tired of that you can take a look at the view from a top of the cliff point. If you get tired o that you can walk away and make your way down to the Seawall. Just be prepared to walk, and either pay for parking or park outside of Stanley Park.
Coffee: 1 – Do your self a favour and don’t drink the coffee. It’s an experience you can’t give back. There might actually be another place up there that is a little independent. Just make sure you stay away from the auto coffee machines.

Polly Wants A Coffee

The Blue Parrot on Granville Island offers a wide selection of sandwich bar items to have with your coffee. It probably has some of the best spaces to sit and enjoy the views on Granville Island, however, there are very few spaces ever available. If you are lucky enough to find seating and have the time to wait for your order, then you can sit down to some mediocre sandwiches (taking into consideration the fact that you are on Granville Island and have the choice of many different foods) and some coffees that you were misled to believe that you custom ordered. Despite the coffee, food and service, there is no denying that they have some prime real estate in that little locale. You almost forget about what you are putting in your mouth and become fixed on the people watching.

Out of 5 Parrot Feathers

Scene: 4 – How can one argue that when you have kick ass seating on a beautiful day on GI, with people streaming around you that you are in a bad place. The seating is old school wood chairs, some of which are those 70’s captain chairs that so many of us had growing up. The only problem is that because there are so many people who are looking for seating, one cannot help but feel that you cannot linger for long. The people are hit and miss. Mostly tourists, but it just means that the scenery is always changing.

Grub: 3 – The food is actually pretty good, but it does pale in comparison to everything in the market that you almost have to pass in order to get to the Blue Parrot. The fare is nothing out of the ordinary but there really isn’t anything that you can turn your nose from.

Coffee: 3 – Not quite utilitarian, because it does offer espresso. The people behind the counter probably have the best of intentions when they make your coffee, but they slump miserably in the delivery. Everything seems to be served in a pint sized mugs with either too much water, too much milk or both – despite your requests. However, although I have not tried it myself, I have been told by several people to try their hot chocolate. Some advice I think I will take up the next time I’m in the Blue Parrot’s cage.

Saltspring Island Coffee Company comes to Main land

Once Saltspring Island Coffee Company took over the locale of the old Coffee Cow, I have taken SSICC into consideration of places to go for a brew. Although I have deep respect for ex-Canuck Cliff Ronning #7, previous owner of Coffee Cow, the name Coffee Cow was a terrible name. (Are you calling customers cows? Are you calling the servers cows? Are you saying that the coffee comes directly from a cow and we are practically drinking directly from its teets for the freshest brew making all of us calves? I don't know if I am insulted or grossed out.) SSICC has an excellent locale where they have wisely made almost all the walls into glass on a lovely corner next to a crosswalk with the long side of the shop being a row of south facing set of tables and chairs. The baking seems pretty standard, as is the other food, and the coffee is acceptable when you get what you want. If anything, the way you get your coffee, much like the service, is a little bit hit and miss. There are times when the coffee and service is exactly as you had hoped, making the coffee experience lovely. Then there are the times when you ask for your americano three quarters full in the smaller size cup and you practically get an extra water americano in a large cup. If only the coffee and the service was a little bit more consistent, I think I would frequent the place a little more. With so many coffee shops on Main where I know I will get what I want, what is making me stop out front aside from the crosswalk? I would say that the real coffee felony about this place is just how it is so average. It's got a good locale. It's bumped up some of the decor. Now let's see about the food, service and personality.


Out of 5 Coffee Cow Teets

Scene: 3 - Only because of its south facing row of table and chairs. It make the place warm and the extra space makes it stroller friendly for those Main Street parents to park out their pimped out prams.
Grub: 3 Average to really average. You'll get what you are looking for but I doubt anyone will write home about it.
Coffee: 3 Average. Like I mention up top, it's hit and miss. Hope you get more hits that misses.

Starbuck's: An Ahab, not a mate

Starbuck's. According to readers of Moby Dick, Starbuck was Ahab's first mate that relied on reason and his profound respect and reverence for nature that tried to deter Ahab's monomaniacal obsession with dominating, what Ahab perceived as, an embodiment of evil. When I think of Starbuck's the coffee chain, I think, "We have a new Ahab in the house." Starbucks may not be evil in itself, but the perception that Starbucks is trying to take over the planet by caffeinating everyone into a zombie like state does make one take pause. Personally, I don't mind Starbuck's coffee. I must admit that there are some franchises that are better than others, but for the most part I don't mind their beans, the americano and the way that they have made things just so convenient! Admittedly I do have a Saeco Espresso machine at home bought from a Starbucks and I love it. Starbucks does have some tasty baked goods and can I just say how much I like their peppered bacon breakfast sandwich? There are some days when price and calories be damned! I just want to chomp down on one of them breakfast goodies. Each locale has good seating, decent (if not completely commercially customized) music, and a better than average understanding of how to take an order for coffee.

There are days when I pan Starbucks for the conglomerate that is taking over the planet and then there are other times when I recognize their contributions to the coffee society. Their product and brand has now created a new standard for those citizens of the CaffeiNation. One must admit that when it comes to needing the coffee fix with a little munchy on the side, everyone at one time or another has been a Moby Dick lashed to this Ahab's Pequod.

Out of 5 Green Barista Aprons

Scene: 4 - There is a standard that has been created whether people like to admit it or not. The consistent decor, the kitcshy Starbucks paraphernalia and that music is able to draw in even those who don't drink anything caffeinated. It is so welcoming that it makes those who know better to run in and yell, "Get out while you still can! Save yourselves!"

Grub: 3 - I can't remember where they get their baking from, but I do remember someone telling me that they started making steady orders to their place of work and cut out the Starbuckian middle man. Of course, there are those breakfast sandwiches which one must try. If it wasn't for those prices!

Coffee 4 - Like I said, I feel like they made a standard for coffee. People can argue the whole coffee culture all they want. they can talk about Commercial and their long standing coffee houses, Timmy Ho's and how most of Canada drinks their double doubles, and the maybe even the Sev and how their large brewed coffee for cheap is the real standard, but let's face it people. Stop lying to yourselves. Starbucks has been ingrained into people's life styles as a coffee house that is accessible where someone secretly feels special. You know it.

It's a work of Artigiano

Artigiano to me is the perfect Americano. Thick rich crema from beautifully roasted beans pressed through your top of the line expresso machine and facilitated by a barista who is one with the caffeinated universe. It is this Americano that, if I was braver, would drink it black. It's not that I won't drink black coffee, but I am afraid of losing the dream of what I have built up my expectations to be. When it gets to the brass tax of coffee this is where alchemy begins. I don't know exactly how they make it the way they do, but I have been tempted to take on a part time job to find out just how they do that thang. Not only are their Americanos a thing of beauty, but if you are not really a coffee drinker, then may I suggest that you start off with a latte? Their latte is not only wonderful to drink but it is beautiful to look at. They are known for taking their frothy thick steamy milk and creating patterned designs on the surface of the drinks, usually in the shape of palmate leaves. Their work is art. As for food, they do provide the equivalent to high end salad, soup and sandwiches along with the usual dessert style baked goods. A bit on the pricey side, but not disappointing. All sorts come through their various locations - perhaps the same reason why different people go through BATW - the dreaded chain. As beautiful as the coffee is at Artigiano, it is not without its criticisms. This place is almost packed and because people are usually eating something, it is not as though they are loitering in this place. Get your coffee to go and head off for a nice walk about if you can. The decor is in the roman pinkish tumbled tile which is great if you like that kind of thing, but after a while it gets to be a bit much to look at for my tastes. The place is also lacking in some serious art work. Granted, the Hornby street location has nice photographs of coffees made in the past , but the Kerrisdale location has these gawdawful paintings that looked like a poor attempt at colour by numbers. The rest of the decor holds a definite Artigiano theme but it can be a bit much if you plan to go to it on a regular basis. Bottom-line: Go in. Close your eyes and order your coffee. Leave locale with coffee. Open your eyes, drink and enjoy. Repeat if necessary.

Out of 5 floating coffee leafed swirls

Scene: 3 Not too much to look at. The people watching is good, but the place itself can be taken in small doses.
Grub: 4 Good food but I feel it is a bit pricey. But then again, it is not what I go for.
Coffee: 5 What can I say that I haven't said already? Do it already.

JJ Bean Coffee Scene

The location of JJ Bean on Main is a very cool one. Who knew that an old bank branch would turn out to be one of the trendier coffee houses on Main. Aside from the modern decor which includes a 180 degree viewing area at the front of the cafe, a chimney up the middle and a lot of glass, the coffee there is tasty. I find their Americano has a rich crema, with a smooth finishing taste. One of the consistently better coffees I've experienced in Vancouver. People from all walks frequent the coffee house, but the people who work there are once again those cool hipsters that create the Main Street feel. One can walk in there and see some of the local regulars almost everyday. In fact I know someone who practically uses JJB as her office space. Speaking of which, JJ Bean offers a back room in the event that you want to hold a little meeting there, where you basically have a quiet and controlled space while you are served up some coffee and treats.

Out of 5 pounds of coffee beans

Scene: 4 - It's a great place to meet friends, old existing or new. It is a great locale on the corner and during the summer they roll up the garage windows, and during the winter they crank up the fire place. Nice!

Grub: 4 - It's delicious baked goods and panini type sandwiches. Everything you might want to snack on with a coffee. A bit pricey but tasty.

Coffee 5 - Smooth. Tasty. They also serve it the way you want it. One friend who can be described as somewhat of a coffee deb, says that JJ is one of the only places that actually knows how to serve a 'traditional cappuccino'. That's goodness.

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.