Big 'C' now stands for Crave

One of the favoured brunch spots, Big C, about four years back turned into a new restaurant of a forgettable name which then turned into what is now known as Crave. After visitng Crave a couple of times now, I have had the pleasant surprise of delicious food, almost over the top polite service, and delicious food. The restaurant has a beautiful little patio in the back that has a pleasant little zen-ish garden thing happening there. ( I actually think that they have speakers in the shape of rocks so that the speakers don't interfere with the theme they have going on back there.) I recently visited the place for brunch and found the food to be quite good, and with healthy portions. I wouldn't say that I would rave for Crave but I certainly wouldn't direct people away from it. They had a couple of things that I thought looked good. It had these crazy large pancakes that came in a triple stack that looked very fluffy and came with an in house fruity compote. I don't know how these flap jacks stacked up to Bert's but I may have to revisit the place just to taste these. The second thing that caught my eye was the panatone french toast. The person I went with said that the panatone toast wasn't "quite as 'eggy'" as he would have liked them, which I can appreciate, but they weren't bad. I don't know how they stack up against Seb's banana bread french toast but I can bet they aren't nearly as rich. As far as the decor and ambience goes, I would say that it is a little more Pier 1-ish than the other eclectic- artsy places on Main. It has big black and white prints, contemporary smashed glass designer dividers, a roll up garage door to the outside front patio, and the little zen patio out back. It filled quite quickly, and maintained the old school Big C brunch time line up - so go early.


Out of 5 sweet and juicy turkey sausages

Scene: 3 The scene was good. The service was great. The people who were there seemed like they were the "just west of Ontario Street, but liked to venture to the east side to take in the action". It did seem a little out of place for what one might expect on Main, but if Main is about a mixed bag of style, then throw this one into the mix.

Grub: 4 I had the standard 2 eggs any style, toast, hashed brown potatoes, and these delicious turkey sausages. I had no complaints, but I know that I could get the same thing somewhere else for less - everything but those sausages. However, the specialty breakfasts mentioned above did pique my interest for yet another visit.

Coffee: 3 Well, the friends and a nice place to chill was fulfilled, but the coffee is yet to be desired. It seemed pretty utilitarian, but then again, they served an americano but keep in mind it was served at a restaurant which is not really made to any particular specification.

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.

Feeling at Liberty

Liberty's little bakery on the corner of Main and 21st is a sweet little place that has an artsy decor furnished by one of Liberty's children, I think. You can enjoy the bright little corner shop's baked goods unaccosted by people. This, however, includes service. It is owned and operated by Liberty and she hires some of the local kids to fetch the displayed items and make the required brew. The rate of service that takes place makes me think that the correlation between teenage memory and attention to detail to the speed at which the more aged move would make for one perfect candidate as an Olympic kettle watcher or one who may actually be witness to seeing grass grow. (It is rumoured that Liberty has actually walked a marathon and someone else told me that she was a crazy walker who would walk out to Mission.) I think that this place has some of the slowest service. If you are ever in a rush, don't come here. If you have time to read the paper, chat with a friend and want to enjoy a little somet'n-somet'n then make your way over. If you are in the need of a little caffeine fix while on the go, head across the cross walk and go down about 200m north to BATW.

Out of 5 birds nest cookies

scene: 3 - it is a nice little place with a south facing sidewalk on a sunny day. This is not so much a hipster joint so much as it is a nice neighbourhood bakery that serves coffee. Perfect for taking the parental units out for a coffee or some of the more conservative out of town visitors.
grub: 4 - baking, good. sandwiches, good.
coffee: 2 - slow and there is that lack of attention to detail when you require a little something in particular to be down with your coffee.

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.

Enter Re-Entry

This is my latest teacher's pet coffee shop. I count my lucky stars about being told to go here. Re-entry is a cool little coffee shop higher up Main - around 27th Ave. It has a 'space ship' themed cafe where all of the little details fall into place to create this beautiful little capsule to sit and enjoy your favourite caffeinated or decaffeinated rocket fuel. The cafe's crew is once again cool Main Street hipsters and seems to be piloted by one woman in particular who seems to take the controls of the baking. And while I'm at it, can I just say that the baking is superb? That's right, superb, en francais parce que les croissants, les brioches et les pullaparts sont formidable! Along with the assortment of baked goods - which are baked in house everyday - you can enjoy a smooth brew. They actually make a decent Americano there. (I realize that the cups and saucers go along with the whole space thing but the large brim of the cup tends to cool the coffee down a bit too soon which is a cryin' shame for a good espresso.) Re-entry does not only attract the hipster kids but also the hipster Main street neighbourhood families, in particular the AlternaDads, that join in after playing their parts as their dreaded alter egos - the soccer parents. All little kids seem to have the obsession of exploring the space ship shaped garbage cans while their parents try to sneak in a little countdown of their own with their beverage and baking. I really do like this little part of the universe.

Out of 5 turbo thrusters of coffee fuel

Scene: 5 Great for everyone. The turn over is pretty high but nobody there really makes you feel like you need to move on. While aboard, you can sit and enjoy the lo-fi tunes playing in the atmosphere. There is limited seating in the place although I have never had a problem trying to find a place to sit as the majority of the Main Street crowd probably get caught up in Lower Main.
Grub: 5 Tasty. Tasty. tasty. I don't think you can get anything more than the baked goods which barely make it to the table but what you do get is goodness. (According to their website, they get their pastry dough from Thomas Haas, which is the business when it comes to Pastry.)
Coffee: 4 If it weren't for those wide mouth cups I would consider the 5. But aside from the wide mouth, the coffee is good but doesn't really make me shoot over the moon.

Rhizome, the diner formerly known as Hatch

For some reason Hatched shut down and then re-hatched into Rhizome. It looks the same, feels the same, and the main menu difference is that Rhizome now serves meat. Perhaps, they served meat before but when I went there when it was hatch it seemed to only have the strictly vegetarian, vegan friendly, organic, wholesome, all natural, grain fed, free range, wild vegetables on the menu. Perhaps that is why they changed. Perhaps their target market was too small because those people probably wouldn't go to a restaurant for fear that the chef was using oil from caged canola plants. Regardless of the change, the food there is mouthwatering. The portions are healthy and the people are friendly. The place has an enclosed front patio which makes for a comfy little solarium. The decor plain and has a bit of the watered down urban industrial feel. The restaurant obviously supports local artists as it has large format paintings on display. They seem to have an assortment of politically correct coffees that are decent in flavour. However, I think that I would be motivated to go here for the food rather than the coffee. It could actually be a nice alternative to the ever popular Slickity Jim's and it's 45 minute line up. Rhizome is along Kingsway a couple of blocks east of Main. A bit off the beaten track from the Main Street Strollers but those make their way will not be disappointed.

Out of 5 free range organically raised eggs

Scene - 3 You get a little bit of the quiet alternative crowd. I think the place is in part a community shared space in that it seems to hold a calendar of events that promote cultural, social and educational events. You'll just have to check it out for yourselves.
Grub - 4 -They do have some delicious menu items. Just make sure that you come with an appetite.
Coffee - 3 Although they have an assortment of coffees, the brew is just your straight up percolated. Don't expect to get any kind of high maintenance non fat decaf traditional cappuccino either.