The Vancouver Indy Coffee Scene

Happy Holidays to all of you in the world of coffee. I apologize for the lack of new posts, it’s been a wacky winter to say the least.

Two recent events, one in coffee, the other not, have lead me to put a short pause to any more cafe reviews. It has become harder to keep a large number of cafes updated. If I stop by and if things have changed, for better or worse I’d like to update the blog post, but yet right now that is hard to do.

But you should follow me on twitter @coffeevancouver So where making a change and you should see a CoffeeVancouver V.3 Sometime in the new year!

Minimalist Latte Art by Tessa

We had one interesting write-in ballot and no Geoff we’re never doing another espresso-thon ever again. (Personally I never want to drink that much coffee in four hours ever again). But, more seriously the results show a want for more cafe reviews and coffee tours of great places to get great coffee with passionate staff.

Will work for latte

This really helps us, because there are a lot of cafes in Vancouver and all do things a little differently. We want to talk more about them and we like our reviews to change in look a bit: Making the date we review and the date we update a review more prominent. So you know the last time we ventured into that cafe.

We’re looking at doing another coffee tour, but something a bit more low key and only two or three cafes max for any tour. We also are looking at doing some industry news and roaster visits. At this time we won’t be doing equipment reviews or bean evaluation only because we know there are better people in the industry who do a better job of it then we could.

But enough about him this post is about you. Here are the results of what you want us to cover and what we hope to do more of this winter and next summer.

No this post doesn’t have anything to do with the possible federal election that maybe be coming this fall in Canada. Were here to ask what you would like to see more of  on the blog. CoffeeVancouver.ca has become quite popular with over 200 visitors a day and a real labour of love we have a number of ideas for the site, but we’d like to hear from you before we do!

Wicked Cafe on Hemlock

Well, my loyal readers, Geoff Howe decided to stay on the Island for a couple more days and so I delayed the Expresso-thon. This is kind of a good thing since I have been out with a cold for the past week.
But I decided to go out and meet a fellow blogger, Peter Van de Reep. He writes Pulling Shots, (The blog has been in Stasis since January) a barista view of the world and works weekends at Wicked Cafe on West 7th and Hemlock. Wicked Cafe was started by Brad Ford back in circa 2004. I had been to Wicked a number of times before, so coming in today was a complete surprise, but not really in the best way.

• Please see the update at the bottom of this review •

Peter's Latte Art

Brad Ford is the Canadian distributor for Intelligentsia Coffee and Tea, who starting roasting in 1995 and is completely a direct trade shop even before it was chic to do so.
I first had a Madagascar Vanilla Rooibos tea supplied by Steeps Tea, which helped relieve my ailing cold. Then with Peter at the helm, I had a 12 oz foamy latte with some awesome foam art going on. The quality of their coffee is really on par with the top cafes of Vancouver, and their baristas have the knowledge to back up any questions you might have.

Quality does not equal comfort

When I first entered the cafe, the door was left open, and brought in a lot of noise from the street. When some one went to close it because they were cold they were quite boldly stopped by one of the staff.
I found a seat at the large communal table in the centre of the cafe and had a large chill run down my back from the open door. Peter later told me that behind the counter it is really, really hot from all the machinery and well I sympathized. It didn’t increase the enjoyment of my stay.

Sunlight streams into Wicked Cafe

I also remember a couple of years ago that most of the seating were comfy chairs. I saw only two chairs (there is actually four), a huge table that could sit many people. I think the comfy chairs suit Wicked a lot more then the large table.

But the thing that bothered me the most about my visit to Wicked was how loud everything was. From the noise of the traffic on the street, to the yanking of the grinder, to the sound of the cash register. There was also a large tube coming from the kitchen into the front area. It looked as if the kitchen was under-construction.

The end of this story is that although there is a lot of room for improvement on Wicked’s ambience the real proof, is in the quality of the roast, the knowledge of the barista, and the quality of the pour. All of which were top of the line.

It is just not a place I would go to study for an exam or read a book.

Update March, 09: I was in Wicked Cafe on Hemlock recently and found the place quieter, the service was quick and coffee was excellent. I found the barista working behind the bar weren’t as noisy either. Noise of a espresso machine and grinders can’t be helped, but what can be helped it how hard you are on your equipment. If you watch the girls at Prado or the boys at 49th Cafe you can still have a conversation over a working cafe. Music was pretty mellow too. 

Faces and Places

Where this blog was written: Wicked Cafe
Drink ordered: 12 oz latte & 12 oz Rooibos
Discount of own to-go cup: didn’t ask sorry!
Barista Knowledge: Best in Vancouver
Barista’s friendliness: friendly and knowledgeable
Website: www.wickedcafe.ca