The Vancouver Indy Coffee Scene

Well Michael Breuer decided to challenge me on my hatred of Starbucks and although it took a while to get the dates confirmed, (his people needed to talk to my people) We set out last Friday to the home of Coffee in Vancouver Commercial Dr and we picked our corners.

Shift Manager Claire

First we attended the Starbucks on the Drive, where we found shift manager Claire to quite nice and knowledgeable about ways of the Starbucks. She was also totally game on our little adventure. Her shots came through at a prefect 14 seconds for their machine, now I have learnt over the years that 14 seconds is way to short for the real extraction of the flavour of the beans to happen, but Claire claims that it is running perfectly so I won’t disagree.

Breuer and myself sat down and entered the first round. We both found it a bit weak but yet with the familiar dark roast flavour Starbucks is famous for. To my surprise Breuer agreed with me. Could this be happening? Could we have a convert in our midst?

Round Two

On to Prado where we ordered what we though would be the same exact Americano to make this as scientific as possible. We also cleaned our palette with water and waited a bit to really compare the two roasts.

Owner Amy York was behind the bar and pulling the shots the timers on the shots at Prado was about 22 seconds which is prefect operating speed for her machine. We gathered the drinks and had a seat on the patio.

We both took a sip and whoa this was almost freebasing espresso here. It was bold, woke us up and was as strong as Starbucks was weak.

What we were left with were so many variables that it was hardly what I would call accurate comparison for either side.

What was so different Well here is a list. . .

	Starbucks	Prado
Drink size	A large 8 oz cup	A small 6 oz cup
Timed shot	14 sec.	22 sec.
Orgin of Beans	South American Blend	Brazil, Ethiopia and the South Pacific
Mug	Paper	Porcelain
Crema	Crema Starbucks Americano	Crema Prado Americano

Also when we look at the crema for each round you can see that Prado (pictured on the right) has triple the amount of crema as apposed to Starbucks (on the left) and that is truly important part of this exercise, because for an Americano that is where most of your flavour comes from, the less the crema the lesser quality cup.

One of the reason I love Prado Cafe so much is the sense of community that is shared there. I also really enjoy the service I receive. Hence what happened on Tuesday afternoon. I walked in and asked for the girls to surprise me with anything on the menu, (except chai, I was in a coffee mood). Olivia eyes lit up and said “Really?”

So I left them to do their dirty work and found a seat. Brandi was working the bar and they were both waiting patiently for my response. I saw some nice latte art on top, but knew it wouldn’t be that easy to figure this out. I was dealing with trained professionals here.

A first sip and it was mocha in origin.

“Do you like it” was Olivia’s question
“Is it too sweet” was Brandi’s
It was quite good, but what was it? I am calling it a Americano Mocha Misto.

Ingredients (in order of appearance):

Pouring of the Mocha Misto at Prado

• Chocolate sauce
• chocolate power (to help bring out the latte art)
• Double short shot espresso
• Hot water
• Steamed whipping cream
• Latte art in the shape of a heart.

If I walked into any chain store and asked for them to surprise me I would have gotten a strange look back, but these girls, who enjoy their craft decided to have a little fun and creativity on the job. It is one of the reason why I go and check out coffee shop and do this blog. I am not sure how the girls are going to top this one. . . .

I, shockingly, didn’t take a photo of this masterpiece but I will next time I am in.

Announcing the first annual:

Americano Smackdown. . .

A fellow classmate, Michael Breuer has taken me up on the Americano Smackdown Challenge. We have both chosen a cafe, His will be Starbucks on the Drive, mine will be Prado and we will face off in the Americano Smackdown. . .

Stay tuned this could get ugly. . . .

Patio in Front of Turks Coffee

The wood grain tables counter and chairs give this place a good feel with a small comfy area in the corner and a patio area out front that always seems to have a few characters through out the day. (I usually pass Turks on my way home and also notice how full the patio is) The café has been around The Drive for at least 15 years and is owned by Milano Coffee.

The Americano was true to form a nice bold taste with long lingering after taste and not a hint of burnt or bitterness, this Patrick knows his stuff. (He has since left Turks)

The only thing that bothered me about this café is they don’t give a discount for bringing your own to-go cup. Not 10 cents, nothing. . . .

Training issues

Sunshine streaming into Turks

Turks suffers from a lack of training for the staff. According to a couple of current and former employees to properly train the staff it would cost the owners to much and would be cost prohibited to give each and every staff member complete and proper training even if they only stay a week. I really feel for the owners they have a business to run and getting staff is the economy is hot (was hot) is a hard task. But when this review was originally written in June of 2007 all the barista were knowledgeable and I never had a bad drink, As of March 2009, I can barely get a decent drink made at Turks, this has nothing to do with the economy and everything to do with the amount of time the owners are spending with the rookie staff.

. I have had great drinks from Turks but I have also had some pretty weak and poorly made drink, it all depends on barista. I also can’t find any evidence of direct trade practises.

Location Location Location

I still, and always have like the vibe you get when you walk into turks, I am not sure Turks would be a place I would recommend if it wasn’t for the location on the drive. Because of the eclectic nature of the the environment that surrounds Turks is the only thing that saves this place. They still play awesome music, have free wifi and it is still a place I can sit down and enjoy the environment.

Faces and Places

Where this Blog was written: Turks on the Drive
Drink ordered: One shot Americano
Discount of own cup: You get nothing!
Barista Knowledge: Poor
Barista Friendliness: Nice good selection of music

My Starbucks Roommate

I’ve lost my roommate to Starbucks

First I have some horrible news, my roommate and his girlfriend, confessed to me that they still go to Starbucks, he goes there quite often and can’t stop going, this after he joined my Friends don’t let friends drink Starbucks group on Facebook.
“I can’t live this lie anymore…I enjoy going to Starbucks…and I like some of their coffee too. It’s not you, Robert…it’s me.”
But I was always suspected him as a Starbucks junkie, He would hide his frappuccino plastic cups in the bottom of the trash or give them to his girlfriend to conceal his real habit.

Can A&E do an “Intervention” on him?
What about SA (Starbucks Anonymous)?

Suggestions, I need suggestions people, I am at a loss, he is the best roommate I have ever had. He doesn’t leave any dishes in the sink nor has his parrol officer phoned, so I guess if that is his only fault I can deal with it. . .

Are you a Caffeine Geek?

If you love science, caffeine and need a new set of coffee cups for your office, kitchen, check out these cups by Think Geek with the caffeine molecule. They also have T-shirts and to go mugs.

Think Geek Caffeine T-Shirt

Think Geek Caffeine Mug

Prado Cafe circa 2007

Prado, which means open spaces in Spanish, hangs out on at 1938 the drive (right on the corner of east fourth) it’s has a minimalist appeal too with it’s all wood tables, metal chairs and a simple chalkboard menu with brick columns reaching to the ceiling. But don’t let this laid back appearance fool you. This place is all business behind the counter, with coffee from the local 49th Parallel Roasters and loose leaf tea from the very hip Metropolitan Tea company of Toronto. Their barista’s are also some of the most knowledgeable around, but this jewel of a café never seems to be too busy but yet busy enough that it sees a cast of characters through out the day. It is owned and operated by Amy York who is the delightful blonde (brunette?) behind the counter most day. Ask her anything and she’ll fill your head with coffee knowledge. The only suggestion I would currently make about Prado is that their washroom could be more attended to through a busy shift.

This place is also awesome local for some scooped dry cappuccino’s. Ask Leaf to make you one!

Faces and Places:

Where was this blog written: Prado Café
Drink usually ordered: Americano
Discount for own mug: 20 cents
Barista Knowledge: Top notch
Barista Friendlyness : Excellent
Café website : www.pradocafe.com

Here is my first entry to my first ever blog. I am a Vancouverite and I live just off coffee central. . . Commercial Drive. (known henceforth as” The Drive”)

Ever since my mother said I could make coffee in the morning for me and my father, I have been addicted to the stuff. I love it, nothing wakes me up more or gets my ass into gear come 3:00 pm or 3:00 am depending what I am up to. . . .

Since that time I have become a bit of an aficionado and revel in how it is made and what taste good and bad.

In future episodes of this blog you’ll read my rant’s and rave’s about different coffee shops and chains, and any industry information that tickles my fancy. I’ll also write reviews of cafes I have been to recently and if they have wireless internet. I will be adding my reviews to Caffeinated and Unstrung which is apparently back up and running, Aug, 09.

A double shot