The Vancouver Indy Coffee Scene

We wanted to check out Cafe Medina and cross another cafe off the ever-growing list. Having Erica along has really helped me out with the reviews. Due to the cafe hours we couldn’t make it on a weekday. So we decided to hit up the joint for some Saturday morning brunch and we were not the only ones, it took 15 minute to get seated.

The wait time was dealt with efficiently, friendly and before we knew it we were seated with menus and a drink order. I love it when a plan comes together.

Erica suggested I get the lavender latte and she would try the lavender mocha. Mine arrived with some nice latte art, a decent amount of foam on top and the milk that wasn’t over heated. The touch of lavender was a nice complement to the latte. I have never been a big fan of flavoured drinks as I don’t like to mask the coffee flavour, but I was pleasantly surprised to find the mellow tones of lavender added to the drink. It was not over powering at all. This drink would certainly complement any weekend brunch.

“Number one coffee since I have been to Vancouver,” Erica said with her hands expressively pointing at the table. “Wow. It had enough sweetness with the chocolate and the milk was smooth and creamy!”

The Layout

When you enter Medina you see a large wall on the North side made of brick reaching to the top of the open ceiling and a bar running down the South side, making this one long and skinny cafe. The serving staff don’t have an easy time getting around, but one waitress made a great joke of it when she had to step over my laptop bag.

“You’re really not making this any easier on me,” she said, jokingly.

“This is a really nice brick building, very open and it is set up well for a place that is so small,” said Erica after observing her environment.

We also had some food. Erica loved her food so much she actually wanted to marry her friccasse and the skillet it came in. The staff had to separate her from the skillet. I had a waffle and a mixed berry that was pretty awesome, but only meant as a snack.

Erica also wanted to have a waffle, but felt the experience would be better served on a return visit, so she could savour every bit.

“The whole coffee and waffle thing is such a good idea,” said Erica.

I was introduced to Cafe Medina last year and agreed with Erica, they do a nice job of both the waffle and presentation. I concluded our visit with an Americano which was perfectly extracted and had decent amount of cream on the top.

There is wireless available and the password is at the bar, but weekend mornings aren’t the best for doodling. I had more than a few eyes on me as I made a couple notes on my laptop. I did see a number of people with coffee to go coming out of the cafe. The cafe uses beans from 49th parallel roasters so if you’re in the area and need something better than the waves or fatburger (but we really knew you weren’t going to go for coffee at a place called fatburger) then this is the best option in the immediate area.

In my brunch experiences when you find an awesome breakfast joint, you get an awesome meal, but run-of-the-mill coffee. Rarely have I found the two together. I can honestly say that every visit to this funky cafe called Medina has been a pleasant experience and I would come back any time.

Faces and Places

Where this blog was written: Cafe Called Medina
Drinks that was ordered: 8 oz. lavender latte, 12 oz. lavender mocha, 12 oz. Americano
Discount on to-go cup: Didn’t ask
Barista Skill: Top Notch
Barista friendliness: Very friend and welcoming
Website: www.medinacafe.com
Address: 556 Beatty Street, Vancouver

During a brief stint working in Gastown, before the horrible thing called a recession hit, I would take a walk down Water Street and hit this cafe called Cafe Luna. But what I didn’t know at the time was it wasn’t even Cafe Luna anymore. The cafe got a new name, new owners and a new roast.

What has captured my attention about Smart Mouth was what they always have written on the sandwich board out front. This has ranged from how hot the staff is to how Britney Spears isn’t allowed in, to suggesting you need to call you mom. . . (The author did call his mom after reading the sign, she is doing fine).

A funny sandwich board might get me in the door once, but the experience is what made me come back. The cafe is two levels with the bar and counter in the top level and a seating area on the ground level. The walls are all painted black with tiny little halogen lights hanging everywhere.

What did you say your name was?

Both inside and out on this cafe you’ll see the double branding Smart Mouth Cafe and Cafe Luna. Did this cafe developed a case of schizophrenia? Multi-personalities or is just a little bipolar? Well actually none of the above. Apparently it is just a little hard to remove all of the branding of one cafe and replace it with another when you have a 100 pound sun disk hanging behind your bar.

This is a saucy little joint that will poke fun of anything happening in the city. Most staff wear T-shirts that say “Hello my name is Smart Mouth” and these cast of characters are lead by Ron Downie, and he is usually found behind the registrar making fun of something or someone. . . but don’t worry most of it is actually self deprecating.

The serious side of a smart mouth

What they are serious about is the espresso. I have had everything from a 12 oz latte to an 8 oz cappuccino and a 6 oz macchiato all the way down to straight shots of espresso and never had a bad shot. It has always been worth the trip into Gastown. (Any excuse to walk down Gastown’s cobblestone streets is a good one).

They also have some groovy music playing, something that according to Downie keeps him awake and sharp witted for those smart mouthed customers. The cafe also has wireless, is licensed and serves soup and sandwiches with a side of abuse.

In the long term I hope to see all of the Cafe Luna branding taken down or at the very least covered up. Branding is almost as important as the espresso served behind the bar but don’t judge a books by it’s cover.
I totally approve of this cafe, its horrible sense of humour and its really awesome espresso. It has certainly put its money where its mouth is.

Faces and Places

Where this blog was written: Cafe Lu. . . . Smart Mouth Cafe
Drink that was ordered: 12 oz latte (amongst others)
Discount on to go cup: Medium for the price of a small
Barista Skill: Solid skill
Barista friendlyness: Sassy and smart
Website: none

Address: 117-131 Water St, Vancouver, Canada

I was lead down Railspur Alley in Granville Island by graphic designer Andrea Rodgers. She wanted to show me Agro Cafe. Railspur Alley is one of the hidden jewels of Granville Island. It wasn’t too busy when I was there, but according to Andrea it can get quite busy on the weekends.

Walking into the open, wood-frame interior gives you a real nice, open feeling. I ordered an americano, it was almost too hot for an afternoon coffee but since this was a new cafe I had to give their americano a try. It was going to be a bit of a wait (busy place, four-shot machine) so we grabbed a seat on the patio and enjoyed the busker across the lane.

My americano arrived and just from the crema on top I knew it was going to be a good cup. Although, just a fair amount of crema on top does not make a great americano. The first sip was bold, but not bitter with a full body and a good aftertaste. A seemingly perfectly pulled off shot. I must return.

I went back a few days later to try their lattes. The 8 oz. free pour had some nice art to it and was sweet to my soul. The key to a great latte is not to over heat the milk but provide adequate foam. It sounds easy but few do it well.

The food was a bit on the pricey side for a student but is worth it, as it is all made in house. I did try the homemade potato soup, which satisfied my afternoon hunger. Weekdays are noticeably quieter than weekends so the environment changes when the place fills up.
Agro is also fair trade, organic and roasts its own beans in small batches upstairs in the cutest little roaster.
The Cafe has Wifi and provides a mellow mood for your enjoyment. I highly enjoyed both visits to Agro and will make it part of any visit to the Island.

Update May 2009 ~ I recently went back to Agro Cafe and found my Americano decent, great crema but some what depleted finish. I still quite enjoyed my Americano and my time in the cafe. I didn’t try the food this time around though.

Faces and Places

Where blog was written: Agro Cafe
Drinks ordered: 12oz. americano & small latte
Discount of own to-go cup: med priced at a small
Barista Knowledge: quite good
Barista’s friendliness: intelligent & swift
Website: www.agrocafe.org

Address: 1363 Railspur Alley, Vancouver, Canada

I heard through the grapevine that Benny’s Bagels on Broadway was open after a fire had damaged the business last January and left it closed for a couple of months. I thought a review was in order if they were open.
It was after a Friday morning class that I decided to check this place out and after a long bus ride that took forever both tired and hungry and hot, all I wanted was bagels.

All I can say is wow, this place looks amazing, The entire shop from top to bottom was finished in wood and after the fire. The floor was replace along with the railings on the second floor of this high ceiling café. There were some great and groove tunes that were just loud enough to get into but yet subtle enough to carry a conversation over.

I first tried the focaccia bagel toasted with cream cheese and it is most likely the best bagel I have ever had in my entire life. I would give it a 15 out of 10. The only problem was I savored so quickly I had to get a second one.
I then tried the Cinnamon and Raisin Bagel and, although it wasn’t as good as the focaccia one, it was still a 9 of 10 in my book.

Coffee? oh right coffee. . .

Benny’s also serves coffee from the North Vancouver based Bean Around the World Roastry. I really wasn’t in a coffee mood when I arrived, but I still give this shop my seal of approval. Bring any size and style of to-go mug and they will fill it for a buck fity ($1.50).

They are also planning a welcome back Benny’s open mike night and free wireless available for you laptop users. The café is also licensed with Okanagan Spring on tap, not that I sampled a pint or two on the padio after writing this blog. . .

I would say whole (wheat maybe) heartily welcome back Benny’s!

Update: April/2009 I went to try the coffee, I stayed for the bagels. True to form Benny’s focaccia bagel is still the best bagel in the entire world, If I only could eat one begal for the rest of my life it would be a Benny’s focaccia bagel. The Americano was decent. I am not a fan of a extremely dark roast, but that is more of a personal preference, their was plenty of crema and cooled nicely.

Faces and Places

Where this Blog was written: Benny’s Bagel’s Broadway
Drink ordered: drink what drink it’s all about the bagels. . .
Discount of own cup: You are charged the “to stay” price
Barista Knowledge: decent
Barista Friendliness : Awesome, I was even ID when I ordered a pint of ale (I am 30!)
Café website : none

Address: 2505 W Broadway, Vancouver

The one thing that always surprises me about Vancouver and it’s coffee culture is the amount of mini-chains there are in Vancouver. The cafes that have two or three different location. This weeks review is one of those chains. The Wired Monk on West 4th and Trafalgar in Kits.

I am not a big fan of franchises, I think it dilutes the quality of each cafe when you franchise. And you don’t have full control over the cafes and have owners who may or may not follow what the headquarters wants. Not all McDonald’s are run equally as most are franchised.  While in contrast most Starbucks cafes in Metro Vancouver are corporate owned, a happy balance needs to be struck. I believe the Wired Monk is on a slippery slope in terms of franchises, you don’t want to have another Blenz on your hands. . . .

Their roastery is Fratello Coffee out of Calgary, Alberta

( March 18, 2009 ) According to the barista behind the bar this franchise switched to Ethical Bean in October of 2008.

Also this week we have a guest reviewer who came along for the morning fix.

Hillary Pearse an import from Auckland, New Zealand suggested the Wired Monk after she heard that Benny’s on Broadway was still closed due to a fire in January. (note: Benny’s is now open read the review) She quite enjoyed her double shot, Americano.

The barista behind the counter was carefully conscious, “I think she just started as she didn’t have the easy of a harden barista but was pleasant and eager to please,” said Pearse. This is still quite true over a year later as the first barista didn’t know that a shot shouldn’t take over 2 minutes, but she was egger to please and pleasant to deal with in every regard.

Pearse also had a Cranberry Apple Lemon Unsweetened ice tea, and she liked the fact she could choose the between sweeten and unsweetened. Along with this she chose a pecan square while I had a prefectly toasted whole wheat bagel.

Queer eye for the Monk guy?

“I am not sure about the glass tables, it feels like Milestones in a way and I should be having a bellini,” said Pearse.

We both felt that the Wired Monk was trying to be something else with it’s decor.

In retrospect and after a second review, I think the wired monk with it’s licensed premises and live music doesn’t match it’s decor.  Also this being Kits and not the East Van the place matches the consumer.

But for it’s faults in decor and franchise feel I might want to return on a Friday or Saturday night. The cafe is licensed and shows to have live entertainment on their web site.

Updated notes from March 2009:

This was the first time I returned to the Wired Monk since reviewing in May of 2007. The place still feels the same way it did back then. It still has the glass tables and seats at the bar. It still has a comfy seats and power bars for laptops and some quite background music.

The Americano was sadly a different story. The first one was quite bitter and extraction time was over a  minute. The barista had mentioned that this was happening all day, but didn’t know why. This is because your NOT timing your shots or adjusting your grind.

If you don’t get it right the first time try and try again.

Both were quick to take the drink back and they started adjusting the grinder for the roast. I did have to wait about 15 minutes to get my second drink. The fact they were willing to throw away 6 shots to get it right did impress me. The fact that I had to ask them to do this after the fact didn’t. Will need to conduct some covert coffee tasting to see if this was an off day or the norm.

The second Americano I received had much shorter extraction time, The crema was lighter in colour and it didn’t have the bitter finish the first one did. As the drink cooled off it was still a decently made drink.

Faces and Places:

Where was this blog written: The Wired Monk – Kitsilano
Drink usually ordered: 12oz. Americano
Discount for own mug: 15 cents
Barista Knowledge: Poor
Barista Friendlyness : Excellent
Café website : kitsmonk.com

Address: 2610 West 4th, Vancouver