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What's a Coffee Commentary?
Subject: Caffe in Gamba
Location visited: Montreal, QCFree WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]
Growing up in South Jersey/Philadelphia in a sea of steadfast drip (filtered) coffee drinkers, espresso always appeared to be a foreign concoction that only super coffee addicts and Europeans with a strong palate imbibed. Coffee made in a hot plate coffee pot was the people's brew and that's what normal people drank.
But even though things have changed in my life as well as somewhat in the Philadelphia area (most people still seem to see coffee served off a hot plate as superior), I still doubt that a no-drip-but-espresso-only establishment would ever survive. In fact, I had my doubts as to whether I would see a quality example outside of Seattle.
But on my recent trip to Montreal, I was surprised to stumble upon a popular local coffeehouse called Caffe in Gamba that served only espresso beverages. The venue was located right near Mount Royal (Montreal's big park) on a cute street lined with cafes and other little shops. The exterior displays a large outside patio covered by a lovely awning and large store front windows. The interior emanates a bright red interior accented by a few large chandeliers, with the left wall displaying a range of stellar espresso options from all over the continent.
The espresso being pulled that day was from Intelligentsia, a coffeehouse rooted in Chicago that is slowly becoming more of a household name. The barista, who happened to be very personable, pulled an amazing doubleshot with a beautiful sweetness and nice acidity. The place also serves a variety of food options such as paninis and desserts.
A traditional European-esque establishment like Caffe in Gamba has opportunities in North America but I can't say I have my hopes up to see such places popping up in great numbers. With that knowledge, I would have to say Montreal is lucky to have such a spot. If you're in town, make sure to make a stop.
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What's a Coffee Commentary?
Subject: Brew Ha Ha
Location visited: Watertown, NY
(468 Coffeen St)Free WiFi ? : no
Rating: 3+ [see key]
Free 411 services sure sound convenient, but aside from the million sales pitches you have to endure to get the information, sometimes the information isn't exactly categorized correctly.
Recently, going through Watertown, I was in dire need of a cup of coffee so I called one of the Free 411 numbers and searched coffeehouses. I was presented with two establishments: Different Drummer and Brew Ha Ha. Different Drummer sounded intriguing (plus only they answered their phone) but it turned out to be a hangout for those in the service that doesn't actually serve beverages (guess it's more a B.Y.O everything). Dejected and with no one picking up at Brew Ha Ha, I decided to just head back on my route.
But what do you know, on my way back to the Interstate I actually run right across Brew Ha Ha. It turned out to be a drive-thru coffee hut resembling a little fairy tale cottage on the corner of a bustling intersection. Naturally, I pulled into the driveway and up to the window.
The coffee served is out of Corning from a place called Soul Full Cup Coffeehouse. The coffee served was the House blend, a very earthy and smooth cup of coffee that really hit the spot at the time. Though I wasn't sure what to expect from the espresso as I've not had the best of luck with drive-thru coffee and espresso, it actually turned out to be fairly decent though a bit overpulled. I did not catch the tea.
While I think Brew Ha Ha could make a few improvements, it was a welcome stop that day. I'd have to say for a drive-thru cafe, it proved decent. So if you happen to be in Watertown and not looking to leave your vehicle to grab your java, give Brew Ha Ha a whirl.
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What's a Coffee Commentary?
Subject: Caffe Art Java
Location visited: Montreal, QCFree WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]
All too often in our fast-paced world, coffee becomes something we grab and not something we take the time to truly enjoy. Sure some coffeehouses have a relaxed lounge area where people can set up their laptops and camp for hours, but few really encourage people to sit back and enjoy their coffee.
One such cafe that seemed to do a splendid job of coaxing their customers to sit and sip was a little place in Montreal called Caffe Art Java. Though a coffeehouse by name and renown, the business seems to operate more like a restaurant as they offer full table service for customers dining in, whether they get a doubleshot of espresso or a full meal. The cafe itself is quite beautiful, with a large open store front that allows customers to take advantage of the nice weather as well as ample varieties of table seating extending throughout.
The coffee comes from Gimme Coffee, a welcome and familiar brew. The drip (or filtered) sampled was a Sumatran, which sampled earthy and full though it tasted a bit stale. The espresso I had on two very different accounts: my first visit produced a very messy doubleshot that was sweet but a bit cardboard-y, but my second visit extended a wonderfully pulled doubleshot that had such a nice velvety texture and a flowery chocolate-y tang to it. In the end, I went with the former experience as the fluke to give them the benefit of the doubt. The tea is Harney and Sons.
Overall, despite a few minor glitches, I had a very relaxed and quality experience with Caffe Art Java. If you happen to be in town, I would suggest taking a good chunk of time to plop down at the cafe and enjoy a decent cup of coffee.
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What's a Coffee Commentary?
Subject: Recess Coffee House and Roastery
Location visited: Syracuse, NYFree WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 4+ [see key]
One of these days when I settle down, I would love to move into a nice house with at least two full bathrooms, a nice spacious backyard, in a good neighborhood, and two or three doors down from a quality coffeehouse. I also would like an nice arboretum close by, but I know you can't have everything so I'm willing to let that one go.
So when I first drove by the Recess Coffee House and Roastery in Syracuse, I thought maybe I'd found a good neighborhood. The coffeehouse sits nestled right off the main drag of Westcott St amidst a series of houses, an old converted house itself. The exterior looks sharp albeit a little run down (though it has definitely been improved in the few times I've visited), complete with a nice wood front porch with a nice access ramp and garden. Walking inside, the coffeehouse is decked in various eclectic decor and plenty of random seating all throughout, almost all of it full of local patrons.
The coffee is roasted in-house, all Fair Trade and Organic. The coffee has been of differentiating quality in my visits, all brewed on a hot plate brewer. My latest coffee was a Tanzanian that tasted pretty decent; very smooth despite a bit of char. The espresso has been a steady improvement, though still no climax yet. Most recently, my doubleshot had a nice sweetness but was overshadowed by darkness. I failed to note the tea.
So when it comes time to buy that house, I could see myself considering the area around Recess as I do think the place has a good deal of potential to rise (and if they added an arboretum in their backyard, that could close the deal). In the meantime, if you're looking to try some local java amidst some serious bohemian influence, make sure to give a stop at Recess.
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What's a Coffee Commentary?
Subject: Cafe' Sante' Veritas
Location visited: Montreal, QCFree WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]
I have been to a lot of cities across North America and few have been as intriguing and beautiful as Montreal. The old European-style buildings, the eclectic activities, and the food all provide a wonderful experience.
And fortunately, I was able to experience some great coffee while I was there recently. One place in particular was right around the corner from my hotel, a little cafe called Cafe Sante Veritas. Looking at it from the exterior, the place looks to actually be quite huge and very well-designed; sure enough when you walk inside, it becomes quite obvious that they didn't scrimp on quality or beauty of the interior. The cafe has beautiful furniture and even a low coffee bar where you can hang out and chat with the barista while he prepares your coffee or espresso.
The coffee served is 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters out of Vancouver, a roaster I had been wanting to try for some time but had not had the chance. The coffee was Ethiopian and french pressed (the barista commented that he used to make drip but he stopped after realizing it didn't maximize the coffee's potential), the results presented a smooth, bright, and fruity cup of coffee. Well done.
The espresso was amazing as the barista definitely knew what he was doing and he pulled a very luscious doubleshot. The espresso possessed a velvety texture as well as lovely bittersweet chocolate-iness. The tea was Harney and Sons and they also had a full menu, complete with beer, wine, and some of the best orange juice ever squeezed.
Walking away after my final visit, I really wished that such a fine specimen wasn't such a distance from home but alas, se la vie. If your in Montreal, I would strongly encourage a stop by Cafe Sante Veritas for coffee as well as a meal.
What's a Coffee Commentary?
