Where to hang out can be a testy subject. That’s because this city has served as something of a testing ground for Seattle-based Starbucks, and the inroads have been considerable — some say insidious. But there are other coffeehouses, and among the funkiest and most inviting is Bean Around the World (six locations, including 4456 West ioth Avenue, Westside, 604-222-1400). Lounge on a couch before a blaz¬ing (gas) fire with a newspaper and a longish espresso. Or take home a pound or two of— what else but? — Ethiopian ghimbi or Yemeni mocha sanani.
Another worthy independent is Bojangles (785 Denman Street, West End, 604-687-3622; also on the Coal Harbour seawall, 1506 Coal Harbour Quay, Downtown, 604-687-6599). Bojangles delivers good coffee, top-notch sandwiches (like the “runner’s special”), an easy ambiance, and outdoor patios.
Delaney’s (1105 Denman Street, West End, 604-662-3344) is a perennial favorite with West Enders. While the woodsy interior is cozy and crowded on a wintry day, the mere hint of sun draws people-scanners to its sidewalk tables. Delaney’s also has North Shore out-lets, one in the Dundarave area (2424 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, 604-921-4466) and another in perfect, peaceable, suburban Edgemont, not far from the Grouse Mountain gondola (3099 Edgemont Boul¬evard, North Vancouver, 604-985-3385). If you’re walking the seawall near the Granville Slopes, pick up a rich Italian brew at Prego Coffee & Deli (1625 Hornby Street, Downtown South, 604-605-3888).
I’d be remiss in not mentioning, again, Joe’s Café (1150 Commercial Drive, East Vancouver, 604-255-1046), a granddaddy of coffee inde¬pendents and an institution on The Drive, where left-wing angst co-exists with Latin Europe. For years, Joe, a former Portuguese bullfighter, has been satisfying all ends of the Commercial Drive candle, though it sputters and spits from time to time. Joe’s also offers billiards, televised sport, and serious coffee.
For East Vancouver’s Commercial Drive coffeehouses (some with liquor licenses) that cleave to their macho European roots, there’s the Abruzzo Cappuccino Bar (1321 Commercial Drive, 604-254-2641); the Portuguese Club of Vancouver (1144 Commercial Drive, 604-251-2042); and the Café Roma (1510 Commercial Drive, 604-215-8801). The latter is filled with people in black leather jackets with one ear to the cell phone and one eye on perpetually televised Euro¬pean football. The Roma also serves Italian-style sandwiches and gelato.
But a favorite of the wider population is the brazenly Italian Calabria Bar (1745 Commercial Drive, 604-253-7017), outfitted with marble-like tables, plaster columns and statues, cheap chandeliers,
and a painted ceiling that makes references to the Sistine Chapel. Here the mood is mellow and, in spite ofthe crowd, a classic cappuc¬cino or gelato con espresso is usually made with grace and leisure.
Lastly on the Drive, there’s jj Bean (2206 Commercial Drive, 604-254-3723). On a sunny morning, you may spot half a dozen men smoking marijuana and drinking coffee at a sidewalk table. Vancou¬ver-based jj Bean also makes Torrefazione Coloiera coffees, sold at several other coffee outlets. Among these shops is Torrefazione Italia (2154 West 4ist Avenue, Kerrisdale Village on the Westside, 604-267-1003), a relaxed, if sumptuous, premises in an affluent neighborhood.
At last count, there were more than seventy-five Starbucks in metro Vancouver; the one at 2270 4th Avenue (Kitsilano, 604-737-0477) is worth frequenting if only for its prime location.
Across the street, Capers Courtyard Café (2285 West 4th Avenue, Kitsilano, 604-739-6676) is packed on a nice day, as is Kits Coffee Co. (2198 West 4th Avenue, Kitsilano, 604-739-0139). Both serve light food.
Another well-patronized independent is the Blue Parrot, strategic¬ally located overlooking the water in the northwestern corner of the Granville Island Public Market (604-688-5127; also at 2698 West 4th Avenue, Kitsilano, 604-688-1173).
Still in Kitsilano, the Connaught Apartments (2515 Vine Street) is an old wood-frame apartment house lovingly restored by its longtime owner. An artist, daughter of the owner, lives and works in one of the storefronts: the corner space is the easygoing coffeehouse Higher Grounds (2300 West Broadway, 604-733-0201).
On Main Street in East Vancouver, you’ll find a couple of neighborly independents: at King Edward Avenue sits The Grind Coffee Bar & Gallery (4124 Main Street, 604-874-1588); nearer Broadway, Monsoon (2526 Main Street, 604-879-4001) is also a restaurant and magazine shop. A local “secret” for coffee, I’m told, is The Whip, just off Main Street (209 East 6th Avenue, 604-874-4687).
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