Ground Zero for Victoria's best coffee · Saturday December 3, 2005 by colin newell
There are more coffee joints in Victoria than car dealers and, let me tell you Bernice, they all want to sell you something. Trick is to find what you are looking for.
Personally, I look for the people that know what they are talking about (in a way that makes sense to my pearl sized brain), people that believe in what they are doing, and lastly people that do not give me the crazy-creeps talking about coffee in a way that I just do not get!
Sam Jones, Victoria’s ubermyster coffee god, holds court at 2% Jazz on Douglas Street (adjacent to the Times-Colonist building). Surrounded by the finest in coffee-espresso hardware and only the finest baristi that the city has to offer, Sam takes the bean to levels that other cafes can only daydream about.
The thing about Sam is, he cultivates leading-edge ideas in the kind of positive environment that offers genuflection (courteous acknowledgement) to everyone in the coffee-chain, from the farmer to the cup.
As Dave Anderson (of Ottawa) and I sat in 2% Jazz, the other day, it became readily apparent that every single body coming through his door was a little wiser about the caffeine bean than the average schelp that walks into Starbucks looking for their Vente whatever.
Sam is a teacher, a damn good teacher. He believes his gospel and when he starts to preach the good word, you cannot help but listen.
I could not help but gaze in wonder as he led Dave, by the hand (Ok, stretching here) up onto his raised pulpit behind his glistening Synesso espresso machine. I could almost hear the choir as Sam coached Dave through the fundamentals. Dave, who is a seasoned coffee-nerd from Ottawa, came away exclaiming “That was the best coffee I have ever had in my life!” Where else in Victoria would you actually become part of the espresso experience?
Only at 2% Jazz, that is where!
If you want real coffee and the best espresso that the city has to offer, drop your pretense and your double-cupped swill take-away and get your feet down to 2% Jazz.
A diner for all time... · Saturday November 26, 2005 by colin newell
For all the praise heaped upon superlative gourmet coffee and, begging your pardon if I offend, slow-food in the 21 century, there are too few words spoken singing the praises of the grease n’ grill.
A significant portion of my best years (today and in the past) have been spent in diners like John’s Place on Pandora Avenue in Victoria, B.C. Canada.
I recall crossing their syrupy-sweet threshold way back in 1985 for the first time; Pancakes, sausages, bacon, scrambled eggs and black coffee. Oddly, 20 years later and (damn, I confess) 100 visits under my belt, I have the blood pressure of a 19 year old girl.
20 years ago I was a bright eyed, pre-internet, kind of guy frightened of the future. Ah, the uncertainty of being in your mid-twenties and wondering what the future would bring. Nothing takes your mind off of your worries faster than a fluffy waffle with cream cheese and maple syrup.
So, here we are in 2005. Two decades ago I sat in John’s Place with a table full of young friends, some of whom I still call friends today. Looking around, today, I see other young people (and older people) enjoying the solidarity of good food and friendship.
I really believe places like this keep us young, at least at heart. So the next time you are sitting down to your yoghurt, organic berries and 12-grain dry toast, fight back, say no… and find your diner.
Glenn visits EveryDay Gourmet Coffee · Thursday October 20, 2005 by colin newell
Glenn visits EveryDay Gourmet or did he?!
It is reported that the mysterious glenn. s made a surprise and unannounced visit to Sara at Everyday Gourmet Coffee at the St. Lawrence Market in Toronto on the weekend.
Although glenn s. (is this his real name?) has been a regular contributor to coffeecrew he has actually not been seen by anyone. There is only one Picture in existence that purports to be him, however other reports say the picture is really someone else.
There is no truth to the rumour that his other pseudonym is “carlos”
Sara said the experience was surreal in a X-files sort of way. Glenn S. had the unusual ability to blend into the environment and was hard to discern even when moving. He reportedly mumbled something about the review being “safe” and flashed her with something that looked like a keyring.
Sara said there was no time to run for the digital camera. “One second he was here, the next he was gone. Come to think of it, I am not entirely sure he was ever actually here…”
Moziro Coffee Roasters - Shawnigan Lake · Saturday October 15, 2005 by colin newell
Jenn and Jake are the next generation of coffee and confection professionals for the 21st century.
Their shop is located near the heart of Shawnigan Lake village, on Dundas road, in an attractive new lavender colored building that also houses a cafe, a diner and a ladies shoe and bag shop.
My wife and I popped in for a sample of single origin bean from their Deidrich roaster and some mighty, mighty fine hand-made chocolate truffles. Coffee, chocolate and conversation: It does not get much better than this. You can visit their website or, better yet, drive to scenic Shawnigan Lake!
