Vancouver's Best Coffee Haunts!

Here is my Current 2012 List of my FAVE Coffee Shops  in Town!
(I have included a reason behind each choice as to why i love them)

1. Starbucks - 2517 Commercial Dr at E.Broadway
- BEST OVERALL CUSTOMER SERVICE! - This location and this location only is like family to me! Been going here for 3 years almost bi-daily!

 2. Caffè Artigiano - 763 Hornby St at Robson St
- FAST SERVICE and When I ask for Extra Extra Sweet they are Mighty Generous! BEST ICED MOCHA IN TOWN!

3. Milano Coffee - 36 Powell St at Carrall St in Gastown
- A Brainchild of Brian Turko (Need i say more), Chic Location! - Try Classico or Turks Island!

4. Delanys Coffee House - 1105 Denman St. (English Bay)
- Personalized Service! They ask for and call you buy name

5. Turks Coffee (Turks on the Drive)- 1276 Commercial Drive
- Been on the Drive for a long time! The Original Turk Brainchild! - Try LaFutura!

6. 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters - 2152 W. 4th Ave. at Arbutus St.
- The Aroma alone walking into this place makes my heart swell with happiness!

7. Elysian Coffee - 590 West Broadway at Ash St 
- A Great lounge place to relax with friends or to read the paper. Friendly staff!
 
8. JJ Bean - Granville Island Public Market 
-Best strategically placed location. Very knowledgeable staff! Try an Iced Vanilla Latte
 
9. Laughing Bean Coffee - 2695 E Hastings St. 
- Best place to get Creative Latte Art! - a very "local people" hangout. Come for Seasonal and Holiday Latte Art! Great Designs!

10. Cuppa Joe Coffee Bar - 189 Broadway at Main St.
- Great Selection and Taste. Support the Lil' Guys in a sea of Corporate! Friendly Local Barista's! Skip the Tim Hortons accross the street and make love with the Little Guys!
 
Other Great Mentions: Moja Cafe, Wicked Cafe, Bump n' Grind Specialty Coffee, Continental Coffee and Prado Cafe! 

An Updated Look at Ordering at Starbucks!

Watch this youtube video below to get an updated look on how to order drinks the Barista way at your local starbucks!!!

A Quick Refersher:

Simply say your drink this way using our basic 8 steps--->

Step1. If its a Hot drink say Hot, If its Iced say Iced!
Step2. If Decaf say decaf, if its not decaf say nothing
Step3. If you want more or less coffee or shots then it usually has say the number or amount now, if your having the regular amount say nothing
Step4. Tell them your cup size (Tall 12oz, Grande 16oz, Venti 20/24oz) - say the name not the oz number
Step5. Any Changes in your syrups. Additions or subtractions or mixing of multiple flavors say them here and if your changing the amounts then say the number of pumps you want!
Step6. MILK - if your not getting standard milk then u tell them here...(Nonfat, 1% or Soy)
Step7. CUSTOM - This is the spot to ask for no foam or xtra Whip Cream or Caramel Drizzle or Lite Ice. all the speical customizations are placed here!
Step8. - SAY THE DRINK NAME LAST! - Latte, Mocha Frappuccino, Chai Latte, Caramel Macchiato etc...

Ex. - My Best friend Mels Drink:                                     My Drink:
(said in this order to the barista)                                       (said in this order to the Barista)       
Iced                                                                                  Iced
Decaf                                                                               Grande
Venti                                                                                Nonfat
Sugar Free Vanilla                                                          Chai Latte
Soy                                                                               
Latte                                                                             

- HOPE THIS HELPS!

Robson Starbucks Kitty-corner to Another to Close!

Robson Street @ Thrulow St. is home to 2 Starbucks Locations both kitty-corner to each other. Both locations have been in their spot for over 20 years. Starbucks Canada says it's Not because of under-performance but because they are having issues with the Lease agreement with the owners! Check out the Video below for full details!!! ----> So sad to see you go!

http://www.cbc.ca/video/watch/News/Canada/BC/ID=2229178185

What people may not know is that There is another place in Vancouver where you can still find 2 starbucks accross from each other and thats on Granville Street Downtown between West Georgia and Robson St. Both Corperate stores with 1 inside the Sears building on the main floor and one accorss the street beside the London Drugs (A Fave Location of mine)!

Check it out and tell us about closures in your neighbourhood!

-Cheers

Alberta Store turf's Girl with Service Dog, Twice!

I had to post this as it really iritates me!!! I know its not coffee or tea related but a must share with all of you... (Read the Full article at this link provided next)

Alberta store turfs girl with service dog, twice | Sympatico.ca News

A disgusting story about a Very well run reputable company in canada called Winners! Shame on this store for what they did! People with Autisum deserve more respect and this animal is this girls life-line... How dare they do something so rude and sensless... What really gets me is that Winners thinks they can buy off this girls mother with a 25$ Gift card like come on, They deserve more than that! I used to be a huge winners shopper and still am but this has really put a blow in there image in my opinion!!! SHAME SHAME!!! *** MY ISSUE IS THAT PEOPLE HAVE ASSISTANCE DOGS FOR A REASON... PEOPLE WITH AUTISUM AND AUTISUM SPECTRUM DISORDERS DESERVE MORE RESPECT AND LOVE FROM SOCIETY!!! Many people dealing with these issues have a hard time struggling and one can only imagine the toll it takes on the persons loved ones as well. Being Austisic or having a Autisum Spectrum Disorder should not define a person nor their character but society seems to think it should. A good shift in thinking can show everyone that autistic people are just like everyone else... They may do things a little differently but we are all one thing... HUMANS!!!

Milano Coffee Tasting Bar "Vancouver's Only"!

Welcome to Vancouver's Only Espresso Tasting Bar.

Milano Coffee - One of Vancouver's Premire Gourmet Coffee Brands offers this amazing Tasting bar with Fantastic City views from the Patio and 8 different blends to try!!!

Great Prices!!! A Coffee Masters Dream! Try with Milk, Foam or whatever for a taste sensation like never before!

Must Try: Espresso Blends - La Futura!
Must Try: Dark Roast Blends - Turks Island or Black Beauty!