javalujah! - my cappuccino journey

Tesoro

2010-01-14T09:16:00.000-08:00

I went to Tesoro yesterday to try out their coffee. It's a cute little restaurant in Oliver Square. They serve pizzas and salads as well as all forms of coffee. I got the feeling like they were trying to make you feel like you might actually be in Italy while you were here.

I liked that the cappuccino came in a unique cup. Most of the cups I have had are white but this one had these crazy markings all over it. Felt like a party before I even started.

But here's where I get confused. This cappuccino was bitter again and had little to no foam. The impression I am getting from some anonymous people who have posted strange comments on this blog is that this is a true cappuccino. But the Italian center, a place run by Italians, has this amazingly smooth cappuccino with pillowy foam. I dare someone to argue with the Italian lady behind the counter who precisely made me that ridiculously amazing drink.

So I don't get it. But to be honest it doesn't matter to me. I am going for the cappuccino that tastes best to me but also has all the perks that I like too. And so I feel confident saying that this one was not the best. It was fine, I had to add sugar, and it looked like a really great place to hang out (the $10 pasta looked phenomenal)... but I still love the Italian center.

L'Espresso

2010-01-06T20:01:00.001-08:00

So a good friend of mine found this forum of people talking about Edmonton lattes and cappuccinos. I actually have no idea anything about cappuccinos other than what I like about them - which is turning out to be a small cup, good foam, smooth coffee, funky atmosphere and hopefully a friend with me. But this is what one person named John said which helped me on the technical front:

"Making a "hooded" cappo with non overstretched milk (like the garbage at Starbucks) is just as tough as good latte art. The fellow at Transcend who won the 2008 prairies barista comp (Chad) prides himself on making a trad cappo- but you will not get a big airy pillow of foam because that is overstretched and wrong. It would be like asking a baker to burn a baguette for you."

I like to give most drinks a fair shot. I haven't liked them all, but for the most part, not many have been unbearable (save you Second Cup). These cappuccinos were so strange. Neither of us could really taste the coffee because of the copious amount of foam. I wonder what dear Chad, Barista of the Year, and John, defender of cappuccinos and my new but never met friend, would say. Something well worded I suppose and something about burning bread. Regardless, I think it is safe to say that this was one large cup some seriously overstretched milk.

Beuno Gelato

2010-01-06T19:53:00.001-08:00

I don't have much to say about this cappuccino. I didn't really like it at all. It made little to no impression on me. I found it kinda bland actually. It surprised me because it came from this little Italian shop, but it also didn't surprise me because they have the best gelato in Edmonton. I personally don't think they need to excel at two things. So, keeping this review short, don't go there for cappuccinos, but don't go anywhere else for gelato.

The Manor

2010-01-04T08:41:00.001-08:00

After a beautiful but freezing cross country ski, my friend and I decided we needed a cappuccino. We popped over to The Manor, ski boots and messy hair and all, to warm up. This restaurant is one of my favorites in Edmonton. I love that it is in an old house and I love the food. Even though we looked slightly out of place we still ordered yummy desserts and warm drinks. I kinda think this is how you survive Edmonton. Outdoor activity followed by good food.

Sadly, I did not love this cappuccino. I have better photos of it but I am going to use this one to show you how the foam all but disappeared on its own. It sat for about 2 minutes while I was showing my friend all of my 'must have' apps on my iPhone and by the time I went to photograph it, the foam was half gone! I could almost hear the foam popping away, like when you have a bubble bath with your kids cheap Barbie Bubble Bath and within the first 5 minutes the bubbles have pretty much melted away. That is how this foam looked. Within three sips, the foam was gone.

So I won't be going out of my way to go there for a cappuccino, but I kinda feel like, Who cares? because I will forever go there for the poached pear salad. It's phenomenal.

Sugarbowl

2009-12-28T11:52:00.001-08:00

I decided to keep with the restaurant theme by going to the Sugarbowl. I've eaten there many times before but never had a cappuccino. To be honest, I really like the Sugarbowl. I like the atmosphere, I like the art on the walls (I found an amazing painting that I would've bought if it wasn't $1300) and I like the crowd it attracts. And I also really like the food. So I already knew that I was going to go back there even if I didn't like the cappuccino. Lucky for you, Sugarbowl. Lucky. For. You.

The cappuccino was just fine. No bells, no whistles. Just fine. I added sugar because it was more bitter than I like, but it was perfectly non-threatening. It didn't make a huge impression, but it didn't offend me either.

If all of these cappuccinos were people, I would think that this one would be that girl at a party that isn't making a scene but when you leave you remember having this totally decent chat with this lovely girl but you can't seem to remember her name. You would've tried to kiss the Italian Center and you would have almost got into a fight with the Mandolin Bookstore, but this one, you just walked away thinking, Man, she is really nice ... whatever her name was.

dacapo

2009-12-23T15:43:00.001-08:00

First off let me just say that I am really enjoying this self-appointed adventure. I enjoy finding all these little places, I enjoy ordering a cappuccino (it makes me feel grown up for some odd reason) and I enjoy thinking if I like them or not. I think I kinda like the power. So on this cold, but wonderfully sunny day, I took my quest to d capo.

Editors note: the website for this coffee shop says dacapo, but all the cups say d capo so I am not sure exactly what to call it.

Onto the cappuccino. The foam was great. I am even going to use the word 'silky'. I know, bold word right? I didn't love the coffee like I was thinking I might (I had to use half a packet of the raw sugar) but with sugar it was still quite enjoyable. I really like that they are small too. This was a perfect size. I just wish the size was reflected in the price. Who would've thought 20 years ago that paying $3.50 for 1/2 cup of milk and an ounce of coffee would be legit?

Again, the biggest hit against this place was the parking. It has nothing to do with the cappuccino, only that it would prevent me from picking this place on a Saturday morning.

But overall and simply put, dcapo was dlightful.

Editors second note: I just realized the red a on the cup meaning the d goes with the a and then the c-po goes with that same a. So it is dacapo afterall.

Block 1912

2009-12-14T13:55:00.000-08:00

Today's adventure took me all the way down Whyte Ave to Block 1912. I have to be honest, though, and admit that I have a chip on my shoulder about this place from an experience a few years back. I had gone there for chai lattes with a few friends and their kids. We were a bigger group and there were small children I realize. But it was bizarre how rudely they treated us. It was obvious they wanted us to leave. We were so annoyed and so frustrated. I left with such a bitter taste in my mouth. And seeing as my main issue with the cappuccino is the bitter taste, I had little hope for this place.

To start off with, they had a minimum order to use your debit or credit card which bugged me. Luckily I had cash but I normally don't. I guess being 'forced' to have a biscotti along with the cappuccino isn't the worst thing in the world.

After ordering I watched the strangest routine for making a cappuccino. He went from the shot to steaming the milk, back to the espresso, then started knocking the milk pitcher to get rid of the bubbles, then back to checking the espresso, and more knocking. He was either incredibly inefficient or had a very specific method of building this drink. After getting the shot in the cup he then filled the cup with an amazing amount of foam small scoop by small scoop. This took about a minute and a half. Then he poured in the milk. The process took way too long.

The coffee had this very different taste that I can't quite put my finger on. It was not bitter, it was not smooth. It was almost nutty. Like they made me an almond cappuccino or something. Or maybe they didn't clean the cup and it had some left over amaretto in the bottom (please let it not be this). I definitely didn't hate it, I just felt confused the whole time. Are you a latte? Were you made with hazelnut espresso? Were you processed in a factory that contains nuts? Who knows. Who knows.

Urban Diner

2009-12-13T09:13:00.001-08:00

A friend of mine and I snuck over to Urban while our daughters were at their ballet Christmas party on Saturday afternoon. A perfect time for an eggs benedict and a cappuccino!

Now this was the absolute foamiest cappuccino I have ever drank. The actual cappuccino wasn't outstanding, but I absolutely adored this foam. I believe the cappuccino should be 1/3 espresso, 1/3 milk and 1/3 foam but I would venture to say that half of this drink was thick, velvety foam. The coffee was a bit of a letdown, but luckily there wasn't much of it.

But, let's be honest, the best part of the whole experience was laughing with my friend about a certain karaoke party of days long ago. We remembered Physical, Bad Medicine, AC/DC, Funny Valentine (this got a huge laugh), Dancing in the Streets..... Oh those days. Funny, fun days.

So, the final result? The cappuccino was fine, but the reminiscing was epic.

Blue Plate Diner

2009-12-10T19:15:00.001-08:00

I am starting to run low on actual coffee shop options (I've been to 13 already!). Therefore I am opening up the competition to restaurants as well. The Blue Plate Diner is such a fun, funky, retro restaurant that I kinda already knew the cappuccino wouldn't be that great. Their focus can't be great coffee when they are serving delicious gnocchi in an old school bowl that looks like it is from your grandmother's house. But I ordered it anyways, the cappuccino, not the gnocchi.

Now, I will say that this review is a bit unfair because I was there to celebrate a friend's birthday with a bunch of old friends from an old part of my life. So I didn't really even critically drink the coffee, I just sipped it and laughed about those great times. Made the cappuccino taste delightful, even though deep down I knew it wasn't really all that good. But the company and the occasion affected the flavor enough that I can't really even say why it wasn't all that good. All I know is that I don't want to order another one.

So I am going to whittle this review down to two points: 1. My guess is that most restaurants won't make a good cappuccino. And, 2. if I am there with good friends, I won't even notice.

Second Cup

2009-12-08T15:00:00.000-08:00

I'd rather eat bark.

Axis Cafe

2009-12-07T09:58:00.001-08:00

I went to Axis Cafe this freezing cold morning. It is right in the middle of downtown so I worried about finding a parking space but - lucky for me - there was one right in front of the store. I grabbed some change to go pay for the meter but when I went to put my money it said, "$2.50 for one hour, Meter only accepts toonies and loonies. Max time is one hour". Oh Edmonton, your ridiculous ways no one can fathom. How on earth can I pay for one hour without using quarters? Why not just say that it costs $3.00? or why not accept quarters? But don't worry, Edmonton has a great River Valley right? Right.

Anyways, on to the cappuccino. I had really high hopes for this one because when the barista handed it to me, someone behind me yelled, Now THAT is a beautiful cappuccino! Here's hoping ...

At first glance, it was smaller and really foamy. At first taste, it was slightly bitter but no need for sugar. The atmosphere was hopping ... often about 11 people would walk in at once, I can only assume as a coffee break from work. Seemed like the place to be.

My overall impression? I definitely liked it. I think I would go there often if I worked downtown. It's a bit out of the way for me and I wish I didn't have to pay to park. But I liked it. It was just fine. If I was dating these coffee places, I think I will still want to marry the Italian Center, but I would definitely go on a second date with Axis.

Calgary trip and Leva

2009-12-01T10:53:00.000-08:00

I have been out of blogging for 2 weeks now. Kinda like a cappuccino sabbatical. My parents were gone and then I went to Calgary. I was going to try some cappuccino's there but time did not allow. There was one interesting adventure though that involved bacon foam. It was a soup with this 'essence of bacon' on top. When we asked about it, he said that it is frothed like a cappuccino but rest assured, it tastes nothing like one. I couldn't stomach it. If I was reviewing bacon cappuccinos it would receive a terrible rating. But since I am not, I will share the photo and then move on to the real review ....

Now, on to Leva.

I went there today on the recommendation from my source. My first impression wasn't great as there was absolutely no parking. Being in the university area, there were 5 spots available and then everywhere else required a parking pass between 8am and 6pm. So I ended up having to park in the Mac's parking lot. My guilt got to me and so I went in and ended up buying a bag of peanuts (I have no idea why peanuts. They were just there). So before I even started I was out $1.06 and eating peanuts that I didn't even want to eat. (Why I didn't buy Miss Vickies I'll never know).

But the place looked fantastic. Lots of windows, super urban and even had an Italian family sipping macchiatos. The coffee was small and my first taste was bitter. I almost went to get the sugar but on second sip, delight. I don't know why the top tasted bitter but the rest was smooth.

I also think there was an unintentional kidney as foam art on the top.

But overall I really enjoyed this. I wished it was bigger and I wished I didn't have to pay for peanuts to park. But other than that, delish.

Somewhere in St. Albert

2009-11-18T13:52:00.001-08:00

So here I was thinking that it would be fun to just drive around St. Albert while Ev was in music class and just randomly find a coffee shop and try their cappuccino. Seemed like such a great thought.

Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the place (but they serve this Cherry Hill Coffee, whatever that means) and it wasn't very good. Not the worst I've had, but a far cry from the level as of yet. I didn't finish it, it cost way too much and I was late picking up Ev from his class.

Such a great idea in theory. Did not execute the way I had envisioned in my mind.

So, I do not recommend that coffee place in St. Albert on the corner of that cute little street kinda by the main road but off of it slightly. If that makes any sense to anyone.

The Italian Centre

2009-11-16T12:48:00.000-08:00

There are a few reasons why this blog is turning out to be a really great project for me. One is that I get to try all sorts of cappuccinos. Some great, some not-so-great, but still, all part of the experience.

Second, more often than not somebody will recommend a place for me to try and then take me there, so I rarely have to judge the cappuccino by myself. Makes it way more fun.

And third, it is getting me out and about Edmonton. I am trying out all sorts of different places which are all over the city and so I am finally learning how to navigate Edmonton. Did you know there is a high level bridge AND a low level bridge?

Well today was no exception. I had never been to the Italian Centre so it was really fun to check out the market first. There's not a lot that can put you in the mood to drink a great cappuccino like shopping beside a little old Italian lady buying mozzarella.

And then there was the cappuccino. I won't declare it to be the best .... just yet. But it was as close to perfection as I have come. A smooth drink in a small cup. It was so good that I actually felt like I could have had a second, which must be a good sign. And it was $2.25. The cheapest I've paid thus far.

It seems, dear other cappuccinos in Edmonton, that the Italian Center has thrown down the gauntlet. Will any other compare?

Holt Renfrew

2009-11-11T14:16:00.001-08:00

I know what you are thinking (and by 'you' I mean all 2 of my readers). You are thinking, Holt Renfrew? Seriously? You went for a cappuccino at Holt Renfrew? But I googled 'best cappuccino in Edmonton' and Holt came up. Being true to the blog I decided I can't judge a cappuccino until I tried it. And I also knew that it was made with illy coffee so it had a fighting chance.

Well, are you ready for it? Amazing. This cappuccino was one of my (can I admit this?) favorites. The main issue with it was cost. It was $4 for a cappuccino about half the size of most (and those were around the $3 range). So I won't be frequenting the Renfrew for it. But it was so good. I didn't need any sugar and it had absolutely no bite to it. It came with a sprinkling of some kind of nutmeg/cinnamon mixture on top (a far cry from foam art but at least something) and it was in a small cup.

I hate to say it but this one will go near the top. Only the price will hold this one back from being the best one I think. There is something inherently wrong with paying $4 for a drink that really would have cost them, oh, $0.50?

But seriously, it was so good. So good.

Credo

2009-11-10T11:19:00.001-08:00

Okay, so I have progress here. Credo. Small cup and foam art. And, lucky for Credo, I have lowered my expectations significantly. I am now expecting to need to put sugar in. And I have learned that there is such a thing as a Wet Cappuccino and a Dry Cappuccino. I believe this was a dry one, therefore I expected to be kicked in the throat when I drank it.

And so, lucky for Credo, I actually thoroughly enjoyed this cappuccino. I didn't even want the sugar I had brought over until I was half way done it. It was smooth, but still had some bite to it. I like more foam, but I don't think you can get a foamy cappuccino and foam art. I think it is one or the other.

But this one was good. Honest to goodness .... good. I read a book and drank this down to the bottom.

I think the race, as it stands, is between Credo and Duchess.

Mandolin Books and Coffee Company

2009-11-10T07:29:00.000-08:00

I am realizing that coffee is like red wine. Some people like their wine bold and strong. That to them makes a good red wine. I, on the other hand, like it smooth. I want to enjoy my wine without having to *cough*. That *cough* doesn't look right. I am trying to explain how, when you drink something strong you kinda hit your chest and goes *ah hem* or something like that. Anyways, I don't like my wine to bite me back.

Same goes for coffee. Some people out there (I can't imagine who but they must be out there) must love their coffee full of this *cough* or *ah hem* bold flavor. Not me. I want my coffee to be smooth. Every coffee so far (save The Duchess for the most part) has needed some or a lot of sugar. So this leaves me wondering ... Is This My Fault? Am I Just Too Picky? I think only time will tell. But I will plug away and keep trying.

As for Mandolin Books, well ... I will just say this:

Neither myself nor my friend finished our cappuccinos

and

*Ah Hem*

Three Bananas Cafe

2009-11-06T14:40:00.001-08:00

Poor Three Bananas. There were problems with this cappuccino from the get-go. I had had a bad one there a couple of weeks ago so I already expected it to be mediocre. I was in a rush (I was eager to visit The Artworks before I had to pick up my daughter from school - priorities right?) and so I had to get it To Go. Blech. Coffee out of a cup made of paper. Blech Blech Blech. And it was abnormally small. The above picture doesn't do it justice but for what I paid for this cappuccino I thought it would have been slightly larger or at least phenomenally better.

Sadly I was disappointed on all fronts. Bitter coffee, the cup melted in my mouth as I drank it (did I say Blech yet?) and I had to douse this one in sugar.

My fun challenge has taken a turn. Maybe this is rock bottom and the only way to go is up?

The Wired Cup

2009-11-05T08:55:00.000-08:00

Having always hated Edmonton (note: this is an inside joke) I never really found myself investing in unique and interesting places to go so when I took on this challenge - given to me by myself - I needed help. I needed someone to point me in the direction of new cappuccinos. And so, soon enough, I found a source. This source has given me all sorts of fun places to try. And so, thanks to said source, I went to The Wired Cup.

This was my first cappuccino from a coffee shop that I had never heard of before. I had no idea how to get there (what in the world is this Connors Road?) and had no idea what to expect. First sip .... bitter! I don't know what has happened to Edmonton espresso beans, but all of my cappuccinos thus far have had this bite to them. This one was the strongest. The foam was great, thicker than most. And after I put in a healthy dose of sugar it tasted so much better. It was in your basic white cup again, but this one was more bowl-ish than cup-ish. I prefer cup-ish. Mainly because I can't finish a bowl of coffee. It was fine, totally fine.

I think I will know when I find that perfect cappuccino because it will go down smooth. It won't bite me back. It will be in a small cup and it will have foam art. Are you out there perfect cappuccino?

Transcend

2009-11-02T15:36:00.000-08:00

Transcend was my first cappuccino that was brand new to me. Never been to the shop, never tasted their wares. First off, I am realizing how importance the ambiance is. This shop is funky. You can see the place where they roast their beans right beside the till, there is a TV that tells you all about the farmers that Transcend buys from, and everyone working there looked ridiculously cool. Before I even drank my cappuccino I was sure I would like it. Brilliant Transcend.... Brilliant.

Next my cappuccino arrived in a brownish colored cup (my first non-white cup) and had foam art! Real, live foam art! I immediately pulled out my iphone (which fit in perfectly with the other people who were fiddling with their iphones) and took a picture.

Finally it was time for me to take a sip, and it was great! No surprise there. It still had a bitter edge to it (maybe they all do and I just didn't know?) so I once again had to use sugar. I didn't find it creamy like the Duchess one - it had very potent coffee flavor to it - but I enjoyed it. The cup was too big (for me) so of course I didn't finish it and it cost a dollar more than the one at Duchess. But it had foam art! Super cool.

Duchess

2009-10-30T12:33:00.000-07:00

Since I was stuck at home today with two boys and had to be back in time to help my daughter change into her figure skater Halloween costume by noon, I decided to stay local and go to Duchess for cappuccino number 2. Phew, this is hard work.

First off, as cookie cutter predictable that Starbucks is, Duchess is the complete and utter opposite. It is the only bake shop of its kind in Edmonton. So it already has an upper hand. But, wanting to stay true to my challenge, I did not let the cute decor and unbelievably tasty treats sway me. Although I did order a scone. Melted in my mouth. Delish.

Now, on to the cappuccino. I have had a cappuccino there almost every week since it opened and I have always enjoyed them. The foam is perfect and the drink is delectable. I still added a little bit of sugar, but barely. And it is also the perfect size. Anyone who knows me will know that I rarely finish a drink. There will always be a few sips left. I don't know why. But not with a Duchess cappuccino.

Overall, I would take this cappuccino over most on any given day. So as of right now, it goes to the top of the list.

Starbucks

2009-10-28T11:42:00.000-07:00

The first capp that I decided to try, simply because of location and convenience, was from Starbucks. It was exactly as you would expect a Starbucks cappuccino to taste. The foam was pretty good, the coffee was a bit on the bitter side and the cup was just plain white. Nothing fancy but also nothing terrible.

One might even say it was mainstream. I didn't add sugar, but should have. It needed a bit of a punch.

But, here's what I have to say about Starbucks. It is consistent and reliable. I knew what this coffee was going to taste like before I ordered it. It is because the cappuccino that I ordered in Edmonton is made the exact same way as the one ordered in Dubai or apparently at a new location built exactly on top of where the Berlin wall used to be.

Just what you'd expect from the SBux; building random coffee shops everywhere in the world, but serving the exact same coffee wherever you end up. Reliable, but not necessarily phenomenal.