For the love of coffee

Bonjour, je m’appelle Phoebe La Mange and I am the new guest columnist at the bRokEn TypEwriTeR.

After 40 years of eating and enjoying, or not, the food, I have found my true calling in praising the noteworthy culinary establishments around the city.

So, in true French fashion, I will begin with the analysis of coffee in our humble city.

For such a backward, redneck city, I find it refreshing that there are so many choices when it comes to finding a tasse du café. Clearly, it is not all about the beer here.

It was the talk of the town when Starbucks opened in the Safeway store, for years I have had to listen to people bemoaning the lack of a Starbucks in the city, and certainly, they make bon café. But how do you decide what to order? The list of choices is longer than my brother Henri’s prize-winning baguettes! I, myself, prefer the white chocolate café mocha, which is, as they say, to die for.

The other most-populaire coffee house, is also a member of a chain (the citizens are showing their redneck roots now, frequenting chains, not true cafés) – Tim Horton’s. There are two of these locations in the city, with a slightly shorter list of choices than Starbucks. More like Henri’s French bread, not the baguettes. The café is very similar to Starbucks, but I have noticed that many devoted Starbucks drinkers cannot stand Tim’s. Each to his own.

But whatever you do, do not take the deep breath when going up to the drive through window at Tim Horton’s!! Sacre bleu!! It is often like getting a blast of the parfum of dear old Pepe! The stink, it is horrible!

I have to say, my favorite café is Cosmic Grounds. Again, a list of choices comparable to Starbucks, but not part of a chain. It is a true café, with a pleasant atmosphere, homemade foods, if one is feeling a bit peckish, and above all, delightful, rich smelling, delicious café!