andrewchen2000 Senior Member Joined: 7 May 2003 Posts: 2 Location: Calgary, Canada Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Tue Jan 20, 2004, 11:43pm Subject: Re: Espresso in Downtown Calgary
the sad truth is that there is probably no good espresso in downtown Calgary. I live here years and years, and tried very hard to find any good coffee, so far I still rush back home to make my own coffee/espresso.
still redneck country here, and people certainly know how to make money in oil and gas business, but do not know how to discover coffee
Posted Wed Jan 21, 2004, 9:07am Subject: Re: Espresso in Downtown Calgary
Hi Reg & Andrew,
Welcome to the forums! I don't know if it's downtown Calgary, but what about Planetroasters & About us located here: Cafe & Catering 2212 4th Street S.W. Calgary, AB T2S 1W9 (403) 244-3737
Posted Sat May 22, 2004, 7:02pm Subject: Re: Espresso in Downtown Calgary
Bad news Peter,
I was in at higher grounds a few days ago, and they switched to Canterbury from whatever they were using before. I was unimpressed, as I have been with everything I've ever had from Canterbury. C'est terrible.
peterthepiper Senior Member Joined: 20 Mar 2004 Posts: 254 Location: Vancouver Expertise: Pro Barista
Grinder: Baratza Virtuoso Drip: Chemex
Posted Sun May 23, 2004, 11:39am Subject: Re: Espresso in Downtown Calgary
Ach! No! I return to Calgary in four days and Higher Grounds is serving Canterbury?? No! They were using Fratello before (not great, but not bad either). I think a moment of silence is required...
I have finally found a good shot. Ever since I returned from my expedition to Seattle, I've been trying every shop possible downtown. And so far, I've been pretty disappointed. Too much volume, no crema, cold cups. Basically total indifference to the qualtiy of the shot.
Today I was out for a walk at lunch and I noticed a sign for a new coffee place. Big Mountain it is called, and it is just outside of downtown (not too far if you are in the west end). They are on 8th St, between 10th and 11th Ave. In the back of the building that Brewsters is in.
Walked in and ordered a double shot. Started talking to the owners about coffee, and my ongoing quest for a good shot. The barista threw out the first shot, he wasn't happy with it. The second shot met with his satisfaction and it definitely met with mine. Rich red crema, nice aroma, wonderful flavour. Not Hines or Vivace great, but what is? Having only been open for seven weeks, I am pretty impressed.
I ordred a second shot and ended up chatting with them for the better part of 1/2 an hour. They are really dedicated to making the best product possible and were thrilled to find a customer that wanted the best shot possible. Apparently we are a rare breed in Calgary.
I suppose this all sounds a bit giddy, but I am absolutely thrilled to find a decent shot. I'll go back a few more times and put together a more detailed review.
I have to echo James comments. On Saturday, a friend introduced me to Big Mountain Coffee House & Roasters Ltd., located at 1004 8th St. SW. We arrived just before noon, and my buddy introduced me to both the owner Wade, and his wife.
At the front of the shop they have a Diedrich IR12 roaster. The premises are immaculate and well appointed.
I ordered a cappa - it was smooth with good microfoam. Wade's wife poured the second cappa topped with an apple design. Wade was pouring what he called a trilobite. He always ground the coffee just before filling the basket - and once he dumped the froth because it was not suitable for pouring latte art. Then he started pulling straight shots and giving them to me gratis.
Rockies Said:
I suppose this all sounds a bit giddy, but I am absolutely thrilled to find a decent shot. I'll go back a few more times and put together a more detailed review.
Wade blew my mind when he showed me his bottomless portafilter, which he had been using for a couple of months. Kindly, he allowed me behind the counter, so that I could watch the pull. Man, what a beautiful flow!! By this time I was giddy as well. Mind you, I had already consumed 8 doubles and was about to have my 9th.<grin> The crema was fantastic.
Before leaving, I purchased a pound of their espresso blend, roasted in Northern Italian style, and 1/2 lb of an organic Peruvian decaf.
peterthepiper Senior Member Joined: 20 Mar 2004 Posts: 254 Location: Vancouver Expertise: Pro Barista
Grinder: Baratza Virtuoso Drip: Chemex
Posted Sun Jan 23, 2005, 12:53pm Subject: Re: Espresso in Downtown Calgary
Another vote for Big Mountain. I realize in my previous comments, I said Kensington, but really, no one compares to BM.
Try their Papua New Guinea beans! They are absolutely incredible as espresso. The only beans that they haven't topped in my mind are Sam Jones' 2% Jazz house blend.
YoungJim Senior Member Joined: 24 Jan 2005 Posts: 16 Location: Cold Lake, AB, Canada Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Mon Jan 24, 2005, 8:23pm Subject: Re: Espresso in Downtown Calgary
Alright! A fix (on a fix!) the next time I'm back home. Being that I'm in Cold Lake - Air Force posting - I don't have many opportunities to get back there, so: Is there a decent place in Edmonton that anyone knows of? The one place we have in town is... ummm... here. Yeah. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Cheers. Jim.
Without weapons, a CF-18 is just an flying radio station!
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 