209 E Pender Street, Vancouver (Chinatown)
Chinatown has got some serious coffee game. Being neighbours with coffee rich Gastown, there are some coffee shops in Chinatown that are giving Gastown a run for their money with their aesthetic interiors, smooth coffees, and just as delicious pastries. Propaganda Coffee on East Pender is one of those places. Despite calling themselves Propaganda, there is nothing scary or bold about this place - it shines through its simplicity and quietude, which makes it a great place to study, meet with friends or just chill out. I find that a lot of the coffeeps in Gastown are quite noisy, but Propaganda is nice and quiet, which makes it a lot easier to concentrate in. I think this is because of the fact that it is off of Main Street and tucked away on East Pender. It's exterior is unassuming, but upon entry into the shop you'll see how incredibly spacious it is. I had one of their local coffees that was being brewed that day, which was really nice. Propaganda, like nearby Matchstick and others, serves up great local coffee from roasters like Bows and Arrows, Timbertrain and Elysian to name a few. During my visit, I had the Bows and Arrows Ethiopia Wote Konga drip coffee and a apple turnover. This coffee was a little more acidic than I was used to, but still really great and the perfect antidote to a rainy day. The apple turnover had really nice apples in side that were tart and sweet; however, it was more turnover than apple. The pastry was thick and there was a lot of it. I woud have liked to have more apple in my turnover, but I suppose beggars can't be choosers. Regardless, it was still really nice. If you're looking for a hip place that is quiet enough for you to focus on your readings or papers, go check out Propaganda on East Pender. I promise I'm not affiliated with them and forcing you to go!!
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213 E Georgia Street, Vancouver (Chinatown)
They call it "community space", and how right they are. This was the firs time that I went to check out Matchstick Coffee at their Chinatown location. Located on E Georgia right off of Main Street, the space is massive, open, and yet, homey and intimate all at once. There are many long wooden bar tables, a communal sitting space with low coffee tables, and green plants and cute little cacti sitting on blackened shelves. An open gap in the wall allows you to peer into their kitchen area where they make their baked goods, and coffee brewing enthusiasts will marvel at the brewing equipment that sits in plain view next to the cash registers. Matchstick also roasts all of their own beans, which is incredible to note. I tried the Diamante coffee, which has notes of apple, walnut and brown sugar- which, in my mind, is the embodiment of fall. The coffee, just as the barista promised me, was bold and yet reserved at the same time, bringing together a blend of cohesive flavours with just the right amount of sweetness. I was hooked instantly. I have also been told that Matchstick pastries and food is to die for - will have to update once I get to try them for myself! Whether you are here to meet with friends or get lost in your own mind, read a book or write one of your ow- Matchstick is the place for you. There is a lot of communal space and it is almost guaranteed th you will have a place to do whatever you need to. However, techies beware: there are no plugs of any kind along their walls by their seating areas, though there is free guest wifi that requires no password. So if you are planning on working on a paper or your next novel, make sure that your laptop is completely charged. I guarantee that once you get settled in, you will want to stay for a long time. |
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