Pho dau Bo - upper James

830 Upper James St. Unit 103
Hamilton, Ont.

This is just a quick note to describe how Vietnamese coffee is ordered in a Pho restaurant. I consider this type of coffee a bit of a decadence because of the richness and sweetness you get due to the teaspoon of condensed milk in the coffee cup. I normally drink my coffee black but the Vietnamese coffee is a treat with rich dripped espresso, and condensed milk.

I understand it can be ordered cold as well so be sure to specify which one when you order. I enquired about the type of coffee they used and it was a bit sketchy, bought in bulk but it's espresso and med./fine grind for the tiny drip machine normally used in Thai and/or Vietnamese restaurants.

The coffee was a bit pricey at $3.50 but yielded a fair size cup and very tasty. It's worth the try when out for lunch and having pho.

Mezza Caffe, November 11/12

I had the best experience today at a cafe called Mezza Caffe in Ancaster, Ontario.  It was pretty much the "Valhalla" of coffee lovers.  I was immediately charmed by their slogan, "serious about coffee" because Lordy, Lordy they sure are and so am I :)

As you enter the front doors you will be swept away by the best coffee equipment you can buy, imported from Italy in its finery, shiny and new.  Neil and I went the cafe part and looked at the choices of drinks and treats.  I asked a few questions and settled on cafe americano, and Neil on a latte.  I was really torn about what to accompany my lovely coffee and it was gelato with fruit (came with a glass:).

1) Cafe Americano - $2.95

2) Beans are roasted in Italy - 7/10

3) Service - 9/10

4) accessibility - lots of parking, easily found off #403 or hwy #2

5) Flavour - full body, beautifully roasted and smooth

6) Eco-friendly - soy milk is available (although not today), nice china for drinking in house

7) Cup size- lovely size cup 

8) Food - fresh made sandwiches, frozen gelato from Italy

9) local ingredients - not especially a point 

10) Wiifii? - No

Fresh coffee made is $1.75 for medium, $2.00 for large

1142 Wilson Street W C8&9

Ancaster, Ontario L9G 3K9

www.mezzacaffe.ca