Coffee
What Is Direct Trade Coffee (And Why We Source It)
Direct trade is not a certification or a label. It is a relationship between roaster and farmer that produces better coffee and fairer compensation.
January 15, 20269 min
From the Counter
Blog
Stories about coffee sourcing, acoustic design, live music, and life in Uptown Waterloo.
Local Guide
The Best Cafes in Uptown Waterloo: A Local Guide
Uptown Waterloo has become one of the strongest cafe scenes in southwestern Ontario. Here is an honest, opinionated guide to the best spots.
January 29, 202610 min
Design
Why We Designed Our Cafe Around Acoustics
Most cafes treat noise as an afterthought. We treated it as the starting point for every design decision in the building.
February 12, 20268 min
Coffee
A Beginners Guide to Specialty Coffee (No Snobbery Required)
Specialty coffee can feel intimidating if you have never engaged with it. This guide covers everything you need to know without making you feel bad about your current coffee habits.
February 26, 202611 min
Local Guide
Live Music in Waterloo: Where to See Local Artists Perform
Waterloo has a live music scene that punches well above its weight. Here is where to find it, from intimate songwriter nights to packed Friday shows.
March 5, 20269 min
Events
How to Host a Private Event at a Cafe (And Why It Beats a Restaurant)
Restaurants are the default for private events, but cafes offer a combination of atmosphere, flexibility, and cost that most restaurants cannot match.
March 12, 20268 min
Food
The Story Behind Our Smoked Salmon Bagel
Every cafe has a signature item. Ours is the smoked salmon bagel, and it took us months of testing to get it right.
March 15, 20267 min
Events
What Is a Silent Book Club (And Why You Should Try One)
A silent book club is exactly what it sounds like: a room full of people reading in comfortable silence. It is the most introvert-friendly social event ever invented.
March 19, 20268 min
Coffee
Espresso at Home: How to Get Cafe Quality Without the Equipment
You do not need a $3,000 espresso machine to make great concentrated coffee at home. Here are the methods that actually work, tested by professional baristas.
March 22, 202610 min
Local Guide
The Uptown Waterloo Date Night Guide
Uptown Waterloo has enough going on for a legitimately great date night without driving to Toronto. Here is how to plan one.
March 26, 20269 min
Events
Open Mic Etiquette: What First-Time Performers Should Know
Your first open mic can be nerve-wracking. Knowing the unwritten rules makes it easier for everyone, especially you.
March 29, 20268 min
Design
Mid-Century Design in Modern Spaces: The Inspiration Behind Our Cafe
Mid-century modern design has endured for 70 years because it solves real problems. Here is how we applied its principles to build a cafe that feels timeless.
April 1, 20268 min