The Ministry of Coffee - My List of Favourite Coffee Shops Is Growing

"Quality driven. Expertly crafted." I have another coffee shop to add to my list of top shops in Ottawa.

The Ministry of Coffee opened June 8 at 279 Elgin Street, just south of Somerset and across the street from Boko Bakery. They are in the spot once occupied by Hava Java, who held court here since 1992.

One of the co-owners, Fadi Karam, was part of the start-up team that brought Illume Espresso Bar to Wellington Street near Island Park last December. Those early visits and conversations gave me a sense that Fadi has coffee passion as well as a depth of coffee knowledge.  I credit him and opening day barista, Amy, for giving me a big wow first impression. Although his time with the Illume team was short, I was pretty pleased to hear he surfaced again with another opportunity to bring good coffee to java fans in Ottawa.

For this recent venture, Fadi has teamed with Alex Dhavernas. It was Alex who was in the store today to show off his talents.

Their bean for the espresso drinks is from Social Coffee & Tea Company in Richmond Hill. Alex admitted it is a bit tricky to pull the shot with this bean when making a milked drink. I thought his clever moves paid off and I appreciated that he knew that it needed the extra finesse. Alex suggested that they may be bringing in the 49th Parallel bean.  In this, I would rejoice.

Today I had their 8 ounce cappuccino ($3.50).

The place is small and can barely seat a dozen-plus customers at four light-wooded tables for 2, a large dark-wooded bar table and the front window bar. Yes, they do have Wi-Fi!

Street parking is metered in that stretch of town. We parked south of McLeod to avoid the up-charge and enjoyed a stroll for the six or seven blocks.

The walls are filled in with art by Dr. Catherine Dhavernas, Alex's sister and interestingly, the Head of the Department of French Studies at Queen's University.

In-house baked goods are prepared by Alex's wife, included the large coconut macaroon I partnered with my capp. I was half way through it before I even considered that you might like to know about it too.  For $2 is it a hefty treat but thankfully not as sweet as most macaroons.  It reminded me of another one I often seek out over in Aylmer at Boulangerie Aux Deux Frères. Alex's wife is also making a selection of cupcakes.

Their foray into Suzy Q Doughnuts this weekend was well received with fast sellouts. Gluten-free treats are sourced from Auntie Loo's Treats. It's not my thing, but you can even have a bowl of Mocha Cheerios.

Pre-made paninis are on the ready in a variety of breads and toppings. Alex says they have also been selling out with the lunch crowd.

They carry a selection of teas from Maison de thé CHA YI, including my favourite Rooibos Safari.

Plans are in the works to carry Hummingbird Chocolate, a local artisan bean-to-bar chocolate. We have a lot of practice with their products. My favourite is the Bolivian.

Did I mention The Ministry of Coffee is on my list of top Ottawa coffee shops? Easy decision.

THE MINISTRY OF COFFEE
279 Elgin Street
Ottawa, Ontario
613.255.3410

Facebook: The Ministry of Coffee
Twitter: TheMinofCoffee

Mon - Fri: 7:30 am to 7 pm
Sat - Sun: 9 am to 5 pm

blumenstudio - Can Anybody Make A Better Café Crema?

.i go to blumenstudio at 465 Parkdale Avenue for the café crema
.double shot
.served in the #4 size Könitz Coffee Bar cup
.one part espresso
.one part microfoam cream
.made by Katrin Kosk herself





.i could have a cortado
.or a John Wayne
.or a café con panna
.or the usual cast of characters - latte, americano, cappuccino
.but I don't

.it's always the café crema



.thursday I brought the darling husband to my secret place
.well, not so secret because I do tell him all the time just how great the café crema is at blumenstudio

.again, café crema
.I went for my 'girl' cup
.the #4 size Könitz Coffee Bar cup
.he took the more masculine tumbler presentation
.the very special Classic Gourmet Coffee bean from Vaughan, Ontario means they were both delicious
.again



.Kat fills her display case with a rotation of local treats
.Art-is-in Boulangerie
.The Flour Shoppe
.Simply Biscotti
.Dolci
.Auntie Loo's Treats



.new to the top shelf is chocolates from ChocoMotive from Montebello, Ontario



.chocolate together with coffee is brilliant
.though not a divine revelation that I can lay claim to, it bares repeating

.our 'product research' included:
.Manon: marzipan, butter cream, fondant, toasted pecan, coated in white chocolate
.Caramel & fleur de sel: flowing caramel, Maldon salt, coated in dark chocolate
.Sucre d’orange: Fondant, candied orange, coated in dark chocolate *
.Lingot: nougatine, coated in dark chocolate and dusted with gold powder *

.* favourites



.Kat also is the corner store for milk, butter, eggs and refreshing drinks
.Local friends in that mix
.Cochrane's Dairy in Russell
.Stirling Creamery in Stirling, home of Kraft Hockeyville 2012!



.Kat does big things with 'blumen'
.her many large coolers display a selection of sophisticated blooms that play to her unique European sense of style



.a recent post on Apartment613 reminded me that it was time to pay blumenstudio a visit again
.to say happy 1st anniversary
.although we missed it by a day, we helped to ring in the beginning of year two
.year two of many more



.need a quiet place for a great coffee?
.be careful where you sit though
.she is always re-arranging

.restful .inspiring .heavenly café crema



blumenstudio
465 Parkdale Avenue
613.680.8400
website: www.blumenstudio.ca
Facebook: Blumenstudio
Twitter: @blumenstudio

Tues to Thurs: 8 am - 6 pm
Fri: 8 am - 8 pm
Sat: 9 am - 7 pm
Sun 10 am - 4 pm

Kings of Pastry - A pretty sweet movie

Last night I took in Kings of Pastry at the Bytowne Cinema on Rideau Street. It was their 4th and final showing and the place was packed! Fortunately there are two more showings in town. This time at the Mairfair Theatre on Monday, January 31st at 7 pm and Wednesday, February 2nd at 7 pm.

This documentary followed chef Jacquy Pfeiffer, co-founder of Chicago’s French Pastry School, and two other chefs, as they prepared in the final days leading up to the Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF). There, 16 chefs were working to earn the collar awarded to the winners of the MOF - Best Craftsman in France. This event is only held every 4 years. A sugar Olympics of sorts. The competitors put in years of preparaton. It is a high stakes game to work towards total perfection, with everything riding on the sugary, chocolatey, buttery art forms created in those three long days of competition. Some 40 complicated recipes in all. Every move is surgically calculated to ensure that the highest calibre products with the most sophisticated details can be realized in the time allotted. There is no room for error.

The movie had scenes of high drama and suspense as at any moment a delicate creation could collapse into a million pieces with just one wrong move. And that spells g-a-m-e o-v-e-r. As we came to know a number of the chefs, we enjoyed the human and humorous side of their experience as well. An important part of competing internationally is finding your life perspective.

Tempted yet? Take a look at this clip on You Tube. Pure delight.



This movie is a must see for any foodie. Again, mark your calendars for the Mairfair Theatre on Monday, January 31st at 7 pm and Wednesday, February 2nd at 7 pm. Check it out.

Auntie Loo's Treats (Ottawa's first 100% vegan bakery) is planning on bringing lots of baked goods for sampling and for sale to the January 31st screening!