One of the first things that almost everybody does when they leave their house for the morning is stop at their favourite coffee spot to pick up their caffeine fix to kick-start the work day. While places like Second Cup, Tim Hortons and Starbucks can be found all over Canada, it’s at the little family places that the best coffee, hot chocolate or tea can be found. The experience is just as much about the service and atmosphere as it’s about the taste of the beverage.
For the last week of Best of the West, and with autumn just around the corner, the judges taste-tested the best hot beverages in the West Island, keeping in mind the taste and aroma of the drink, as well as the consistency and the warmth. The top three places in votes included Café Herb’s, Adelia Café and Maurizio Café.
In third place, with 509 points out of 600, was the herbal tea from Ste. Anne de Bellevue’s Café Herb’s (142 Ste. Anne St., 514-457-1150). This café uses Mighty Leaf organic tea with flavours such as green tea tropical and chamomile citrus. They also make a tasty chai latte. The judges agreed that this tea would be perfect as an after dinner drink or as a way to relax. The variety of flavours made what could be a boring drink into something delicious.
In second place, with 531 points out of 600, was the hot chocolate from Kirkland’s Maurizio Café (2738 St. Charles Blvd., 514-694-3003). This high-quality drink converted sale representative Mireille Kulisz from a hot chocolate hater to a lover with one sip. The comments included that it was rich, real chocolate with a velvety and creamy taste that was just perfect. Journalist Francois Lemieux even admitted he switched to coffee a few years ago but that this hot chocolate made him second-guess his decision.
Pointe Claire’s Adelia Café (53 Donegani Ave., 514-693-0770) came in first place with 540 points out of 600. The judges tasted the very best in lattes and cappuccinos from this authentic Italian café and were blown away by the quality of the coffee. Sprinkled with chocolate and cinnamon, these drinks give the proper kick and don’t leave you with coffee breath after the fact. As sales representative Martin Deslauriers put it, “Adelia had the best combination of body, taste and aroma. When I think of a cappuccino or latte, I think of Adelia.”
This year’s winners
Best Pizza: Restaurant Calzone (3671 St. Charles Blvd., 514-426-9000)
Best Ice Cream: Wild Willy’s (20 Cartier Ave., 514-695-5022)
Best Chicken Wings: Brasserie Le Manoir (600 St. John Blvd., 514-695-2071)
Best Croissant: Boulangerie Première Moisson (Marché de l’Ouest, 11678 Salaberry Blvd., 514-685-0380)
Best Pita: Café Herb’s (142 Ste. Anne St., 514-457-1150)
Best Playground: Ovide Park in Pointe Claire (22 Ovide Rd.)
Best Dessert: Swiss Vienna Pastry’s (297 St. John’s Blvd., 514-697-2280)
Best Sandwich: Boulangerie Première Moisson (Marché de l’Ouest, 11678 Salaberry Blvd., 514-685-0380)
Best Hot Dog : Belle Pro’s (3051 Sources Blvd., 514-684-5355)
Best Hot Beverage: Adelia Café (53 Donegani Ave., 514-693-0770)
