Beans

Beans is the quintessential neighbourhood coffee house. It would be enough that their java drinks, made with highly regarded 49th Parallel Roasters coffee beans, are excellent, as is their selection of loose-leaf teas, but they have much more to offer.

The baked goods, including their home-baked muffins, are delicious. The sandwiches and panini are made to order and served on real plates, and someday we want to try their scrumptious looking homemade soups.

While small, they have everything you'd expect and some you might not: a community message board, original artwork on the walls, a comfy couch, air conditioning, magazines and newspapers galore, a gumball machine, and free WiFi.

To top things off, the owners and employees understand that providing a good customer experience is vital to any restaurant's survival.

For me, walking into Beans is like entering a time warp—flashbacks of grad school—hanging out, drinking, eating, studying. I half expect to see my friends on the couch, kicking back and talking up a storm.

On this visit, since I didn't have time to linger, I grabbed a London Fog and a selection of cakes and other treats to take home.

coconut cake

cinnamon bun

brownie

chocolate chip cookie