habit coffee & culture may not be the latest coffee shop to open its door in Greater Victoria (any surprise? a new one a day wouldn’t be much of a stretch), but it is arguably the best.
We spotted an accurate review of the upstart coffee house in the latest issue of EAT Magazine, on shelves (and the ‘net) today.
Give me a BREAK!!! How can a place that just opened there doors be the best when we’ve had the likes of 2% Jazz, Caffe Fantastico, Buon Amici’s, the Mirage etc. etc. in Victoria for years producing amazing espresso & such!!!
I’ve heard that they are having people from Vancouver come & train them because they have very little or no experience.
Hines is a great espresso, but many places serve Hines in BC, but it doesn’t neccesarily make them the best!!
It takes YEARS to earn the statis that you’re giving them, not 15 days!!!
Peter:
Thanks for the comment. I’m the guy that wrote the (positive) EAT Mag review of habit and would stand by the contention made by the past editor of this site that the place is arguably (one of) the best coffee shops in town. That’s not to say for a second that that list of best coffee shops doesn’t include at least some of those you mentioned (perhaps even in the order you list them, though the fact Mirage no longer offers its patrons a porcelain – i.e. to stay – cupping option has struck them from my “best of” list).
But a few follow-up comments.
First, I don’t think a cafe’s vintage equates directly to its quality. Much the opposite is quite possible. Granted, a coffee shop must produce a quality product over a consistent period of time in order to be considered one of the “best of,” but months in, habit has yet to disappoint me with cup or a visit.
Speaking of quality, I’m surprised you think it a negative that habit is bringing in hired training guns to improve the quality of their product. One thing was made very clear to me when I interviewed habit’s owner for the EAT Mag piece: first, that quality product from bean to barista was his first priority and second, that he’d already made a big step in the right direction regarding the latter by opening up with Ken (last name escapes me), trained at Fantastico, at his baristi helm. If Ken and others are working with the other baristi to help them bring up the level of their game, all the better from my point of view. Because no, it’s not just about the (Hines) beans when it comes to a quality shot or cup of coffee. I applaud habit’s efforts to continually improve themselves. Doing so will ensure their retention at or near the top of our list of best coffee shops, no matter how long they’ve been around.
Again, thanks for the comment and for the food for thought. I think we need to post some follow-up material on local cafes and coffee shops.
Dude-before you talk about a place you should go experience it. Coffe is first rate, staff is experienced and also commited to refining their barista chops. Great room, great music.
As a long time coffee enjoyer in Vic Town I will put it up there with the best of the town in quality…and above in ambiance.
Hello,
The only thing I have to say about HABIT, is that it is a total, complete rip-off. I mean this in terms of creativity. You see, this coffee/culture BS is entirely copied from the boys and girls at Stumptown Coffee in Washington State. In fact, everything from the style of chairs to interior design (walls, pictures, bar etc…) has been exactly copied. Not only do they choose not to roast their own beans (HABIT that is), but they cannot come up with their own style/look/interior/marketing concepts? To me it seems like more of a franchise concept than anything else. So, to put them in the league with people that roast locally, and then serve their own roast, is to completely mis-judge them, and to to really include them in a market which they do not belong. Why claim to be the purveyors of a coffee/culture movement, when all you are doing is puring coffee into cups? What’s all the ass-kissing and poor reviewing skills about? I just find it all quite amusing. If anyone reading this ever gets down to Seattle or Portland, check out what Stumptown is doing for coffee and culture, and the preservation of those environments where the coffee is sourced from. They are about education, not just a “cool-hipster-wannabe-look”. I think that HABIT should be renamed ” Tight-jeans-moustach-urban-so-cool coffee pouring”. Then again, some of the people are nice there
And ultimately, it’s just coffee. Not much else is happening there.
Wow, some fun discussions……….!
I think that every one who has commented has forgotten about the fact that not only do you need a good cup of espresso but it needs to be served in a timely fashion. By a trained Barista who doesnt make love to the Porto-Filter by massaging my espresso grounds into the basket befor Tamping and FLipping it around like some sort of Fire Dancer at a Rave on TEXADA Island.
If they were a true “Barista” they wouldn’t let the real consumers of a quality espresso wait while they pour the freakin’ wanna-be Soy-Almond Milk drinking decaf slurring pretentious modern day Hippies with thier Bamboo belts and Vintage T-Shirts and Black horn Rimmed Glasses…….. TO-GO but “Oh wait a minute I’m gonna stay after all…..!?” ” Wanker’s drink.”
Just make my espresso …..and dont make me wait 5 (*&$&*$^) ! Minutes. All I want is to recognize the espresso rolling around my Taste Buds and to ignite the vivaciousness that should follow after having consumed a well prepared Quality BeaN.
I visited the place on the recommendation of a couple of folks and I must say Habit does have great coffee!
I have always found Habit to be exactly what it claims to be. Forward thinking, socially conscious, quality focused, and environmentally sound.
What is wrong with that?
Nobody is re-inventing the wheel here…..or claiming to from what I have seen. As far as I can tell the kids at habit are living out their dedication to Victoria’s Coffee and Art/music scene, providing us with a much less pretentious than usually coffee experience than the rest of these options you have all displayed.They Play great music ( from VINYL), they have great coffee, they host fantastic local photographers and artists, and as far as I can tell are totally original in our city as far as culture goes.
I am glad that someone in Victoria is finally putting focus on the cultural contribution of their business.
Bravo habit