Gene CoffeeBar – Vancouver – Main Street

June 21st, 2009 · No Comments · Cafe, Coffee, Kid-friendly, Vancouver

Gene – the local coffee shop on Main Street is located in the quirky thin corner building at the corner of Main and Kingsway. An almost all-white space – named apparently for their carpenter? – it definitely appeals to the hipster Main Street crowd. There aren’t too many coffee shops these days that you can walk in and they are playing AC/DC rather than the rather boring mix of pop/jazz you often hear in the cookie cutter Starbucks ubiquitously on every corner. A great bright space with windows on all sides with long benches along one side, small tables sprinkled at the front and a countertop along main street where you can watch the world go by.

It is perfectly set up for doing some work with plugs (thankfully) everywhere so you don’t have to wait like a vulture to get the all-too-rare plugs in so many other coffee joints. They know how to brew their espresso too. The latte was deep and rich and the large americano was a generous serving of rich chocolatey flavour without any of the burnt overtones too often found in other joints. A few snacks are available including the breakfast wrap ($5.25) which was a freshly toasted wrap of scrambled free-range organic eggs with chopped fresh tomatoes and herbs which comes automatically with a small side of hot sauce (that is my kind of place). They also serve a few sandwiches and of course some pastries (I will have to try the freshly baked cookies next time).

View Larger Map