When I first moved to Vancouver 12 years ago, one of the first thing I noticed was the coffee culture. Vancouver has been called Canada’s coffee capital for good reason. For Vancouverites, coffee isn’t just something you have when you wake up in the morning, it’s almost celebrated and can be consumed into the evening (you will notice some cafes stay open until after dinner). Not only are there more coffee shops than anywhere I’ve been, if you get invited into a Vancouverite’s home it isn’t that uncommon to see an espresso maker on the counter. To help keep you caffeinated, the following is my guide to where to find the best coffee in Vancouver. The Wired Monk (2610 4th Ave.): This bistro in the heart of Kitsilano is a favourite with locals. Features homemade soup and stews and provides live music on Saturdays and Sundays. Medina (555 Beatty St.): A stylish little cafe opened by (and beside) the owners of the award winning Belgium restaurant Chambar. The baristas here work with a pastry chef to create some very unique coffees such as their white chocolate pistachio mocha. Mink, a Chocolate Cafe (863 W. Hastings): Brewed coffee is made one cup at a time and their mochas are the best in the city. Each coffee comes with a free chocolate. If you need more to satisfy your sweet tooth craving, they offer 30 varieties of hand crafted chocolate bars (Key Lime is my favourite). WaaZubee Cafe (1622 Commercial Drive): It is really hard to pick just one place for coffee on Commercial Drive, since there are options on every block. Their americanos are perfect. Incredibly strong and served on a little silver tray with milk and water on the side. This is a restaurant, so unfortunately you can’t get a coffee to go (though you can just go in and order coffee).

Merry Christmas to everyone. Or, Happy Holidays, if you don't celebrate Christmas. Not a fan of Christmas, really. But I did get the best single cup coffee maker. Love it. This isn't meant to be a self-centered photograph or a description of how I feel. It's just an idea that I came up with at work. I had pictured it differently in my mind, but it turned out pretty close. The blood is much too red; it is that way on purpose. Think about it.