Ottawa Foodies

If it wasn't for the Synesso and Clover machines at some locations, Bridgehead would be a second rate Starbucks wannabee with an 'ethical' twist.

Unfortunately, the Bank and Slater location doesn't have the good equipment and it sucks.

Went a couple weeks ago and got a XL chai latte that was FAR too hot. It must have been at least 170 degrees.

Today I tried to again just to see if they could do a better job. So I ordered three things. A large chai latte that the spaced out staff screwed up the order and made a regular latte instead. When they figured out their mistake, it was, "uh, I'll make that for you right now". No sorry or here's a coupon for a free drink next time (like Starbucks always does when they screw up and make you wait). This time the latte wasn't hot enough and unlike the previous one I tried there, the barista didn't sprinkle cinnamon over the top. I don't really care about the cinnamon but I'd like to see some consistency so that I know what I'm getting if I ever go back (which I doubt I will).

I also got a lemon scone that had absolutely zero lemon flavour. The third item was a lemon square that tasted of meat.

Overall, I see no reason to return. Starbucks is superior in pretty much every way. The service is better and MUCH faster. The chai lattes are better. The pastries don't omit or add flavours.

You missed my point Zymurgist...I merely meant that just being Fair Trade is not enough to get me to drink it...it has to taste good to me, and I haven't yet had one at Bridgehead (Or I Deal Coffee or anywhere else for that matter) that I like as much as Illy.
That being said, I'm not a person who buys much coffee anyway, I can drink all the free Illy coffee I want at work anyway...and a lot of the coffee shop coffees taste horrible to me anyway. If I'm at a Tim Hortons I usually just get hot chocolate, the Second Cup coffees seem to have a nasty oily aftertaste to them.

I just wanted to point out that the fact it's Fair Trade has nothing to do with the taste of coffee at Bridgehead (or anywhere else). The bean, the roast and the temperature of the water used to brew determine the flavour (and at very least the bean and water can affect bitterness). There are lots of Fair Trade places around and I'm sure you'd find something you like.

Now, as for things I don't like about Bridgehead - I haven't been there in some time but the one on Wellington in Hintonburg used to double-cup all their coffee even though the cups were thermal. And this from an establishment that's supposed to be environmentally-aware. Of course to counter myself - if I actually cared about the environment I wouldn't use toss-away cups in the first place. And it's extremely rare that I do.

Other than that I really like Bridgehead for the little I actually go there (or to any other coffee shop). The food is good and a little different. I like the coffee (though did not very much at first). But now that I home-roast I have little use for coffee shops except for the odd time I'm out of cream and will stop at Bridgehead on the way to work to add some to my travel mug :-)

Ok, here's my 2 cents on what Bridgehead has right, and what they don't :

On the plus side:

Small coffee that's actually small (if I'm getting on the bus or something I don't necessarily want to arrive at my destination frantic to use the washroom).
Prepared foods and baked goods are nicely displayed.

What I didn't like:
Have not found a Brigehead coffee that is as good as Illy (I like the idea of fair trade, but so far not the taste). I always ask for the lightest roast and still find it bitter.
Bridgehead shops all have that same-without-being-identical look that all Second Cups have...it'd be nice if the stores were a seemed a little more unique.
Specific to Beechwood location...despite being close to two nearby art galleries, I thought the artwork they had up the last time I was in was pretty bland.

Right on, Candice. I am more than happy to bus my dishes, but I am often left in the conundrum Candice describes. Where to leave the dirty plates and cups? The staff are generally appreciative and will take them off your hands -- but one does feel a bit awkward presenting them with dirty dishes, interrupting their counter tasks. The need for a system is evident here.

Similarly, the issue of how long to remain at a Bridgehead table is rather ambiguous. There are lots of mixed messages. Clearly there are people who feel free to settle in for several hours as though it were a university reading room. I support this sort of cafe culture -- but I also do sympathize with those who can't find a place to sit and end up leaving. Maybe Bridgehead needs to figure out what it's all about. I don't want to have to flee a cafe after 20 minutes because my coffe has gone cold in my cup, but I would be happy to limit my stay if the cafe was honest about the need for table turnover.

Kael: If Bridgehead owners and staff want us all to bring up our own dishes after we're done, they certainly don't make that clear!

The ones we go to on a regular basis don't have a busing tray or a counter to put dirty dishes on (Hintonburg, Westboro). We used to bring our dishes up to the counter but that just seemed rude, because they're trying to serve coffee from the bar and food from the cash section. Not a big deal when they aren't busy, but certainly a big deal when they are. And if you do like some people and leave the dishes on the milk/sugar counter, they often get left there for hours!

Slater is the only location I've been to that has a counter and bus tray set up with a sign that tells us to please bring our dirty dishes up.

To PastaLover and Harriet,

Bridgehead is currently working on new ideas to help turnover in the shops. You should pass your ideas onto the head office, the proper e-mail address is listed on the website.

Also to PastaLover - clearing tables isn't actually part of the job description, although it has become that. Most Bridgehead's now have tubs for people to place their dishes in, but customers are supposed to bring their dishes up.
Obviously, this doesn't happen! :).

If you ever notice it again at ANY location, PLEASE mention to the people behind the counter that tables need to be cleared. Often it is not noticed or half the shop will clear out at once leaving the people behind the counter no time to rush out and grab dishes before the next flood of people comes in or pertinent tasks behind the counter are finished. Dirty dishes are no one's friends! (except maybe mice and fruitflies -ew!)

It's interesting to note the difference in service at the Bridgehead locations. I frequent the one on Elgin the most cuz it's closest to home but I also visit the two on Bank (at Lewis and at Slater) and I love the tea and the food and the service has always been excellent. My only wish is that they would gently prod people along when the restaurant gets busy. I have ended up having to leave a couple of times because there is nowhere to sit yet there are customers in there with coffee that has long since been finished and they continue to sit there with their coffee/laptop/whatever. The only bad experience I had was when visiting the Beechwood location a little over a year ago. The food and beverages were very good but even though there were half a dozen servers on duty I had a really hard time getting their attention when I was ready to order and they weren't clearing the tables. I hate going to an establishment and having to do that myself... I never bothered to pursue it further because I don't visit that neighbourhood too often but if I ever make it back there I may send off an email...

Thanks for all the comments Ottawa foodies. Maybe I overstated the case in suspecting conspiracy. I do a lot of reading about public space and the intentional manipulation of our everyday environments and may have gotten carried away. Maybe it's more issues of quality control than deliberate social engineering.

Thanks for the discussion of milk temperatures. I think, though, that the issue for me was not the Bridgehead policy in general but the specific practice at the Old Ottawa South location. Afterall, the temperature of lattes at other Bridgehead locations is sufficiently hot. If Grove St. heats the milk to 140 degrees, then it must be the case that other locations are exceeding this mandated temperature -- but that seems unlikely. (And in all fairness, I will say that in recent days the lattes have been hotter at Grove St.)

Cups and mugs: It seems odd that an establishment that identifies itself with sustainability would discard perfectly acceptable, even superior mugs for cups based on concern for "presentation." I do hope that all the mugs didn't end up in a landfill.

Finally, in no way do I wish for Bridgehead to become the cafe equivalent of a "big box" outlet. (Good design can work wonders with small spaces and achieve optimal usage.) I only mention cafe size to suggest that space considerations may drive the need for more rapid customer turnover. It's a problem faced by many popular cafes. One such cafe in the Glebe limits table time at peak hours (and staff may even help you out by clearing away your empty cups and dishes if your stay is becoming too lengthy). It may seem pushy, but at least it is honest.

Yeah, my husband and I went to Bridgehead on Richmond (beside MEC) on Sunday and were sorely disappointed. He loves to go there but we were kinda put off during our last visit. He ordered tea and received a dirty cup so he asked for a new one. They gave him a new one - slightly less dirty. They also put my latte in a ceramic cup and gave me a hard time about asking it in a take-out. However, they do have awesome coffee beans and our bad "eat in" experience didn't stop us from taking a pound of beans home.

Definitely the best coffee chain in Ottawa--fresh, not over-roasted and smooth, smooth. smooth. They're a bit slow on the service. But it's worth it.

(Also, for Brunchies, Stoneface Dolly's serves it as their standby coffee)

My favourite coffee in Ottawa. I love the Brazilian and Mexican roasts.

I recently tossed my masculine insecurities aside and ordered a "French vanilla latte" at Bridgehead. It was deeeeelicious! :)