Coffee & Cream

This is going to be the strangest four star review i’ve ever written, but fellow Canadian expats: take note.
Does this place serve good coffee?
Not particularly. They are obviously new to the coffee world, as when I first ordered a flat white, I received an americano with milk. It’s passable coffee but nothing to write home about.
Does it serve particularly great food?
Again… passable, when it is the only thing in the neighbourhood pastries and sweets. Though in fairness, I haven’t tried their lunch items.
Does it have a spectacular atmosphere?
Eh… It’s a funny hodgepodge of a store that is split with the strangest little craft/​card vendor. It’s bright and clean but unmemorable.
So why the four stars when it seems to be so suited to the three star range?
(Besides the fact that the owners are the sweetest bunch that ever their were.)
Because an Americano here, with milk and sugar is an EXACT replica of a Tim Hortons Double Double.
Anyone reading this who is not Canadian didn’t get that; everyone who is Canadian just felt their heart explode. Tim Horton’s is a Canadian institution that makes the best bad coffee in the world. And we miss it. We hate that we miss it, but we do. (Yes, I am speaking for all of us.)
Luckily, I have a weekly meeting in the area, so I get a bit of Canadiana on the regular, but I have actually made a trip out of my way to this little café when I feeling particularly homesick just to get a taste of that sweet sweet bit of back home.
So would I make a trip out of my way for anything here but nostalgic Canadian moments? Nope. Would I pop in here if it was in my area? Sure. It’s not spectacular but it’s a standard a. ok little place.
Am I going to become a huge regular just for my little expat happy moment fix?
Heck yes.