The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse
9351-118 Ave.
780-471-1580
artsontheave.org
Price Range: $
Rating: *** (for lunch); ***** (for coffee and community)

As I glanced at the individually wrapped baked goods, single carafe of coffee and bag of multigrain bagels on the counter, I downgraded my expectations of The Carrot.

The popular coffeehouse is part of the community building on 118 Ave. I thought of it as a lunch place, but it’s far less – and much, much more.

I took my coffee ($2.75), hazelnut biscotti ($2.25) and lightly-toasted bagel ($2.75) to a table by the open stage. The direct-trade roast was astoundingly good – hot, smooth, full of flavour – and transferred beautifully to the biscotti. My bagel filled the rest of the room I had for a light lunch.

There are plenty of new, exciting places on 118 Ave. to eat. At The Carrot, you can sit back in one of the comfy couches to listen to a first-time street poet or watch an artist create a piece. The Carrot is attempting to build a community and you might find one there for you.