We’ve Bean Good

If the local coffee shop sometimes doubles as the office, an indie vibe is key.

That’s why were sipping organic soy milk cappuccinos at East Van Roasters, the new Gastown café featuring artisanal bean-to-bar chocolate creations and espresso roasted in house. A haunt for design professionals, hipsters and artists (even Russell Brand has popped in), the room boasts a distressed brick wall, high ceilings and an open concept kitchen where chocolate makers Merri Schwartz and Shelley Bolton transform raw fair trade organic cocoa beans into works of single origin cocoa art.

Take your taste buds on a trip with a tasting flight of 70 percent cocoa dark chocolates from the Dominican Republic, Madagascar and Peru ($2), or nibble on bars in seasonal flavours (think toffee & black sea salt, espresso, cinnamon & vanilla and bing cherry & rose), all $4. Bonus: EVR is a non-profit initiative set up to employ female residents of the Downtown Eastside and every cent supports the Portland Hotel Society.

Cocoa for a good cause? Fill me up. Lise Boullard

East Van Roasters, 319 Carrall St., Vancouver, 604-629-7562, www.eastvanroasters.com