Photo courtesy tcp909 on Flickr
I admit, I’ve been a bit remiss in not writing about Alpha Soul Cafe sooner. Yes, the trendy cafe-slash-wine bar opened two weeks ago, but that’s not the source of my shame. No, it goes back months, ever since the owners erected that mysterious, impossible-to-miss wooden purple facade on Wellington Street West between Fairmont and Irving. Sure, there was a blog that sporadically kept us Hintonburgers in the know – but that couldn’t be all, could it? What was really going on back there? I had my suspicions (mainly plans for world domination – as befits any establishment with “alpha” in its name – but also possibly top secret recipes for a croissant so light it defied gravity) yet kept them to myself.
Now that the wall’s come down, I’m pleased to report that the Alpha Soul Cafe is just what it promised it would be: a charming little coffee shop that’s much appreciated for those of us who live in Hintonburg’s less-gentrified easternmost reaches. The decor’s very modern, with clean lines and a subtle use of purple and yellow that feels playful without overwhelming the senses. I can personally vouch for the espresso and some seriously amazing lime shortbread cookies, but they’ve also got an impressive selection of sandwiches (made with Art-Is-In bread, I’ve been told) and other desserts. I’ve only been in during the day, but they’re open until late into the evening – and in addition to what seems like a fairly diverse wine selection, they’ve got Kichesippi’s Natural Blonde and 1855 both on tap.
Of course, this being Hintonburg, Alpha Soul’s not for everyone. A friend who frequently drops by tells me he’s seen his fair share of longtime residents in the morning looking for your basic bacon-and-eggs, which isn’t exactly the coffee shop’s forte. (But hey, at least Cozy’s is right across the street!) Indeed, Alpha Soul’s arrival is yet another sign of Hintonburg’s rapid gentrification*, but I’ve also chatted with Max Black, the face of the cafe’s day-to-day operations, and she seems really in tune the neighbourhood. They’re also supporting local artists (one of their first events was hosting a meet-up of Hintonburg writers) and – get this – are selling pieces of that wooden wall for $2, with the proceeds going towards Habitat for Humanity. So if your pastry isn’t enough for you, you can literally buy a piece of the cafe.
*Speaking of Hintonburg gentrification: in addition to the recent news that Bridgehead would be moving into the area, there’s now word that Burnt Butter Italian Kitchen is moving into the soon-to-be-vacated space now occupied by Pnomh Penh Noodle House. According to a post by the new owners on Ottawa Foodies, they’re taking over the location June 1, and the “Italian-inspired” restaurant is set to open its doors mid-July.
