Bear + Wolf Cafe

Bacon Roll Bliss and Exceptional Lattes

As a card-carrying enthusiast of all things gastronomic, I recently had the pleasure—or perhaps more aptly, the rollercoaster—of experiencing an eatery that’s made quite the name for itself among the locals. Nestled comfortably into what seems like everyone’s pocket of comfort, this cafe is undoubtedly a headline act on the breakfast scene. The star performer is undeniably "the ultimate bacon roll," with strips of crisped pork that possess an uncanny ability to transport your taste buds straight to porcine paradise. Meanwhile, their lattes wear their creamy badges with a gallant presence, almost daring other coffee joints to compete with their aromatic flair—though, presumably, competitors may as well accept defeat. On a brisk afternoon, though, be prepared to engage in a game of musical chairs; such is the cafe's prominence, especially when images of brunch linger heavy in our collectives' heads.

The ambiance, fraught with a lively undercurrent of caffeine-fueled chatter, could easily serve as a painter’s muse. Spontaneous textures range from casually sophisticated chaise lounges to double-shots of mismatched crockery, forming apparently cohesive chaos amongst fervent breakfast regulars. However, one can’t write a sonnet solely about warmth and kindness—note must be made of moments where the human element, a waitress seemingly spirited away into conversational merriment, dropped the ball ever so dramatically, forgetting some patrons hovered aimlessly sans menu. Further, on occasion, suspiciously dubious milk has replaced nostalgia with nausea, leaving some diners nursing regrets rather than cappuccinos. Yet overall, this cosy niche promises delectable brews and culinary triumphs more often than not, practicing the common art of living up to—if not wholly surpassing—expectations, albeit with the occasional bump-in-the-road. Whether you’re sipping a chai against the local tempest or power-walking en route to croissant redemption, it beckons a stop by indeed. — Penelope Savory