Out & About #287 | Ark + Anchor Espresso Bar

Libraries make studying depressing, or at least it feels that way to me.
But I can't be the odd one out when even the BAM co-president confesses to fostering creativity amidst the depressing atmosphere of the Thode basement.

​In addition, flu season contributes to nominal levels of grime. Being a germophobe, a dim, cramped area with grey tinted tables and a lack of outlets is far from my ideal study spot.

​​It's at this point that I'd like to express gratification for nearby cafes. While venturing into the downtown area requires a minimum one-way travel time of thirty minutes on the HSR, the bright, comfortable atmosphere and serenity is well worth the trip.

Ark + Anchor is located just east of the King-Queen intersection, making it a convenient spot for commuters and locals alike to obtain their caffeine fix. Street parking is available outside, and it's also relatively close to both northbound and southbound bus routes.

The ground floor is quite compact, but exudes an effortless, chic vibe. The sleek design of the counter encourages a straightfoward ordering process: requests are made at the section closest to the entrance and picked up on the other side of the bar. It's a tad similar to the Starbucks layout at Main and Emerson, with the exception that Ark + Anchor had shifted small tables to a quieter area of the cafe instead of allowing lineups to form alongside customers.

​Admittedly, I had scratched my head at attempting to decipher certain items on the menu. Where a teapot labelled "H2O" had been included in the equation, I had assumed it to be tea, however one of the owners later clarified that the 2 oz. shot of espresso at the beginning of the equation would make it an Americano.
The remainder of the items were listed in a similar - and might I add, eclectic - fashion: macchiato (4 oz. of milk), latte (8 oz.), mocha (8 oz. plus chocolate), etc.

A smaller chalkboard hovered above the cashier; this one only featured text, outlining their savoury hummus and spread options. A tempting selection of baked goods grazed the front of the counter, prompting me to grab their most popular item to accompany my Latte: a Herb and Cheese Croissant.

​After tapping seven dollars away on their archaic-looking ingenico machine, I was informed that my order would be brought to me once ready.
Climbing up to the second floor ever so curiously, I was amazed at the world that unfolded in front of my eyes. It was extremely spacious, with a lofty ceiling, stark white walls, and a surprising number of mirrors. Two large group tables were situated at either end of the seating area, while smaller tables lined the perimeter.

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​The floor comprised of an immense selection of paperback novels, a napkin-less water station, and another giant chalkboard, which relayed operation hours, Wi-Fi network and password information, and occasional promotional content.

Hidden in one corner was a single stall bathroom. It was painted partly in a lovely shade of baby blue and then decorated with white tiles. While it succeeded in providing a interesting degree of visual appeal and sufficient amount of lighting, it wasn't the most pristine nor backpack-friendly. A thin layer of dust had settled on the sink and paper towel dispenser, and not a hook was seen in sight.
​The facilities themselves also revealed signs of aging.

My Latte and Croissant were delivered to me shortly after settling in.

​Caffeine content and flavour of the beverage was on par with other past experiences, though I did discover that its consistency was a tad smoother. The Herb and Cheese Croissant was the real star though.

​Personally, I tend to find croissants are too buttery (and too crumbly) for my liking. Layers of flaky dough are not a priority for me, as crispiness and ease of consumption often assume an inversely linear relationship. That being said, the Herb and Cheese Croissant retained none of the negative aspects mentioned. Generously smothered within each layer was a wonderfully fragrant mix of butter and herbs; cheese made gentle appearances throughout the chewy dough and on the surface. The reason behind its best-selling status was thoroughly comprehended.

​I resided at my table for a solid two hours in a dire attempt to understand the computations behind infiltration rate and cumulative infiltration by Horton and Green-Ampt methods. During this time, several departed but even more arrived. Despite this, the noise level remained comparatively consistent. Many were either working alone or engaged in hushed conversations - this made it a much more superior study environment than the likes of Mills or Innis.

Service had also been enormously positive and friendly.

Stepping back onto the streets of Hamilton, I felt revived and content.

Later in the day, we engaged in compression tests of concrete beams and cylinders. For the sheer enjoyment of concrete enthusiasts (as well as myself), I've included the before and after shots of the laboratory process.

The steepness of the failure plane of the above specimen is an accurate depiction of my accumulating desire for this workload-intensive term to terminate.

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