Sir Charles

The building that holds Sir Charles was once home to Beans and Bagels, whose small retail space hid a sprawling wholesale operation out back. The original renovators spent months dismantling the old cool rooms and a monster bagel roaster to reveal the site’s true dimensions. Hint: it's massive.

Nowadays the high-ceilinged space is owned by the Coffee Culture Communication Group, which is in the business of buying established cafes. Other acquisitions include Loco Coffee, Liar Liar and Addict Food and Coffee, just up the road.

This one is filled with cinder block banquettes, lofted sections of narrow brass piping and the occasional bit of plant life. Aqua stripes streak across the floors and walls to converge in a starburst above the coffee counter, nodding vaguely to Asian pop art.

The menu is heavily Asian-inspired - a hangover from departing co-owner/chef Tyler Preston. It still includes his signature eggs Benedict with sriracha hollandaise, as well as bahn mi and a kimchi waffle.

Coffee is roasted on site using a hefty Probat machine, which sits proudly among the back tables, churning out the house espresso blend and a single origin for black coffee.