Time to change your snow shovel for a garden shovel! Today we can officially wave goodbye to the winter blues + say hello to the arrival of Spring! It might be a little cold + wet, but the evenings are slowly getting longer, the birds are chirping louder, the trees are starting to bud + the flowers are starting to blossom!

Spring is about getting back outdoors, cleaning up our gardens, enjoying longer days, taking longer walks, opening our windows + breathing in some fresh, clean air. It’s about saying good bye to the greys of winter + saying hello to colours as the skies reveal blues more often, the grasses grow green + the flowers burst in magnificent shades. Spring is all about getting a little more energy back in our step!

And nothing tastes more like Spring than our popular Lavender Latte. Our roasted espresso is slightly sweetened with lavender + lemon zest. It’s the perfect combination of soothing flavour + energizing espresso which we describe as ‘aromatherapy meets caffeine therapy’. We think it’s pretty special + can’t think of anything better to put a spring in your step!

Come visit us at any of our 8 locations + give a toast to Spring with a Lavender Latte!

Posted in A Take Five Cafe Feature

Pink Shirt Day is this Wednesday, February 27th! Take a stand + show your support.  All Take Five Café staff will be wearing the official Pink Shirt Day shirts as well as selling Pink Cupcakes with proceeds to the CKNW Kids’ Fund in support of Pink Shirt Day.

But we encourage all of you to ‘think pink’. Until the end of February, Pink Cupcakes are available at all of our 9 Take Five Café locations. You can drop in + buy one for a friend or place a large order for business meetings, classroom parties or special events by calling our Catering Department: 604.697.9050. Having Pink Cupcakes on hand this Wednesday is a great way to enjoy a sweet treat for a great cause!

So what do you say? Will you think pink this week?

Posted in Take Five Cafe Events

It doesn’t get easier than that!
Pink Shirt Day is getting closer + this year’s message is as important as always: Be Kind. As the cyber world continues to evolve, on-line bullying continues to grow. Bullying takes many shapes but perhaps what makes it the biggest threat is the ability for the perpetrator to remain anonymous. Whether it is harassment, spreading rumours or posting unauthorized photos, on-line bullying is a big concern. Pink Shirt Day is bringing us back to basics with this years message…just be kind!

We would like to help spread kindness too! This year marks the tenth consecutive year that our Take Five Café family has supported the amazing Pink Shirt Day campaign.  Our Pink Cupcakes will be back in stores starting February 4^th + proceeds from the sale of Pink Cupcakes for the month of February will be donated to the CKNW Kids’ Fund in support of anti-bullying programs across British Columbia.

So let’s get ready for February. Think business meetings, children’s events, office celebrations + more and place an order for these sweet treats. Our cupcakes can be ordered by calling 604.697.9050. To find out how else you can get involved or for a list of events in your area, read more about� Pink Shirt Day, or consider checking out the website for all of the available pink products. You can order the� official t-shirts to wear on February 27th, 2019 or purchase a stuffed bear, pink texting gloves, bracelets + more!

Whatever you chose to do this Pink Shirt Day, it’s time to take a stand and make noise against bullying!….+ eat cupcakes, of course!!

Posted in A Take Five Cafe Feature

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go,
Lights are glistening everywhere; decorations are hung with care,
The only thing that’s missing here is snow!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, trees dressed in every style,
Some in colours like red + gold, with ribbons + lights so bold,
And topped with stars that always bring a smile…!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, bakers are baking more,
Extra cookies, squares + cakes, decorated for all our sakes,
With chocolates, nuts + candy canes galore!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you see,
Tiss the season to give + share, and show people you really care,
And be the best that you can really be!

It only takes a minute or two to show people you care. It’s as easy as donating a looney or two, helping a neighbour hang lights, sharing cookies with co-workers or taking a friend for coffee! And remember, if you are strapped for time, you can always visit your nearest Take Five Cafe for a bundle of cookies or a cup of holiday cheer!

Candy Cane Mocha: Custom roasted espresso, steamed milk, dark chocolate + peppermint

Egg Nog Latte: Custom roasted espresso, steamed milk + egg nog with nutmeg

Gingerbread Latte: Custom roasted espresso, steamed milk infused with gingerbread

Candy Cane Brownie: Chocolate cream cheese brownie infused with peppermint + topped with crushed candy canes

Chocolate Cranberry Cookie: Chocolate cookie with walnuts + chocolate chips

Mocha Scone: Chocolate + coffee scone drizzled with almond glaze

Posted in A Take Five Cafe Holiday

Whether you’re walking back to your office, strolling in the crisp outdoors or taking a  treat for a friend, our favourite seasonal drinks are dressed + ready to go!….just in time for the holidays.

Choose from the classic taste of Egg Nog, old fashioned Candy Cane, or the flavour of timeless gingerbread –all created with our perfectly balanced espresso + creamy steamed milk.

And what makes these holiday beverages even better?…they truly are all dressed up and ready to go!…in a Santa Suit, of course!

Visit us today to get in the holiday spirit!

Posted in A Take Five Cafe Holiday

Than look no further! Dates are fast becoming the new healthy ingredient in many baked goods. Not only do they taste great, but they can be an effective substitute for eggs, sugar + butter in baking … of course, not all at the same time!

More importantly, they can be a great alternative to sugar! Look up just about any healthy dessert these days + you’ll find recipes teeming with dates. The sweet, sticky fruit has found itself in brownies, cookies, granola bars, caramels, ice creams, puddings + pies. They are packed with potassium, vitamin B6, niacin, fibre + a small amount of iron.  And if that’s not enough, sometimes they are simply added for texture + taste. Not convinced? Visit us + taste one of our 4 delectable baked items that contain dates. We’ll let you be the judge!

Quick Start Muffin
This muffin is full of everything you need to get a jump on your day: gluten free oats, flax seeds, dates, rhubarb, blueberries + walnuts. With a little more to offer than your basic favourite, it is healthier, moist, insanely delicious + just happens to be, gluten free!

Nature Bar
Corn flakes, almonds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, raisins, cranberries, sesame seeds + dates, all come together in a delicious + nutritious bar. A great alternative to a chocolate bar!

Date Square
One of the oldest “comfort desserts” out there….+ known to have several other names such as Matrimonial Cake, Date Bar, and more. These squares are oozing with dates whose taste is further enhanced with orange essence. Topped with house made oat crumble + you have a dessert that’s far from square!

Breakfast Cookie
Don’t let the word “cookie” scare you away from this healthy treat. Full of oats, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, cranberries, dates, carrots, dry apples, sesame seeds + almonds…a healthier twist to an old favourite!

Tempted to try? Come in for a visit…after all, there is more than one way to find a “date” at a coffee café!

Posted in A Take Five Cafe Feature

September is the month of the year that has people convinced it comes with a switch. One day you can be basking in the sunshine + the next you can be keeping cover in the rain. It seems the cold snap evolves overnight + the rains appear on cue. Beach visits are changed to mall visits as back to school supplies + fall clothes need to be purchased. And chilled treats are replaced with warm sips as we move towards Autumn.

Just as the switch of a new season is made, we find the beverage requests change too. We know as coffee drinkers you are very familiar with the espresso shots, lattes + Americanos…to name a few. So to keep you in the know, below is a re-cap of some of our not too obvious Fall favourites:

Our Salted Caramel Bourbon Latte is a delicious combination of custom roasted espresso, perfectly steamed milk,  infused bourbon, caramel + sea salt. We’ve spent time in our East Van kitchen crafting the perfect Bourbon infusion (we burned off the alcohol + kept all the flavour!) These all play together to give the delicious taste of a “spiked” coffee  making this fall latte a popular choice.

Stone Ground Teas. Made from stone ground black teas from India, our teas are blended with organic cane juice + other natural ingredients to produce amazing flavours! Our classic London Fog has bergamot + all natural vanilla, while our Authentic Chai includes spices like ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves + cardamom. Stone ground tea is different than traditional steeped teas – instead of soaking tea leaves in hot water + removing them, the tea leaves are ground into a fine powder + whisked into each beverage. When consumed, the body is able to absorb 10X the antioxidants + nutrients compared to steeped teas. Whether you are interested in more nutrients in your cup or just love the extra flavour of stone ground tea, we suggest you visit + try a cup of our Chai or London Fog Tea. A warm sipper on a cool day!

Elixo Tea is more than invigorating flavour – it has antioxidant benefits as well. Made with stone ground rooibos tea leaves, ginger, citrus, all natural honey crystals + cayenne pepper.  It also contains camu camu, an Amazonian fruit with very high levels of all natural Vitamin C. Elixo helps fight colds – the ginger + citrus are known to boost energy + cayenne pepper is great for clearing sinuses!  Combined with a hint of ginger, the flavour will rev up the palate + energize your senses. This tasty tea truly is a cup of antioxidants in disguise!

Come in + try one of our feature beverages or create your own with help from a barista. At Take Five Cafe, our drink menu is just the beginning… your preference is the end!

Posted in A Take Five Cafe Feature

No matter the weather, no matter the mood, we’ve got you covered! Whether you like you coffee straight up, dressed up, flavoured or chilled…. Visit us + we will handcraft our traditional Italian roasted coffee beans into your favourite coffee drink. It’s that simple!

Not a coffee drinker? We have stoned ground teas, steeped iced teas, frappinis, smoothies + more. All compliment our long list of house baked items. From muffins to cookies + loafs to squares….traditional, gluten free, sugar free or vegan.  Our central kitchen bakes everything from scratch using locally sourced, fresh ingredients which results in moist, flavourful, decadent desserts! House baked treats with homemade taste!

We hope to see you soon… we’ve “bean” waiting for you!

Posted in Coffee

It’s no wonder summer is a favourite time of year. Warmer weather, outdoor activities, holidays, getaways + patios!

If you are near a Take Five Café, we have sunny seating waiting for you!  More than half our stores have patio seating …. Visit us in the BlueShore Building in North Vancouver, or the Axa Building on West Hastings. There is an awesome patio at our Brewery District location in New Westminster – in fact, one whole side of the café opens giving a whole new meaning to the term “open concept”. Sit outside at Surrey City Hall or in Coal Harbour at our Nicola location. Enjoy the sounds, the people, the action around you + stay an hour or an afternoon!

See you at Take Five – on the patio of course! For the best break you’ll ever have!

Posted in A Take Five Cafe Feature

We all need a treat from time to time + sometimes it’s the treat that gets us through the day. Whether it’s a chocolate bar while working at a desk or an ice cream dessert on a hot summer day, a little indulgence goes a long way!  It’s no secret that treats help us feel better + it’s been proven that treats help reduce stress + boost our mood! We like this theory + we’re holding to it! Whether it’s a craving you can’t resist or an excuse to treat yourself to something delicious – we have a treat waiting for you!

Come in + try one of our chilled  Frappinis. Enjoy simple flavours like Vanilla, Caramel or Chocolate or take your treat to the next level + enjoy White Chocolate + Strawberry or Cookies N’ Cream – our take on a delicious creamy, chilled shake!  If you’re feeling a little indulgent today we’ve got you covered!

We say, life’s short, have dessert first!

Posted in A Take Five Cafe Feature