Trees Organic Coffee

So although this is a picture of the Trees Organic Coffee house at night, I had actually stopped by here earlier in the day while I was waiting to meet up with someone. I instantly fell in love with this place. Haha.

I'm not 100% sure why. I mean, I only ordered a coffee and read a newspaper, nothing really out of the ordinary. Perhaps the atmosphere?

Atmosphere plays a huge part for me in determining how I judge a restaurant/eatery (although the pictures doesn't really quite give the place justice). Food is always important, but the essential reason people even come out to eat at all is because a) it's an occasion, b) to talk and meet with others and. well. not as relevant to my point, but still a big factor c) you can't cook for yourself.
Thus, in the case of meeting others and setting occasions, of course atmosphere is important.

And in our case, we came here after our eating at Afghan Horsemen. Yes, we still had room for more dessert. During the day I had seen this big, slightly (or not so slightly) ostentatious billboard outside. Best? Really?

I mean. For a "best cheesecake", you have a pretty horrible display window....
Still, I also had read that on Fridays they played live music and opened till 11. So we went. Unfortunately, I had forgotten about Good Friday, and this was in fact a Thursday. No music, closing earlier. We had to order our coffee and cheesecake to go.

Preserved strawberries on the side cost an extra $1. Stealing money? This and my decaf americano came to the price of $10. This "best" cheesecake had better be worth it. We headed over to the SFU building downtown nearby, which is open 24/7.

So, did this cheesecake live up to its name? Not quite. Don't get me wrong, it was very good. But I simply can't give it the title of "best". I could very easily get a similar tasting cheesecake in many other locations. On top of that, the top of the cheesecake felt a tad dried out (almost... plastic), and the way the server decided to pack it left the graham cracker crust all soggy from the strawberry sauce, so I couldn't even tell if the crust was originally crunchy.

However, we all had a good time chatting and eating. The topic of fusion food came up actually. He made the argument that it doesn't exist. And honestly, he makes a good point. Virtually -everything- is fusion food here in North America. Chinese food for example. It could also be considered fusion due to the fact that it is created here to suit a more western palate (sweet and sour pork, etcetc). What we consider native Chinese food, really is simply fusion. We just don't describe it that way. Food altered to suit the palates here. All fusion. The mixing of two cultural cuisines. What is fusion food, when all food is composed of an eclectic mix of the chefs own experiences and lifestyle?

And on top of that, what can be considered traditional cuisine anyways? Was there a point in time that they decided would be marked as historical, and labeled the food traditional in relation to that time period? No. Food is constantly evolving.

I'm sure he could compose the argument better than I have, but the point is still quite solid. 

On the other hand, Sherman, from "Sherman's Food Adventures" made the comment a little while before I had gone to Trees, that Fusion food was simply a cop out, as it gives lee way in how the food is supposed to taste. If food is fusion, it means the chef has failed.

Two different view points, both equally valid. Thoughts?

Oh, also. This is how we enjoyed the cheesecake. One bite of cheesecake...

And then one swig of americano. The cheesecake melts with the hot coffee. Divine.
It's really too bad that they have that sign up outside their storefront. It leads people on. High expectations. It makes the individual disappointed with the coffee shop in the end.

Trees Organic Coffee:

Food:

• I can't speak for the sandwiches they serve, but their coffee is excellent
• Cheesecake really has to fight to live up to its hype. And I'm not sure if it's winning
• HOWEVER, solid cheesecake. : )

Atmosphere:

• During the day, slightly hipster, but very pleasant.

Service:

• Was served by very attentive individuals
• Seem laid back yet professional