Do you move at a pace that most would consider a wee bit crazed? Do you find your day cannot begin until you've sipped your warm cup of java? For many that early jolt of beans gets the morning juices flowing, and stabilizes the effect of whatever occurred the night before. Even more so, the coffee sipped (sometimes chugged) back is a reminder that caffeine is our friend, and we are forever grateful. Unfortunately, 'double doubles' can often leave one's mouth a tad stale, and if left out for too long the coffee is no longer our friend, it's just cold.

Luckily, the world of Espresso has tickled our palates in a fresh, quick and tasty way. Maybe it is the action of taking a shot of a strong inducer, or perhaps it is the quickness of the swig, but whatever it is Espresso shots have become the new wave of sophisticated drinking. Montrealers will be pleased to know that the commercialization continues with the flagship opening of Nesperesso Boutique Bar, on Crescent Street.

Instead of gathering in the diminutive corner of the office, lethargic workers can unite over a boutique-style bar complete with refreshing milk-frothing booster shots. Instead of waiting your turn to press the magic button (there never seems to be enough coffee or cream to go around), some may enjoy the wall-to-wall array of machines that Nespresso offers. The 21st Century is one big time squeeze: squeeze as much into a day as humanly possible and do whatever you need in order to stay on task, awake, and productive. Not only does Nespresso cater to the in-and-out types, but it's chic and sleek space combines taste with retail and a touch of socializing. The toasty warm hardwood floors and modern-rich wraparound bars are easy to perch, stand or lean on, without getting too relaxed you forget about work. Tucked in the long-panel design are colourful pods of 12 Nespresso premium blends that emphasize both strong and subtle flavours. Work could be the last thing on your mind after you have a couple of shots in you and every passerby becomes your new best friend, but at least you're talking, right? With most of the cups brewed in under a minute, you might only have enough time to get through the Gazette's front page headline before your warm bubbly is ready.

The lure of Nestle's Nespresso bar may entice lagging citizens, but the concept shop aims to beguile caffeine addicts to put more money into their morning obsession by actually purchasing one of the machines. The boutique bar is a quaint and modern venue, housing single-serve coffee machines, accessories, and special limited edition products. With coffee specialists surveying the perimeter, customers are guided through a process of selecting the best blend, and potentially the best machine. Don't expect the purchase to come cheap, since most of the machines range from $199 to $799 in price. But, who can live without a $700 espresso machine? Well, besides me? Choices like the Essenza, or Lattisma models are clever space savers, while the Top Line machine is a solid workplace coffee tank. The perfect pour can be achieved in manual and automatic speeds, and customers can sift through mild to bold blends like The Lungo. If you just want the milk and not the cow, you can purchase a sizable shot for fifty cents (which does add up my friends). As one of the fastest growing companies within the Nestle Group, the flood of espresso products has already reached fifty countries, with over 115 boutiques operating in prominent cities throughout the world. People sure do swear by their espresso. Those late nights full of inebriated fun might be even tastier now that you can wake up knowing another high is just around the corner.-K.K.

Nespresso Boutique Bar
2045 Crescent St, Montreal, QC
1-888-NESPRESSO