ppropriately, the draw of Caffe Artigiano rests in its Latte Art. Though Vancouver is rife with great coffee peddlers, none can best Artigiano (meaning artisan of craftsman) for caffeine beverage craftsmanship.

As hard as others try, nobody makes Latte Art like Artigiano; nobody packs it so full of rich flavour. Expect a mark-of-the-exemplary buttery film to strap itself to the roof of your mouth (that's a good thing, I swear). With fine soups, salads, and sandwiches (try the smoked turkey breast panino) for quick bite satisfaction, the little shop even excels in the nosh department.

On the other hand, if eight-layer, five-chocolate layer cakes and frilly Martha Stewart petit fours are what you have in mind, Caffè Artigiano won’t do. Artigiano is about unadulterated dessert basics. - R.L.