It was more than the coffee. Steve Armbruster, the Steve behind Steve-O-Reno’s Cappuccino, left an impression on staff and customers that could outlast any caffeine buzz. And after over 20 years of slinging the hot stuff and cracking jokes from three locations, that’s a lot of impressions left. Armbruster—an adventurous outdoorsman and pioneering entrepreneur in […]
Steve-O-Reno’s Cappuccino
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Specialty Coffee
Gold Winner Java Blend Coffee Roasters Silver Winner Two If By Sea, Dartmouth Bronze Winner Steve-O-Reno’s Cappuccino, Brunswick Street Halifax wouldn’t be Halifax without Java Blend: Its bustling North Street cafe, and neighbourhood-engulfing bean-roasting aromas, have long been synonymous with good mornings. And Haligonians wouldn’t be human without their coffee. For nearly 80 years, Java […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Smoothie
Gold Winner Pete’s, Halifax Silver Winner Booster Juice, Clayton Park Bronze Winner Steve-O-Reno’s Cappuccino There’s a saying in retail that the three most important things for a business are location, location, location. Which helps explain the award-winning might of the Pete’s smoothie. The smoothie creation station is located a stone’s throw from a BOH gold-winning […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Specialty Coffee
Gold Winner Java Blend Coffee Roasters Silver Winner Two If By Sea, Dartmouth Bronze Winner Steve-O-Reno’s Cappuccino
 Java Blend’s owner Jim Dikaios has seen coffee change over the years, from a commodity to something that’s treated more like wine. The business used to involve calling up some importer and ordering bags of, for example, generic […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Coffee
Gold Winner Java Blend Coffee Roasters Silver Winner Steve-O-Reno’s Cappuccino Bronze Winner Just Us!, Spring Garden 
 The true test of a pizzeria is its basic pie—sauce and cheese, maybe some basil—without the distractions of elaborate toppings and the restaurant’s ambience. By that measure, a coffee shop’s regular old cup of joe says a lot. […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Smoothie
Gold Winner Pete’s, Halifax Silver Winner Steve-O-Reno’s Cappuccino Cafe Bronze Winner Fruition Raw Foods There’s something in the smoothies over at Pete’s. It could be an extra shot of wheatgrass that makes the customers go crazy, or maybe it’s just the freshness of the ingredients blended in front of your face. If you’re looking for […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Specialty Coffee
Gold Winner Java Blend Coffee Roasters Silver Winner Steve-O-Reno’s Cappuccino Cafe Bronze Winner Two If By Sea Cafe, Dartmouth We know you’ve got a whole lotta love for Java Blend’s cup-o-joe. It’s been roastin’ those beans in-house like bosses since 1938, so you’re guaranteed to get a perfect, piping hot cup of pick-me-up. This cafe […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Coffee
Gold Winner Java Blend Coffee Roasters Silver Winner Two If By Sea Cafe, Dartmouth Bronze Winner Steve-O-Reno’s Cappuccino Cafe Java Blend has been sweeping this category for the last five years, and it’s easy to see, smell and taste why. Roasting its own coffees right on site, the difference in flavour is quickly noticeable—these brews […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Specialty Coffee
Gold Winner Steve-O-Reno’s Cappuccino Cafe Silver Winner Java Blend Coffee Roasters Bronze Winner Just Us! Coffeehouse, Barrington Walk into Steve-O-Reno’s on a typical morning and the smell of fresh-baked pastries and fresh brewed coffee will greet you before you can say “cappuccino.” Serving up the best in specialty coffee for over 15 years, these Americanos and […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Barista
Gold Winner Zane Kelsall, Two If By Sea Cafe, Dartmouth Silver Winner Marc Comeau, Steve-O-Reno’s Cappuccino Cafe Bronze Winner Laura Arsenault, Java Blend Coffee Roasters According to Zane Kelsall, the recipe for a great barista is, “one part attention to detail and two parts care for the customers—that’s what creates an experience that people enjoy.” […]
Posted inArts + Music
Pierce Brosnan spotted in Halifax
Former James Bond and Irish-born leading man Pierce Brosnan has been seen in town, most notably at Steve-O-Reno‘s on Brunswick Street. He’s here working on a mini-series called Bag of Bones, adapted from a Stephen King story. Though his licence to kill has been reassigned, Brosnan keeps making good choices with his career, recently appearing […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Wifi Spot
There are a lot of reasons why a coffeehouse such as The Wired Monk would win Best Wifi spot. Consider location, windows facing both Hollis and Morris Streets. Consider loungability, sipping your cup of java for extended periods while you fingers enable browsers, write dissertations, answer emails. Consider atmosphere, a friendly staff, organic slow-roasted coffee, […]