No beards, no flannel, no pretension. La C. is a refreshing return to coffee houses of decades…read morepast. One walks in and sees immediately a row of different roasts and blends displayed neatly along the wall on the left-hand side of the shop. In front of the bean selection runs a counter, separating staff from customers, holding various kinds of sweets. The coffee bar, in the shape of a narrow horse shoe, fills the right half of the small shop. At the back of the store stands a regal-looking, brass-fitted machine from which I was served one of the smoothest espressos I've had in some time. Flanking the entrance are floor-to-ceiling, sort of, bay windows each fitted with a small two-top table. -great perches from which to watch the many passersby.
When ordering beans to take home, I was asked the usual questions (likes/dislikes, type of machine used) in order to help La C. help me get exactly what I want. Beans and a damn fine espresso for under 12 franks. Merci, La C.!
La C., with the tram 16 stop just outside its door, is directly behind the main train station, so it's painfully easy to get to for both out-of-towners and locals alike!
Bonus: one can order beans from La Columbiana's website: http://www.lacolumbiana.ch/