Rise Bakery

The closest café to my work because it is in my building means I frequent Rise probably more than I should. They have lovely tea all organic coffee and tons of great bakes goods. Rise really is fantastic food and beverage wise but their customer service is something to be desired. The staff are not friendly, in fact they are kind of grumpy. I like Rise for its connivence, for the beverages that feed my caffeine addiction and for the goodies that fill up my tummy. Here’s to hoping the staff get an attitude adjustment.

It’s a great spot to stop by for a coffee on your way to work… although, their savory scone kinda left me with a bitter taste let me tell you why. It said on the label «savory scone — bacon, cheese and onion» being a scone, you would imagine they’d be almost like a breakfast type… but what ruined it for me was it was literally filled with black pepper, couldn’t event taste the other ingredients but pepper, I could only had 2 bites out of that and then i felt sick.
I would go back for coffee, might be brave to try other food, we’ll see.

I love, love Rise for its yogurt cups. They’re pricey, but full of fruit goodness in addition to the yogurt and granola. The best I’ve had from a café in a long time. Their sticky buns are also yummy, although I’m partial to cinnamon so I wish they were cinnamon buns instead.
The café area is nice although it gets quite busy during peak hours. The location is hidden but in a very accessible area.
My complaint is that I just don’t like the coffee… I rarely finish a latte or mocha from here. The beans aren’t very high quality and I’m really not a fan. So I don’t come as often as I’d like, because I want good coffee with my yogurt parfait or sticky bun :)

Are you one of those people that keeps your alcohol consumption in check, doesn’t see the need for a pricey drug habit or a daily packet of cigarettes, and manages to avoid the 3pm rush to the vending machine? If so, good for you. Your vice-​less lifestyle means you’ll outlive me, but you’re probably also über boring. However, I doubt that you’ll be able to resist my favorite treat at Rise — «Crack Bun».
I think they call it «Sticky Bun» but when I went up to the counter and asked for «Crack Bun», the girl KNEW what I was talking about. She gave me the look that one Crack Bun addict gives another.
I had a friend with me and he was skeptical of my description on the foodgasmic nature of Crack Bun. However, after the first bite his eyes glazed over and I knew he was hooked.
I’m not sure if it’s the softness of the bun, the obscenely sticky nature of the cinnamon and sugar itself, or the liberal use of butter that makes this treat so redonkulously good. Evaluating exactly what makes Crack Bun so obscene is practically impossible while eating it. Most times I’m just trying to prevent my eyes from rolling around inappropriately in a public space.
Is Crack Bun the gateway bun to other delights at Rise? Maybe. I’m told they even have coffee and sandwiches and other baked goods. But, I don’t think you’ll even cares about anything else that they serve there when you’re tripping on CB. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

How long has Rise Bakery been the occupant of the main floor of Penn West Plaza? No idea! I’ve never even heard of it before today. But there it is, sitting, and waiting for you to come grab a coffee and a sandwich in its rather large extended indoor patio or hop up on a stool with your laptop by the window. Wi-​fi? No idea, I’ll try and find out next time.
I was expecting a Second Cup-​ish place. And certainly, Rise does have a selection of coffees and sandwiches. But I wasn’t expecting the baskets of baguettes and other fresh bread waiting to be consumed. Right there on 9^th Ave? Yeah, I know! I guess maybe the word «bakery» in the title should have given it away.
I was expecting to visit the website and find out they have locations all across North America. Turns out they don’t, these folks are Calgarian through and through with another location but a few blocks north on 6^th Ave.
As a lunch spot for Penn West employees and passersby, it’s a-​ok in my books. My grilled tuna sandwich and regular coffee came out to just over $ 10 and I didn’t feel like I was eating a sandwich made in a foreign land and shipped here in an awful plastic package and preserved a little longer than it should be. No siree.