BE - Collagène café
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How did I know that this cafe exists? Classic case of an A-frame in action. Walking down the Rue de la Liberte, the “CAFE + COLLAGEN” on the pink and pine green branded sign needn’t say more. Inside the Galeries Lafayette you must ascend one floor to floor #1. Following the ironwork balcony or walking through the clothes racks, this cafe is a peachy pop overlooking the main atrium, directly across from Digel blazers and dress shirts. What they’ve constructed feels like a set for the cooking network, made even more a reality by the way that the barista behind the counter had to physically pump the water into the sink every time to wash any blender or fill any cup. The woman behind the counter—with oversized squared lenses and rocking the white t-shirt, straight-leg business pants look—didn’t falter, seemingly credulous and motivated. When it was finally my turn to order, she winked at me. Why? Because when you smile a lot, sometimes a wink comes out with a greeting. It happens to me all the time. I stood there at ease as she weightlessly carried herself through my cappuccino. When a beagle popped out from behind the freestanding wall that created the cafe set, she gushed. Again, it’s a disposition know all too well. Whether you’re me and curious, or you’re the couple that walked in with long-sleeves tied around their necks (full 80s prep), this cafe succeeds at serving a wide range of whims with an authentic soul behind the counter and many tables arranged in front of a another freestanding wall printed with positive messages of which, one is the irrefutable gold standard: “good things happen here.”
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Drink: Small Cappuccino + Collagen
The process for this beverage is interesting: a scoop of their pride-and-joy collagen into a 12 oz. (yes, it was much bigger than expected, perhaps to compensate for the collagen addition) set onto the shelf of the espresso machine followed by a stir from a long metal spoon and a topping of milk—foamed in a generic milk frother—past the brim. On top of this captured cloud, she popped on some cinnamon. Honestly, it made me happy to look at. I didn’t even have to taste it. But after pulling the pink cup to my lips, I remained happy. The taste doesn’t change in any noticeable way with the collagen addition. Interestingly, the blend of Nespresso and the collagen is (unpopular opinion) probably the best. Nespresso is focused on simplifying the coffee process and ensuring that what is tasted is coffee, not the wide range of complexity that coffee wondrously has to offer. So, the collagen mixed with a base like this means that the flavor doesn’t veer off course. While I am not intensely familiar with all the health benefits of collagen (essentially supporting your bone, nail, hair, and skin health according to their sign), it as an additive didn’t taint anything or cause any averse bodily reactions. I have no convincing arguments against caffeination with a little glow.
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Price: Small Cappuccino=3.8€ (+Collagen=1.2€)
Hours: Tuesday–Friday {10–18:30}; Saturday {10:30–19:30}; Sunday–Monday {CLOSED}
Extra Notes:
Their business cards have a hot chocolate recipe on the back, and if that isn’t the cutest thing. It’s called “Super Chocolat chard ! Hot hot.”
The mall has WIFI, but it came to an error page (“404 - notfound”). Maybe it will work eventually...