T2722 Luxury Barista Experience — Restaurant in Calgary

It was a cold November evening. My wife and I just came from a wonderful fine dining experience. We wanted a warm coffee to end the night before we made our way back home.

We discovered this café as they were the only one open in the area past 9pm.

As we approached the doors, I briefly noticed the words "luxury barista experience" on the door, but thought nothing of it. Everybody is offering some form of luxury experience these days, and they rarely, if ever, hit the mark. Upon entering, I immediately noticed the sterility of the place. Everything was all white, and there was a massive countertop with nothing on it. Off to the side was a small espresso machine, certainly not built for operating in large volumes like many other cafés required. I didn't see the typical menu posted of many cafés anywhere, and I knew something was amiss. Behind the counter were two employees. The man, who was dressed like he was ready to sell me a car, came from behind the counter and greeted us.

I've never been greeted by a host at a café before....

He asked if we had a reservation.

I looked around, and half the place was empty.

This is where things get muddy. I was so thrown off by this experience and line of questioning that I vaguely remember that he said. I do remember him mentioning that a reservation is required and it would be about a 20-minute wait to be served - despite there not being any customers being served. Apparently, your visit there is curated?

He then went on explaining that they service the likes of Lamborghini and Chanel, and they are a bit underground. Underground? You are a main floor, street-level store with bright lights in a white atmosphere. You can be seen from space! You are not underground, I found you on Google by typing in "coffee".

My head was swimming with perplexity, and I had to male sure I was still in Calgary - the most redneck urban city in Canada (which I love, being a redneck from rural Ontario).

We turned around, obviously feeling completely dejected. I am surprised he didn't ask me for my most recent Notice of Assessment to see if I qualify to drink his dirty bean water.

The absolute pretentiousness of this place is something else. I bet this guy get's off by telling people they are too poor to buy his coffee.

He then had the audacity to say, "Hope we see you again soon." Are you kidding me? You just insulted me by judging my character. You don't know me or what I am capable of purchasing.

If you want to cater to the elite, fine - do you, but lose the pretentiousness attitude.

If you are looking for a place that serves coffee and values you as a person, avoid this place - Gravity is just around the corner and will happily welcome you and your non-gold plated credit card.

Update: Rather than reply with transparency via this review, the owner spent their time tracking down my private social media and sent me a message at 12:43am. They went on trying to defend themselves to educate me on why they felt my review was unfair. I have never been so disrespected by a business owner. Instead of taking my review as a learning opportunity, they took it as an insult and chose to lash out like a child.

I have no doubt this could be a great experience, but their refusal to offer me any service, act like they only cater to the elite, and to be sneaky to protect their image, nets them a big no from me. As they refuse to advertise to keep their "underground" image (which is not underground by any means), I will happily advertise for them via word-of-mouth regarding my experience. They could have let it go, but they chose to keep pushing. Humbleness is not a trait these owners are privy to. Shame, could have been...

A Haven for Coffee Connoisseurs and Tea Enthusiasts Alike From the moment you step into T2722 Luxury Barista Experience, it’s clear that this is not your average coffee shop. Nestled in the heart of Inglewood, this establishment is the brainchild of Elle, a cofounder with a rich history in the world of cosplay and pop-up coffee shops. Her passion for her craft is palpable, and it’s evident in every detail of her new venture. Elle’s talents, honed over years of dedicated practice, are on full display here. The ambiance strikes the perfect balance between luxury and comfort, making it an ideal spot for both casual meetings and quiet contemplation. But the true magic of T2722 lies in its offerings. The coffee selection is a testament to Elle’s expertise. During my visit, I had the pleasure of indulging in a three-flight tasting of exquisite Arabica beans: Sidamo, Yirgacheffe, and Geisha. Each was expertly extracted using a French press, and served at a slightly cooled temperature to enhance the beans’ natural acidity—a thoughtful touch that did not go unnoticed. While I am a staunch advocate for pour-over coffee and typically shy away from dairy, I couldn’t resist sampling their cappuccino. The balance between the espresso and the latte art was impeccable, though my personal preference still leans towards their non-dairy options. Julien, Elle’s partner, complements her coffee expertise with his profound knowledge of tea. His preference for tea over coffee adds a unique dimension to T2722, ensuring that tea lovers are not an afterthought but a central part of the experience. I’m eagerly looking forward to my next visit, where I plan to delve into Julien’s recommendations for the finest batches of Sencha. In conclusion, T2722 Luxury Barista Experience is more than just a coffee shop—it’s a celebration of passion, expertise, and the perfect marriage of coffee and tea. Whether you’re a coffee aficionado or a tea devotee, T2722 is a must-visit destination that promises an...

Got nothing but great things to say about this place.

My girlfriend and I went twice and both times have had some of the best desserts we’ve tasted in the city, but we now have a new appreciate for both tea and coffee.

The first time we went we intended to get coffee but unfortunately one of the baristas didn’t feel well so we opted for tea and the entire team went above and beyond. The hardest part was choosing which of the desserts we wanted to try, but other than that we just sat back and had the entire experience curated to what flavour profiles we liked.

We went for a second time because it was so good the first time but also because we wanted to try the coffee experience… now we thought we loved coffee and that we were snobs but this takes it up a level. Regardless of if you think you’re a coffee snob or you’re just a casual drinker you’re going to learn lots and try some of the best coffees you can get your hands on in the city. Yet again the team went above and beyond to find the right beans based on the roast levels we liked and flavour profiles we preferred that would also pair well with the desserts we chose. Needless to say we were mind blown at how good everything was.

And to top it all off, the attention to detail, the passion everyone has, and the literal white glove service you get makes this entire experience one of the best you can get. I’ll speak for myself but we’ve travelled to dozens of countries and I’d never think I’d have the best experience here in Calgary.

It’s not cheap but it’s damn worth it.

TL;DR: if you want to try some of the best and rarest teas/coffees in the city and pair it with masterfully crafted desserts that’ll give you a newfound appreciation for these things, do yourself a favour and try...