Transcend Mercer (Closed)
October 30, 2014
104 Street is quickly becoming one of my favorite areas in the city. One of the newest additions is Transcend Mercer, located in the basement of Mercer Warehouse building. The whole building itself gives me a vibe that reminds me of New York for some reason. This is Transcend’s third location in Edmonton, with the others being in the Garneau and Argyll areas of town. When I heard that Transcend was moving into the Mercer building, I was pretty joyed since I didn’t know where to get my latte fix near school ever since Roast shut down. My friends and I came by for their soft opening last week since it’s walking distance from school.
Yes, that chocolate croissant is half-eaten…
The mint green added a soft touch to the harsher warehouse feel.
The interior of Transcend has a very warehouse-esque feel to it, which makes sense considering its location. The space itself is very wide though, with a larger table in the middle and smaller tables aligning the back. I wish the chairs had been more comfier though! I found the atmosphere to be different from other coffeeshops that I’ve been to. At Transcend Mercer, it is more chill and laidback, which is perfect for study dates or group meetings. And if you’re planning to stay around for a while, wi-fi is free as long as you buy something.
London fog (top) x Chai latte (bottom)
One of my favourite things about hot drinks at coffeehouses is the latte art! Since I am not a coffee person, I ordered myself a chai latte. The chai latte was enriched with cinammon and spices, and topped with more cinnamon on their foam. A truly comforting drink, indeed.
The london fog, which is an earl grey tea latte, was steeped well with hints of vanilla. The hot chocolate was enjoyable but probably wouldn’t be something I would order. I tried my friend’s chai latte and didn’t enjoy it as much as the hot version. I felt that it was lacking the aromatic spices that the hot drink seemed to deliver. A few of us also ordered baked goods, which is what Transcend carries for their food selection. The banana bread was fresh and moist; exactly what banana bread should be. The chocolate croissant wasn’t too soft and would satisfy any sweet tooth!
Hot chocolate
Transcend Mercer will certainly become a favourite amongst those who frequent downtown, and I hope it remains that way (and in the building!)
Address: 10359 104 Street
