Sorry to say that it's in a very sad coffee place indeed.
There is little demand in the Maritimes for high quality "specialty" coffee like there is on the west coast or even in Calgary. I've mostly avoided having coffee anywhere in fact so as to not appear too snobbish or rude as I fear I can come across in these situations.
However, while the quality is still slowly growing up, there are some hidden gems that really seem to care and have passion to bring some of the coffee culture out here. I stopped in one little cafe in Moncton, NB, expecting pre-ground espresso in an enormous cup and was pleasantly surprised to get a decent cappuccino (granted probably closer to 10 oz so hardly a trad. size). The place was very cute, called "Laundromat" and definitely had more of a late night espresso and lounge feel to it than a morning cafe; I don't think they actually open until 10 either. The barista flushed the machine (an old Francis I believe? I'm not a machine buff like some of you out there), and ground the shot just before pulling it. A local roaster again from NB though I didn't get the name, but some really nice cocoa notes coming through, and minimal roastiness.
I avoided any sort of coffee on PEI but was excited to get to Halifax to visit my friends Zane and Alexis. Zane works at arguably the best cafe in the Maritimes, Steve-O-Reno's. He's the 49th rep. out here so I was treated to a nice press my first day; a Tanzania Micro-Lot Karmaro and a lovely little Piccolo latte (I miss my little P&S macc's, so small and sweet!). Some nice little baking as well.
Zane is also in the process of opening his own little cafe over in Dartmouth with a local baker. He's getting in a Mirage and will be carrying 49th as well. It's looking like it will be a really great spot for the Halifax area!
Other places I was privileged to check out while here were: Just Us! Cafe - a local fair-trade, justice (get it? Just us... justice...) type of cafe, JavaBlend - a local roaster who has been roasting since 1938 with a super friendly, and passionate owner, and Smiling Goat Organic Espresso Bar - the only place this far east with a Clover.
I'm passing through Montreal next and I have to say that I am very excited to go out to Myriad and see what Anthony Bender's doing there. Very excited indeed!
xoxo elyse
