Ground Control Cafe, Downtown Victoria

I am now a digital hobo.  I've started in business for myself, and part of that will mean working in various coffee shops and wi-fi friendly cafes, as convenient places to dock up between meetings.  Or to have meetings in.  Expect this blog to be covering convenient lunch spots for the mobile knowledge worker over the coming weeks.

The Ground Control Cafe resides on the first floor of Fort Tectoria, ViaTec's new space for IT entrepreneurs and go-getters.  ViaTec promotes Victoria as a place for technology, and use the space to incubate start-ups and early stage companies.  Their sponsorship with Shaw means they have access to some of the fastest internet in town, and they share it with anyone using the cafe space.  The space is a little dark, with the only external light coming through the front doors.  But it's comfortable, with plenty of space, multiple desks for working at, and a comfy sofa area as well for more relaxed working.

The Cafe itself is a small booth at the front entrance.  Jill, the owner and operator, runs the shop with a big smile and friendly demeanour.  She makes a good Americano, which got my gears working last Friday, while I struggled with working out how to do my books for the last couple of months.  There was a great soundtrack playing of 60's Americana, or you can easily stick in your own headphones if that's not your thing to work to.

For lunch, I ordered up a second cup of coffee, straight from the filter this time, and a large grilled chicken sandwich.  The panini was prepped earlier and taken fresh from the fridge into the press.  Once ready, it was brought out to me by Jill, two halves cut to show off the sliced chicken deli meat and the rich red peppers.  This was a good meal, with the pesto flavours working well with the chicken and the crisp, warm bun.  $6 well spent.

So, good spot to work from, good food, good service.