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Coffee House Blues? Your fave java joint please:

urbandreamer

urbandreamer

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This week I went to the Red Rocket coffee shop on Queen East in Leslieville. The shop has an amazing view of--a flower shop and the streetcar yards for those into spotting grumpy streetcar drivers;) RR also has some tasty chai cookies and decent coffee. Imo, nothing spectacular, but better than SBUX. Every week, I shall try a different indie brew to decide who makes the perfect brew in T.0. Your help and feedback is greatly appreciated. The Leslieville strip, from what I could see, has about 5 relatively recent coffee houses and I shall test them all:) Please help out and tell me--from Lawrence Ave East to K-market, whose got the best brew, vibe and least pretentious serving staff.

Red Rocket: a boring view+average joe+a minimalistic but quiet (during the day at least) environment and friendly staff=B.
 
Bulldog Cafe

I am attracted to this place for the great award winning lattes and the out of the way location on Granby just a few doors east of Church.
 
I love the interior of Balzac's at the Distillery, so much, I don't even remember if the coffee's any good.

42

(It's perfectly good in fact!)
 
I think they serve it in SOMA next to the Young Centre: the chocolate aroma hits you as soon as you walk through the door ... and defies you to leave without buying something sweet and dark.
 
Ha that's funny: just last week one of my russian friends said I must go to Dimpflmeier (Advance Rd I believe?) and check out their "amazing" cafe. Is it worth the trip Mr Junctionist? And where--assuming you live in the junction too--is your fave coffee joint on the Dundas strip?
 
urbandreamer said:
Ha that's funny: just last week one of my russian friends said I must go to Dimpflmeier (Advance Rd I believe?) and check out their "amazing" cafe. Is it worth the trip Mr Junctionist? And where--assuming you live in the junction too--is your fave coffee joint on the Dundas strip?
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The cup is small (but only 70 cents), but the taste is fresh and amazing. Their presumably German machine grinds the beans so well. And of course I live in the Junction, but I just don't go to coffee shops around here too often for some odd reason. That and the fact that coffee shops historically haven't stayed around for awhile besides the generic donut shops. Dining is a different story, and for awhile there have been some great places. The options are getting more diverse, which I like.
 
I love Cherry Bomb coffee but caution: they serve it freaking hot I burn my mouth everytime.:( Enormous caffeine kick, it's cheaper than ideal coffee (my fave, Americano is $1.50) and their scones are good too. Other than the small space, my major beef is the seating arrangement--you sit facing the wall or (boring) street on stools; I prefer my coffee in a social setting and I like to flirt/chat/stare at the eye candy....:)

Re: Ideal Coffee. They're becoming a mini-chain with locations in K-Market, Ossington, Leslieville and now at Black Dog video on Queen West near Dovercourt. And of course Ottawa. So I'm wondering: how soon before they're everywhere? I'm thinking Freedville, the Junction, the Annex, Rye High nabe, Oakville etc could easily absorb more good coffee!

Coffee lovers, where's the latest hot spot?
 
I really like Wall Street Cafe half way between Yonge & Church on the south side of Carlton in the Lexington condos. Great coffees, they roast beans on site, have decent snacks, it's clean, I'm pretty sure they have Wi-Fi + 2 PC's with 'net access for a fee, super-friendly service, coffee card for regulars (7th coffee free) and a big window looking onto Carlton Street. The downside is the lighting is a bit too bright during the day and the place still has remnants of the Coffee Time or similar type place which it used to be. Some comfortable furniture has been changed out so it's coming along. Oh, and the bathrooms are pretty clean.
 
Mmmmm, coffee. I've made these recs before on chowhound, will repeat here in order of preference. As you can tell, my base is near the St. Lawrence.

Bisogno Espresso Bar - NE corner of Sherbourne and King
http://www.martiniboys.com/Toronto/Bisogno-Espresso-Bar-review.html
Best kept secret in the area. Absolutely incredible lattes, made by pros, complete with latte art to prove the quality of the milk foam. I like that they only have one size and price for each coffee drink. All the staff and the owner are incredibly friendly: drop by twice and you'll feel like an old friend. Large shared table, with a mixed crowd -- mothers with daycare-aged children mingling people working with papers and laptops spread out. Free wireless. I love this place and want them to stay open forever, so please go often.

B Espresso - 111 Queen East just west of Jarvis
http://www.bespressobar.com
The closest thing to Italy you'll find around here. Friendly and efficient staff seems like they just arrived from the homeland yesterday. Excellent espresso and lattes, very cool decor with two long communal tables, various newspapers and reading material in English and Italian. Also amazing-looking baked goods, paninis, and other food goodies. A bit noisy and not really a vibe for lingering for a long time, though.

Cafe 260 - 260 Richmond just west of Sherbourne
http://www.cafe260.com
Above average coffee, and they roast their own beans every other day. Extremely generous coffees (with lattes about 90% as good as my previous two recs, above, which is still pretty darned good) often served with an extra treat like a small biscotti or something similar. Very cool loft-like interior with exposed brick and beams, free newspapers, laid-back staff and good vibe with workers from nearby offices taking breaks and students from the nearby music school hanging out. Their homemade soup and sandwich specials smell great (never actually tried them, though) Free wireless.
 
Le Gourmand at Spadina/Richmond and Il Gato Nero in Little Italy are among my personal faves.
 
Wall Street Coffee Roastery has become my favourite cup of coffee in the Yonge/College area, tho the ambiance could use a little work.

My favourite place to just sit and enjoy a cup of coffee remains Diabolos in the JCR of University College, even years after graduating. It's just got a great feeling to it, to sit inside the old building on one of those plush leather couches and eavesdrop on passionate young radicals debating the merits of Hegel.
 
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