Posted Wed Feb 9, 2005, 8:08am Subject: Re: Best Espresso in Toronto
Hi Jim,
Well I think you are going to be sorely disapointed, I'm sorry to say..! Dan Kehn was here for a visit & posted his overview/report of the 2 places we both went to. There have been several posts about places here in Toronto & if you search you'll find them. In the meantime I'll dig up some threads..
buzzmccowan Senior Member Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 168 Location: Dundas, Ontario Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Vibiemme Domobar Super Grinder: Mazzer Mini Drip: Chemex/Aeropress/Bodum Roaster: Hottop Digital
Posted Wed Feb 9, 2005, 8:17am Subject: Re: Best Espresso in Toronto
Previous threads have pointed out the lack of good espresso in Toronto. I'm living out of the city at the moment but some previous recommendations might be somewhat worthwhile: Moonbeam and Ideal are in Kensington Market and a couple of blocks away from each other. The market is worthwhile on its own for a visit. I wasn't all too impressed by the methodology (or lack of) at either but at least both roast their own nice espresso blends.
Some people have talked about B Espresso which is on Queen St. E. near Church St. Haven't been there myself: Click Here (www.nowtoronto.com)
Within walking of there is a relatively new cafe opened by a guy who went and studied with David Schomer. Haven't been there either but he's doing latte art (I think there was some mention of B Espresso doing it as well): http://www.bulldogtoronto.com/ Newspaper article that profiles him: Click Here (www.thestar.com)
I'm living in Stratford 1 1/2 hours outside Toronto for the winter. A local cafe here, Balzac's, has a branch open in The Distillery District. Again, the Distillery is worth a visit on it's own, but you could try Balzac's. I'm not a huge fan, I find their espresso a bit over roasted, much like "Charbucks". But it is a pleasant space to sit and have a cupp'a: http://www.thedistillerydistrict.com/ http://www.balzacscoffee.com/
ashteven Senior Member Joined: 17 Jan 2002 Posts: 39 Location: Toronto Expertise: I love coffee
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Posted Wed Feb 9, 2005, 1:33pm Subject: Re: Best Espresso in Toronto
Balzac's was awful. I bought a 1/2 pound of coffee (espresso and drip) a few months ago while my roaster was being repaired, and the coffee was horribly over-roasted.
Avoid it, unless of course you like that mmmnnn-good carbonized burnt taste.
drwoo Senior Member Joined: 8 May 2004 Posts: 165 Location: Toronto, Canada Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Miss Silvia , Saaeco Via... Grinder: Rancilio Rocky , Braun... Vac Pot: thinking of one Drip: Bodum FP ,Phillips , Melitta... Roaster: FR+8
Posted Wed Feb 9, 2005, 7:14pm Subject: Re: Best Espresso in Toronto
Jim, you must try Bull Dog Cafe. Its at 89 Granby or tranby, a small street running east off Church St . It is one block south of College, near the old Maple leaf gardens. They are open 7am -7pm every day. They only serve espresso & espresso based drinks & great hot chocolates. He has a beauty La Marcozza machine and also trained at a place in Saettle & he does great LAtte Art. The drinks are $3 each and taste great. I've been twice and when I went on Sunday with my daughter she had a wicked white chocolate hot chocolate with dark choc art . I really recommend it & he has someone roast his beans. I hope you enjoy it.
I also tried that B espresso place on Queen, nothing to write home about. They use Bagged Illy beans- would not go back.
KGB Senior Member Joined: 5 Apr 2004 Posts: 47 Location: Toronto Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Feb 9, 2005, 7:18pm Subject: Re: Best Espresso in Toronto
Funny...I've been to Bulldog several times since the first time they opened...and while it seemed to be somewhat dedicated to it, simply didn't deliver the goods. And I never had any latte art.
B Espresso is the only place I have ever had it in Toronto. But it was from one particular chinese girl barista. And they do use Illy beans...but even Illy extracted properly with properly steamed microfoam, served in proper cups tastes better than anything served in Toronto I have ever sampled. It also has that ulta chic modern interior in an old building feel...ala Milano.
All the other places in town might have atmosphere/cool factor down pretty good, but the espresso is consistantly awful.
Groovygear Senior Member Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Posts: 71 Location: Montreal Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Elektra Deliziosa Grinder: Mazzer Major, Zassenhaus... Drip: What'd you call me? Roaster: Grain D'Or, Terra, Toi Moi...
Posted Thu Feb 10, 2005, 12:52pm Subject: Re: Best Espresso in Toronto
I have always been a fan of Il Gato Nero, now corner of College and Beatrice-ish - last visit there did not dissapoint, from the capable barista and venerable Faema Diplomat (model used at Faema dealership's own cafe), a super nice single, nice and short straight off the rack. Skip the coffee at the Sicilian ice cream parlor down the street, but grab a tartufo for later. That's my personal sift through College West.
The JetFuel is more hangout than serious coffee, and I love it for that. Considering the apparent appetite for Latte art (although this forum isn't exactly an unbiased cross-sample, now is it?), it's surprising that Jon at the Jet hasn't gotten it on a bit.
But for Italian coffee, go to the Italians. St. Clair West (ristorante Da Giovanni and Maria, many others), Dufflaw, Woodbridge.
As an aside, the turkish coffee at Arrabiata, College and Gladstone, is fantastic, as are the pastries and sunny window.
I'll let you know if I think of anywhere else in particular.
buzzmccowan Senior Member Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 168 Location: Dundas, Ontario Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Vibiemme Domobar Super Grinder: Mazzer Mini Drip: Chemex/Aeropress/Bodum Roaster: Hottop Digital
Posted Fri Feb 11, 2005, 4:54pm Subject: Re: Best Espresso in Toronto
Jim, Let us know your impressions of the places you got to. I'm sure lots of us would be interested in your opinions. And feel free to be brutally honest!:) Kaelin.
pilgrim Senior Member Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 5 Location: Toronto Expertise: Pro Barista
Grinder: hand mill
Posted Fri Feb 11, 2005, 5:57pm Subject: Re: Best Espresso in Toronto
Groovygear says
> The JetFuel is more hangout than serious coffee, and I love it for that. > Considering the apparent appetite for Latte art (although this forum > isn't exactly an unbiased cross-sample, now is it?), it's surprising that > Jon at the Jet hasn't gotten it on a bit.
I've been working at JetFuel since Sept, and knocking off 'art' whenever I can...
KGB Senior Member Joined: 5 Apr 2004 Posts: 47 Location: Toronto Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri Feb 11, 2005, 11:03pm Subject: Re: Best Espresso in Toronto
Someone's pouring art at Jet Fuel now?
Hmmm...sounds like Toronto is on the cusp of something new...a few places here and there are ponying up. Not that latte art is the end-all-be-all sign of great espresso...but it's a good sign.
I just paid a visit to Bull Dog, and the owner did indeed pour me a heart in my cappa. But it wasn't great microfoam, so the heart just vanished almost immedietely. Flavour wasn't all that great either...didn't ask where he got the beans...just saw him pour it out of a silver bag.
They claim (in writing) to be the first place to pour art in Toronto, but B Espresso was doing it before them, and with better results.
Guess I have to mosey on over to Jet Fuel to check it out...but is this just you Pilgrim, or is everyone doing it?
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