The Common

The Common
Address: 1071 College Street
Neighbourhood: Little Portugual
They don't need a webiste.

The Common has been a spot that I've been recommended on good word from West-enders - and they live by their cafe. With the many neighbourhoods starting to embrace redevelopment/change or new businesses popping up and trying to charm locals. The Common is part nieghbourhood hangout, social hub, and conversation start. The Decor is very simple, with no menu - so if you weren't familiar with any espresso based drinks - you'd have to ask the semi-friendly barista... Otherwise talk about intimidating. It's not just this location, but cafe culture and independent cafes have this intimidation factor to them - even though they're all super welcoming. Not only do you need to be confident in what you order, but also have to be comfortable in these tight shops. Many friends have felt stand-offish when joining me on Espresso Adventures... but they're okay when they go with myself.... What's your thoughts?
Finally able to actually document the location as we made the Saturday mid-day post ride refuel worth the efforts of doing the hills along bloor. There's something to be said about bikes and coffee shops. JetFuel, Dark Horse, Starbucks (ahem)....
Maybe bikers need a little pick-me-up....

There was wooden church pews located inside the cafe - and small tables that you can share - if you dont mind sitting with people studying away with their cue cards, or brushing up against the post park going moms. It's the community spot. But dont expect your drinks to be pushed out in 2 minutes - the baristas take pride in their craft - even if it takes slightly longer than other locations to get your drink out.
They usually offer a medium or dark roast for espresso - and pour in the hot water for your americanos - up to your specifications.
Prices are quite cheap - and it's so laid back, that you feel at home (instantly)

First Experience: The Green Grind

The Green Grind
Address: 567 College Street
(@ the corner of College and Manning)
Neighbourhood: College Street
@The_Green_Grind 
Website

Sitting in a cafe one day with a like minded friend we discussed how nice it would be to enjoy our drinks without a feeling of guilt.  Why did our favourite pastime have to have a negative impact on the environment?  Why couldn’t the coffee options we were given be all fairly traded, direct-trade or organic, or better yet, all of the above?!  Why did our coffee have to come served in unrecyclable paper cups? Why did the cookies and muffins we consumed in the cafe have to be full of pesticides?  We grew up with anti-littering campaigns, “reduce, reuse, recycle” slogans, and blue boxes, the messages had sunk in. 
The idea behind The Green Grind is simple: combine a love of cafe culture with a passion for the environment.


MAD respect for the Green Grind, trying to educate the masses about their impact on the earth we live on and how be conscious of our green footprint can help us maintain our equilibrium.

Wrap Up; LIT college 1st Anni

A great crowd of regulars, fans, friends and Family of LIT Espresso Bar came out in full force on Saturday night to celebrate the first year of business.

Coffee Cupping at LIT (College)

LIT Espresso Bar (College Location)
Address: 810 College Street
Neighbourhood: College Street, Little Portugal
(website, @litespressobar)

At LIT Espresso Bar on College there's an opportunity to discover the tastes and aromas of coffee through their informal coffee cupping sessions. Typically used for quality assurance, Alex (barista), was able to run through 4 different types of beans from renowned US-roasters Stumptown. Lit is the only cafe in Toronto to have a partnership with Stumptown, so it's an exclusive deal. A Good thing for sure.

5: Manic Coffee

  Manic Coffee 

Address: 426 College Street

Neighbourhood: College/Bathurst

tel: (416) 966-3888

  (website)

Popping up in 2007, at the beginnings of the Third Wave of great independent cafes, they found their niche on College street.. Sparking this was the consistency that Manic Coffee brought to the neighbourhood. During the early years they only served espresso and espresso based drinks, with tea as variety. They later expanded their line (or caved to demands) to include the Cover Machine and brewed coffee.

If you've never experienced the Cover Machine you definitely need to try out this amazing technology. (in a future post). They are also one of the most prominent cafes to serve Chicago's very own Intelligenstia Black Cat Espresso. They've done right by the Black Cat, but sometimes mix it up with newcomers Social Coffee and Tea Company - who's created their own blend for Matt and the gang.

Most of the barista are quite passionate about proper espresso offerings and can suggest drinks that you might like if you are wavering. This is a plus in their books.

Often at times I'm the only non-Apple laptop user, surrounded by many macbooks, or macbook pros... it's a little scary for me. Yet it's still filled with stereotypical young creative people writing, typing, reading and just enjoy the cafe. The ambiance is conducive to productive office sessions, and the cafe buzz normally drowns out any conversation. The high ceilings with exposed vents, spot lighting, and amazing smells from the back kitchen, make you want to linger about and just appreciate the coffee culture.

 Machine: La Marzocco Linea
Doser: Mazzer
Turnover: Heavy Traffic
Beans: Intelligenstia Black Cat Espresso; 
Social Coffee (alternating)
Music:indie hip - but really depends on the barista
Indie Coffee Passport: YES
Disloyalty Card: YES

 Verdict: Here's my bias: I enjoy Black Cat Espresso - smooth body and balanced acidity/citrus that has that much wanted crema for a syrupy sweet taste. I look forward to this drink when I venture into one of my staples. Yet, when they mix it up and place Social on the doser, I can instantly taste the difference. This is why one of my favourite cafes/ mobile office only breaks the top 5.
(Even their Berry muffins can not convince me to increase their rankings.)
You will often find me in here working on my projects.