First Experience: b Espresso Bar

b Espresso Bar
Address: 65 Dundas Street East
              Located within the BOND Hotel
Neighbourhood: Downtown (Central)
website

b espresso bar has three location within the confines of Toronto. Starting their first shop next to George Restaurant on Queen St. East (near Church), it's customer base has really grown. Opening up two other locations - inside Bond Hotel, and RCM lobby seems like a good idea to change my outlook on automated hotel coffee.

b espresso bar - where the "b" stands for barsita, makes me wonder whether it's serving another purpose...filling a void in venues where traditionally coffee isn't prepared by a dedicated barista and flavours are quite lacking.

Downtown hotels - cater to visitors/tourists that have come to explore the city. What better way than to showcase classic Italian-style roasted coffees from local Classic Gourmet. Allowing guests to curb the big chain annoyance within hotels.

The Basics:
Machine: Faema E61
Grinder: Maikong
Beans: Custom Blend
Roasters: Rufino Espresso
Located: Concord, ON

Veridct: Smooth shot - with nice rounded body. Hints of chicory and a smokey taste. Chocolate throughout, and not high on the acidity level.

Pretty good for downtown Toronto. Should you visit the location on Queen - it's a different feel from the bond hotel lobby.
Plus you get to see inside of George's Restaurant... I always want to spend that extra little time to peer into their kitchen...

HAPPY ESPRESSO ADVENTURES

Fahrenheit Coffee

Fahrenheit Coffee
Address: 248 The Esplanade
Neighbourhood: The Esplanade
website, @FarenheitTO

Opening the new space on May 1st - Sameer Mohammed and the COAG team use this space as a forefront to Toronto's indie coffee scene. If you're not familiar with Sameer's work, look no further than the early months of Sense Appeal, and last years Central Canadiain Regional Barista Championships (finishing 2nd) and moving onto the Canadian Barista Champs last fall.
His craftsmanship and attention is at the forefront of this shop.
Having noticed that his presence was lost from Sense Appeal - I went a knocking to see what he was up to, and I soon found out about the new space and the next project: Fahrenheit Coffee.

BLD Restaurant

BLD
Address: 36 Toronto Street
Neighbourhood: Downtown (Financial District)
website

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner - not cafe.

While serving decent food near the financial district, located on the street level of Millichamps Building circa 1874, home of the original Excelsior Insurance Company. Famous Architect, Edward James Lennox designed the exterior fitting for a transforming Toronto during the booming times of the late 1800s. Historical in all context, it's a popular opposite to the interior of BLD.

Machine: Saeco
Beans: Dark Italian roast from Cafe Madeline
Verdict: High Acidity - typical of Stale Beans

Please PASS, 

 KEEP CALM, and Definitely CARRY ON.

What you will find: the space within the restaurant is well designed.

Modern Sleek.

Projector: classic films, and great artwork.

Too bad the food is okay, the coffee could be better.... 

and there is heavy competition for that Bay Street Buck

Hump Day Question: Aesthetics or Quality?

Bulldog

Bulldog Cafe
Address: 789 Granby Avenue
Neighbourhood: The Village
website:

Tucked away on Granby, it's not hard to see why locals try to hide this cafe, keeping it their little secret. It's good, and they know it.
Owner Stuart Ross started this spot when the convenience store posted their "for lease" sign, and this is how the village came to know its' coffee. Just a block away from Yonge Street, and around the corner from neighbourhood charmer Daybreak...it's a local institution that attracts more and more followers.
Tight for space, as the narrow shop allows for 4 tables, and a bar that's almost 3/4 of the shop it houses an old school refurbished Manual Machine. Far and few of these - but definitely catches your eye upon entering the shop.

First Experience: T.A.N Coffee (Baldwin)

T.A.N Coffee
Address: 39 Baldwin Avenue
Neighbourhood: Baldwin Village
website, @tancoffeeto, tel: 647-352-8550

T.A.N. Baldwin Village as been on my to-visit list for a while, and seeing as it's tucked away in the heart of Downtown, in the bubble known as Baldwin Street it was a win-win for everyone.
Second location for Lay Yong Tan, (read up on the roasting location here)
The cafe has been in operations for 2 months, and they're already collecting a reputation for regulars. Painted in a summer glow of yellow, with white walls and nicely decorated interior, it's getting the right sort of attention. With a two table patio "fenced" off by a couple of large plants, it's a great patio to enjoy the iced drinks of the summer. The north facing cafe allows ample sun in with a large glass storefront.
As you walk into the long narrow cafe, the wooden floors with wooden patio-style tables and chairs creates a nice haven to sit back and relax.
Located near student campuses of UofT, OCAD, and Michener many stop in to enjoy the free wifi.

Machine: 2 Group Aurelis Nuova Simonelli
Grinder: Mazzer Robur
Beans: Espresso Blend (Dark roast)
Composition: Cup of Excellence El Salvador, and Fair-Trade Colombian
Roasters: T.A.N
Location: 992 Queen Street West
Cost: $15 for 3/4lb (12 oz.)

Verdict: Nice mellow HUGE Chocolate flavours, meyer lemons, very distinct clean mouth feel. Rounded brightness as the espresso start to cool with a molten chocolate cake texture. Ooozing with syrupy goodness. Will I be back - 90%.

Which do I prefer?
Queen West. But i love the downtown charm of this shop.

Espresso Adventure for the long weekend. Trying to see how many cafe patios I can ring up!

Thoughts about NYC -- I'll fly over. 

Enjoy the SUN