Frist Experience: T.A.N. (Queen West)

T.A.N Coffee
Address: 992 Queen Street West
Neighbourhood: West Queen West
website, @tancoffeetoronto


The Alternative Network (T.A.N) originating in Nova Scotia has now developed into a strong 8 retail-location community. TAN promotes a network of fair trade micro-roaster cafés through financing, management training and business planning. Brainchild of Lay Yong Tan, recently participated with Andy from Te Aro in the Cup of Excellence Nicaragua. 
In my ventures through the amazing Indie Coffee Passport - I found a way to Queen and Ossington area to do some Ossington Strip Espresso Adventures. Known for the fast development of businesses/bars/social clubs. It's one of the hot spots to be seen. 
Revitalizing this strip will only be a matter of months, but T.A.N. has a great space, ample space for seating and an on-site roaster.

Red Rocket Coffee (Wellesley edition)

Red Rocket Coffee
Address: 154 Wellesely Street East
Neighbourhood: St. James Town
website

 Located on the ground level of a condo building gives enough space for the launch of Red Rocket Coffee (2nd location originating from East end charmer)
It has filled the void in St.James, where there didn't really seem to be a coffee presence. To the East (Jet Fuel - Cabbagetown), to the West (Letteri at Church). With the Baker's Dozen closed down, where could the locals go?

RRC2 seems to be to the location, but it seems to be a hard-sell amongst locals in the area, there doesn't seem to be a pressing caffinated crutch, but it's slowing changing the neighbourhood, as once desolate buildings become livable condos and townhouses in the area. Times are a-changing... good, bad... who's to say.

Local indie cafes seem to be expanding to multiple locations. This growing trend, where brands/markets are already known, is great for developing that coffee culture. Next step: a late-night coffee culture that isn't solely for those ready to lounge for wifi access. Can this formula work for?
Seems that Toronto has a tolerance for local indie brands, which is to say good for us (5.3M strong). Red Rocket 2 seems entirely different from the East end charmer. Not only is it much smaller, but there is no wooden deck patio, or ample inside seating.
Yet the multiple times I've arrived at this cafe - constant buzz.always.

ideal (Ossington)

Ideal Coffee
Address: 162 Ossington
Neighbourhood: Ossington Strip
website

Ossington Strip - HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT!

With the ban lifted on shops, it's just popping with restos, bars, and cafes. Foodies... relish here.
Hmmm, another ideal coffee location to please the hipsters in the area might need to switch up from the kensington crowd.
As you enter into the cafe it's very laid back - rec room feel with some canadian folk playing in the background - Daniel Michel styles.
Feels like that corner store home feel. Literally on the corner - facing these new townhouses that just pop up.

First Experience: The Mascot

The Mascot
Address: 1267 Queen West
Neighbourhood: Parkdale
website, @WeAreTheMascot

Part cafe / part art gallery - this Large storefront fits right into the burgeoning Parkdale scene. Already turning 1 year old , it's a new pup in the cafe scene.
What makes this space work?
The first part of the space is dedicated to the "cafe" with a sparse collection of wooden tables and nicely accompanying chairs that fits right into the gallery space. As you step into the back with a collection of gallery pieces and  antique chairs lying around.

Machine: Victoria Ardunio 3 lever manual espresso machine
Beans: Bullet Espresso
           Brazilian, Ethiopian, Sumatran
Roasters: Reunion Island
Located: Oakville, ON

Verdict: Not hating on the Manual Machines - as I know they can be good (ideal in Kensington), but this espresso on this machine with the barista pulling for 11 seconds - tasted like ASH. I had one sip, and I put it back down, Crema was a dark brown composition. Seeing as the barista pulled the single I'm certain that all that was in my cup was the Heart of the espresso - and no body.
Nevertheless, I'm not sure I want to return back here.
I also believe that I'm not a huge Reunion Island fan = as I didn't like Red Rocket x 2, and Noir locations.....

To each their own.

Final note: Get inside for the modern/contemporary art pieces located within the cafe - but don't expect too much from the espresso. Take a photo outside with their friendly Mascot cutout sign = great for kids and adults alike. Be sure to ham it up for the camera Ossington and Ronsce crowd.
But I'll PASS on the coffee!

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.

Red Rocket Coffee

Red Rocket Coffee
Address: 1402 Queen Street East
Neighbourhood: Queen East /Leslieville
website, @redrocketcoffee Tel: 416-406-0880
Open daily 7AM - 6PM

Operating on the outskirts of Leslieville is the appropriately named cafe that faces the TTC streetcar yard. Conveniently located at the corner of Queen and Vancouver (insert West coast chuckles)... houses the brick facade building that is also home to Queen Marghertia Pizza. The former Chinese noodle factory has turned into an urban lifestyle centre. They've also built a gorgeous outdoor patio, that is actually great to lounge on during weather appropriate months (Spring-Fall). Red Rocket Coffee was named after the iconic "Toronto people-mover" slings out some decent concoctions using only Fair-trade organic coffees provided from other local roaster Reunion Island. 

The Only Cafe

The Only Cafe
Address: 972 Danforth Ave
Neighbourhood: the Danforth
Website; Tel: 416-463-7843

Shining some light for the East end. Many seem to think that beyond the Danforth there is a nothing; slightly true, but there is a love for these local establishments. Seeing as we just did the BWV, we had to represent the other side of the Bloor-Danforth line. Hopping off at Donlands Station, it reminded me of my time in Boston, Mass.

First Experience: F'Coffee

F'Coffee
Address: 641 Queen Street East
Neighbourhood: Riverside

Nestled on the edge of the Eas/West divide, just before you hit the bridge to cross the Don, is where you'll find F'Coffee. It's the way of F'life

Locals popping in for their daily dose, or just neighbourhoodies lounging and doing their works... Usually find a mixed crowd of quiet folks plus the ones that get-together to catch up.
It's a great location to take a break from the dredges of the Queen Streetcar.

 The interior is lit up by the large windows that face Queen East - currently home to the next "loft/condo" expansion slated for that area. But be weary of their hours - as sometimes you think they'll be open... Guess again. I've tried multiple times to visit the shop at odd hours - and no dice. On this lovely Saturday morning I was able to luck out and sample what they had.

Machine: Saeco Aroma Se 200

Grinder: Unknown

Beans: Own Blend

Roasters: Unknown

Indie Coffee Passport:YES
Verdict: Seems like they have a decent machine, with decent beans, and decent staff. The shot just didnt have any character. Strong aromatic arabaca beans - but taste wise it was flat. My tongue/palette wasn't excited. After it cooled the acidic tones started to shine right thru. Not my cup of tea.

 If you notice the photo - it produces a rich dark caramel crema, but still - no character at all.

They do have great panini sandwiches, and pastries... but again - with their early closures - you better get in bright and early.

Bisgono Espresso Bar

Bisogno Espresso Bar
Address: 61 Sherbourne Street
Neighbourhood: Sherbourne&Adelaide

What's so special about Bisogno on Sherbourne?
It's like you step into someones main floor of an antique house. Not only do they have a long dining table,  and high backed dinning chairs, but adoring books shelves as well. Not the mention the back corner coffee table with matching vintage lounging sofas, it's only a matter of time before you pick up one of the national geographic magazines that lie around the cafe.
Don't be fooled by the decor, it's not just a fancy place to sit, these guys know their coffee, and they do it well.