Cool OFF with ICED Drinks: T.A.N. Coffee

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

Do you have a weekly meeting with your friends?
Sort of like when the cast of friends would meet up at  Central Perk?
How do you keep in touch with them.... over coffee and patios.
We decided to keep it central enough that we'd have the best of both worlds. Quiet and quaint enough to relax on a patio but close enough to the bustle of the heavy traffic.

On a day like today - with the thermometer reaching 38 degrees celsius - for my American friends - that's 100F
(COOL yourself off!)

Ordered a SHORT ICED Americano. (I'd say slightly watered down double espresso with a bit of ICE)

The Basics
Machine: Nuova Simonelli
Grinder: Mazzer Robur
Beans: Current Espresso Blend
Composition: 65% El Salvador COE, 35% Coloumbian COE
Roasters: T.A.N. Coffee
Located: 992 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON


On this visit, we were able to chat about the Toronto Coffee scene and met one of the roasters for T.A.N. Thanks Justin for giving us a run down of your coffee menu, and espresso blending philosphy. Looks like the next blend is going to be good.
Want to know what that's about? Go check them out.

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

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.