2014 - Year in Review

Happy New Year Readers.

I've been dormant and just lazy to write on the Blog.
As mentioned I'm active on Instagram   or Twitter.

Here are my top picks for Toronto cafe (in no particular order)

EAST END
Mercury Espresso
Te Aro
Bud's Espresso

CENTRAL / Queen West
SJCB (Harbord Location)
Manic *Best Muffins ever*
Early Bird
Dark Horse (Queen West)

CENTRAL - UPTOWN *North of Bloor*
Boxcar Social
De Mello

WEST END
Propeller (Roastery and Cafe)
Capital Espresso
Lit (Roncy)
Good Neighbour

______________________________________________________________

What else happened in 2014?

Tried coffee from over 40 different roasteries
(Most memorable outside of GTA: Koppi, George Howell, Tim Wendelboe, Sightglass and Transcend)
(Memorable Toronto roaster:  Propeller - YirgZ, Pilot (Mercedes Geisha). Cut Coffee (Kenyan)

Current GO-TO brew device: Aeropress

Worked on my own interpretation of Blue Bottle NOLA-Style Cold Brew Coffee for CityGourmet.ca

Reached 1k followers on Instagram, then quickly lost it.

Didn't buy any new brewing equipment, which surprised me... but 2015 looks to be exciting
______________________________________________________________

I'll try and write more, but let's see how my schedule plays out.
Thanks for continuing to follow my journey thru coffee.
Hopefully I'll put more energy into revamping the site (REAL SOON).

xo
Espresso Adventures

A Honest letter - why I haven't been writing

Dear Readers,

This is an honest letter as to why I haven't been writing for the past year:

At first it was the excuse of "I'm busy" or that the idea of creating a great post turned into writers block. Then it turned into excuses after excuses. The best one I used was - "Oh man, this is so stale, I can't use it! Now my draft box sits at 228,  never to be published, and counting. Some will never make it here, some will.

Second, I found that Social media pages like FB, Twitter and Instagram was easier - and I didn't think to put into place a system to auto post to all pages -- this is the limitations of Blogger, I fully accept this.

Third - I finally merged over to Wordpress, only to have my site hacked .... Fun Times. With a capable webmaster that thought they could fix it -- 1-2 months of work, disappeared -- back to drawing board.

Lastly, life events, travel and non coffee related projects have taken a majority of my time. Starting a business and devoting time, energy and resources has been draining. It's been good though. Not complaining.

So to all, I apologize, but I'm still here, still drinking coffee, still sharing my experience with those that I encounter.

Recap
Through social media I was able to meet up in REAL LIFE with some pretty cool people in NYC, Chicago, Calgary, Edmonton, Boston and LA. Keeping up with the scene over in AUS, HK, London, and aboard is much easier these days. I'm thankful for this community!

Toronto has seen a boom in cafe/ coffee shops over the past 15 months. Some that will survive and some that will not. There has been an increase in coffee shop owners turned coffee roasters and to that I am excited about creating conversation for this site.


As always Espresso Adventures would like to continue to bring coffee to your screens, with an immediate focus of the Toronto scene. I haven't always done my best to keep you updated, but I trust that you will continue this journey with me. I will start posting more, more about the shops, and more about the coffee that the great city of Toronto has to offer. Keep drinking coffee, this is my #cupUP.

As always, follow me on Twitter, Instagram or FB page.

Signed,
 ~CP

Best of Iced Coffee (Toronto Life edition)

A little late in the summer months but Toronto Life has published their top choices for Iced Coffee (here)

Recap:
1) Te Aro
2) Rooster
3) Ezra's Pound
Notable Mention: Early Bird.

I'm excited that Pilot is gaining traction; with 3 out of the 4 mentioned above.... but am puzzled as to why a couple of notables weren't mentioned.

Dark Horse or Mercury.

Results; CCBC 2013

Canadian Barista Competition Cycle begins:

The 2013 competition cycle is in full swing with the Central Region Barista Competition concluding over a two-day affair at Hart House in Toronto.

A list of 18 competitors competed to dethrone Detours Geoff Woodley, and boy was the competition stiff. With many familiar competitors and a slew of new faces, it would be difficult to predict who'd take the crown.

The results are in;
1. Momiji Kishi from Detour Coffee (formerly Dark Horse) - 632
2. Georgina Henry, Dark Horse - 575
3. Brett Johnston, Crafted Coffee (Te Aro) -567.50
4. Geoff Woodley, Detour Coffee - 542

Momiji pure elation on her face is priceless.

Congratulations all competitors and to the organizing committee.

 [photo courtsey of CCBC; (l-r: Geoff Woodley, Brett Johnston, Momiji Kishi, Georgia Henry)]

Catch Momiji performance here; starting at 5:15.
The sound is not super crisp, but you can make out a majority of her rountine.

NOW Magazine searches for Toronto's Best of....

Now Magazine, a free local magazine, is searching for the Best of.

Based on reader's vote, this year survey has expanded with new categories.

Here are some things to vote for:

Best Barrista  I wasn't aware that they are now called Barrista (I thought it was Barista)
(some known names, and fresh faces... Definitely missing a handful of my favourites)
I think it should read Matt Taylor of Manual Labour Coffee..... imho

Best Cappuccino  (heavy on the EAST side)

Best Coffeehouse (notable ones missing: SJCB, Manic, Capital, Fahrenheit, Crema)

Best Espresso (huh......)

Best Latte

Best Beans (coffee wise) --> I'm not too sure about the readers suggestions

I'll keep my opinions to myself, but I'm happy that the coffee scene is growing.

Local: Best of ..... (NOW magazine)

Although I haven't been an avid read of the weekly free mag (NOW) in Toronto...

It doesn't stop me from sharing the survey to vote on your favourite local spot:

For the coffee in me, here are the categories to vote:
Best Cappuccino
Best Coffeehouse
Best Espresso 
 (Interesting...)
Best Latte
Best Coffee Beans
*Te Aro is now Pilot Coffee*

.... and Best Barrista (wasn't here that Barista had 2 r's..)
*Matt Taylor is now with Manual Labour Coffee.........*
(PS: some heavy hitters here.... but definitely some missed names)

Brunchin: Beast

Spotted: Papua New Guinea
Method: French Press
Where: Beast Restaurant - 96 Teucumseh
Roaster: Toi and Moi
Located: Montreal. QC

French Press to share is always a good bet when brunching with best friends.

To add to the experience, a Maple-Bacon Doughnut. Mmmmmm.
O Canada. Eh?!

Verdict: pleasantly smooth, nice body, spicy notes.
Overall: as Saveur article goes... It paired well. The richness and fats in the treat picked up the spicy, balanced chocolate/ pear notes in the PNG.

News Alert: Te Aro to become Pilot

Hello Toronto Lovelies.

Much adored Te Aro Coffee Roasters located in Leslieville will now be named Pilot Coffee Roasters

Rebranding?
New Chapter?
FB, Twitter @pilotcoffee.

Update: Looks to be a brand separation of Coffee Roaster and Cafe.

1: Mercury Espresso

Mercury Espresso Bar
Address: 915 Queen Street East
Neighbourhood: Leslieville
website

Congratulation are in order for Mercury Espresso Bar; topping this list for the second year in a row.

2012 marks the 6th year of this local charm, not only did they lose key members of the mercury team, sad to see Matt leave, but success in a different format - Manual Labour has been great.

They also started to make big changes.Switching out Madcap for Victoria charm BowsXArrows (run by former Mercury alum Amber Fox), keeping more Canadian content. Still pull Howell though.
To being the most consistent shop, serving drinks with passion, giving us different roasters, being the perennial shop in Toronto, I give Mercury the nod for top cafe.


They've also started to accept debit cards -- What a change!!

Thank you for reading, I swear to be better about posting in 2013!

Keep exploring and happy Espresso Adventures!

2: Te Aro

Te Aro Roasted
Address: 983 Queen Street West
Neighbourhood: Leslieville
website

Te Aro has had a really successful year.
Establishing and securing new direct trade relationships, trips to origin, roasting coffee for new accounts, we can sum it up as a great year.

Kicking things off was their showcase // espro-down of the top European coffee roasters they could get a hand on.
I've hand many memorable shots of espresso here, and I believe I will continue to do so. Their dedication to roasting and understanding their market just makes them a no-brainer among this list.

With the new Dietrich they've had more clarity in their roasts, able to handle all of their new accounts, and really keeps the cafe nice and warm. It was a struggle between the top 5 places on the list, but proximity, coffee availability and hours of operations played a bigger role.

Thank you for continuing to hold your Thursday public cuppings/Brew Methods, for being active in the coffee community, and just generally being a great place to have coffee.

Cheers
Espresso Adventures

3: Sam James Empire

Sam James (Coffee Bar/Coffee Pocket)
Address: 297 Harbour Street, 688a Bloor St. West 150 King W (PATH)
website

Sam James opened up shop #3 in the extremely busy labyrinth of the PATH (Toronto's underground network). He's a game changer, taking on Timmie's and other "FAST" coffee chains. Yet, the suits have embraced his cups of espresso with vigour. Even accepting his Cash Only policy (to which I agree, but given our cashless society - pushes a fraction away)

Always a great place to sip on espresso in their iconic thick walled cups. Th holding the nectar of sweet, sweet espresso. Super impressed with no nonsense attitude of providing the best drink possible.

Enjoy your shot at any of these locations.
Cheers

4: Crema *Junction*

Crema - Junction
Address: 3079 Dundas Street West
Neighbourhood: (The) Junction
website

Quickly celebrating their 5th year (2013), Geoff has really pushed the model of consistency.
With the same machine, consistent training, and a passion that is passed onto the barista, it's only fitting the Creama jumps up the list.
Adding Detour, George Howell alongside 49th Parallel, really rounds out the selection.

With the Spadina location (located within Freshii) finally opening, and adding additional seating near the end of 2012. There is ample choices within the core. With four locations, this mini-chain is only just beginning.

The best place to find Epic Espresso in Toronto, hands down. Cheers

5: Farenheit

Fahrenheit Coffee
Address: 120 Lombard Street
Neighbourhood: St. Lawrence Market

Mr. Sameer and his merryman of barista found a new home and have flourished.

Step away from the market (St.Lawrence) and a stones thrown from the core - you see locals and suits gathering. With just a couple of seats and a stand-up bar located in the middle, it gets packed quickly.

Not to worry, these are professionals.
So much passion, resulted in 2 Top 5 finished in the regional barista competition, and a Top 5 place for the National one.

Go for the Capp and stay for the conversation.

6: Capital Espresso

Capital Espresso
http://www.capitalspro.com/
1349 Queen Street West
Neighbourhood: Parkdale

Thank you for keeping me coming out to the West end. As you know by now, I'm situated on the east, but that doesn't stop me from trying to squeeze another espresso shot from their newly installed Strada.

Excuse me, did we mention that their storefront is filled with large windows.... natural sunlight - come on in.

Consistency keeps me coming back.
Warmth of the shop helps me to sit and relax.
The no-nonsense embrace pulls my heartstrings to the West.

Capital - you rock!

7: Dark Horse (Queen West)

Dark Horse 3: Queen West
Addy: 684 Queen West
Neighbourhood: Queen West.

Huge fan of Dark Horse, who celebrated their 6th year at the Broadview shop, opened up one more  shop this year. Taking over a former Oyster bar on John Street, they transformed the theatre district into a place where you can get away during the day.

Winning a battle to place a outdoor patio on the DH3, and continuing to pull Detour Coffee only seems appropriate to have DH within this list.

Unique design elements with their signature communal table, and you have a recipe for success....
Will we see a DH5? who knows, but if they can continue to replicate consistently pulled espresso, I think Toronto is ready to embrace.

8: Manic Coffee

Manic Coffee
426 College Street
Neighbourhood: College Street.
(website)

Manic is my go-to shop when I'm around the area. Not only did they continue their gelato program, but finished their redesign to be more efficient. Swinging the bar from the front to the side definitely made the endless lines-up more bareable.
Mind you, there is more seating, or is this my own illusion... 

They continue to pull the best Intelligenstia in Toronto, and their no wifi policy makes it a great spot to stay just for the coffee. Not only do they showcase artwork on the walls, their logo is kick-ass

Couple of staff changes, and the pending installation of the Clover, signals that Matt and his team continue to excel in the Toronto scene.

9: LIT (College Street)

LIT Espresso Bar (College Street)
website
2 Locations: 221 Roncesvales Ave,
                      810 College St

Having been the only cafe to carry PDX's Stumptown in the early portion of the year, they've switched to new kids on the block (Pig Iron Coffee Roasters). Brother Sister duo continue to push us to taste, and taste we will.

The Family business is doing quite well, having recovered from closing up their in-house coffee bar within the Burroughes, their more focused then ever.

Different than hairbender, but with more attention to how their coffee is being roasted. It's this relationship between farm to cup that we should be proud that they took the plunge and started to roast for themselves.

Here's to continued success!
Top 10 (2012): Nine; 2011; Four (-5)

10: Pamenar (Patio friendly)

 Cafe Pamenar
Address: 307 Augusta Ave
Neighbourhood: Kensington Market
Phone 647-352-3627

Since opening in early 2011, Pamenar has
been great about serving great coffee from great roasters.

At first they served up Victoria, BC roasters Discovery Coffee. This was a delight given that they had something different from Toronto roast houses. They progressed to Social Coffee.

Great place to catch a quiet moment in their back patio, or soak up inspiration from their well designed narrow shop.

Welcome to Espresso Adventures 2012 list.

Top 10 (2012): #TEN;
2011: ---- 

Not just writing, but exploration

I've been hopping around N.America for the last couple of weeks. Been reading the blogroll and not been posting here while training for a run.

Too much on my plate? Potentially.
Not enough discipline to write? Definitely.

Cheers to the weekend where I'll catch up on some of my travels.

Many new cafes in Toronto are popping up-- many thoughts on the back burner.... For now, know that Toronto still has room for more.