mouths that also love drinking coffee

A brief overview of some of the cafes I've been frequenting, and what I feel to be their merits.


1. Jet Fuel, 519 Parliament Street
http://jetfuelcoffee.com/

I like it cause they're sassy. They have damn good coffee, no-nonsense decor, and baristas that actually talk to you like you're a normal person and not just a customer. Not someplace I can go to write, sadly, because it's often packed and loud, especially during the morning rush. And I wish my coffee came in a mug instead of a glass, but that's just me. I can respect their choice to try and make the coffee pretty and less likely to be spilled. Worth visiting often.


2. Saving Grace, 907 Dundas Street West

This place fulfills all of my needs: great coffee, delicious food, friendly staff, comfortable seats and good lighting so i can sit and write. Pretty much my dream cafe, and I visit it often. Avoid during weekend brunch hours, as it gets pretty packed.


3. Holy Oak, 1241 Bloor Street West
http://holyoakcafe.wordpress.com/

When I visited, a very friendly gentleman was tuning their piano, the barista made me a delicious americano and recommended a pesto-grilled cheese sandwich and invited me back for board games later that week. They have beer, they have breakfast, they have board games. I wish this place was attached to my house, so that I could pretend it was my very own.


4. Ellington's Music and Cafe, 805 St Clair Ave West

They have pretty tasty coffee. They play good music. They supposedly have food, which always has been sold out by the time I get there. And they host live music nights. Cozy and refreshing atmosphere. This place is clearly not run by laptop-toting espresso-snob hipsters. They just make good coffee and offer a place for musicians to play.


5. Bisogno Espresso Bar, 61 Sherbourne St

This place is hiding in the middle of the St Lawrence neighbourhood, waiting for lucky people to stumble upon it. Most regulars are local condo-dwellers, but everyone that walks in is treated like they live upstairs. Upscale decor, great coffee. One communal table, lots of reading material lying around. Great place to duck into for brief refuge from this part of the city.


6. F'Coffee, 641 Queen Street East

As much as I had Dark Horse, Mercury, Bonjour Brioche and more within stumbling distance; this place is what makes me miss living in and around Leslieville. They might not be as illustriously perfect at espresso as the previously mentioned, and they might not make the best croissants in Toronto like BB, but their coffee is pretty great and their sandwiches are delicious. In the summers they even have a garden patio out back. They have beer. They have chili. And they will even make you a hot breakfast. No offense Dark Horse, but muffins just aren't my thing. F'Coffee is the warmest, coziest, most delicious feel-good place on Queen East. Go there.