#coffeepunk

Ideal Coffee has taken over the what was Baluchon cafe on Sorauren avenue. Located at 221 Sorauren just a few blocks south of Sorauren park. 

They've kept some of the spot light light fixture and opened up the space with church pews and other similar seating. 

I do like the fridge fashioned out of a wooden cabinet as well as the minimalistic lighting and the overall vintage atmosphere to the place. In there on a Sunday morning it was steadily busy people coming in every few moments in twos and threes. Which was an interesting way to see some of the people from the neighbourhood.

http://idealcoffee.ca

You are never going to have trouble finding good coffee in Kensington Market.

Kensington avenue itself is a bit light on cafes so its nice to have one down this stretch of the market. Fika cafe resides in a  charming turquoise house with a beautiful new deck out front. Inside was massively pleasant.

My cardamon and cinnamon latte paired with a gorgeous cinnamon bun were both fantastic. It would have been amazing just to savour and breath them in for awhile but unfortunately I've a job to run off to and will have to make it another day.

http://indiecoffeepassport.com/toronto/index.html

What a fun place. Fun pop art on the walls. My favourite being the Hulk and Hunter S. Thompson prints. Lighting made from old records and bottles and all kinds of similar touches made this part tea house part record store quite different than what I imagined walking into the place.

I also liked that they weren't running an espresso machine. While Coffee is available at Cabin Fever its a nice change of pace to have a place with a pleasant selection of teas,sandwiches and cookies.

I hope I get back to cabin fever soon and often to see if everything is as amazing as my Niagara Peach Green Tea,almond milk latte.

http://www.cabinfevercollective.com

The Abbot or as tend to refer to it “the coffee shop under the stairs” is my secondary Parkdale coffee spot. The shop was named after Toronto's first black doctor Rufus Abbot and contains some memorabilia reflecting the doctor and the history of the area. 

I have my favourite up on Queen street but should they be closed or too busy which has happened on a occasion I will hike down to King and Spencer and go just behind the fire escape and am more than pleased for the excuse to down to the Abbot.

http://www.theabbott.ca

Bicerin Espresso Bar is a nice little space located at 37 Baldwin st. I think it might be a rebranding of the T.A.N. Coffee roastery which had occupied the location last year. The shop under the Bicerin name has a darker more comfortable interior with a dark wood bar and shelving with light wood tables and chairs. It's a nice balance and fits with the treasure trove of Baldwin St. 

The Bicerin drink the shop takes it's name from is a mildly spiced mix of coffee chocolate and cream. Subtle in its flavouring and grandly enjoyable. 

http://indiecoffeepassport.com/toronto/index.html 

I had a great talk with Michael from Cafe Olya. We spoke about how he likes to rotate the coffee he uses, about the different coffee roasters. About trying to be different and bringing different coffee from the states than is usually available in the GTA.As well how all the baked goods are made in house and how they are always evolving and trying new recipes and ideas and making things depending on what ingredients are available. 

We spoke about coffee culture in Toronto and around the world, how it is to grow a business and find your stride in the marketplace and how it is built by building relationships with your customers. It was a great talk carried on with a boundless enthusiasm which envelopes his and Olya's smart little Cabbagetown Cafe.

http://indiecoffeepassport.com/toronto/index.html

Alternative grounds started by roasting fairly traded coffee way back in 1995 three years before Fair trademark Canada came into being and started independently licensing and regulating fair trade coffee. Alternative grounds was among the first businesses licensed as  registered fair trade coffee dealers and continue to deal in fairly traded and organic coffees.

I think I have been to Alternative grounds before years ago an wasn't all that enthused. I mightn't have ever dropped in again if not for the Indie Coffee Passport. Today it feels like the right place at the right time. It's New Year's Eve, It feels like a busy day and there is stuff to be done. To spend a few hours in this pleasantly eclectic space and catch up on a bunch of my scribbling has been a fine way to spend the day. That it's in one of my favourite Toronto neighbourhoods makes it that much better. An enjoyable latte and a worn in wooden chair and table in the back with the muted warmth of the yellow walls and light coloured wood throughout make Alternative Grounds a nice stop to relax and catch up with yourself.

http://www.indiecoffeepassport.com/toronto/index.html