Long-Distance Indie Coffee Date #10. [Red Rocket ] - Wellesley

Indie Coffee Shop #10 : Red Rocket - Wellesley

http://www.redrocketcoffee.com/

Neighbourhood: 

Drink Ordered: Hot Blondie Caramel Mocha 

This is was delicious. Amazing. I really treated myself with this one with all the whipped cream on top. But, you can't get this drink and not get whipped cream! I didn't want this drink to end. It was that good! It wasn't overly sweet like some Starbucks type drinks. It was perfect :) Totally recommend this one! 

Size: This place doesn't have that much space. The seating area is quite minimal, but this place isn't designed to be one of those "sit for hours" coffee shops. However, if you'd like to sit down, there are some seats to the side where you can enjoy your morning paper :) 

Menu: Regular favs. If I'm not mistaken the create custom coffee blends which I hear are tasty! I totally recommend ordering the Hot Blondie though, it was that good! 

Atmosphere: Great staff. I felt comfortable the moment I walked in because the baristas were so welcoming. I was even asked what music I'd like to listen to!  That was really sweet of the barista to do! This place is laid back, and a great place to visit on a sunny morning like I did. 

Overall, the Red Rocket got an A+ in customer service, and an A+ in yummy drinks, (at least the Hot Blondie deserves an A+). The only sad thing is that there isn't much space for people to chill out in. However, my guess is that it's designed to be more of a "buy and go" type coffee shop, and I'm alright with that. Great use of space, great staff, great drinks, what more could I ask for? 

Date Potencial: 7/10. I probably wouldn't bring a date here. However, if you're looking for a place to grab your fella or gal a drink to go along with the breakfast you cooked up for them, then grab a drink here! 

Great For: professionals on the go, locals needing their morning caffeine fix, the lonely wanderer 

Red Rocket - Wellesley gets 5/5 Smiles from Me! 

Indie Coffee Shop Hoppin' - The Good Neighbour - (The Junction)

The Good Neighbour 

238 Annette Street  [The Junction]

I decided to venture out a into the Junction in order to visit a cute little cafe I had read about on blog T.O. It was a great adventure. Located in and around the Junction and High Park, the Good Neighbour is a pretty happenin' place! It's nestled within a little neighbourhood which no doubt is filled with tons of young families and artsy people. When I arrived this place was packed and that was around 10:30am. They have a communal table, as well as window seating and some two seaters. Thankfully the barista was super nice and offered to make room for me at the communal table! I sat sandwiched between a writer/film maker/producer/etc... etc... and a gentleman on his lap top making business calls. I quickly pulled out my journal and iPhone in order to look just as "busy". 

I noticed many women with babies meeting up with other women with babies. This seems to be a tread with coffee shops in the High Park area. But just like the name suggests, this place is filled with "good neighbours" and happy people. I decided to be simple and just have a coffee and raspberry scones. I wasn't disappointed :) 

Oh, and you know what was also really neat? Their lighting fixtures AND the cute black and white photos that surrounded the borders of their large mirror! So adorable. 

I will definitely come back here! 

5/5 Hearts from me! 

Long-Distance Indie Coffee Date #9. [CRAFTED - Te Aro Roasted] - Ossington

Indie Coffee Shop #9 - CRAFTED - Te Aro Roasted 

http://www.te-aro.ca/

Neighbourhood: Ossington and Queen

Drink Ordered: Toasted Almond Tea Latte

My friend had a French Press (as far as I can remember anyway...)

The Toasted Almond Tea Latte was delicious! I would definitely recommend trying it out! Tea lattes don't seem to be something I can find at every coffee shop, so when I do see something other than a London Fog or Chai Tea Latte, I try to give it a go! I could really taste the almond in this tea, which was prefect for a chilly November day. 

Size: Lots of space for everyone! However, when it's filled with people studying or a family out on a coffee date, then it can be a bit tricky. We arrived an hour before close and it was packed with students studying for their fall exams. We found a nice spot by the window!

Menu: So apparently Te Aro is known for their coffee! Though I didn't try the coffee, I'll go ahead and say that it probably is really good :) I believe they supply beans for other coffee shops on the Indie Passport! I can only assume this means they are really good! The menu contained all your classics, but whenever I see something different I try it! Therefore, the Toasted Almond Tea Latte was a given for my order! 

Atmosphere: Laid back, artsy Ossington feel. Filled with students, no surprise there! I think coffee shops are the key to a successful student. Coffee shops provide students with a place to study and help them stay awake for long periods of time. Perfect combo! 

Aren't those lights cool? They look as though they are made from mason jars! 

Overall, CRAFTED left a good impression with me. I was only able to experience this place on a Saturday night, an hour before closing, so I can't say I have the best understanding of what this place offers. However, it looks great inside, it was busy (meaning ppl love it) and the drink was delicious! I would love to come back here in the afternoon to sit down and people watch. It's located on Ossington, so you're in the perfect area to do some exploring of funky shops and restaurants. 

Date Potencial: 8/10. I didn't get any sort of "romantic" vibe from this place, but I think it's a pretty swell place for a first date. It's open, comfortable, in a good location, so it's a pretty safe place to take that guy or gal you've been eyeing. Just be prepared that the students will be taking up the precious two seated tables! 

Great for: Students, friends looking for a place to chill, small families, 

CRAFTED - Te Aro Roasted gets 4/5 smiles from me! 

Long-Distance Indie Coffee Date #8. [The Green Grind] - Little Italy

Indie Coffee Shop #8 

http://www.thegreengrind.ca/

Neighbourhood : Little Italy

Drink Ordered : A Yummy Latte

I always appreciate a place that can design proper latte art :) Love it! I'd like to think that it means the barista knows what they are doing! This was quite a large latte, and it was tasty :) 

Size: Lots of space! Perfect place for those looking to sit alone and get some work done. There is a large table where you can sit and plop your lap top down! Or perhaps you're a teacher with loads of essays to scribble on? This is the ideal place for you! There are some seats where people in groups of 2 or 3 can  have a wee chat, but I find this more of a "lets get some work done" kind of place, which is not a bad thing at all! 

Menu: Lots of regular coffee shop favourites to choose from. Coffees, teas, juices. Baked goods looked yummy, though I wasn't feeling up for any that day. Looks like The Green Grind really prides themselves on the fact that they are environmentally friendly, and I recommend you check out there About Us page to read more! My latte was quite nice! I really enjoyed it. Perfect temp, perfect flavour!  

Here's a robot that was on my table.... cute right? 

Atmosphere: Laid back, student and young professional feel. Great place to sit in peace and do your own thing, whether that be reading a book, surfing the web, marking some papers or just doing your homework. It has a nice young vibe, which I'm assuming is because it's located on College Street. College street is filled with youthful faces and hipsters! I really enjoyed sitting back and relaxing here. Good times :) 

Plus, they have a beautiful mural on their wall that I couldn't help by stare at... check it out! So life like!

Overall, I really loved The Green Grind. It's on my list as a place I will return too again. Especially if I wanted to sit down and get some work done and enjoy a latte at the same time! Lots to look at. I also really enjoyed the artwork for the washrooms... so cute! 

Date Potencial: 8/10 Hearts. I wouldn't really go on a first date here, but I would bring along friends or study buddies. However, this would be a nice place to take someone you might be "interested" in. It's situated in a neighbourhood that's filled with great places to eat and things to see, so it's perfect for "stopping" in on your way to and from somewhere. 

Great for: Students, young professionals, people that want to chill and have their "me" time. 

The Green Grind get 5/5 smiles from me! 

- Monica

Indie Coffee Shop Hoppin: - Ezra's Pound - (The Annex)

So, there are days when I visit NON- Indie Coffee Passport locations. Meaning, they technically aren't a part of my "Long Distance Indie Coffee Date" postings. However, I don't think I should limit myself and all my faithful readers (there are faithful readers out there right?) to ONLY indie coffee shops on the passport. Anywho, I decided to start something called "Indie Coffee Shop Hoppin". It'll be where I highlight some cool coffee shops I visit throughout the city. So why not start with a coffee shop right in my neighbourhood!

Ezra's Pound 

http://ezraspound.com/

238 Dupont Street (Annex)

2nd Location 913 Dundas St W. (I have yet to visit there!) 

Ezra's Pound is a cute, simple, homey, environmental and hip coffee shop located in the coolest Toronto neighbourhood, The Annex. Their lattes are amazing. I've been told their espresso is delicious. Obviously, since their lattes are superb it would probably make sense that their espresso is to die for! It's a small shop. It can be tight, and hard to find a spot on any given day. You can buy their grinds which is super cool, AND their lids are biodegradable! Apparently they were the first in the city to provide biodegradable lids! Also, their latte art is beautiful :) I hear the scones are yummy as well! Though a tad expensive, perhaps it's worth to indulge once in a while? 

There are always people there reading, on the computer, and chatting. I'm assuming mostly everyone there is a regular. Ezra's does feel like a place where regulars visit religiously each day. I wonder what it would be like to be a barista here. Lots of interesting people come in here I'm sure! 

Great selection as well :) Like every coffee shop should :) 

If you're looking for a cool place to hang out in the Annex which isn't on the main strip of Bloor Street and you are willing to walk north to Dupont, I highly recommend Ezra's Pound. 

5/5 Hearts & Smiles 

Indie Coffee Shop Hoppin' - Mercury Espresso Bar [Leslieville]

Mercury Espresso Bar

915 Queen Street East 

http://mercuryespresso.com/

Leslieville is filled with MANY of my Bucket List To-Dos, so I thought why not spend a sunny Toronto  morning in this lovely neighbourhood. Mercury Espresso Bar has always been on my radar because of it's relationship with other coffee joints in the Toronto community. They are/were a part of the "Disloyalty Card" community.  Located on the corner of Queen Street E and Morse Street, Mercury is easy to spot with it's large windows and lovely outdoor patio. I decided to stay inside for my visit, but it looked like the patio was a popular choice! I wanted something simple, so I went for their daily brew. I wish I could remember what it was called, but I remember it having a note of "caramel". I'm terrible with actually "tasting" any sort of notes in coffee, but I'm trying! The coffee was tasty nonetheless and I had a croissant too! It was fresh and fluffy, exactly what a croissant should be!

I even snagged myself a free pin! Any place that offers a free pin is good in my books! They also had a pretty good taste in music! It's also a great place for people watching. I sat on a stool by the window and watched all the suits and mothers with stroller walk by, it was swell :) 

I recommend this place for sure :) 

4/5 Smiles!

Long-Distance Indie Coffee Date #7. [i deal coffee] - Kensington

Indie Coffee Shop #7 

http://www.idealcoffees.com/

Neighbourhood: Kensington Market

Drink Ordered: Mocha (... again..)

Size: Pretty "i deal" ha. It's a decent size, and has enough seats for everyone who wants to sit. The location of the cafe is a bit off of Kensington's main market, so it's not in a high traffic area like Moonbean or Manic Coffee on College street. Therefore, I assume it's not hard to get a seat in this particular coffee shop. Though, I did go in the morning when there might not be as much of a rush. Can't complain too much about the size. It's all good! 

Menu: I almost want to say that their prices are pretty reasonable. But then again, it seems they only offer the one size on their menu, and judging by the size I got for the price that it was, I'd say you can get more for your buck in other places. But again, don't quote me on that! It has all your coffee standards, nothing to crazy. They do sell beans though! So if you're into buying some beans and blends, you might want to check it out! 

The mocha I had was made with some yummy chocolate milk. However, I can't remember what the brand was! How terrible am I? I want to say that it's made with Harmony Organic Milk, but don't quote me on that one! It was pretty alright. However, it's not what I normally enjoy in a mocha. Foam was lovely, and it was tasty in general, I just have my favourite places to get a mocha! 

Atmosphere: Pretty laid back. It's what you'd expect in the laid back, ultra cool Kensington area. I went here with a friend, and it was nice to sit back and have ourselves a drink. It felt "hip" and "young" and "cool". I think those are the best words I can use to describe it. 

Overall, I enjoy i deal coffee. The service was nice, and the decor was laid back and nice. It's one of those places you'd take a date in the morning. Perhaps the morning after? *wink* *wink*. I would go here again when I'm in Kensington, HOWEVER, it is close to Moonbean... meaning, I might end up going to Moonbean instead. 

Date Potencial: 7/10 hearts. I don't feel the "date" aspect in the air here. That's not to say you can't go here on a date. It would have to be pretty "laid back" and "cool". I keep using those words, but they are the only ones I can think of to describe this place. It's no frills, just a cool hang out. 

Great for: Students, hipster types. 

i deal coffee gets 8/10 smiles from me!