Fuel +

Cafe: Fuel +

Address: 471 Church St.

Phone: 647-352-8807

Store Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30 AM - 9 PM, Sat-Sun 8:30 AM - 9 PM

Website: www.fuelplus.ca

Wi-Fi?: Yes

Study Appropriate?: Yes

Stamp Cards?: No

Interior

Menu

Drinks - Soy/Almond/Lactose-Free Options?: Yes to all

- Roasted coffee beans from 23 Degrees Roastery

- Offers Spicy Ginger Chai

- Offers Amsterdam Black

- Offers Amsterdam Blonde

- Offers protein shakes

- All ginger ales are made in-house!

- Will be offering Cranberry Mint drinks this upcoming holidays!

- Sells organic juices

- Sells Karma

- Sells Kombucha (fermented mushroom tea)

Food - Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten-Free Options?: Yes to all

- Offers fuel balls, made in-house

- Offers 3 flavours of gelato from Gelato Fresco 

- Gluten-free biscotti from Sweets Everything

- Vegan and gluten-free snacks from Sweets from the Earth

Ginger Ale

Pina Colada and Kiwi Kale Detox

 

Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Protein Shake, $5.99

Various treats including: Cranberry Fuel Ball, Cinnamon Fuel Ball, Peanut Fuel Balls, Gluten-Free

Pastries

Roast Beef Panini Grilled Sandwich, $4.99

Review

Drink of Choice: Spicy Ginger Chai, $4.19

I was invited to Fuel +'s Fall/Winter tasting event on October 29th to try out their new menu items. This was my very first media invite so I was super excited. When I got there, I was flooded with samples. I definitely enjoyed their signature fuel balls, which were all made in house and only 100 calories each! In my opinion, the best item I got to try was their Grilled Breakfast Burrito! I kept asking if there were going to be more samples because I couldn't get enough of it! I thought it was pretty cool that their ginger ale were made in-house, so if you enter the cafe, you'd be hit with a strong ginger smell. The Spicy Ginger Chai was definitely delicious! I do recommend drinking it slowly and thoroughly enjoying it just because it can overwhelm the taste-buds.

My advice for anyone who hasn't had a protein shake before is to not order one head-on. I always like trying new things so I decided to order one of their shakes. I thought it would probably taste like milkshake. I was wrong. It was a lot to take in and if you are not a peanut butter lover, definitely do not order the Peanut Butter Chocolate Banana flavoured shake (I prefer their Pina Colada one instead). I couldn't finish up my shake because I was starting to get headaches, probably because I wasn't used to having so much protein at once (additional to all the other samples I had). However, if you use protein shakes to bulk up and tired of drinking the same kind you have at home over and over, give Fuel Plus a try! They have many flavours to choose from.

I spoke with both owners, Chester and Gary, who were extremely passionate about their cafe and what they were all about. Fuel + is about having healthy and organic options at a very affordable price. They felt that eating healthy shouldn't come with a high price. They wanted to give an opportunity for those who are thinking of eating healthier a chance without breaking the bank. They mentioned that their drinks are cheaper than Starbucks and for a generous quantity as well. Fuel + is also involved with a couple of running groups, such as Nike's Running Group every Tuesday and Get Out Canada. Runners in the area are also free to stop by and use their lockers for free as well! If people are interested in finding gifts for a vegan/gluten-free friend or a family member, Fuel Plus is currently offering gift baskets for this holiday!

Thank you Fuel + for the media invite! :)

Tangerine Cafe (Downtown)

Cafe: Tangerine Cafe
Address: 221 Yonge St.
Phone: 416-644-5929
Store Hours: Mon-Fri 9 AM - 6 PM, Sat 11 AM - 6 PM, Sun 12 PM - 5 PM
Website: www.tangerine.ca

Wi-Fi?: Yes
Study Appropriate?: Yes
Stamp Cards?: No

Interior

Main Floor

Second Floor

Menu

Drinks - Soy/Almond/Lactose-Free Options?: Only almond
- Roasted coffee beans from Fresh Coffee Network

Food - Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten-Free Options?: Yes to all

Orange Juice, $2

Review

Drink of Choice: Fair Trade Coffee, $2

I first found out about Tangerine Cafe when my friend wanted to meet up there. I passed by the cafe often but I never thought much of it. I didn't realize that it was a community space where people were free to come in and do their work. The cafe has free Wi-Fi and several iPads for use. Their drink menu is unfortunately very limited. You can get either tea, coffee or OJ. However, they are all organic and fair trade.

The purpose of the Tangerine Cafes (they have 5 locations altogether across Canada), is to teach finance in a fun and unique approach. People can come in an inquire anything finance-related and the staff can also set up an account for you! The cafes are not bank branches, though there are two ABMS available for clients' at the downtown location.

The cafe also offers co-working space, where companies can rent the space for $20/day or $100/month. 100% of the money generated is donated to charity. More details on their website.

I think Tangerine Cafes are a unique concept. They really want to change the way people talk about money and provide an open space for that type of discussion, instead of boring money talk. It's a great place to have quick meetings with a friend or co-worker when you need a place to do so downtown as well.

Cacao 70

Cafe: Cacao 70
Address: 2087 Ste-Catherine Ouest
Phone: 514-933-1688
Store Hours: Mon-Sun 11 AM - 10:30 PM
Website: www.cacao70.ca

Wi-Fi?: Yes
Study Appropriate?: No
Stamp Cards?: No

Interior

Menu

View menu here: www.cacao70.ca/newmenueng.jpg & www.cacao70.ca/menueng.pdf

The House Special (I think, I don't remember), $12

Meat Lover Omelet, $12.50

Review

Although yes, this is the Toronto Cafe Blog, I think it's nice to have a little variety here and there. As well, this is a filler review since I don't have as much content to post compared to my upcoming reviews.

My boyfriend and I visited my cousin in Montreal three weeks ago. We got to try a popular chocolate dessert cafe/restaurant called Cacao 70. They offered a limited selection of coffee drinks but I wasn't there for the coffee. Since it was brunch time, I was desperate to have some content into my stomach. I didn't want to order dessert because I had nothing in the morning and didn't want to be filled up on sugar. So I ordered one of their savoury crepes, The House Special (I think, I'm basing it off their online menu since I forgot to record it). It came with fruit appetizers that you could dip in chocolate before the main entree came. I definitely enjoyed the food! It was not crazily mind-blowing and unique, but it definitely gave me a fill and I was definitely content.

I really liked the atmosphere and their chocolate-themed restaurant. You could also buy chocolate to take back with you if you wish. I didn't buy any only because they were a bit pricey for a bag.

If I was to come back to Montreal (which I obviously am), I would definitely try their dessert crepes. Even if you hate chocolate (like my boyfriend), there is definitely something there for everyone.