The Brockton Haunt

Cafe: The Brockton Haunt
Address: 1150 College St.
Phone: 647-479-4374
Store Hours: Mon-Fri 7 AM - 7 PM, Sat 8 AM - 6 PM, Sun 9 AM - 5 PM
Website: N/A

Study Appropriate?: Yes
Wi-Fi?: Yes
Stamp Cards?: Yes

Interior

Menu 

Drinks - Soy/Almond/Lactose-Free Options?: Soy and almond only

- Offers The Haunt Chocolate

- Offers iced lattes in the summer 

- Roasted coffee beans from Pilot Coffee Roasters

Food - Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten-Free Options?: Vegetarian only

- Offers empanadas from The Empanada Dealer

- Baked goods made in-house and fresh daily 

Peppermint Latte, $4

Review

Drink of Choice: Cappuccino, $3.10

When my friend and I decided to go study at a cafe, The Brockton Haunt was actually not our original destination. We got off at College to find out Playful Grounds was closed. We were surprised, considering the posted hours said they were supposed to be open that afternoon. It wasn't until later that day I found out that the cafe had shut down (Indie Coffee Passport haven't announced it yet on their website for some reason). I was annoyed, considering the distance we travelled. Luckily, I found out there was another cafe on College a couple of blocks away, which was The Brockton Haunt.

Arriving upon the cafe, we found that the small space was almost full. The only place we were able to sit at was at the front of the window. Although there were only a handful of seats available, the place made up for it with its interesting interior layout. I like the fact that they had a back corner on the top of a couple of stairs. It made a cozy and intimate space. The cafe features an artist every couple of months where you could buy the displayed artworks. The artist who was displayed when I was there was Lisa Hoffman's animal portrait print series. You can check out her art at www.before-midnight.com.

I noticed while I was there how busy it got. Many customers came in and had to buy their coffee-to-go. It's always a good sign when you see a cafe with constant traffic. Their drink was their "Haunt" Chocolate, which was a double mocha latte with a hint of mint. I wished it was on their ICP menu so I could have tried it! Overall, I think The Brockton Haunt is a cute cafe in a nice location and is the locals' favourite!

[Product Review] DLish Cupcakes

Company: DLish Cupcakes

Website: www.dlishcupcakes.com

Review

Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten-Free?: No

Lemon Meringue, $17 for box of 6

Maple Walnut, $3

Pumpkin, $3

DLish Cupcakes is one of the popular cupcake stores in Toronto. If you aren't familiar, DLish Cupcakes have two locations on Queen West and Yorkville. They specialize in cupcakes for all occasions, with limited edition flavours that come out maybe once or twice a year.

The very first time I got to try DLish Cupcakes was when I won a 6-pack of their limited Lemon Meringue this past summer. I was super excited because who wouldn't want to win free cupcakes? My friend asked for one immediately after she found out I won. I remembered it being soft and chewy, which is a given for all the DLish Cupcakes! I was quite content with the number of cupcakes I was able to chow down by the end of the day.

I was able to try their Maple Walnut and Pumpkin recently through their weekly freebies! How do you get a free cupcake? If you keep an eye out on their Twitter account @DLishCupcakes, they sometimes announce a secret word that you need to say in-stores to win a free cupcake. I remember devouring the Maple Walnut pretty quickly and the Pumpkin tasted true to its flavour. My favourite out of the three flavours I have tried so far is the Maple Walnut.

So to wrap it up, each and every cupcake I've had so far from DLish Cupcakes is absolutely delish! It's perfect to bring to a small dinner party or for someone's birthday. Heck, why need an occasion to have a cupcake anyway? Cupcakes are simply amazing.

Cafe M

Cafe: Cafe M

Address: 672 Yonge St. 

Phone: 647-748-8010

Store Hours: Mon-Wed 8 AM - 6 PM, Thurs-Sat 8 AM 8 PM, Sun Closed

Website: N/A

Wi-Fi?: Yes

Study Appropriate?: Yes

Stamp Cards: No

Interior

Menu

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

- Roasted coffee beans from Rufino Espresso

- Many interesting syrups available, ex. apple pie, for $0.50 extra

- Offers Italian soda

- Offers tea lattes in the winter

- Offers iced drinks in the summer

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

- Gluten-free bread available

- Offers baked goods and products from: Desmond and Beatrice, Sweets Everything, Phipps Desserts, and Patachou

- Sandwiches made to order 

Review

Drink of Choice: Double Macademia Nut Latte, $4.50

One of the few cafes along Yonge St. downtown, Cafe M is just a bit north of Wellesley subway station. It's a nice and convenient place for those hustling and bustling and wanting to drop by for some coffee that isn't from Starbucks or McDonald's. The cafe itself has a bit of a vintage feel and the walls are adorned with old vinyls. The owner, Michelle, said that their lattes and espressos were different than most because instead of being bitter, the drinks had a mild and nutty flavour to them. I decided to try the Macademia Nut Latte, which was definitely nutty (as it should be) and had a toasty taste to it. Also noted, the cafe has many interesting syrups you can add to your drink for only $0.50, like apple pie! They tend to add and remove different drinks seasonally as well.

While I was there, I noticed a lovely painting at the back of the cafe. One of the baristas is actually a freelance artist who specializes in fine art. I thought it was really nice since I always had an interest for anything artsy and handmade. Although the cafe is great for getting work done, I suggest you bring work that doesn't require a laptop because there are no outlets available. Luckily I asked in advance so I was prepared.

All in all, I'm glad there is a cafe along Yonge St. that gives an opportunity for coffee drinkers in the area a chance to have some non-chain coffee. Cafe M is also open to hosting events so you can contact them for more information on renting out the space.

RedFish BlueFish Creative Cafe

Cafe: RedFish BlueFish Creative Cafe
Address: 73 Harbord St.
Phone: 416-960-2233
Store Hours: Mon-Fri 8 AM - 7 PM, Sat-Sun 9 AM - 5 PM
Website: www.redfishbluefishcafe.com

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

Interior

Menu

Drinks - Soy/Almond/Lactose-Free Options?: Yes to all
- Offers Fluffy
- Offers apple cider during the winter season, using apples from Ontario farms!
- Roasted coffee beans from Detour Coffee Roaster, Punch Buggy coffee beans

Food - Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten-Free Options?: Yes to all
- Snacks from Desmond and Beatrice
- Offers nut-free cookies
- Offers gluten-free cashew cookies
- Offers nut-free chocolate chip cookies (a favourite for the children!)
- Made in-house salads and sandwiches
- Offers vegan sandwiches
- Offers jerk chicken
- Offers gluten-free hot meals
- Food delivered from Foodbenders daily

Tea Latte, $3.81

Review

Drink of Choice: Latte, $3.58

Redfish BlueFish Creative Cafe is near Spadina Station and is popular among parents and their children and mothers-to-be! Of course, everyone is welcome to enjoy their stay here. Luckily, I arrived when it wasn't too busy. Every week, there are different programs being offered for both children and adults. They have events such as drama, crafts, and yoga. You can see what events are happening during the month on their website. The cafe provides toys, crafts, and books for the children to use during their stay.

One of their specialty drinks is the Fluffy, which is steamed milk that you can add a flavour shot to if you wish. They also have nut-free snacks available for children who have nut allergies. Most of the food available is delivered in fresh everyday by Foodbenders. Some of the salads and sandwiches are made in-house by the cafe.

Overall, the cafe is a great space to bring children and it provides parents with something new to do. It gives both the parents and children the opportunity to interact with others and create new friendships! As well, the cafe no longer uses stamp cards but if you have one from the past, they will honour it.