i deal coffee (Sorauren)

Cafe: i deal coffee
Address: 221 Sorauren Ave.
Phone: 416-364-4563
Store Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30 AM - 7 PM, Sat 8 AM - 7 PM, Sun 9 AM - 7 AM
Website: www.idealcoffee.ca

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

Interior

Menu

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

Food - Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten-Free Options?: Yes to all
- Baked goods made in house
- Uses Prairie Boy Bread

Review

My Order: Latte, $3.57

I was surprised to find that Balluchon Raymond Inc. was closed and in place of it was another i deal coffee location. As expected of an i deal coffee cafe, it was super packed when I arrived. I contemplated on leaving because it was so full, but luckily a seat freed up before I did.

Compared to Balluchon, they changed the layout of the cafe just a bit. There were more tables and chairs to accommodate to the number of customers, though they kept the exposed brick walls and counter the same. They also have a patio open during the warmer weather as well.

You can find the standard i deal coffee menu here and their typical offerings. If you are a fan of i deal coffee and is in Roncesvalles, definitely take a look at this location.

Joes

Cafe: Joes
Address: 250 Sourauren Ave.
Phone: 416-539-9420
Store Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30 AM - 6 PM, Sat-Sun 8:30 AM - 6 PM
Website: N/A

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

Interior

Menu

Drinks - Soy/Almond/Lactose-Free Options?: Yes to all
- Offers americano with misto
- Offers iced americano with steamed milk
- Offers iced latte
- Roasted coffee beans from Alternative Grounds

Food - Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten-Free Options?: Yes to all
- Cookies and muffins made in-house
- Bagels from Montreal
- Offers soup and chili in the winter, types changed daily
- Offers salads and sandwiches in the summer
- Specialty mountain oatmeal cookies available

Review

Drink of Choice: Iced Latte, $3.56 (Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture!)

I'm unsure if this cafe is called Sunny Joes or just Joes. On the ICP, it says Joes. However, on BlogTO and other sites it's referred to as Sunny Joes. Since it goes under Joes on Facebook, I will assume that it is the correct name.

Joes is located near Balluchon Raymond Inc., another cafe, in the Roncesvalles neighbourhood. When I went there, it definitely had a quiet, neighbourhoodly-vibe. Patrons kept to themselves, in contrast to Balluchon Raymond Inc. down the street, where the owner would happily talk about his cafe for hours if you wished to hear.

I don't have much to comment on in regards to Joes. For the drink, I had the iced latte, which I cannot recall my opinion of it. However, what I found was unique was that it had coffee cubes rather than regular iced cubes. This was so the drink would not become diluted when the ice cube melted and would stay true to its taste.

Balluchon Raymond Inc. - CLOSED

This cafe is no longer in operation. i deal coffee has replaced it.

Title: Balluchon Raymond Inc.
Address: 221 Sorauren Ave.
Phone: 647-889-1279
Store Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30 AM - 5 PM, Sat-Sun 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Website: N/A

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

Interior

Menu

Drinks - Soy/Almond/Lactose-Free Options?: Yes to all
- Flax milk available
- Custom roasted fair trade organic Ethiopian coffee beans
- Offers apple cider in the winter
- Discount if you bring your own cup/mug

Food - Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten-Free Options?: Yes to all
- Offers bagels
- Offers gluten-free brownies and other baked goods
- Offers sandwiches and wraps

Review

Drink of Choice: Large Latte, $4.48

Balluchon Raymond Inc. is located far west in Roncesvalles. When I made my trip, it was a couple of months back when the weather was still freezing and dreary. The trek from the bus stop to the cafe seemed to go on forever in the cold. However, I finally made it to my destination in one piece. The cafe was snuggled deep in a residential neighbourhood with another cafe, Joes (that was also part of the Indie Coffee Passport), down the street.

I was greeted by the owner, Raymond, who was a person full of life and character. He was a roaster by trade and was more than enthusiastic to talk about his cafe when I asked. In fact, he took me to the back to show me a layout of where his second cafe was going to be. It was going to be at Duffy's Farm Gate Market, located in Hepworth (which is north of Toronto with a 3 hour drive for those who have never heard of it), that had indoor and outdoor vendors that offered local produce, coffee and more. However, the current cafe is now under renovation but is still open to the public. For regulars, they would be seeing a transformation as the cafe gets new French windows, a front patio and some reno on the inside.

Raymond emphasized on wanting his customers to "enjoy the moment" when they are at his cafe. He is not a fan of the fast-paced lifestyle that Torontonians tend to have, grabbing their coffee to go or always on their laptops (he offers Wi-Fi, but he prefers that you don't you use it so much or at all!). He is inspired by the European cafes and wants to create that environment for people to be able to sit for hours and relax with a delicious cup of coffee. So if you do go to his cafe, take your coffee in "civilized ceramic" rather than in a to-go cup and stay as long as you can!

The cafe have plenty of gigs that happen every so often. You pay what you can to enjoy some fun and live performances. They have anything from live acoustic music to young professional classical musicians performing. As well, there are always new art up for sale every month with an artist opening. After the reno, the cafe will be having a grand re-opening and will be inviting the neighbourhood to come out, which is later to be announced.

Alternative Grounds - CLOSED

This cafe is no longer in operation.

Cafe: Alternative Grounds
Address: 333 Roncesvalles Ave.
Phone: 416-534-6335
Store Hours: Mon-Fri 7 AM - 7 PM, Sat-Sun 8 AM - 7 PM
Website: www.alternativegrounds.com

Wi-Fi?: Yes
Study Appropriate?: Yes
Stamp Cards?: Yes, but a prepaid card

Interior

Menu

Drinks - Soy/Almond/Lactose-Free Options?: Yes to all
- Offers Mint Condition Latte
- Offers Cinnamon Heart
- $14/pound for regular coffee
- $15.50/pound for decaf
- Baked goods from Desmond and Beatrice and Sweets from the Earth

Food - Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten-Free Options?: Vegan and gluten-free
- Also offers dairy-free and wheat-free options
- Offers bagel sandwiches
- Offers soups
- Offers empanadas
- Primarily a vegetarian cafe

Review

Drink of Choice: Cinnamon Heart, $3.45

Upon entering Alternative Grounds, I immediately liked the atmosphere. They had a cozy set up and everything about it made me feel welcomed. Right away, I could tell it was going to take awhile for me to get my questions answered for this review. I was able to ask one of the three baristas on duty, Amy, briefly about the menu before a couple of customers came in to order.

In the meantime while waiting, I went ahead and ordered a Cinnamon Heart, which is a rooibos tea espresso with steamed milk. It was absolutely delicious! If you have a sweet tooth like me, Cinnamon Heart is definitely for you! I'd definitely come back just for this drink alone!

When I found the opportunity to talk to the barista quickly, I was able to inquire some more about their coffee. They roast all of their coffee beans everyday at their Bloor and Lansdowne location. They sell their coffee beans to other cafes as well. Customers are free to come in and buy themselves some coffee beans and tea if they wish. It costs $14 for a pound of regular coffee and $15.50 for decaf. It is a vegetarian cafe that offers vegan options, along with gluten-free, dairy-free and wheat-free! As well, they have a prepaid coffee card that could get you 9 coffee drinks for $13.18 (tax included)

Overall, I really liked the atmosphere. The downside for me personally is the location because it is far west from the downtown core and I could get a bit lazy with that distance. However, if you live in or near Roncesvalles, I think it would be worth stopping by.