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.

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.

Si Espresso Bar

Cafe: Si Espresso Bar

Address: 748 Broadview Ave.

Phone: 416-463-5550

Store Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30 AM - 5 PM, Sat 8 AM - 5 PM, Sun 9 AM - 3 PM

Website: www.siespressobar.com

Wi-Fi?: Yes

Study Appropriate?: No

Stamp Cards?: No

Interior

Menu

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

- Offers Nutella latte

- Offers Italian latte

- Roasted coffee beans from Rufino Espresso

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

- Offers bocconotti
- Offers gluten-free square snacks

- Baked goods from Sweets from the Earth

- Homemade cookies made by the owner's mother, such as lemon and jam flavour, and whatever else she decides to bake

- Homemade cakes made by the owner's girlfriend, such as blueberry crumble cake and banana nutella creme pie 

Single Shot Chai Latte, $3.75

Review

Drink of Choice: Small Latte, $3.75

I already had a good impression of Si Espresso Bar with my first experience. When I first arrived to Si Espresso, I had no idea how small the space was going to be. In attempt to study, it was difficult to find a spot to spread out my books and do my readings. However, I got to chit-chat with the barista and she was very friendly, in which I enjoyed my conversation with her. I love it when I could have an open conversation with those who work at the cafe. I was eager to return for my second visit about a year later.

Learned the second time around, instead of doing my homework, I brought a friend along to catch up with over coffee. The barista who I spoke with the last time wasn't there when I arrived but apparently she still worked there. I got to speak with Saverio, the owner of Si Espresso Bar. He told me their roasted coffee beans came once a week from Rufino Espresso. Many of the baked goods that you could purchase at the cafe are homemade by his mother and girlfriend, which ranges from cakes to Italian cookies! I thought this was a really nice touch to the cafe. The place only plays vinyl music because the owner enjoys the sound of it. There is also a guitar in the cafe where anyone can pick up and play if they are bored enough! As well, every three months to celebrate the locals supporting the cafe, there is a party hosted. There's no stamp cards but the cafe does keep track of the regulars' birthdays!