Block 1912 Cafe — Restaurant in Greater Strathcona

Edit: came here today for ice cream (my partner was begging for it, and we were talking by).

Asked for two single-scoop cones, to go. Paid for it then handed the receipt to the ice cream scooper-person (a different person than we paid). Told them the same. They proceeded to put the ice cream into a plastic cup with a plastic spoon...

Unbelievable how a company can so consistently screw up simple, sustainability-minded things.

This visit has reinforced my thoughts on Block 1912, their policies, and their pricing (two single-scoop cones cost over $13, and a cone costs an extra $1 with no sustainable cheaper option).

To Block 1912: please create some policies about sustainability, and ensure your staff are aware of them and are following through with them. Again, there's so many great cafes on Whyte Ave, why can't you make some simple decisions and be better to the environment? Simple questions and conscious thinking from your staff could avoid mindless situations like this.

Original review:

Been here several times, and probably won't be coming back. First off, they basically charge $1 for hot water as espresso is 2.50 and an Americano (espresso + hot water) is 3.50, so that's disappointing in and of itself. Most cafés would charge maybe 50 cents more (if that). Dessert options are plentiful and quite good, but also pricey.

Today they asked if we wanted to stay or go, and we replied 'stay', with the expectation that we'd receive our drinks in a ceramic cup. They made our drinks and when they called us up I realized they used 'to-go' cups. I asked them what the reason for that is, and the worker said they're 'all out' of cups (meaning they needed to put them through the dishwasher). I'm really disappointed in this and would have happily waited another 5-10 minutes for my coffee if they took the time to wash the cups and use their sustainable option instead of a single-use disposable paper cup. Alternatively, they could have simply mentioned they were out of clean cups and then we could at least have decided whether we were willing to use a disposable cup or not, rather than be asked if we wanted to stay which implies that a reusable cup will be used. Looks like they also use plastic straws, while many other local cafés are straw-free, or at least using paper/biodegradable straws.

Will likely not return if I'm in the area (which is quite often) and seek out alternative, more sustainability-minded cafés. Am disappointed as it's an otherwise nice place to...

Unfortunately I feel like the cakes/desserts have gone downhill over the years. Staff, service, and atmosphere has always been great and still is, especially with live music nights.

Hot food has never been a thing to write home about for my experience here. Drinks are consistent and standard, however I haven't gotten anything that has blown my away or has definitely made me want to come back or experiment.

It had always been the desserts for me. However, the last few times I've gone for desserts, the prices have risen as expected with inflation, however the quality has not stayed consistent.

I bought a tiramisu, pistachio cake, and almond/walnut/pecan(?) cake the last time I visited. Both the tiramisu and pistachio cake (triangle cut pieces) were dry. The creams/toppings around the cake were still flavourful and moist, but not as rich as they used to be. I remember the first time I tried their pistachio cake and panna cotta. It was delightful and I wanted MORE. This time was the first time I felt genuinely disappointed. The almond cake dessert (looks a little like a chocolate bomb/creampuff) was the best of the three. While moisture and balance of the richness of the creams and nuts vs. the softness of the cake were good, I honestly didn't get a lot of almond flavor. It was moreso a lightly, lightly nutty flavored dessert (if you gave it to me blind I couldn't tell you what nuts in particular were used in any part of the dessert asides from the actual nuts sprinkled on top).

For almost $10 a piece, I think the price is unfortunately no longer worth the product when it comes to the desserts.

I look forward to trying again later, but for now, I will be looking around elsewhere for a...

Went to block 1912 with my boyfriend to enjoy a iced latte with some food that we had bought at another establishment. We had come in with our food and we’re not told (signage or by staff) that we were not allowed to bring in outside food. Food was in hand when coming in. AFTER ORDERING and already seated we were then greeted by a staff member in a very casual and unprofessional manner (“my guy”) telling us that we weren’t allowed outside food as to their policy. There is no signage or again anyone telling us upon arrival that we were not allowed any food. I have had outside food in block 1912 many times through the years of being there and wasn’t once asked to not eat it in there. If we hadn’t ordered drinks then I wouldn’t have complained but the fact that we had already made a not to mention $15 purchase I don’t understand what the point of kicking us out was because either way we had supported their buisness and ordered and made a $10+ purchase.

On top of it paying for the coffee it is super overpriced for what you are receiving. It was watered down with oat milk and barely had any espresso or flavour due to the over powering of the oat milk. Me or my boyfriend will not be coming back to this...