Now & Later — Restaurant in Toronto

I really do not understand why staff members need to be gruff, unfriendly, indifferent and too cool for school. I came into this lovely venue for a quick coffee and to check out what it's all about while I do some writing during the day.

Once upon a time I recall friendly, helping inviting staff members that made you feel warm and welcome. Its sad when you come into a place greeted by person on their cellphone who makes you feel awkward for asking them basic menu questions or God forbid, to ask for water.

Some of us ignorant plebs are not always aware that a warm pitcher remains somewhere stuffed in the corner and sadly we expose ourselves to scorn and ridicule for not knowing that.

I honestly find the vibe of these places to be haughty, pompous, "hip" to the point that I feel discouraged from even sitting down. Staff used to have the ability to conduct small talk, or to engage their guests in a friendly manner, it's what being Canadian is all about.

We live in a time where we spend an egregious amount of money for basic things as it is. Must we be treated like criminals or strangers for having the gall to expect warmth and politeness. One would think paying more for products and services would entitle us to decency, but I guess not.

I have no issue with the establishment and I am sure they satisfy their guests, and hopefully they do well. I don't want to judge the venue as a whole on the basis of its mean, cold, and apathetic staff. It is more a reflection on modern times where everyone is so estranged from one another. We have no common bonds or connections anymore and it's sad to visit a nice place for a coffee and not have that classical social experience. We used to have European customs and our restaurants/bars/cafes are supposed to embody that.

Then again, we are a faceless, amorphous, multicultural society with no fixed identity, values, faith, customs or British/French rituals anymore.

It would also be delightful to hear anything put rap noise. Perhaps some jazz, Lofi, ambient, Indie, folk, classic rock ballads, Motown, Rhythm and Blues, Blues, Blue Grass, or Classical. You know, anything else including all the hundreds of different varieties of music from the last century.

But please, for God's sake smile.

(Gabriel Verveniotis author of The Origins of the Canadian Hicks: a Sociological Study...

Hate to give this place a one star because I’ve been visiting here for almost two years and really enjoy their coffee, but the service has become so hostile that I just can't justify keep patronizing this place. TLDR: Do not come here after five if you’re looking to just get a coffee and sit to get some work done. They apparently have this rule that no one is allowed to sit with their laptop after five because it’s a “social space”. In the almost two years that I’ve been coming here, I was never informed of this rule except for one I was told that they turn into a bar after 7 and if I’m only ordering coffee I’ll have to leave by then. Totally understand, so that’s what I’ve been operating with. I always make sure to leave after 7 so I can give space to patrons who visit here as a bar. This has changed until today, I walked in around 5 looking to sit for two hours and leave before seven. I ordered a coffee FOR HERE, and was given no rule whatsoever until I received my drink. I was told by the barista that they’ve always had this no laptop rule. When I pointed out that I’ve been coming here for a while and was never informed of the rule, I was accused of “well then apparently you haven’t been here for the past couple of months”. A couple of issues here. First, if it’s made a clear rule, make sure your customers know this. Maybe when someone comes in past five and orders a coffee for here, give a friendly reminder before leading them into thinking they can stay and spend their money here. Second, even if it was a honest miscommunication, it could’ve been handled so much better instead of making the customer feel like they’re being accused? Anyway, very sad to have to let this place go, but I don’t want to spend five dollars on a coffee at a place that makes me feel...

This is one in the handful of favourite cafes in Toronto.

The things I like about it:

I find the staff really approachable. I've had good conversations with almost all of them, just by virtue of sitting at the bar as I drink coffee. I've had rich conversations with all of them, about whatever our shared interests are, or whatever is important to them. I always learn something.

The coffee is very good, both in terms of the amount and quality and variety of roasts (which are De Mello, Subtext and Nile) currently. I've always talked shop with them, and they knows their stuff, and are enthusiastic about it.

A big thing that draws me to a cafe is music, and they are always playing stuff I pull out my phone for to find out what it is. The vibe is great for working, and for chilling. I'm not really sure if each person who works on a particular day chooses their own music, but it feels like there's enough of a person-specific vibe, which I always enjoy no matter who is in.

The customers tend to be friendly. Whenever I'm in, if there's a conversation going on, often the staff are involved if it's at the bar and they aren't busy, and it hasn't been very hard for me to participate if I find it interesting.

Some days the place is quiet and chill, other days the place is sociable, and it always fits.

If you like dogs, this place is very dog friendly, and a lot of the dogs are super sociable, gentle, and friendly, slowly coming up to you and enjoying whatever pets you give them.

I especially love the donuts, cream cheese bagel things,...