A Kensington Market mainstay. Last year during the indie coffee passport I mentioned that I had long been a patron of Moonbean Coffee Co. Between my habits changing, trying to visit all the Indie Coffee Pass shops and all the new places opening in the city I’ve spent a lot less time in the Kensington area and have had very few chances to drop in. I do like it in Moonbean, it’s taking a lot of will power to avoid the baked goods. While I take the time to write and listen to people talk about cultural change and the landscape of neighbourhoods the city. My Indie Coffee Passport selection the Jasmine Matcha Latte is a tasty repast for a rainy Sunday Afternoon

http://www.moonbeancoffee.com/

http://www.indiecoffeepassport.com/toronto/index.html

Feeling beat on my way home from work. I scanned the Indie Coffee Passport for a nearby cafe. Cafe Novo was a perfect choice. Right outside of the High park Subway exit (west end of platform). I snuck off the train and stopped in. The sun drenched patio and the cozy atmosphere in the shop were incredibly inviting. If only I didn’t have other things to do. The in house made cookies and treats looked fantastic as well. My latte au Miele was incredible far more enjoyable than I thought it might be the honey and espresso worked wonderfully together. Beautifully suited for sitting in the sun and exploring a few cookies.

http://cafenovo.ca/

http://www.indiecoffeepassport.com/

Macha Green Tea Latte at Moonbean coffee in Kensington Market

They were baking cookies and muffins when we arrived. Which is kind of dirty pool as far as getting someone to love your shop. Making it smell like fresh baking and coffee.

I really liked the place (and have been back since). For a fairly small space they used it well. Keeping it clean and simple while pretty stylistic as well. The latte was fantastic and it was great to have it accompanied by a description of the coffee blend and flavour notes. The apple cider muffins fulfilled all the promise of the incredible aroma as I entered the store.

It was another fantastic find due to the Indie Coffee Passport. Fahrenheit is also only a few minutes away from St. Lawrence Market. Setting up a brilliant star to many food adventures in the future.

http://www.indiecoffeepassport.com/

http://www.fahrenheitcoffee.com/

Home made caramel latte

Beautiful warm day to be wandering he streets checking out cafes. With only a few weeks left to finish my indie coffee passport and having four cafes left to visit. I thought it a good idea to run out to Cafe 260. In an nestled in an area covered in University buildings and condominiums. Cafe 260 is a beautiful little spot. Nice bare brick and unpretentious comfortable vintage furniture. My latte has a nice heady foam and is near perfect. I wish I could have spent the rest of the day here and let everyone else run by.

http://www.indiecoffeepassport.com/

http://www.cafe260.com/

Coconut Latte from Toronto Coffee Co. At Bloor and Lansdowne. Nice blen of flavour bringing out the roasted flavour of the coffee and in return balancing out the coconut. With our being distractingly sweet. Well played.

Tammy my lovely coffee companion and I started out at the High Park Library and walked down a beautiful snowy Roncesvalles. After getting a bit cold window shopping and checking out vintage clothes and furniture we turned the corner up Queen west to visit Big Guys Little Coffee Shop. A nice foamy latte and a comfy leather chair made it a perfect spot. Eureathral music and the pleasant relaxed atmosphere I could have spent the whole day here contentedly reading and writing. Please, do yourself the favour of visiting Big Guy Little Coffee shop. It’d be good to keep Big Guys thriving.

http://www.indiecoffeepassport.com/participating.html

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Big-Guys-Little-Coffee-Shop/377721500128

I was given a new home espresso machine for Christmas. It’s been and incredible gift and I’m super enthused to be able to go back to experimenting with my coffee at home again. From buying espresso beans at Coffee Tree Roastery at Bloor and Jane to opening the box and putting the machine together. It was very exciting.

(on the down side I killed my grinder, I was dumb and didn’t realise that it was plugged and burnt out the motor. So it was a learning experience. I know to look at the coffee and see if there is a problem with the unit before trying to grind and force the beans through)

My first shot was pretty good, and I made a really nice looking and delicious tasting latte, right down to dusting it with cinnamon. I even found a use for my Mondial De La Biere glasses. My americano the next day was pretty solid too. It was huge served in a beer mug with foamy milk head.

http://www.coffeetree.ca/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20&products_id=7

Today’s coffee adventure took us out to a sun brightened cafe located at 1986 Bloor West. Across from High Park. Unfortunately I was running late for the legions of other things and engagements I had so I didn’t really get a chance to relax and enjoy what I thought was a bright pleasant cafe. My ginger molasses cookie and eggnog latte were delicious. It’s another of many coffee finds in the city I’d like to visit again.