In April, seven independent Toronto cafés came together to form the Toronto Coffee Conspiracy (TTC). Their first project is the new disloyalty card, which encourages customers to explore quality coffee across the city. It’s a great idea, and as an obsessed coffee drinker, I welcomed the opportunity to shake up my routine. I’m a regular at some of the participating coffee shops and looked forward to having an excuse to try others.
The concept is simple. Ask for a disloyalty card at any one of the participating coffee shops (Dark Horse Espresso Bar, Mercury Espresso Bar, Sam James Coffee Bar, Manic Coffee, Blondie’s, Crema, and LIT Espresso Bar) and get your card stamped when you visit each one. When your card is full, return to first café and enjoy a free drink on the house.
My first stop on this tour is the Dark Horse’s first espresso bar at 682 Queen St E, a popular spot since the day it opened in bustling Leslieville. With its exposed brick walls, rotating local art, tin ceilings, and the popular communal table, Dark Horse has been evolving since it first opened its doors. They now serve Detour Coffee’s Punch Buggy Espresso, a blend that has been perfected by the good folks at Detour in the last 12 months. Dark Horse’s decision to move away from Intelligentsia beans – which had become so ubiquitous in Toronto’s indie coffee scene – in favour of a local start-up was a bold move, but it paid off. If you like hints of chocolate and berries, you’ll love this blend. It doesn’t hurt that the folks working the espresso machine are obsessed with serving good coffee.
The selection of pastries has also evolved over the years. When they first opened, I was always late for the good stuff and was stuck eating a vegan industrial berry muffin. The calorie count may have been low, but so was the all the fun. Now, the well-stocked counter of goodies has something for everyone. I personally love the muffins from Circles and Squares Bakery, especially the blueberry crumble.
The best part about this location? The douchebag index sits at a comfortable 1.3 out of 10. The same can’t be said about Dark Horse’s second location on the West side. If you like a vibrant coffee shop in a cool space, with expertly prepared coffee, make your way here on a Saturday.
