March 1, 2008
Snappy Answers: She Drinks Coffee, She Drinks Tea
Snappy Answers runs every Saturday afternoon. Send your questions, be they tough or trivial, to snappyanswers@torontoist.com.
Hi,
I'm a stressed-out U. of T. student in the middle of midterms, and I'm always looking for good places to study. I'm sick of campus and tired of Starbucks, which is usually overcrowded (not to mention overrated, overpriced etc.). I know Futures has good food and it's open late, but it's too loud. I just want a friendly neighborhood place to get good coffee and some work done. Do you have any suggestions?
—Eileen
Do we have any suggestions? Come on, Eileen! "Suggestions" is our middle name.
Assuming the neighborhood you're referring to is somewhere in the College-Spadina-Bloor-Bathurst quarter, we have the perfect place for you. Linux Caffe (326 Harbord, at Grace) is just off the backpack path, but hopefully not too far from your digs; even if it is, we think it's worth the trek. If low-key and lower-priced is what you're looking for, you'll find a second home in this Kensington-vibey joint, a favourite of grad students who sit hunched over textbooks and iBooks for hours. The coffee is i deal: "hot, dark and organic," says the website, and fair trade to boot. (Looking for a new addiction? Try the "Canadiano.") Food is healthy and homey (think veggie stew with burnt-and-buttered toast), wi-fi fast and free. Best of all, while the music can be anything from college rock (Pavement, Wilco) to live cello, it's never too loud.
For java-fuelled cram sessions, Linux is open 'til "11ish" Monday through Saturday. They close early on Sundays, around 5 p.m.
I'm addicted to Starbucks chai lattes, but I just found out they're 300 calories each! Help! Where in the city can I find a less fattening version?
—Jenn
Ugh. At chain coffee shops, most tea lattes are like muffins; they sound (and sometimes even taste) healthy, but it's just a big fat lie.
You're ordering the venti regular, right? Try going one size down and ask for nonfat milk, and your daily fix will be more like 200 calories; get it "half-sweet" to scale back even more. Still, Starbucks makes their Tazo chai lattes so addictive by using a syrup that, while delicious, is packed with sugar and artificial flavours.
For a lower-cal (and local) alternative, try the Drake's Corner Café. They make their tea lattes with real tea, in bags, and add steamed milk and sugar to taste. If you get yours made with skim milk and honey, it'll be downright good for you.
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how about Manic coffee, at college and bathurst. they serve delicious Intelligientsia coffee and pull a very nice espresso. whenever I'm in the neighborhood that's my cafe of choice (I'm a mercury regular in leslieville).
I'm afraid of linux caffe because I've heard of three separate incidents of customers being shot in the face with steam from their steamer. three incidents! how does this even happen!?
Moonbean Cafe on St. Andrew in Kensington Market is great! Small place, often busy but nice vibe and Fair Trade coffee, freshly roasted and ground on site.
More suggestions in this ancient Torontoist post.
I was also once a Chai Latte addict. I moved to non-fat milk to make it a little better, but the price started to get to me after awhile.
I've since switched to drinking London Fog instead. It is made with Earl Grey Tea, a shot of Vanilla and steamed milk. It is heavenly when made correctly.
The problem is that not all barrista's know how to make them well, so you have to keep your eye on them. Second Cup will make them for you as well.
just us on queen west (far, i know)
but great atmosphere, good music.
http://www.justuscoffee.com/
Linux cafe is great but it's normally pretty crowded, especially as a lot of patrons are singles taking up a table with a laptop, which is what it's meant for I suppose. Just Us on Queen is good if you're near the area, and not normally packed, as is the venerable Tequila Bookworm in its new position a few doors west.
I tried non-fat milk today. YUCK.
Head down McCaul street to Dundas and look to the North-East, there's a cozy kind of fair trade coffee shop with a nice view of the growing AGO out the window.
Matt, do you mean Agent Orange? I was there on Friday and absolutely love it.
There is also a good panini place on McCaul called Mangiacakes and just north of that is Sage Café.
Great place, great coffee!
Have a coffee, then go to the central library. Lots of room, quiet, and free wi-fi!
Kahawa Coffee (on College and Borden, just a block down from Manic) is also pretty cozy, with great Ethipian coffee and friendly service. Can get pretty full though, as it only has around 8 tables and seats at the counter.
Wait... iBooks at the Linux Caffe?
Am I missing something?
Wait... iBooks at the Linux Caffe?
Am I missing something?
Oh, for tasty low(er) fat tea drinks, try a London Fog at Storebucks or the Second Cup! It's a steam milk tea made with Earl Grey and a shot of sugar-free vanilla syrup. It's not addictive, but I can't function without one and I can't stop drinking them.
Aaaaand I just read the comments. London Fog = Already recommended (try it with other teas too!). My bad.
BUT, a follow up: you can also try 'Cafe Sublime' in Kensington as well for a nice cozy work area! Free wifi, good tunes and a knowledgeable barista. Just checking here to see if that has been recommended too ... nope we're good!