Aroma Espresso opens Kosher cafe

Aroma Espresso Bar is a Cafe that goes above and beyond what a lot of cafe's do.  They really listen to their patrons and provide a place and food that they are looking for.

Aroma was founded in Jerusalem in 1994 and in 2007 they opened in the Annex on Bloor St. in Toronto.

This month they listened to their customers in the Jewish community and opened a Kosher Aroma Espresso Bar on Bathurst Street just north of Wilson Ave in North York.  This area has a high density of people that follow Kosher practices so it is a really great thing that they are now able to meet up with friends and family in a space that serves their needs.

I dropped in this week on my way home to check out the space and pick up an Ice Aroma, one of my favourite things there to take it to go.  It's a good thing I planned to take it to go because every seat in the place was taken.  It was a monday night even, so obviously this is something people are happy about.

What I really like about Aroma is the Mediterranean menu of fresh made in house dishes.  They have fresh salads, the chopped salad is a great one in the summer.   They also bake fresh bread on site and serve up massive slices with their fresh sandwiches.  They also make fresh Mint using real mint tea and not the stuff in tea bags.  I doubt you will find that at any other chain coffee house.  Also their Ice Lemon Mint is also made with the fresh mint.  I love to have these in the summer when it is really hot outside.

They have also launched a new BOLD coffee recently. Although I haven't tried it yet I am sure it fills the need of coffee lovers who like choices.

Their Hot Chocolates are made using real chocolate.  You will find actual melted chocolate at the bottom of the cup.  No pre packaged powder mixes. They also have delicious pastries to go with your teas, coffees and hot chocolate or cold drinks.

There are about 20 locations in Toronto and ever growing.  They will be opening one very close to me soon on Yonge Street near Mel Lastman Square.  I am sure it will be a busy place and I am sure I will stop in with friends.

For locations near you check out their website: Aroma Espresso Bar with this link.

And for a bonus when you order your drinks they give you a tiny piece of chocolate.  Who doesn't love chocolate at the end of their meal.

Second Cup Reimagined for the future

Second Cup Cappuccino

What:  Second Cup Reimagined Launch

Where: 289 King Street West at John Street

Why:  Newly renovated and rebranded Second Cup Coffee Co. cafe.

Second Cup "Reimagined" one of it's downtown Toronto stores with a fresh new Re-Brand and Look and a new way of serving up coffee in a beautiful and bright just renovated spot.

I have been to that Second Cup location in the past since it's across the street from the Bell Lightbox and steps away from Roy Thompson Hall in the Entertainment District on King Street.  The space used to be dark and cramped with not a lot of seating.

photo provided by Second Cup Coffee Co.

When I walked into the cafe,  and I have to say Cafe instead of Coffee Shop because it really feels like an upscale and hip Cafe now.   I was blown away when I walked in.  The space is all white with wood touches and modern coffee bar equipment.

Some of the new changes that are a lot different than the other coffee chains around the city are the new addition of a Slow Bar which takes it's time brewing your coffee in a couple of ways.   There is a Punk Steam and a Pour Over station.   The Punk Steam is a freaky looking 4 beaker water bubbling thing that looks like something in a science lab.  It's meant to brew a full flavour coffee.  While the Pour Over station is a manual process where the Barrista pours water through a (Melitta) style coffee cone and filter into a container underneath.   They control the speed at which it flows through.  Both coffees aren't your sitting on a warming element all day types of coffees.

They are made as you order and will take about 5 minutes to make.  There is a regular faster style of coffee for those on the go but this coffee shop is meant for people that like to sit and relax and recharge themselves and they also have the option to recharge their phones with a genius little built into the coffee bar surrounding the stations where you can attach your phones to a plug in USB style charger while waiting for your coffee instead of cords and searching for power outlets.   This is the best thing I have seen at a cafe in a long time.

Then there is also the art on the walls which is designed to show the independent location with local artists reflecting the community wall.  The take out coffee cups also have a re design from local artists.

The coffee,  it's sourced from the highest quality beans and roasted in small batches and ground as they make your coffee so it's always going to be fresh.

The food,  they have added some interesting and healthy choices like an egg white and spinach breakfast sandwich and an egg and sundried tomato sandwich that I really loved.   There is also granola, oatmeal, muffins, scones and other menu items.

The coolest thing that I noticed when I first got there was the Milk on Tap near the entrance and beside the sugars and lids etc.  No more milk cartons.  This was a brass tap with a white labelled handle.  So beautiful and I hope keeps things a lot cleaner.   There is only a couple of things a couple of people mentioned to me,  they forgot to add lactose free and nut milks like almond or soy milk etc.  Hopefully that will change as people request it.

The seating, you have a choice to sit at the bar or in very comfortable semi booth like seating.

The cafe opens to the Public with a ribbon cutting ceremony at noon on December 5th, 2014 and they will be giving out free coffees all afternoon.

Don't be surprised if you see me hanging out there during some big film festival that happens around there.

photo provided by Second Cup

For more information check out their website at www.secondcup.com