b Espresso Bar (Bloor St.)
The folks inside the new b Espresso Bar are a classy bunch. Many of them are wearing stylish black outfits, for example. Many of them have really nice hair. They speak in clear, confident voices so we can't help but make out well-enunciated conversations across the aisle. Turns out pretty much everyone is discussing music related things, no surprise since we're having lunch inside the Telus Centre at The Royal Conservatory of Music on Bloor street, where a second b Espresso location opened about a month ago.
I brought us here because I know b Espresso makes good eats, and because I thought we'd get a kick out of the new venue. Maybe I thought we'd hear students practicing, which in retrospect makes little sense because of course the walls are soundproof. But at least there's quiet classical music coming from behind the counter, enough to quell that disillusionment.
The décor is simple and chilly, with plastic white chairs and tables spread out against the brick exterior of the conservatory. The walls and ceiling are all window, flooding the place with natural light. Musical kids jaunt through the place with guitars and drum sticks while proud, waiting parents sit back with an espresso. The service is fantastic. Everyone who works here is very neat and obliging. They field my food questions with calming voices, in tones that suggest I'm slightly adorable for asking. Bagels are from Gryfe's and coffee is Illy. The scones, muffins and sandwiches are made at the Queen and Jarvis location, brought in fresh every day.
Each sandwich is about eight bucks, potentially troubling with no side or garnish, but I suppose mine is stuffed with nearly eight bucks worth of meat. I've chosen the portanone. It's straight up barbequed pulled pork - no other toppings get in the way. It's tender, very tasty and a bit sweet. The bread is nice, gently warmed. Alyssa's catullo is grilled chicken and zucchini, havarti and pesto on crusty Italian multi-grain. It's an intense sandwich. Some side greens would be killer. Both sandwiches are quality, delicious, but I'm sad to see they lack the outstanding presentation of the Queen street b.
The dessert options are a bit meagre. There are plenty of biscotti, a couple of chocolate truffles and some sort of pre-bagged chocolate baked good. In addition, there is a sign offering frozen yogurt and fruit. Only the yogurt appeals to me, but the sandwiches took all my cash so we make do with a couple of those Illy coffees, a brand that b espresso feels passionately about. I wish Queen and Jarvis had shipped more of their desserts out here. I guess a second location can't have everything that the glorious first location does, at least not a month into business.
"How does a coffee shop get into The Royal Conservatory of Music?" Alyssa asks, sipping the Illy. She makes it sound like b Espresso had to audition to become a student here or something. I imagine a coffee shop gets into the conservatory by being calm and classy, like the piano. A solid first location is probably an asset too.
That, or it needs a name that visually resembles a backwards music note?
Update: Please note that this cafe no longer serves Illy coffee
Photos by Alyssa Bistonath
Discussion
13 Comments
Sort By Oldest First / Newest First
Subscribe
Any signs of wifi?
Are the hours the same as the other location? What about wifi?
There was wi-fi. Free too!
what are their hours like?
I worked in the Queen/Richmond Centre for a year (where the 1st location is) and I can honestly say it is one of my top 3 coffee shops in this city -- great news that things are doing well and he is expanding!!! Congrats!
I worked in the Queen/Richmond Centre for a year (where the original location is) and I can honestly say B is in my top 3 coffee shops in this city. Great to hear that things are doing so well and he is expanding!!! Congrats!
I'm always starving before class - previously, I couldn't even find a vending machine. This is great!
their sandwiches look like a rabbit pooped on pieces of bark
and OH MY what a BEAUTIFUL looking salad in featured in the last picture
I was so excited to see that they were opening next to my office, so I wouldn't have to trek to Queen St. Yay!!! Unfortunately I find they they have not been able to recreate that special feeling from Queen St - where is Alessandro??? The food is just as good, but more importantly I find that the java seems to have changed. It is not as good as it used to be.... Has anyone noticed the difference?
Yeah, have to say I agree with the last comment. Today I went in hoping for what I was used to from the Queen East location- knowledgeable barista's and arguably the best coffee in the city. After being somewhat rudely corrected when I asked for a double cappuccino, (I think his exact words were, "What do you mean? Like...a medium?") I still hoped to see a drink come back with the predictable latte art indicative of one that is well made. Instead, it was a milk-steaming job that would be passable at maybe Second Cup....likely unacceptable at Starbucks. Having spent my fair amount of time as a barista, I know what an off-drink from a good barista looks like, and this wasn't it. To add extra annoyance, they were out of sleeves so I got a double cup (non-biodegradable, may I add), preventing a lid from fitting on properly. Maybe the rush of finding a new staff meant that quality had to go down, but I for one know I'll have to think twice before returning.
What beans are they using now?
I like this place in RCM. It's very nice building and good to meet friends there before or after the concert in telus centre. The only problem I have is that they used illy coffee for few months for start shop then they changed it to some other brand that test like water. They still use illy coffee in Queen East shop. That's a disappointment, I hope they will change it back.