Cafes
Balluchon Raymond Inc.
Balluchon Raymond Inc. is back. Albeit, with a slightly longer name. But after about a six-month hiatus for owner Raymond Emes as he closed shop to tackle some personal issues, the popular cafe on Sorauren Avenue at Wright is now up and running.
"The outpouring of support was really incredible," Raymond says when I meet him outside his recently renovated shop. "The emails just kept coming in. People wanted to see this place come back to life."
And it has. But with new floors, exposed brick walls, and ambitious plans for the menu. "The plan is food from Grey and Bruce County," Raymond, who spent time in both those regions during Balluchon's closure, says. After meeting some young, enthusiastic agricultural producers, Raymond has decided to incorporate items like grass-fed oxtail and Georgian Bay Whitefish caviar to the existing offerings of kartoffelpuffer (German potato pancake), eggs, ethically sourced coffee and more.
And there are still some additional changes. Coffee will no longer be roasted onsite, but still offered at 6:35 a.m. sharp every day in the form of Americanos ($2.25), iced lattes ($4.99) and more, along with fresh croissants ($2.49) and other baked goods.
But it seems Raymond is more about the teas nowadays anyway. "That cup is really impacting the environment," Raymond says of the coffee that requires enormous human and natural energy to produce. "We should be switching to teas." (Of course, we're both sipping on cold steeped Kenyan iced teas ($3.49).)
Raymond also hopes to offer fountain drinks made with Grey and Bruce County berries and other fruits and a few new Balluchon staples. But right now, he's just working on finding a way to handle the crowds showing up for Balluchon's famous weekend brunch. And so, it seems word has gotten out about Balluchon's revival.
"Sorauren is everything a small town should be," Raymond says, reflecting fondly on his experiences now and before he first closed. "People know each other. They say hi to each other. Kids come here and can get things on their mother's tab. You know what, I'm going to die on this street."
I suppose that means Balluchon isn't going anywhere.
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I made my over to Balluchon sort of late Saturday afternoon. Although the shop was closing up, the friendly owner, Raymond, insisted I hang out for a spell, along with another customer, a regular who joined us in conversation, and so I did. (Raymond gets what a coffee shop should be about.) He pulled me a shot (into a funky steel espresso cup) that I just will not judge him on. Actually, It wasn't bad. But my friend was frazzled from dealing with a crazy busy day and a missing helper and he wasn't even sure, initially, about what he gave me. Although being fair trade and organic is a big plus for me.
He then figured it out and laid it on me. I appreciated his effort to enlighten me about what was in my cup. And other aspects of his business. For coffee geeks, or whatever you want to call us, that's what we look for in a coffee shop as much as anything. Just what do I retain? That's another question. But that's just me and my failing memory.
Balluchon is not on Roncevalles, but is a couple of long blocks east of it, on Wright. You don't usually get a shop like that in the interior of a nabe, even though we've all seen pleasant nabes and cool houses in their interiors that just look like they should be coffee shops. The lucky residents around Sorauren and Wright just happened to get what some of us (and probably some of them) wish for.
Check out Balluchon.
....the owner and lovely barrista of this spot make it all the nicer....5 stars for sure!
Mmmmmmmmmlattttttteeeeeeeeeh! Also their croissants are yum, a prefect spot for mum and dads and grandpas and grandmas visiting the Sauroren park with their wee uns and desperatly need a coffee to keep up with the madness....
I love this place, I used to work for Raymonds partner Chef Jean Pierre Centeno, a classic french chef, who is the brains behind all the amazing foods on offer.
Also, just to be clear, these are two **separate** jursidictions: Grey County and Bruce County. The way the writer's phrased them, it almost sounds as if they're one unit.
I remember while touring wineries in Prince Edward County, seeing a worker at Norman Hardie Winery cleaning buckets, that looked exactly like Ray. I said to my wife, " Hey, i think that's the Balluchon guy". She agreed it looked like him, but what the hell would he be doing 3 hours away from TO, cleaning buckets. So we figured it was just mistaken identity..Until we also recognized his dog. So rightly or wrongly, we came to the conclusion that he's just a guy who's really passionate and hands on about learning everything he can about producing good food and drink...Business and efficient service maybe not so much.
I suppose some people like to banter with the shop-keepers, others (myself included) just want to be served. In any event, i do hope he does well, because i think having a cafe in that location is awesome for the hood, especially when it's too cold to walk to Roncy.
Not just reopening, but looks like it's expanded too?
It's unheard of for small business, really, when you think about it.
I like the new space, and look forward to trying out the brunches. Still has the best coffee in the city, and you can't beat the location, if you live in the hood. Excellent bagels and croissants, too.
I find it curious that he did all of that work at the restaurant without any building permits. He also hasn't been inspected lately, no sign posted by public health, which is a requirement as far as I know!
Don't know anything about this chef referred to in a previous post, it seems he doesn't actually work at the restaurant. I've overheard Raymond talking to his cook and they were the ones making up the menu.
I have never had a problem with his staff, they're lovely, but I rarely go in if he's there.
Can't comment on rush-hour early morning service obviously, but my experience was excellent, and I will definitely be going back regularly.
Coffee:
1. A most excellent latte, on par with Jet Fuel as far as taste goes, but with the bonus of fair trade coffee, Harmony Organic milk, and (I think) fair trade sugar. Compostable cups were available for take out, but I was eating in. Possibly my favourite coffee in the west-end...
2. Excellent iced latte: made with coffee ice cubes so that my coffee was never diluted and I still had something tasty and cold to drink as the last of the ice melted.
Food:
Had the English-y named brunch item: Two poached eggs on homemade crumpets with cheddar cheese, salad (baby spinach, apple, walnuts +), and northern beans. The crumpet/egg/cheese combo was divine and a nice alternative to a Benny. Salad was tasty and fresh. Baked beans were homemade and tasty, although I would've preferred a bit of maple syrup or a bit of spice for an added kick. Muffin: flavourful, dense, could've been a bit sweeter.
Service & Atmosphere:
Unpretentious, friendly, conscientious, neighbourhoody, comfortable. Staff & Raymond were friendly and neighbourly and service was attentive. The patio on a residential street and the friendly fellow patio patrons also added to the neighbourhoody vibe. A particularly great place to be if you like talking to strangers, and it was such a nice spot to be on a Saturday afternoon that I wound up hanging out there until they closed!
I congratulate Raymond and Le Balluchon on the re-opening; my experience there has been pleasant, personal, and tasty, just the way I like it. It's a unique spot that contributes richly to the fabric of the neighbourhood as a meeting place, eating place, and peaceful space.
It's unfortunate to witness these despicable attacks on someone's character. To all of you who criticize Raymond for his strong personality, I bet you're an absolute bore to be around; I'd rather chat with Raymond any day.
As I said, “Go to work.” Another guy, a cool looking hipster in flannel and a knit cap, walked in. The Barista said, “Are you going to be hanging out here for a while, because I make the mocha in stages, and this guy just wants a latte…” The guy said that he actually wanted 4 drinks, so she should go ahead with mine. And she did.
I sat down, grabbing the most beautiful fresh looking Banana-Nut-and possibly Carrot muffin I think I’ve ever seen. So, my mocha is underway. I can tell because she is singing…well, what’s it called when people make up non-words to fill songs? “Bathca-babba-bam-matcha-wookie-wookie-wam.” This goes on for several minutes while she dances, and punctuates everything with very precise key moments on the path of the mocha. You can tell it’s serious because she stops dancing and makes a guttural noise of accomplishment a bit like a slow evil laugh when it goes the way she expects it to.
I’ve skipped an event that speaks to the regular clientele and the neighborhood. While making my mocha, an elderly man walked in and came to the counter. She warned him, “There are 4 drinks ahead of your already, so it will be a second.” The man smiled and said “no problem, I’m going to take a walk through the park. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
While writing this, I’m recalling the events of only a few minutes ago, she is still singing. A few songs with actual words. I think she belongs in the Blues.
Anyways, my mocha. It comes out in my 16oz mug filled to the brim. There is about 1cm of foam freckled with dark chocolate powder, and it smells gorgeous. I expect a bit of spice based on the smell, like a spicy hot chocolate, but I now believe that that smell comes from a more complex set of ingredients that might include allspice or cinnamon. (She’d singing Sinatra now) The mocha is very deep and rich, like a dark chocolate. I wish I knew more about chocolates to do it justice, but its good. And smooth. A milk chocolate fan would do just fine. Come to think of it, this would be a great way to caffeinate your friends’ children unawares.
The next few hours will likely be filled with occasional mochas, and fun clients. I’ve already talked with one older gentlemen who was surprised to find out from the barista that Ravi Shankar is Norah Jones’ father! He asked me if I knew that, and I replied with confidence, “No. I had no idea.” I had to look up Ravi Shankar to write it here. Apparantly a famous sitar player.
The point. Balluchon, the coffee shop on Sorauren is a great place to sit and hang out. The atmosphere is warm and friendly, and they make an insanely good mocha. If you ever want to go, drop me a line and I’ll join you.