Cafes
Belly
With a name like Belly, Parkdale's newest cafe alludes to more than caffeine-laced beverages. In fact, there's plenty of goodness to fill a hungry stomach here including a crave-worthy turkey sandwich with cranberry mayo and stuffing; and freshly baked zucchini cake with cream cheese icing ($3.95).
While Belly opened back in October, creating delectable food is not a new venture for the staff. Owner Nicole Kruzick has been running a successful catering business for years, Belly Catering, but is now getting a warm response from her new neighbours on Queen who stream in here for sandwiches (peameal bacon and cheese is also on the menu), soup (roasted sweet potato and garlic) and range of hot and cold drinks.
Stopping by for a brief reprieve from the winter cold last week, I kept things simple with a soy latte ($3.25). Damn, it was good. Bonus points for Belly too as the beans are fair trade trade and they didn't ding me extra coin for the soy.
If it weren't for the limited seating Belly would be a destination for many a laptop accessorized Parkdale blogger in search of fast WiFi. But there are only a few stools to perch oneself near the light-drenched front window so camping out here for extensive periods or with a larger group isn't really that feasible.
But for good coffee and tasty food Belly is a nice Parkdale option. Here's a look at their chalk boards which highlight some of the other drinks they offer. But there's also more snacky and baked stuff too, as I've tried to capture in the photos below.
They stock fresh bread from Fred's Bread:
The zucchini cake:
Pie!
Spring rolls and potato patties:
Inside and outside Belly:
Discussion
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I think largely due to its popularity, many coffee companies will buy the cheapest fair trade coffee they can get, simply so they may exploit the Fair Trade logo and sell more coffee.
I have since been spoiled into drinking the coffee from Lit not far up Ronces, where they serve what is called Direct Trade coffee.
It's the same principles as Fair Trade, except that the farmer not only will be paid a better price per pound than Fair Trade, but Direct Trade coffee has to be of a certain industry standard level of quality before it can bare the Direct Trade logo.
They work closer with the actual farmer, than with the importer, so they can afford to put the money formerly spent on import/export fees, on supporting their farms.
There is much more information on Direct Trade on the Intelligentsia website.
Check it out.
Would love to visit and sample the luscious looking yummies.
BUT - in the meantime, when are you opening up in lovely warm, downtown Sydney Australia?
I have an article in front of me from The Toronto Star from May.
Its about you pickling green beans,it looks amazing and would love to try it.Can u share with me what type of vinegar to use please as it does not mention.
thankyou
June
Cause I want to check this place out