Cafes
Cloud Free Agent Espresso Bar
Cloud Free Agent Espresso Bar is part coffee shop, part ad agency, and kinda resembles the sky on a nice, clear day.
One of the most refreshing things about Cloud is the careful attention to detail, including those that identify its target demographic. That demographic? Freelancers, entrepreneurs, small business owners -- the kind of people who are working towards the good life, and may need a little help getting there.
Vladimir Martinez, former head chef at Bonjour Brioche speaks candidly about developing the menu: "It was a challenge to work within the proper price range," he says, and even admits to the portions being slightly smaller as a result.
This kind of confession is almost shocking to hear, but I can understand his confidence in saying so; it's hard to imagine anybody feeling dissatisfied with Cloud's tasty offerings.
After a satiating combination of prosciutto, fig, and asparagus on a $5.95 "sammich," I'm a firm believer in quality over quantity (always have been)- and I do believe that both things work together here to make a damn good lunch.
The first of two soups ($4.50) offered this day is a tangy French onion with surprising depth, an island of melted Gruyere skimming the surface.
The second, a gentle butternut squash and parsnip featuring quinoa and vanilla; the delicate textures of the grain mirroring the slightest hint of exotic sweetness.
Their featured brunch includes a fluffy omelette, blanketing a pile of sweet potato and chorizo hash, cooked til perfectly tender and completely un-mushy (yes!), with chewy chunks of chorizo.
Homemade mac and cheese is lightly coated, relying on pine nuts to add a soft, buttery crunch that feels like a natural extension of the pasta's subtle flavour. Green onions and bacon play their roles as nature's most natural garnishes.
Simple and filling staples such as a basic spring-mix salad and a soft chunk of baguette on the side (the dough is prepared by Pain Perdu, but baked on site and it's heavenly) round out each meal quite nicely. It's hard not to feel taken care of.
Owner Peter Coish has an optimism which seems appropriate for someone starting out on a path similarly uncertain and exciting to the one he hopes to help others forge with his business.
A place that he hopes will one day be a virtual meeting spot, a "hub" for like-minded folk across the globe, members of a new, rising creative class examined by author Richard Florida.
Coish speaks of how the recession and the technological age have simultaneously facilitated a movement of sorts.
Many who are finding themselves freed of their corporate shackles (often not by choice) are harnessing the opportunity to lead a very different kind of life. "I could never go back to that kind of job," he says solemnly.
A "collaboration space" in the downstairs area is rented out by the hour for $45 (half hour - $20), including 20% off food and a free pot of coffee. It's cleansed of distractions, besides a couple of cheeky, framed ads (for ads) and a large, flat-screen TV (the room is also wired for internet and video conferencing).
This cafe just seems like the perfect spot for those of us who want a quiet place to do our work, a little camaraderie and a sandwich that tastes richer than our lives. And to stare at the clouds, of course.
Photos by Dennis Marciniak
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We checked out Cloud Cafe one very cold day, indoors was warm and warmth from the great people working/running the shop.
The lates were excellent, service was personal and friendly, and we'll be back to check out on the food.
They also have a meeting/creative room downstairs which is rentable w/wireless.
Cloud cafe is just really good food and coffee. Service is friendly and the space is great. What more do you need to know?
Wow it took a long time for the blogs to get on this one.
bay street and queen street don't mix
wait a while and the cloud will clear
we'll see a 'for lease' sign
and then probably a starbucks
Try the salami sandwich, it's great.