Cafes
Dark Horse (John St.)
Dark Horse (John) is the the newest, smallest, tin-tiled espresso bar to join Toronto's Dark Horse empire. Though I'm not sure if four locations — the one on Spadina, Queen East, Queen West, and now this one on John — really constitutes an empire, but in a city with a multiplicity of one-off indie cafes, it certainly speaks to some degree of success.
This cafe, at present, is pretty easy to miss. On John Street between Richmond and Adelaide, Dark Horse has occupied the former lower-level space of Smokeless Joe and is advertised simply by a sandwich board on the sidewalk. That may change, however, since the espresso bar is only in its first week. The inside is characteristically Dark Horse, with a pressed tin ceiling, dark red accent walls, and rustic wood trim, though seating is fairly limited. There's a long bar with stool seating that runs adjacent to the counter and a couple of tables by the front, but perhaps this isn't the place to stretch out and type away for the afternoon (though there is free WiFi).
Nevertheless, professionals in the area have already discovered the new Dark Horse and are swarming to the block as any indie-starved, Starbucks-saturated office worker might. There are probably about 10 to 15 people in the shop when I stop by, and I'd say throwing in another five would definitely be pushing it. But Derek, one of the baristas surely recognizable to Queen West regulars, takes a few moments away from the fancy new Mirage to chat about the cafe's opening.
"I know they really wanted to get into the area," he says of Dark Horse's owners. "But I think this will be the last location for a while."
The recipe here is essentially the same as the others — 49th Parallel Epic Espresso and Detour blends, baked goods from Circles and Squares, Desmond & Beatrice, and other local bakers, and hot panini and soup (the latter is soon to come) on the menu. Derek prepares me an Americano ($2.61),which is handed over with a swirling crema and rich, dark colour. The flavour matches the bold appearance with a light acidity and caramel finish. Great for grab-and-go, but if you're looking for a communal table, best to stick to Spadina or Queen.
Additional Photos:
Dark Horse (John) is currently open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., though these are hours are subject to change.
Photos by Morris Lum
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Defiantly one of my personal favorite coffee shops in this beautiful city of Toronto.
If you haven't already, you NEED to check out one of their locations.
there is a god!
BEST ESPRESSO IN THE CITY.... imo
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We love you Derek!
Downtowners can now breathe a sigh of relief now that they no longer need to trek out to Queen West to enjoy some classically good DH coffee.
(Although Dark Horse is always worth the trek)
Glad to see this business thriving.
I've already been twice. Latte was amazing.
Such a cool vibe..more of a bar feel to it.
Youve gotta check it out!
Amazing staff & amazing drinks. John street & the surrounding neighborhood should be jumping for joy!
Great vibe, I feel think I'm walking into Cheers!!
Thanks again...
Keep it up DH Crew. Glad to have more of you in Toronto.
Congrats again guys!
My thoughts about organic coffee are: I don't drink coffee for my health without regard for the pleasure. We do not have to drink coffee. Therefore, If I have to choose between a cup that tastes great and isn't organic and one that tastes like crap but is organic, I'll take the cup that isn't organic. And if I was a shop owner, that would also be my approach. Which isn't to say that I would ever completely reject organic.
I'll have to pop into this newest addition to the Dark Horse stable. I have only ever received good service from Dark Horse and it's numerous friendly, professional baristas. However, I do think Epic has had it's time (for whatever reason). I've had too many (not cheap) bad drinks at various Dark Horses to want to go out of my way to visit. The irony, in my view, is that they have Detour beans on their shelves. Detour, to this drinker's taste buds, is way tastier than Epic. But, to each his own.
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