Cafes
Dark Horse Espresso Bar
The first thing I notice upon entering Dark Horse Espresso Bar is the huge wooden table in one corner. The thought of sitting beside strangers unnerves me, but the bar seats are all full. Co-owner Deanna Zunde says she got the idea for a communal table while traveling in Europe: "I thought Toronto could use a little more encouragement to talk to strangers in an intimate setting."
Photo courtesy: Tim Shore.
"I love that Dark Horse has fit so well into the neighbourhood and has become a community meeting place," says Angela Bradfield in the Dark Horse Facebook group. "The communal table is such a great concept and works like magic at connecting people."
As baristas / owners, Deanna Zunde and Ed Lynds make the coffee themselves and offer baked treats in addition to their espresso-based drinks and teas. Lynds took second-place at the 1st Annual Toronto Life Latte Art Competition and will be competing in the National Barista Championships in September.
I slide onto a chair at the table and focus on the artful double heart poured into the foam of my London Fog as I studiously avoid eye contact with others seated around me. A stranger across the table remarks to their companion about an article in the newspaper they're reading. A moment later, someone else a few seats away adds a comment, provoking laughter. Subtly, the atmosphere changes.
And suddenly we're no longer just strangers sitting stiffly in the same space, pretending the others don't exist. We're chatting in the kitchen of someone's home as sunlight spills onto the table, and time slows down. Not a bad way to start the day, really.
682 Queen Street East, Hours: 7am-7pm every day
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my wife and i have recently opened an espresso bar -- bisogno espresso bar -- in the st lawrence market area (61 sherbourne street, between king street e and adelaide st. e.) and ed and "d" have been incredible support and inspiration to us. we pay tribute to them by having the same LARGE TABLE in the centre of the cafe with the same chillax atmosphere. they are good friends who are great people.
And lets not forget they have probably the best menu in the city and the best tasting coffees. I don't even mind making the trip from U of T just to get a great cup of coffee here.
From out of town.
Coffee Groundz is to Houston as Dark Horse Cafe is to Toronto.
My experience here only enhanced my already great experience in Toronto.
“Disappointed”: do not let this unique bad experience ruins it... Give it another try you won't be disappointed, I promise :)
Their website is a rip off of http://www.sanpellegrino.com/
darkhorseespresso.com
The entire menu is a rip off of local cafe's that have existed much longer than they have....
EG: Moonbean Coffee, Jet Fuel, Wagamama Pastries and Rooster.
The menu is a standard one; caps, lattes, americanos, etc. You'll find it in any cafe. Also, Rooster opened up after Dark Horse.
They even ripped off the S.P. Website.
They really need to keep an eye on how their staff is acting when they are not around. I stopped going a while ago and was just happened to be there today and had the same experience as usual. ..bad. I always get a warm courteous greeting at MERCURY Espresso (further east) and go there all the time. Never had a bad experience with the staff at Mercury, not once!