Grain Curd & Bean
1414 Dundas St W
Phone: 416,533.1418
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Grain, Curd and Bean is "not a health food store", says owner Mike Wdowiak. Nor is it a tofu factory. There's something meaty about the name, something clinical that may be misinterpreted by the everyday passer by. But break it down and you get to the facts, jack - the heart of the matter - that GCB sells bread, cheese and coffee. It's a cafe, it's a cheese shop and it's a delight full of delights.
But back to the "not a health food store" thing. A lot of cafes pride themselves on serving healthy, organic fare - which is cool - but GCB has a mandate to put cheese in your gullet, starting with the display case full of mostly Canadian deliciousness. Weekends fill the shop with fromage lovers from the Dundas West neighbourhood, which up until now was lacking in its cheese selection.
"We make a cheesecake that'll kill you," he declares. (PS: Mike makes the cheesecake. Respect. His wife prepares other wares, like the hummus.) See, the whole idea started with a love of cheese and the dream of opening a small shoppe. When he found this property in his neighbourhood, things fell into place - the spot was a lot bigger than he imagined, so it grew from the dream of a tiny cheese store to a renaissance cafe.
"Bread, cheese and coffee - that's what we like. We want to keep it simple." Stop by, sample some cheese and pick up a baguette for dinner. Breads are supplied by Fred's Bread and Ontario Bread, with the "best bagels in the city" by A&D Bagels. Pick up Evelyn's Crackers, which are made with red fife whole wheat or just enjoy a latte in the huge side room. "We're not pretending to be gourmet - we just like food."
The most charming part about GCB is that even though they've settled in nicely, Mike and his wife Yvonne are far from finished. They want to add sandwiches and soups, they want to expand the kitchen, they want to see where development in the next few months can take them. "I'd really like to fast forward to the summer and see this place when it's warm," says Mike. They plan to host events and currently showcase rotating artists.
Point is, just like the neighbourhood developing around them, GCB is a work in progress - but they've already found a groove. "We specialize in three things that are kind of a weird combo, but people love them!"
Wi-fi: Yes
Closed Tuesdays, otherwise open til 6pm.
Comments (19)
Hey ... I was a little skeptical at first about getting a latte in hybrid shop that specializes in cheese and bread as well as coffee. But to my pleasant surprise, it was a good latte! Good for you GCB.
Glad you reviewed this place - I've walked past it a few times and wondered. Next time I'll go in!
I grab cheese from here pretty frequently, great selection and friendly service! Americano's here are fantastic!
Another well designed cafe that sells overpriced flavored water. wow. $2 for Tea??? Are you serious??? I hope it's that tea that comes from leopard shit. Will BlogTo post anything with close up images from an SLR and write about it?
Yeah, $2.00 for tea is far too much, unless it's the really good stuff (an in that case, you'd think that the varieties would be on the board). You have to wonder what is so special about the water that they have to charge 50 cents extra to turn that espresso into an americano, too.
That aside, it does sound like a great store, and focuses on three of my favourite things :)
JEN
I think the 50 cents for Americano might be for the larger cup. I am just guessing, but then again that is a lot for a cup. What would Mr Miller think of all this cup crime?
They have amazing Green Olive/Chipotle bread. Yum. Actually, I'm a bit obsessed and disheartened when they’re sold out of it.
Another coffee shop for freelancers, stay-at-home moms, and the unemployed. I love the number of indie coffee shops in this city, but as someone who works regular office hours, I'm stuck supporting the mega-chains when it comes to coffee shop sitting in the evenings. A damn shame too.
Wow, $2 for tea. OMG! Quit yer bitchin you tightwads. Starbucks charges a buck and a half, so if I have to pay fifty cents extra to support a local buisness, I'm happy to. If you can't afford fifty extra cents for your tea so you can support local business and drink it in a nice atmosphere, then get your ghetto-self over to second cup and be done with it. Yeesh!
I think we all need to remember that restaurants can not charge for only the cost of the item you purchase, and their prices must include a contribution to the costs of running the business, otherwise, the business will fail. Costs of running a cafe include things like rent, wages, cleaning, maintenance and services such as wireless internet access. If you expect to pay only for water and a tea bag, you can always stay home.
A note on our pricing for the espresso americano issue. $1.50 is the cost on a single espresso. Our americanos are double shots thus 2 bucks. Thanks for all the great comments!
Looks lovely! I can't believe that people complain about the price of a tea. It costs a lot of money to run a business and the good independent cafe owners aren't usually raking in the cash and driving around in jag's. They are sharing their passion with the community.
the bread & latte's are fabulous! I live in the area and I am so glad that a nice new cafe/coffe shop has been added to Dundas west instead of another crummy drunken smelly portuguese bar!
I have to say I enjoy this shop! Great cheese, bagels, coffee, and an amazing room to sit and chat, work and relax. I do however, find the service to be very disapointing - the last few times I have been in there the owner has been very rude, grumpy and short with myself and other customers. This is the general buzz I have gotten from three or four friends that refuse to go back because of the service.
I think when you open a place like this, people can back for two reasons: 1. great coffee (and for GCB, cheese, bread..etc) and 2. great service.
If you are made to feel unwelcome or it's a hassle to ask for a coffee and some cheese, I and many others will simply just go to the next coffee shop. Within a 2 min walk you can access a few other coffee shops with excellent, friendly and welcoming service.
All I have to say is - if you don't want to be there, hire someone that does - because you are going to drive even more customers away.
I will try it a few more times, in hopes that the service changes because I do like supporting my local businesses, however, if I get the same service I received last time - I will not be back.
Re: omg $2 tea????(s)
Last I was there they had free wifi. That justifies the price bump. Starbucks charges $1.50 for tea and something like $3 for wifi. Personally I'd like to support an indie shop regardless, but it helps to know there's no gouging afoot.
It's a nice place and the food is good - expensive but not unreasonable for a boutique shop.
The real problem is that the owner is an arrogrant dude that doesn;t seem to realize how pompous he is - he should leave front-of-counter to his other excellent staff.
AGREED.
I love this cafe. I usually stop in every weekend for a delicious smoked salmon bagel, an equally as delicious Americano, and usually a big slab of Valdeon or Beemster to take home. They've recently started selling cured meats and such. love. love. love.
Also, Mike the owner really isn't arrogant at all. He's just a bit stoic at first. He's warmed up to us after a few visits and it's an absolute pleasure going in.
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