Cafes
Mylk Uncookies
Mylk Uncookies is the epitome of homey; freshly made sweet treats, family photos on the wall, and two women eager to make you feel as comfortable as possible.
"Yep, that's our family," co-owner Toni says of the nostalgic shots she and partner Elaine have blown up and displayed on the cafe walls. We get to talking only after the women have made sure I have a fresh Americano in front of me and something to nosh while we chat.
"That one is my mom in Italy," she says, pointing a summertime shot of a youthful girl. "That one," she says, motioning to the right, "is my dad and his army buddy. And the last one is Elaine's grandparents."
The old photos are part and parcel of the "modern take on nostalgia" that Toni and Elaine have tried to create for their Cabbagetown cafe. On Gerrard west of Parliament, Mylk Uncookies is pretty easy to spot, standing out from the browns and reds dominating this part of the city.
"We found that espresso machine," Elaine says, motioning towards the retro-looking Victoria Arduiro on the counter. "And we just built from there."
The cafe is bright and airy and almost everything white, except for one wall painted a Tiffany blue. But, as Elaine tells me, the design of the space was not purely based on looks.
"Everything here is earth-friendly," she says. "From our hand soap, to the low-VOC paint on the walls, to the high content recycled vinyl floors, and our organic coffee beans."
And if you couldn't tell from the name, Mylk Uncookies offers vegan treats that are naturally gluten-free, as well as coffee and tea drinks, such as its sweet tea latte ($3.32), made with Elaine's homemade almond milk.
I tried a Lucuma bite ($2), a moist and rich little macaroon that was deliciously chewy and flavourful. Toni's favourite is the Rawtella bite ($2), which "totally satisfies that craving to stick the spoon in the Nutella jar." Along with other vegan treats, such as the raw vegan uncheese cake ($3) and 'Carawmel' square ($3), Mylk Uncookies also has traditional cookies and brownies that it sources from two local bakers. "We just wanted to have something for everyone," Elaine says.
The cafe also offers free WiFi and plans to serve raw shakes as a cooldown in the summer. But the home-vibe clincher for me was the Scrabble box I spot among a few other games on a shelf. Toss in some fuzzy slippers and maybe and old Croce record, and I could certainly see myself getting comfortable.
Photos by Dennis Marciniak
Discussion
22 Comments
Sort By Oldest First / Newest First
Subscribe
anti jet fuel? really?
Toni and Elaine are wonderful ladies. They've certainly looked after me well. This is one of those rare indies that serves good 'drip', although it's not actually drip. It's french press poured into a thermal. I'm impressed with Social, a new outfit that is based in Richmond Hill. At least the Social served at Mylk is good. The tea is also fantastic. The wifi works fine. Some days the vibe is great, with strangers treating you like old friends. Which isn't to say you won't have those days when a stranger makes your visit... strange. Never mind. (Hint: Coffee shops are 'not' libraries. Nor are they parties. They work best when they are somewhere in between.)
Reportedly, The Victoria Arduino is a fine espresso machine, even if it is overly automated. If you don't come from coffee and want to be in coffee and need a machine, you can't do better than this. In any case, the proof is in the (eating of) the pudding and my espressos from this pretty machine are usually excellent. It's so rewarding to drink espresso that is not only properly made, and satisfying, but tasty!
Parliament & Gerrard! Who would have thought? But the little spot that the ladies grabbed just happens to work. You won't see the dinge that's not far away, although I'd much rather live on Parliament in this area than Forest Hill where I am now, at least for another few days.