Sam James Coffee Bar
Sam James does some amazing things with coffee... like making it taste like blueberry. He also makes cappuccinos with heart designs on top, so whatever additional coffee knowledge or skill he possesses, he's already won us over with these two tricks. When Alyssa orders a mochaccino from him this week at his brand new, self-titled coffee bar at Harbord and Clinton, she asks if it will come with a fancy design on top. "You betcha," says Sam. Hook. Line. Sinker.
Coffee people like to give Sam James accolades, sometimes even in the form of official awards (like Canadian Central Regional Barista Champion). They throw his name around like celebrity (coffee celebrity!), with top-notch institutions like Cherry Bomb, Manic and Hank's. "Cherry Bomb is where it became fun," he says, of the Roncesvalles café where he got his start as espresso-making champ. His propensity for coffee fun definitely contributes to an endearing presence and personality (and probably those cappuccino designs) but fun aside, there's a science experiment on the counter.
"What's that thing?" I ask.
"That's a siphon," he answers, pointing to the "siphon" option on the menu ($5.31 for a cup). It's categorized under "old school" coffee. He's happy to launch into an explanation of what, exactly, the siphon does to produce a cup. I can't quite catch all the details (aside from the fact that it's like a manual clover) but I'm really happy that Sam James has taken the time to learn them. "Do you want to try some?" he asks. You betcha.
Everyone inside the tiny café (with almost no seating) gathers around to watch the siphon in action. We're totally enthralled. "Did you invent that thing?" asks one particularly excitable customer whose clothes are drying at the Laundromat across the street. "No," says Sam, grinding the coffee beans in a manual grinder mounted on the wall. "This was invented around 1840."
Each observer gets a taste of the siphon coffee and is told to save some for later because the taste changes as it cools down. The first sip is a deliciously smooth and light but flavourful bit of coffee. It's made with an Ethiopian bean from Toi et Moi, a coffee company in Montreal. "Everyone assumed I would use Intelligentsia," says Sam, "but I wanted something different, more local."
While we're waiting for our siphon brew to cool, we try out Alyssa's mocha (the one with the heart design) and my Americano ($2.30). They go down so smooth that the caffeine kick seems to come out of nowhere. Alyssa starts to feel like she's on drugs. But you know what's really trippy? That siphon coffee. It's cooled down. It's fruity and floral now, subtle as tea. Sam comes over to ask about it. "Can you taste the blueberry?" he asks. Good Lord, that's what it is. S.J. is right on the money.
The excitable customer finishes up some blueberry coffee of her own and throws in her two cents on the operation. "As a resident of this 'hood, I'm excited," she says, earnestly. "There's nothing north of College."
"Really?" I ask, naming a few coffee places off the top of my head. I don't doubt that Sam James is a welcome addition to the area but doubt, instead, the necessity. Excitable says that there's nothing good at Bloor and Clinton, and College is too far if you're just stepping out for a cup. Sam James is top of the line and right-outside-her-front-door-convenient.
So we're a spoiled bunch when it comes to coffee and I blame Sam James. Seriously, give me a coffee that tastes like blueberries and I'm going to start to think I can have anything I want.
Photos by Alyssa Bistonath
Discussion
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I just have to comment on the photography, it's FANTASTIC. Wow.
No matter which shop you went to, if Sam was making your coffee you could count on perfection. I'm pretty reserved with my praise usually, especially when it comes to judging coffee, but Sam deserves it. Regardless of his field of expertise, it's amazing to see someone delve so deep and take this kind of pride in what they do. I'm more than happy to travel half-way across the city for a cup at SJ Coffee Bar any day!
I find it funny that this excitable person is crapping on their neighbourhood, seeing as how Saving Gigi's is only a mere 4 blocks away. Are we really getting THAT lazy?
um, Saving Gigi is six blocks west and one huge block north. which wouldn't matter one bit if their coffee was any good. i'm sorry but those cappuccinos they make with SKIM MILK are atrocious.
Uh, Linux Caffe is two blocks west
correct geg.
linux is only two blocks away and seems to have been forgotten about. its ideal coffee made owned by true locals.
though is seems mr james has done a excellent job
For anyone who has actually tried SJCB and Linux Caffe (which are literally steps apart from each other), I'm sure you will agree that it doesn't really make sense for the two to be compared --it's like comparing Dufflets to Tim Hortons. If you are satisfied with decent coffee or are more into a place with lots "atmosphere" and cushioned seating then Sam James may not make sense for you... but if you are looking for excellently prepared coffee (particularly espresso) where every pour is prepared with special attention then you should try it. There's a Harry Rosen store across from H&M on Bloor street, they both sell clothes within a few steps of each other, but there's no use in comparing because they satisfy completely different tastes/styles... And one of the greatest things that sets Sam James Coffee Bar apart is that the prices don't even begin to reflect the massively superior quality of their drinks... $2.60 for a cappuccino of that gourmet quality is a ridiculous deal, if that's your thing.
Sam's coffee is great, and his attitude is as well. This will be my new local (even though it's nowhere near my place)
I love "Martin" comment, spot on.
And "Liz", u r hilarious.
Now I have to head down to have some serious blueberries coffee! Did some one just says Sam James...
Dropped in last week... coffee was SO GOOD, the service was excellent- and the design of the place, as is pretty evident from the photos- is gorgeous. Antique and vintage accents and an understated charm about the whole place- its lovely. Everything is so well thought out! I will make the trek whenever I'm in the area (and I live in Scarborough)
Just don't park in the bike lane!
Sam is a well beloved barista throughout this city for so many reasons.
Aside from being an all-around good guy who is always happy to help you fix any barista problem you have (or recommend a tattoo artist) he brews some wicked beans.
If you haven't ever had coffee made by Sam, Emma or Thomas - go. It will raise the bar on your coffee expectations. And that's never a bad thing.
Wow. These photographs are amazing. I thought I had to go here before I saw these pictures :) The siphon coffee experience sounds pretty wonderful too. Thank you for sharing this.
I love this review. It makes me want to click on blogto.com in the future. The writing is clever, charming as well as instructive -- and it's animated by spectacular photography. Way to go Emily Thomas and Alyssa!!! Gone past it many a time already, but I'll be trying Sam James coffee for myself in the near future.
Sam James acts like a true profesional, and is respected because of this.
Unfortunately, this is not the same of some of his staff - I don't want to hear other coffee shops, baristas, owners being spoken negatively about. It's not professional to do this, and I like these places, so you are making me, the customer, feel uncomfortable!
Yes, Sam James has a great shop, and makes excellent coffee. It's great the staff have alot of pride that they work for Sam, but have some integrity and watch out who you speak negatively about. It will ruin your reputation, and takes away your integrity.
Sam, keep up the good work. And keep setting such a positive example for your staff - hopefully it will begin to rub off on them!
What a great addition to the neighborhood. Good Luck, I hope to see you soon to try that great coffee!
Its probably best to post negative things about Sam's business online in return of you not liking what someone, whos name you never even mentioned, said about another shop. Are you better for doing that? Shitty people pay attention to shitty stuff.
$2.62 for a cappuccino? Thats just not right!!!
I paid $3.84 for what was probably the world record breaking worst capp ever made at Cafe Uno in the distillery. I know, I know, what should I have expected? Well, there arent many options in the distillery and I just thought how hard could it be to make a semi decent capp? Well, I tossed it after one sip!
Sam, we appreciate the hard work and reasonable prices but come on... you gotta make a living too!
Keep up the good work dude!
hey buds.. does anyone know of anywhere in this city where a cafe doesn't already exist? no? so... it would be impossible to start a business doing something you know and love without stepping on SOMEONE'S toes?
Sam is the man that taught me how to be a barista when we both worked at Cherry Bomb, and this could not have happened for a nicer, more down to earth fellow.
Sam James is a good friend of mine. I respect him and his attention to his art. There are very few baristas in Toronto that can come close to preparing coffee the way he does. He is brilliant! He has helped me tremendously with my coffee research and is a true authority in the specialty coffee preparation industry... I had to be specific. Great job bro!!
sam's been doing this long enough to prolly feel uncomfortable with the suggestion that he can even make his coffee taste like blueberries. the fruit in that cup is typical more of the process employed in drying the harvested coffee. the fruit is both a result of "terroir" and a good amount of ferment from the sun-dried coffee cherry. if the farmer had screwed up, if the dry mill had messed up, if M&T roasters had botched it and if Sam had spaced out while at the syphon you wouldnt taste it.
Sam's a conjurer no doubt. But within reason.
Nice photos.
alley cat on January 31, 2010 at 11:22 AM
i agree that there are alot of great cafes in the city ,south of bloor st.but has anyone really researched the history of cafes and coffee shops in the whole city....any idea anyone...theres surly a great deal of awesome cafes or coffee shops in the city and some are also located that have never had a write up or any type of public notice....these are cafes or coffee shope that have been around for the last 40 years and still going strong.but they get no regoniction becuase the mass coffee commuters and coffee snobs are all living downtown so no one visits north of bloor st... go try them out then do the comparessing in quality of coffee becuase design is just design but at the end of the day costumers that can say ..that was a great latte or coffee or espresso ,its what counts in the real coffee world.i go around the city and check out coffee houses and cafes becuase its what i love to do everyday...and that is make my costumers great coffee....just a word from your sponsor....
I find the writers on this blog very bias.
The coffee at SJ is ok.
have youuuuuuuu?????
I'm with you. Sam is a great barista, and his shots are definitely better than his staff's shots. But still, the coffee is just ok, especially when you're drinking espresso. All that milk in a cap or latte definitely improves the taste.
Sam Is D Man!
his a Spro can be categorized under "Freaking Awesome"!
just a superb corner. too bad its on the west side.
midtown desperately need Some good spro joint.
I work @ yonge & yorkmils and I can't find any drinkable spro.
I wouldn't mind going couple Subs-station south or north.
plz do tell if you know any. (on the subway line~)