Cafes
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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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
And "Liz", u r hilarious.
Now I have to head down to have some serious blueberries coffee! Did some one just says Sam James...
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.
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!
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!
Sam's a conjurer no doubt. But within reason.
Nice photos.
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....
The coffee at SJ is ok.
his a Spro can be categorized under "Freaking Awesome"!
just a superb corner. too bad its on the west side.
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~)
sam james coffee is the best in the city. most customers aren't latte drinkers, and local roasters blow. you are obviously a moron. next time you should bring up your concerns to sam himself instead of posting on a message board...now go back to van you pussy.
Really bad service here.
SJ has to huge ego....
I will never go there again.
You have a whorish little mouth
Then as I waited for my americano, SJ's father said thank you for the coffee and SJ said, "I love you, see you later." It made my morning and coffee experience. The coffee went down smooth too.
The design itself on the latte doesn't really matter, but in order to do any latte art whatsoever required properly microfrothed milk. Think of the art as a quality certification instead of just a pretty label.
I have no reservations saying that SJCB is the best coffee I've had in Toronto.
Lots of coffee shops (and coffee shop owners) make crap coffee. Being an award winning barista really depends on who is giving the award. That said, Sam James is a good guy. I have like his staff and the layout of his places are great . I just don't find his coffee great. It's about average. I have tried it a number of times to exclude an off cup, and no to all you Sj lovers I do not own or work for a competitor and never have.
I'm very sorry that you had a bum experience, and I understand that it might have been very upsetting for you, but you are presenting only one side of the story.And while I make a point to not bother with comments and battles on the internet, I feel it's only fair that I defend my shops' bike lane policy and clarify what happened in this specific example.
The initial conflict was not directly related to me or my business, other than the fact that you chose to park in front of the store to come in for a coffee, and another customer let you have it. I never asked, endorsed, or commended my customer for approaching you like she did, period. After the incident, I asked her to not approach other customers regarding the parking in the bike lane, but to leave this responsibility to me and my staff.
I remind you, as well as many of my customers, that there is a clearly visible By-Law sign on both nearby posts that prohibit parking in the bike lane, as well as a politely worded sign in front of my store (and my neighbour's store) clearly asking that customers not park in the bike lane.
Our store policy regarding the bike lane is that staff will ask our customers who fail to see and/or respect those signs to find an appropriate parking spot while we make your coffee, and to park in a designated, safe spot each time they visit the store.
Anybody who refuses, will be respectfully refused service. I and my staff feel comfortable doing so, because we are protecting the safety of many of our customers and other members of the community who are cyclists. It's not our intention to alienate customers and community members who drive, but feel the need to do what we can to avoid a preventable accident in front of our workplace.
We will not tolerate customers who endanger the lives of others on the road for the purpose of conveniently coming in for a coffee. Nor will we tolerate individuals' disrespectful behaviour towards customers and staff.
I understand that it is not my duty to enforce the laws, or to try and educate people that bike lanes exist so that cyclists may use it for clear and free passage, that it is not a parking space, or a safe place to pull over except in an emergency.
However, when it comes to matters of endangering my other customers who do use the bike lane, because you find it inconvenient to use the free parking, I do take it upon myself, and empower my staff to bring awareness to how unacceptable that kind of action is.
Parking is available on side streets, on the north side of Harbord from Bathurst all the way west to Montrose, or in the vacant lot at Harbord and Frank Kovac Lane, all within a 1 minute walk. It requires a little more planning, especially with small children, but the rest of my customers manage to do so without issue.
I won't see a person be killed in front of my store, because I was too afraid of alienating somebody who might buy a $4 coffee. The money is not worth that to me, the same as the inconvenience of finding a parking spot and walking an extra minute should not be worth that risk to you.
I know you did not see the harm in a quick stop for a coffee, and that is why I insist on bringing to my customers attention the reality of the danger of parking in the bike lane.
Whether you don't see a cyclist coming behind you, it takes only a second for an accident to happen. Driving a car is a responsibility that comes with certain conveniences and inconveniences. It's inconsiderate to expect the same conveniences of being a cyclist or pedestrian while driving a car.
When I ride my bike, I don't stop and leave it in the middle of the bike lane to get a coffee, I park it at the nearest available ring and post.
As an owner of a car, you take on the responsibility to not only drive safely, but to find safe parking.
I hope this explanation makes my point, and that you can agree with at least some of it. I do hope you return again for a coffee, and that we can let this be in the past. If you or any customer takes issue with an aspect of my business, I'd prefer you take it up with me directly, rather than airing your grievances on the internet.
Sam James
It's only for 15 seconds? I'm sure the other drivers wouldn't mind. They can go around you in the other lane they are not supposed to be in and figure it out with oncoming traffic.
Right?
Sounds like a really mature way to treat your customers, also went in there with my husband who loves coffee more than anything! He was not only disaspointed by the service, but said the coffee was gritty, service was bad, and now looks like owner cares more about parking than his customers, or only certain customers! I get the bikelane thing, but allowing another customer to a threaten and harass a women with a baby and reward her for it? That is not the kind of person I want to give my money too!
That's too bad, and highway traffic law in Ontario doesn't support you, either:
§147 (1): Any vehicle travelling upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at that time and place shall, where practicable, be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic or as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 147 (1).
Exception
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a driver of a,
(a) vehicle while overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction;
(b) vehicle while preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway; or
(c) road service vehicle. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 147 (2).
Vehicles meeting bicycles
§148 (4). Every person in charge of a vehicle on a highway meeting a person travelling on a bicycle shall allow the cyclist sufficient room on the roadway to pass. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 148 (4).
Translation, in plain English: a bicycle is a vehicle under provincial law. A bicycle, like a car, motorcycle, or horse, is permitted to occupy a lane or, where not practicable, the safest amount of space to the right (not left) side of, say, a two-lane road. Generally, this requires that a bicyclist be at least a solid metre minimum from the right curb — outside the path of slick metal storm grates and where dirt, debris, and road salts cake up. You would not wilfully drive on broken glass and nails and other debris using your $300-a-tire Yokohama or Pirelli touring radials; and there is no expectation that a bicyclist must to it, either.
If you are a driver, and you try to use your horn to signal to me to move off the road entirely (or out of the right lane of a four-lane (or more) arterial), I will shout to you "H.T.A. 1-4-7. IT'S THE LAW." It is your responsibility to know the traffic act. If you use your vehicle in a menacing or threatening way to nudge me off the road (and don't think that that hasn't happened, either, as I've only escaped with my life from that twice — with only one of those landing me in E.R.), I will remember your plate and I will phone the police to, at a minimum, file a formal complaint.
That's all. Glad to hear what you really think. Obey the law, and as a city bicyclist (I've held a driver's license for 23 years and owned my share of cars), I will do no less than the same. Impede on me at your own peril.
Sam is not only a good businessman, but a fantastic barista and, from the looks of it, a kind person that cares about the community he lives in. That being said, it's pretty shitty to try and besmirch his name because you don't like obeying the law, or because you can't be bothered to park around the corner and carry your beloved spawn in the way so many of the other patrons do.
Sarah, I think you'd be hard pressed to find many other people who would mind shelling out the $4 for a great cup of coffee, served with a smile. SJ has enough grateful customers, and I'm sure with your attitude, your business will definitely not be missed.
We'll see what's up when I throw my pink U-lock through your fucking windshield next time you cut me off on the road! See you out in Thornhill..Oh wait, no you won't. Stay in the 905 and out of Toronto affairs, you cuntservative!
sound familiar?
It's me. Terrorist of babies and cars. I'd like to get the record at least reasonably straight. Possibly approximating something vaguely accurate.
That morning, it was raining. The pressure had lifted and I was all light and energized. I felt cozy belonging in my neighbourhood; like a participating member of a community.
An SUV parked in the bike lane, and without asking permission I ran outside and gestured in air traffic control style for them to go around the corner. They watched me for a while, without rolling down their windows.
Rain was happening! I was getting wet.
They looked at me through their tinted windows, behind which there was apparently a baby, which I couldn't see.
By the time they decided to hear me, I was pretty geared up from the gesturing/dancing and said loudly (but certainly not yelling, and with a smile on my face), "hey! Get the f* out of the bike lane!"
I immediately tried to grin after dropping the f-word because I hadn't meant to be so abrasive. I just swear a lot.
The man leaned over his wife and said, "You're a BITCH!"
In retrospect, that was fairly inappropriate language in front of a baby, but I don't tell people how to speak in front of babies. Maybe bitch is an important word that he wants his baby to learn early on? I am not an anthropologist.
I grinned and said "I know!" And then ran inside! Because I am made really nervous by tinted windows and large angry men! Also, it was still raining.
I told everybody in the store I'd just been called a name, because it was so weird and novel. Some people commiserated with me, and then I heard a big slam and Sam say "whoa!"
The lady really let me have it. There was lots of yelling. I said "I'm really sorry, I just swear without thinking I shouldn't had worded it that way." More yelling. Some repetition. Finally she said "Are you scared now!?!?"
I was, but I said, "Not really." But I was. She had been really slammy and I had seen way too much of her eyeballs.
So that's it! That's what happened. Anyone who's seen me around knows I wouldn't bother trying to lie for my reputation.
Try their Cappucino and let me know how it compares with SJ
I'm very curious...
Thanks.
Sadly, several of us (including myself) was disappointed in the coffee, to the point where finishing a small cup (which is ~$2.30) was just a chore. Apparently it is supposed to taste like blueberries.
However, another co-worker of mine said that their cappuccinos and espressos are top-notch (which I can't comment on as I haven't tried).