Cafes
Smock Cafe
Smock Cafe is a new Roncesvalles cafe that offers crafts for kids and respite for parents."The other day," owner Sara Wood begins as we sip coffees by the front-facing bar, "a woman came in from the Beaches with her child."
"Her daughter sat quietly at the craft table for a full hour," she continues, "while the mother ate her lunch at another table, had two coffees, and flipped through a copy of Vogue."
Not a parent myself, I quickly realize the anecdote amounts to a pretty impressive feat. "Those few moments to yourself can really be rejuvenating," Sara says. "She looked like she really appreciated it.
Such is the mission, so to speak, of Smock Cafe. After having her daughter four years ago, Sara realized the need for a cafe that caters to both parent and child. Davina Cheung-Brown and Tera Goldblatt tapped into that market earlier this year with their baby-friendly cafe, Playful Grounds, over on College, but there was nothing in the Roncesvalles community, where Sara has lived for the past 10 years.
"There are so many young families here and many of the parents are artsy-types — trying to juggle their kids and careers," Sara says. "But there was nowhere for them to go and bring along their kids."
If Playful Grounds is more baby-minded in approach, Smock Cafe seems perfect for kids who won't put safety scissors in their mouths. The cafe has a play kitchen-station near the entrance, toys and blocks by the bench tables, and even a little hidden "reading nook" just big enough for novice readers or fervent fans of picture books.
But the main kid-friendly attraction is the craft table at the back, which has everything from paints to pom-poms and ribbons and strings, and comes with a full-time "facilitator" who will help kids create the project of the day (fairy dolls, during my visit). For $8, parents can let their kids go at it and escape to a table to make use of the free Wifi and enjoy the soup of the day.
Speaking of, that soup ($6.00) should receive its due attention. Sara comes from a catering background and has personally honed Smock Cafe's daily menu.
The offerings include baked goods such as cookies and muffins, salads including carrot slaw and spinach/pecan/strawberry, and fresh, hot panini ($7.25)--all of which are made at the cafe. For kids there are Kiju juices ($2) and a combine-three menu plate ($4.50) that includes options such as grapes, hummus, and celery and peanut butter.
As for coffee, the blend is Reunion Island (my personal favourite) and my Americano ($2) has that smooth, nutty flavour that has rendered it tops in my coffee books.
Smock's basement is currently being prepped for summer camps and classes, though it already offers a changing table (needless to say) and private bathrooms big enough for mom, dad, and child. Paper butterflies and other crafts are already displayed by the sinks.
"It makes me happiest to see kids come in and instantly know how to interact with the space," Sara says, glancing at a toddler rolling a toy car, as her mother watches from a nearby table. I'd say that goes for both kids and adults.
Additional photos:
Photos by Morris Lum
Discussion
28 Comments
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'I have never seen a staff member anywhere but behind the counter at Smock'
Umm...never? The cafe just opened Fri./Sat. and it's absolutely beautiful, great food & coffee. What's not to love? I've been there twice since it opened and there was a supervisor there. It's a great place.
Not planning on EVER going there, but, it means (hopefully) I won't have to hear obnoxious, self-entitled brats at my regular cafe hangout now! ;)
Like Lil Beans and Greens who charges $5 for a substandard play area, I see this place relying heavily on classes, workshops and the such instead of being what child friendly cafes in Europe, Vancouver and California already are - cafes that serve GREAT food and are child friendly and accessible. If you have good food, good service and your kids can play for free and there are all the high chairs, kiddie dishes, foods, etc., needed., gimmicks like art and classes aren't necessary and just take away from the cafe.
The cost of the classes is high too so maybe moms in the neighborhood will go here but for us that live out of the way, there is no point going to Roncessavelles that isn't subway accessible when I can spend the same money elsewhere or do projects at the ROM, Science Center, Early Years Center, Library, etc., for free.
If I want to enjoy my food and friends company while my kids play, I will go to Playful Grounds where the staff is great, the cupcakes from Earth's Best are amazing and the play area is FREE, Did you see the cupcakes at Smock? Covered in hardened icing sugar that was dripping down the sides? Not appealing. Buy them from a good baker or learn to make a good buttercream ladies.
I wish Smock the best but they need to be realistic in what they are trying to achieve
By the way, I definitely think more child friendly places need to open up. In Vancouver IHOPS have put in small play areas and their business has increased over 40% since doing so. Moms don't want to be stuck at home nor do they want to be embarrassed or stressed when out.
I just wish someone besides Playful Grounds would get it right. Just feed us and let the kids play while we relax. Stop selling us classes for hundreds of dollars or making us pay for our kids to play when we are already paying too much for "organic fair trade " this and that to eat at your establishment. Ok, if we don't buy any food or drink, implement a fee for kids to play or use the craftspace or charge for craft supplies like I was told would happen. If we buy food and drinks, the price of the crafts is built in already. There's no way it isn't with the panini being almost $8 and the salad was a small bit of bitter leaves with balsamic vinegar, not even dressing or a proper salad, and the sandwich was cold, small and not very tasty. Who serves a cold, untoasted, rubbery baconed BLT?
I hope the owner is paying attention to the comments and this is all growing pains.
You should take before & after pics for this article ;)
group hug!
My comment was a positive one - you guys have your space the way that suits you, we'll have ours - it's win-win.
But since you started it…
Speaking of self-important adults, I've lost count of the amount of times I've had my feet run over or shins rammed by an oversized baby buggy wielded by an out-of-my-way-can't-you-see-I'm-a-MOTHER?!
Just because ya'll forgot to take your pill a few years back and out squeezed a slimy critter, doesn't mean the rest of the world should automatically bow down and worship the ground you walk on. It's biology, enough with the holier-than-thou.
Just because to you the sun shines out of your son's ass, doesn't mean he's anything more than a snot encrusted screamer to the rest of us. Deal with it.
All this fury and vitriol over a new business?
I have to say, PLEASE do not label all mothers as the same. Believe me, I do not enjoy the Holier-Than-Thou-Mothers you are referring to. I also do not enjoy people with bad Stroller Manners (or Umbrella Manners or TTC Manners while we're on the subject!), but we are all different. I have a huge SUV buggy- but wait, before you judge, it's because I have no car and my buggy doubles as a shopping cart to bring all my groceries home in. It also has big wheels so I can get through the snow and ice on sidewalks, as I walk almost everywhere. I have VERY good Buggy Manners. I am sorry that sometimes the sidewalk may be a bit narrow, and despite me moving all the way over and apologizing if I am in the way of someone, and often stopping altogether as to not inconvenience anyone, you still hate me. I also want to note that I have never once gone to a cafe with my baby since he was born since I don't want to inconvenience anyone. I am extremely aware of my surroundings and the Mom Hate in our culture and I try my best to hide from it. Thanks for being super over-generalizing and mean and making me even more insecure about being in public ever.