Cafes
T.A.N. Coffee
Visiting T.A.N cafe felt like re-uniting with an old MySpace friend, when I made my way over there last week. A few months back, I had helped Melissa hang pictures for her photography show, and got to know the place almost inappropriately well.
Just like those couple of times I stayed at my high school until 11 pm, there is something about being in a public establishment when the public is gone that feels kind of weirdly intimate and... intrepid.
Even more thrilling still was the shortbread that awaited me; shortbread which had been given as a reward for mounting frames. Shortbread for which my love was so intensely memorable, that a re-encounter with Chris behind the counter brought a spark of recognition to his face... "oh, right... you guys were really into the shortbread, weren't you?"
"The shortbread" in question, would be that of World Class Bakers. The size of saucers, and bursting with cranberry (or chocolate, if you swing that way), I feel as though somebody has finally listened to my cookie dreams and made them flesh and blood (butter).
Similarly bespoke, seem the delicious, raisin-free(!) and flaky-crusted butter tart that is provided by... you guessed it:
Circles and Squares Bakery. Man, those guys get around, and I'm not complaining.
The list is rounded out with yet even more selection from Sweets of the Earth, who serve up some truly delicious-looking vegan goodies. The lure of the cashew cookie was enough to make my eye momentarily wander, until I remembered that my body runs on butter.
T.A.N. Coffee roasts their own beans on site, which are singularly-sourced and fairly-traded. They have a number of blends displayed on their shelves, and even some thematic garments & gear for sale. The "Expresso Junky" t-shirt wins extra hard for their creative spelling - the latter word adopting my (and William S. Burroughs'?) favourite.
As I mentioned, the space also doubles as a gallery, whose very successful usage I have witnessed. It holds a surprising number of people, and has plenty of wall space; deep crimson wall space that sets a vibrant, dramatic field for a variety of art works.
Along with the TD Jazz Festival performances this past weekend, the website also lists various lectures and exhibits on its roster, often with an activist angle (a model which the aforementioned show certainly fit).
The super-comfy digs allow both the steady circulation of crowds, but also encourages those of us who wish to sit and percolate on an overcast Thursday. On benches with crushed velvet cushions, no less.
The cozy area in the back (a precursor to a lovely patio that I didn't know about/couldn't use anyway as 'twas raining) had stayed particularly vivid in my mind, being the focus of my previous visit's tasks. How psyched we were to find it unoccupied, this little private coffee den where our caffeine-riddled voices freely bounced off the walls.
We savored our buttery treats for what seemed like hours in a kind of lovely, rare isolation that felt like home. Add to that the wood-paneled kitchen table (not unlike my mom's old one), and some very familiar-seeming dishware (not unlike the ones my great-aunt still has), and everything felt kinda frozen in time.
It somehow seemed appropriate that in this sepia-tinged room was where I received a call telling me Michael Jackson had passed away.
How surreal to walk onto Queen Street and be bombarded by the news we'd been missing for the past couple of hours, coming from the mouth and car stereo of every passerby. I only mention this, T.A.N. Coffee, because to not do so would seem dishonest. Our ordinary afternoon took a sad turn, and became downright historical, but have no fear: our relationship is just that much stronger. And in this post-MJ world, I need your shortbread now more than ever.
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This place is my daily coffee stop and my nightly shortbread/pecan square stop!
The coffee is unique (you actually taste the bean and not the overpowering roast here)... and they make a fine flat white! (For those who don't know what it is it's like a stronger latte with no foamtop.) ---hits the spot for those days I want a stronger, milkier coffee without the fancy foam/texture. Theyre also very generous with the coffee strength. Couldn't complain as a constantly fatigued cultural worker...
we love you guys!!
Their coffee must be great being roasted on site and the confectionery is so mouth-watering....
Those of you nearby - you are so lucky! You are being fed physically, emotionally and all your five senses are well stimulated....
What sets it apart from so many other TO cafés is that they have the knowledge and confidence roast their own rather than slavishly following the crowd and buying in from 49th Parallel and Intelligentsia.
And this shows!
The baristas are excellent - Marilyn and Chris in particular - and effortlessly finish each drink off with a latte art flourish, even the macchiato. A rosetta and a heart are becoming quality kite marks and if you're not getting one at your usual café then maybe you should wonder why...?
TAN Coffee even has a back garden...to soak up some sunshine...and for those who still enjoy the simple pleasure of a coffee and a cigarette...!
Hunt this place out and support your local specialty roaster - you won't regret it.
We send clients there because we love this establishment and it's proprietor!!!!
PS: Handsome Rob is also a huge fan of their lemonade!!!!
go.
you will not be disappointed.
I own a shop on Ossington and feel very fortunate to have the best iced coffee in the city right around the corner!
TAN rocks!
Get over yourself. Nothing worse than a snobby coffee drinker. You bought a $2.35 cup of coffee. Not a Ferrari. I'll be checking out T.A.N. today!
Served by a quiet but friendly barista. Arrived around 1PM and it was fairly quiet. It progressively got busier later but no where close to being overly noisy.
Cozy little café. For those who need power outlets - there's 2 (only one is near a table).