Cafes
Voulez Vous Cafe
Voulez-Vous Cafe, from outside, is about as non-descript as it gets. Tucked away on a quiet stretch of Queen East near Coxwell, it sits unadorned on the end of a small block, looking more like a mid-90's "office space for rent" than a cafe. But its exterior betrays a quaint and lovely interior, where you can go in for a coffee, and walk out with a piece of furniture.
Julie Voulet and her husband Sean Lacey are newcomers to the cafe biz. Together they opened Voulez-Vous Cafe only three weeks ago, after a perfect storm of opportunity and location.
The cafe is a bit of a blank slate at the moment, the decor is French, modern and a bit eclectic but with lots of room for incoming art from local artists, and Julie has tons of ideas for what to do with the space and patio outside. She envisions book clubs, live music and poetry readings - but she doesn't plan to do this on her own; help and suggestions from the community are welcome.
This business really embodies the spirit of a boutique hotel, but in cafe form. You can kick back on some designer furniture and if you like it, take it home with you. There is also a catalogue at the counter with more styles available for purchase.
The cafe offerings are simple, but solid. Sean's old family recipes are put to use in the form of banana bread and Danish chip cake. Other treats are brought in by Circles and Squares.
There is no menu board, and no prices. I think they're still trying to figure that out. In the meantime, order the standards made of beans roasted by Classic Gourmet. There's also a fair trade option for drip coffee from Ethiopia.
As Julie is quite the tea lover, she brings in tea from Specialteas in Victoria, BC and is always on the lookout for new blends to add to the growing collection. If you have a favourite, ask!
Voulez-Vous cafe is family friendly (changing table in the basement), and is open Monday-Friday 7-6, Saturday 8-6 and Sunday 10-6.
Discussion
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Reads like a first draft.
Inside looks quite lovely but there needs to be some sort of awning or something to draw you in.
I am sure they are working on it! And now I will know to wander in next time.
The new owners are great - a pleasure to talk to and the magazines by the window are a nice touch too.
Oh yeah, and great coffee!
Also, super nice peeps. Sean is the man and Julie is so sweet!
But get a freakin' sign already!!!
Sort of like the "Beach" town homes at Vic park and Gerrard E.
My first espresso, pulled by Sean, seemed okay. And I appreciated that he was interested in hearing from me about it. When I get that sort of attention, that's gratifying and that's really what a coffee shop is all about to me. The espresso seemed fine. Classic is air roasted and while Te Aro's air roasted is good (off and on), and sometimes excellent, I'm not sure I don't prefer drum roasted.
On my second visit, I had a barista who didn't know how to make a macchiato. That's fine for folks who wouldn't know the difference. And if the owner is fine with that, then that's that. Otherwise, Coffee suppliers will usually, I believe, offer to train the baristas how to make espressos and espresso-based drinks properly. Why not take advantage of that if you've got the equipment and good coffee and the need to impress people who will spread the word?!
I wish Julie and Sean good luck with this. The area is a bit of a wilderness, but on the other hand, it could use this place. There are always folks in every hood who look for this sort of place and are thrilled to see one pop up where they live. I only live around the corner in fact. But not for much longer.
As for comments that didn't deal specifically with the coffee shop or the review of it, Well, even talking specifically about one thing leads you to other subjects. As someone who's had posts yanked (ostensibly) because they've strayed off topic, I'm not going to complain about others mentioning, in a normal fashion, seemingly off topic subjects.
I personally just drink espresso and don't mix it with milk or sugar, so I can't comment on their macchiatos. But obviously taste is a subjective beast. They seem pretty cool and open to suggestions or improvements so that's great you vocalize your concerns instead of stewing about it later.
Much better than Rooster or Red rocket, but Mercury is still my fav in the neighbourhood.
Great set-up, but I wonder how they'll survive the neighbourhood
to keith's comment, Leslieville actually extends east to Coxwell and south to Eastern.
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Not really, the area between Greenwood and Coxwell has been more often known as the Ashbridge's neighbourhood.
Since the Ashbridges moved here in about 1793.
http://www.toronto.ca/demographics/cns_profiles/cns65.htm
I've always thought that had a very un-catchy ring to it and I've never heard anyone use this description in real life.
I kind of like Ashbridge's or proposed once, "Beachville" as a cross between the Beach and Leslieville but that doesn't quite work either. I vote that we have a vote similar to the recent Junction Triangle vote. Let's assert our identity once and for all :)
To Arby, it sure sounds like you just plain don't like this particular cafe and therefore should move on to try plenty of others in the city. I'm not a macchiato drinker, strictly Americano or latte for me, and I've not had a bad experience.
Excellent music selection as well.
Why don't the two of you meet over a coffee. You sound like an old married couple arguing about things no one actually gives a shit about.