Timothy's Latte Bene

20061128_lattebene.jpgWhen the cold weather rolls in (and I know it's balmy for late December, but it's not exactly warm), I become increasingly tempted by the promise of various hot, steamy, coffee and chocolate beverages offered by the chains.

Yesterday, I found myself walking along University en route to work, when I passed a Timothy's and found I could not resist the promise of a delicious sounding Dark Chocolate Caramel Latte Bene.

It sounded like the perfect thing for a cool, blustry and gray day.

I should have known better. There was no rich smooth chocolate flavour, nor the creamy caramel I was hoping for. Just the bitterness of the espresso and the blandness of underheated 2% milk.

It didn't even have the chocolate sprinkles on top as the poster suggests. And frankly, under chocolate sprinkles, and maybe some whipped cream, I probably wouldn't have noticed.

I got a small. Total waste of 4$.

The sad thing is, a couple weeks ago I had a Gingerbread Latte at Starbucks and was also struck by the blandness of the beverage.

Is there no hope for winter? I haven't dared Tim's hot smoothees yet, they kind of scare me.

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While it's hardly as convenient as any of those, Katherine do try the hot choc or latte at b Espresso... consider it a special treat for enduring the crap latte.

Otherwise, I dunno what to tell you... heh. I used to get the peppermint hot chocolate at Timothy's and it was nice. For me, the test is asking for a specific kind of milk. If they can't do it, it's 'cause you're getting Carnation powdered mix, heh, in which case, just pick up a jar on the way home instead.

Posted by: Tanja at November 28, 2006 4:26 PM

While the drip coffee at Starbucks et al. is passable, I would never have an espresso drink from any of them. Most of the time the kids there just don't know how to work/calibrate the machines, which gives you bitter espresso as you have noted.

I know this because I used to work at a Second Cup in my heyday. And boy did we make crappy drinks for people. I worked there for a half a year between school and my real job and got serious about the espresso machine, but most people could care less.

Posted by: Steven Chabot at November 28, 2006 5:26 PM

If you're into the sweet coffee thing (i'm not) go to 7/11 (i'm not kidding) and try the scarily good sweetened coffee "cappuccino" things. They also have flavoured milks that make it even sweeter.

Posted by: zach at November 28, 2006 7:19 PM

"Bitterness of the espresso"?! Sounds like they don't know how to make a proper espresso.

That's your problem right there. Most chains have never tasted a proper espresso -- I'd look elsewhere to someone who gives a damn.

Posted by: Greg Sherwin at November 28, 2006 8:41 PM

I was just about to suggest you try the Tim's Hot Smoothee when you got all afraid of it. It's AWESOME. I'm such a sucker for the french vanilla. Have yet to try the hazelnut, but the french vanilla is fantastic, and at under 2$, it's well worth a try to see if it's to your liking.

Posted by: Photendoist at November 28, 2006 11:41 PM

Sounds like they burnt the esspresso. I'm telling you, it is all about the peppermint mochas at Starbucks. Yeah, I know they're evil blah blah. But that drink is Christmas in a cup.

Posted by: Courtney at November 29, 2006 10:10 AM

When heading up University and looking for a great latte, don't stop at the Timothy's at University/Dundas, instead, go up a little more, cross over to the west side, walk a few steps north of Dundas, and look for Avenue Cafe. I go there daily and haven't had a better latte in the city. I highly recommend getting an iced latte with two raw sugars, as that's what I get every single day. It's a beautiful cafe there, and since I discovered it I haven't returned to Starbucks, Second Cup, or Timothy's since. Just make sure to schedule accordingly, there's a line out the back door at lunch, it's just that good.

www.avenuecafe.ca

Honestly, I don't work there, I'm just an addict.

Posted by: Iced Latte Boy at December 1, 2006 9:44 AM

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