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<title>blogTO Recent Comments: Simple Cafe</title>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/feed/recentcomments/?11937</link>
<description>Comments recently made in this post on blogTO</description>
<copyright>Copyright 2009</copyright>
<lastBuildDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:05:33 PST</lastBuildDate>
<item>
<title>Arby</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Well, I stopped in again and tried a macchiato. (A store called Cream opened across the street and I wanted to see what it was about. While I was there, I thought I'd try Simple's macchiato.) The very friendly barista made me a great tasting cup - a la Starbucks. (That Brazilian fair trade, organic they're using is really, really good, once you get a drink that lets you get at the flavor!) Now, I'm not going to say it was bad or wrong. I would make this observation though: When I explained that the other upscale shops, including Te Aro just down the street, make macchiatos very differently and use micro-foam, she asked me what micro-foam was. Her foam was terrible, but it didn't hurt the coffee, which, fortunately, was awesome. Not long ago, I didn't know myself what micro-foam was. When I explained to her what it was, it sounded (understandably) to her like the resulting drink would be far too milky. And, actually, that can easily happen if the espresso shots are not up to snuff.

But when the espresso is right, the micro-foam and the coffee perfom this amazing dance on the taste buds that amazes. Neither ingredient overwhelms the other. The coffee is enhanced by the milk and vice versa, which is what I tried to convey to my friend - with fewer words.

But what strikes me is this; Any coffee shop that takes it's coffee, and it's espresso, seriously, should be staffed by baristas who drink coffee, who know things like how the other shops, upscale and not, are making their drinks. (I recommended that she try Te Aro's macchiato to get an idea.) This particular girl, a wonderful person who tried out a drink on me, gratis, doesn't drink coffee! Well, Okay. But...

I wish them well. I also recommended to the girl that they put up a sign inside the shop that lets people know that there is seating back behind the doorway, which there is. If I hadn't gone back to check out the patio, I would never have noticed the extra seating inside the shop. It's not much mind you.

I can see the backyard patio being a much nicer garden-like spot once they've been there for a few years and have had time to plant things etc..]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c653275</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c653275</guid>
<category>Toronto, </category>
<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2009 01:09:15 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Arby</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I finally stopped into Simple after noticing when it first opened. I roll by it daily on the streetcar. I guess I spoke with Raquel (whose name I only got from this site), who mentioned that she's always used the lever espresso machine they use. That came up when I asked whether it was a pod machine, since it looked odd. I'm not an expert on espresso machines.

I wasn't bowled over by the coffee, which was served in a paper cup even though I hadn't indicated I was taking it to go. No biggy. (One espresso doesn't tell you diddly squat.) I'm not too keen on milder South American coffees like this either. When all things are equal, I prefer a medium over a dark, but that doesn't mean that all mediums are the same. The best medium I've ever had was a Colombian, roasted on the premises in a shop on Yonge St a few blocks north of Eglinton. It's long gone. The second best would be a Java that was my first taste of real coffee and it was Second Cup. That was way back in the 80s and that coffee, for whatever reason, came and went in a short period of time and never returned.

I like the vibe here at Simple, which is just a hole in the wall, although I don't get why anyone would call a cafe "Simple." It shrieks: "I have no imagination." Oh well. The fact of the matter is, The focus here is on quality (which shrieks "caring about what's important") and, judging from the friendly and informative exchange I had with Raquel, that includes service as well.

In between Coxwell and Sumach, where I work, there are now 9 independent coffee shops (only one of which I haven't tried) and one Starbucks. Most of those don't rock me. The one that rocks me most is Dark Horse. But I like to change things up fairly regularly and different shops have different strengths and draws. There's a small number I alternate between. I don't know whether Simple will come to be in that circle. It's almost only good for take out. It's very small. I would not hesitate to stop at Simple again for a decent lunch and to give the coffee a fair try, but if I'm on the way to work and don't want to waste time, I might not want to stop and find that there's no seating.

Simple may do fine, but it does have a fair bit of competition now. I wish Raquel success.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c632767</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c632767</guid>
<category>Toronto, </category>
<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:48:15 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>jung</title>
<description><![CDATA[
i checked out the cafe this week and its for real a very cute  cafe..
Raquel is cool too]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c590208</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c590208</guid>
<category>Toronto, </category>
<pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2009 14:19:51 PDT</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>illu45</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Went there last weekend with my brother. The staff was very friendly, and the coffee was okay, but the atmosphere was a bit lacking, IMO. Certainly not a bad place to visit if you're in the area, but not entirely worth the drive from North York for me. ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c442949</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c442949</guid>
<category>Toronto, </category>
<pubDate>Fri, 06 Feb 2009 20:28:41 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>jo</title>
<description><![CDATA[
great food, great atmosphere, great people. amazing coffee. 
free wifi and good mags. will definitely make this a routine stop.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c435447</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c435447</guid>
<category>Toronto, </category>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Feb 2009 12:35:37 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>burkey</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Hey congrats on the new venture Racquel, I will definitely pop in and say "hi" next time I'm in TO and try some of that espresso.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c427500</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c427500</guid>
<category>Toronto, </category>
<pubDate>Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:08:39 PST</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Gloria</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Aw, dang, just moved away. Glad to see more cafes in the neighbourhood though. As nice as Leslieville is getting, it's still mostly stores and restaurants -- need more tasty coffee and sandwich places!]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c425602</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c425602</guid>
<category>Toronto, </category>
<pubDate>Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:53:56 PST</pubDate>
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<title>Dawn</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Live not 10 minutes away and pass it everyday on my way to work.  I think this weekend I will definitely check it out, a very nice addition to the neighborhood.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c425061</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c425061</guid>
<category>Toronto, </category>
<pubDate>Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:05:20 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>subway eastbound</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Simple cafe is one of my favourite new places to grab a coffee and snack. There red tea espresso is a great substitute for coffee. Shall I mention the amazing orange chocolate pound cake! What a treat!!!

Great prices, good food, cool and mellow atmosphere. A great addition to leslieville!!!

Thanks!!!  ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c399535</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c399535</guid>
<category>Toronto, </category>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:03:08 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Bobby</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I love this place the people are so nice and the food is great. Loved the chicken pot pie took it home and it was a full meal for like 6 bucks!]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c399001</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c399001</guid>
<category>Toronto, </category>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:18:37 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Coffee Snob</title>
<description><![CDATA[
BEST sandwiches, great coffee, cozy and friendly.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c395202</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c395202</guid>
<category>Toronto, </category>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:21:04 PST</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>tummy</title>
<description><![CDATA[
this place is glorious. 
awesome service, great food, and even better coffee. 
cheeeeeeck it out]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c393360</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c393360</guid>
<category>Toronto, </category>
<pubDate>Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:51:43 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Coffee</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Fantastic service. Free wifi. AWSOME.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c392305</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com//2009/01/simple_cafe/#c392305</guid>
<category>Toronto, </category>
<pubDate>Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:52:17 PST</pubDate>
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