Quaff Cafe may be pretty new to the Queen West strip (four weeks to be exact), but to at least two of my friends, it's already a near and dear neighbourhood fixture.
A lot can happen when you're away, it seems (which is what I'd always feared, but never believed).
It's almost too appropriate that in the midst of re-orienting myself into Toronto's coffee culture, I ran into these same friends walking away from the establishment in question.
After heading back in with them so we can all marvel at what a small world it is (the boys have a rapport with the owners that exceeds even the one I'd cultivated mere moments before), we walk away with take-out orders as they rave about their favourite new spot.
Their joy focuses largely on the uncommon kindness of the owners and the quality of their espresso, "the smoothest in Toronto!", Dylan swears, with Stevie emphatically nodding in his wake.
They also swear by the gently-decorated interior with its unobtrusive music and conversation (and free Wi-Fi!), calling it the perfect workspace.
But this is all in the future.
Before I knew any of the above, it was just me, wandering in on a Sunday night. The impending dusk pushing my craving for coffee and pastries away in favour of something a little more substantial. With the sandwiches having been mostly been snapped up, I'm offered some soup. "Borscht," to be precise.
"Ooh, is that the red stuff?" I've never had it before, so I decide I may as well. I've been pretty adventurous lately.
This one has a tomato-base, cabbage, big chunks of carrots and some slow-cooked beef; mouth-wateringly hearty, it tastes like the cook behind it has spent quite some time perfecting the process.
I am absolutely certain that it's the warmest, most lovingly-made thing I've eaten since I left the care of my compulsive-cooker relatives in the Balkans two weeks ago. It fills me with sustenance and comfort, and makes me want to welcome autumn for the first time this year.
I'm equally appreciative of a platter full of tiny treats for $1.50, as I always get a kick out of all things small and perfect.
I would be remiss not to mention those little single-serving jars of jam which I've always wished I could buy. They're here, on sale ($1.50) and display, which comforts me somehow.
Other treats include the one-bite butter tart, which seems perfectly engineered to satisfy my tiny craving, but I know there is no way I can ignore the Alfajores beside it; delicate little cookies sandwiching a filling of dulce de leche, and garnished with powdered sugar and coconut.
But before I get a chance to try them, I'm lavished with an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie-- immediately followed by a white chocolate Macadamia nut cookie, once my secret chocolate hate is divulged by the guy who served me earlier (whose suggestion of an chocolate croissant I had to refuse).
They're a house specialty, baked fresh on site with those croissants I sadly did not get a chance to sample (yes, I have issues with almond flavouring too, I'm sorry, and I don't know what my problem is). It's very fresh and chewy and ensures that I really won't need to eat any dinner tonight after all.
This quiet Sunday evening is exactly what I needed, somewhat depressed after having returned home to the death of summer.
The streets are peaceful and subdued in this bluish light, and Quaff, with its simple, sophisticated storefront, and twinkling chandelier seems very much at home next to its neighbours, and everything finally seems to be getting back in order for me.
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You've never had borsh?? That is a huge omission on anybody's part, let alone someone writing reviews of cafes. To Ronces you go
i ♥♥♥♥♥ borscht!
I can't believe I'm the third person to talk solely about borscht in the comments, but yeah, there are many kinds of borscht and you should try them ALL.
lol, I have always felt ashamed of this fact, and now I think I get a good idea of what I'm missing. To be honest, it' s the beets that have never appealed to me, but *clearly* I need to get over this and expand my horizons. Thanks, all. :-)
MMM BORSCHT
I've never had borscht either, and I'm Ukrainian. I feel left out.
did you try the wifi? it is too slow to even make it usable.
If the soup is made in house why do I see them bringing it in the back door?
A very nice addition to my neighbourhood. The croissants are wonderful as are the pastries.
The sandwich I had with a paper thin slice of prosciutto on a "Dempster" style multi-grain bread was mediocre and very overpriced at $9.50, in spite of the fistful of greens with it! (A very generous made-to-order sandwich down the street at the Prague is worth the lower price!)
Since I've been told their soup was great, I must try it soon.
A nice surprise recently was the addition of Spanakopita as well as a meat version.....all delicious and more reasonably priced at $4.50 for a generous slice.
The only disappointment was the brown butter cake which was almost too dry for the fork to slice through and covered in a cloying,hard, white icing reminiscent of the kind of baking I thought mercifully disappeared from Toronto long ago!
The coffee has always been the best on the street!
No surprise you like the croissants: they're from Toronto's own Patachou--as are most of their pastries.
i thought the croissants are from nadage down the street?
All apologies; I was told the croissants were made fresh on the premises...perhaps it's just the baking that's done there?
As I said, I didn't get to have one, so I am not fit to compare them...will have to go back and check them out soon, though.
We fell in love with the ambience and decor BUT were dissapointed with the hot chocolate (weak taste), and the chocolate bouchons - it was so hard that we the fork could not even cut through it. Heating it in the oven before serving obviously did not help, but dried it up even more. We wished they would check before serving, and cover them instead of displaying in the open since the humidity level in the room is so dry (due to winter and the heater).
amazing place , i find myself addicted to their rosemary foccacia chicken sandwiches !
best coffee place :)
Hi I was just wondering if Quaff has a email address or website?
I am almost positive that most of the baked sweets are from She Takes the Cake. I have had the brown butter cake, the chocolate buchons (pictured above), the brownies, and the dulce du leche cheesecake at both places.
I'd also like to add that I too have been served inedibly dry/stale baked goods at Quaff (which I've never experienced at the source, She Takes the Cake). Once, when I got a brownie to go, the server said "a few seconds in the microwave will make this heaven". Well nothing could turn that chocolate plaster brick into food again. That was (and will remain) my last visit, because he clearly knew he was selling me something past its prime.
It is the best place for coffee...and generally it is awesome place... love Quaff... will be back :)
It's always been a hit and miss place for me. I once had an amazing cauliflower and parmesan soup there - although on another trip I was met with a nearly inedible ham and cheese croissant. I'd say it's probably worth walking the extra block up to Nadege or Clafouti to make sure your food is fresh.
The owners is a bit weird. I don't think he treats his staff well. Anyway, the lentil soup was cold and oh so boring. Butter tarts were invisable and had no filling. Coffee was watery. Nice decor thou. Trying Nadege next.....
You must have been in on an off day because I always find the owners to be really friendly. Their coffee is so good that I drink it black (everywhere else I drink a double double). Not to mention their soups are incredible! I think it's a great addition to a great neighbourhood.
is this a nice place to sit and read with a coffee?
Really great place. Nice design, European atmosphere, delicious coffe, friendly owners.
fantastic lunch spot/cafe and i think the only of its kind on queen street...
never had borscht...i will definitely have to try it..
this cafe is wonderful. I went there the other day and I must say I am impressed. Coffee and treats were all amazing.
their spinach-feta pies are delicious!
The best damn cafe in T.O. very clean.