Page One Too
Page One Too is a cafe by the same folks behind the popular coffee shop and cocktail bar, Page One.
This second, smaller iteration of the cafe sits inside Foodbenders. Sharing a counter with the healthy takeout spot, the two businesses are barely distinguishable from one another.
It's a tiny operation compared to the spacious, multi-seater cafe on Mutual Street, and there's not much indication that Page One Too is even its own brand save for a hanging drink menu that wasn't there before.
At location Too, the presence of Foodbenders' bustling kitchen in the back means food takes precedence here.
It's not the first time the two businesses have collaborated before: Page One carries a wide selection of Foodbenders' veggie bowls made with sustainably-farmed ingredients.
The decision to bring the pop-up as a permanent fixture to the healthy Bloorcourt space was mutual.
Foodbenders was missing a coffee component to its store, and Page One—known for employing very competent baristas—was looking to expand.
Now you'll find the same person cashing out your Thai protein bowl from the Foodbenders fridge is also the same person prepping your carefully crafted cappuccino ($3.80).
Both brands pride themselves on quality, so you'll be getting the best of both worlds in one visit.
Limited to the essentials, the coffee menu uses Propeller's Turbo blend for all their caffeinated drinks, save for the drip coffee ($2.50 to $3), which uses Propeller Dark Roast.
As with Page One drinks in general, expect some great art courtesy of your skilled barista.
Matcha or turmeric lattes ($4.50) use powder from Genuine Tea, which is whisked with water before adding milk.
The Kato Matcha brand is harvested by the Kato family, who live in Uji. According to Genuine, Kato's harvester likes to play Mozart music for the tea leaves before harvesting them, resulting in "happy Matcha".
An amazing summer drink is the iced turmeric lassi ($5), which head barista Jann Meneses makes with Genuine turmeric powder, almond milk, and a dollop of Liberté probiotic yogurt.
Cookies come from Circles and Squares, with their famously-good ginger molasses, sea salt chocolate, and peanut butter chocolate cookies on sale for $3.
As usual, the cookies are addictive. There's a reason why Circle and Squares is the bakery of choice for many cafes in Toronto.
This may be Page One's first pop-up, but it likely won't be the last. Owner Firas Arafat says that they're looking to expand with more counters while collaborating with other businesses who focus on ethical operation.
Future endeavours might be permanent, or they might be temporary, but chances are we can look forward to another spot—maybe call it Page One "More"?
Hector Vasquez