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| - The following is based on a single seven minute venture. Dare I say they were seven minutes of heaven? (Complete with a lip-smacking exit).
I've seen this place before, literally 30 seconds up the street from my building, but for some reason have never ventured beyond its front doors. It's always been in the back of my mind that an independently-owned cafe with free wi-fi is located in my backyard, but this thought has never connected with my feet. So today, with a serious craving for hot chocolate and realizing I was too late for Bulldog, I broke the barrier.
Damn, gurl! This place is all of that and a bag of the flavoured kind of chips. Your eyes are immediately blitzkrieged with a mega display of housemade truffles, for which you get a slight discount when you buy a beverage (I tried the divine praline with fleur de sel for $1.65).
The rear end of the shop has a gorgeous, cozy atmosphere with leather couches and a hologram fireplace - more living room than cafe. Totally calling my name for future wi-fi usage. In the summer, the back patio is enveloped by walls that fill with ivy.
I give my hot chocolate 2 thumbs up - not in Soma territory but better than standard cafe fare. Also two thumbs up for the chatty barista, a knowledgeable young chap with a deep passion for the cafe. He said that they're near finished with perfecting a bavarian hot chocolate recipe that will soon appear on the menu. Also, they serve Dark Horse coffee, so their espresso options must be quite good. AND they've got an upstairs kitchen, where all chocolates and baked goods are prepared.
Alls I'm sayings is, next time you're in the gaybourhood, don't think you have to hit up Starbucks or Timothy's for your coffee fix. There's an amazing little spot just waiting to be found.
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