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| - Went to Boxcar Social for their soft opening today. A gorgeous new specialty cafe in Summer Hill, they plan to offer wine, beer and other spirits later on -- but for today at least, just coffee. The space is a bit sparse but still lovely, evoking a rustic, cabin-in-the-woods type of atmosphere, with both a ground floor and upstairs seating area.
They had two different beans on the menu -- one from Calgary-based Phil & Sebastian, and another from Nova Scotia-based Anchored Coffee. It's evident that the staff are truly passionate about coffee and well-versed in what they have to offer. I tried the tasting flight of the featured Anchored roast, which comes with a shot of espresso, a macchiato and a pourover rendition of the bean, offering the opportunity to sample all the nuances of the coffee in three different forms. I thought that it tasted best with milk, and happily ordered a cortado to go (which was served in a fully compostable take-out cup). In addition to the range of coffee beverages on the menu, they also serve a handful of pastries and snacks, and prices seem to be generally on par with similar cafes.
Given the fact that its still in its soft opening stage, there are definitely some kinks to iron out and a few areas for improvement in terms of service and presentation. However, definitely a promising spot for good drinks (caffeinated and otherwise) and good atmosphere. Will be back!
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