For the value you get at this place, in terms of ambience, level of service, attention to detail, the quality of coffee, the quality of the pull, YOU CANNOT COMPARE it to Starbucks! (of all places.) ... It's like comparing Holt Renfrew from 10 years ago to Walmart. Come on people! Is Starbux the only thing you can think of when it comes to coffee?
"Compared to Jack the Ripper, my boyfriend is a dream"... well that may be so young lady... that may be so...
But I digress...
I had one of a truly orgasmic (and I do not use this word lightly) macchiato experiences at their 215 Spadina location. I don't know if it were a specific barista or if it is standard... but overall, I've been quite happy (and that is not the baseline experience when it comes to my level of satisfaction with Toronto Cafe's.)
Try the Cortado
Try the Macchiato...
The people behind the counter have every right to have ten times more attitude than any Starbucks/Baroli/Illi drone, but they don't. They are down to earth. Something that is rare in Toronto's blighted coffee culture.
I cannot but give them 5 stars.