I'll keep this brief, mainly because... well, I'm reviewing a Starbucks. But an incredible one in my opinion, the best I've been in for three very distinct reasons.
1. I hit up this corporate mega monster three times during my two week stay in T.O. It's super convenient to the the subway and a great place to meet friends. It's huge inside, bigger than any Starbucks I've been in (are there bigger?) and the layout is such that you can wait for folks without feeling like you're on top of anyone.
2. The staff is incredible. Not in that fake/corporate-y/Starbucks sort of way, but genuinely incredible. Kind and patient while I sorted through coins that all looked the same and quick to churn out my super complicated drink of choice... don't ask... really.
3. The architecture is really cool. Now I can't say whether or not this is because it's in a cool/old historic building or if Starbucks came in and wow-ed the place up, but I dig the furniture, the artwork, the lighting, the tile, and the overall feel.
The coffee is what you'd expect. It's a chain... derrrr. But those things more than make up for the lack of local-ness.