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| - Stop # 4 on the Gory n' Pantz Espresso Run - West End.
This is the stop we have most been looking forward too. Gory and I have very pleasant memories of some great shot's Sam served up to us at Hank's last year. Or was it possibly earlier this year? In any case, we were doing a similar espresso run in the east end and it was the highlight. The talk about the new shop has been overwhelmingly positive, it promised to once again be a highlight for this run.
While I had been twice, Gory had not, being firmly ensconced in Leslieville's breeder zone. Out now on his day pass; buzzing happily, we entered to a milling throng reminiscent of the Cherry Bomb crowd we had encountered earlier in the day. Apparently, lots of people actually do live around Harbord and Clinton and the shops location is not as crazy as it seems.
Gory orders up some short shots. I don't believe the term ristretto is used.
Look - Cup is not wide, more small and thin, and I can't get a really good look for variation in colour, I'm just seeing the top. From what I see, the crema looks good.
Smell - at this point, after three doubles I'm having trouble picking up much beyond 'coffee'. That said, no off notes
Taste - A brief berry tangy note, developing some toasted bread with butter flavours and then finally a rounded, nutty milk chocolate finish. Five minutes later walking down Clinton to College, we still tasted it. No other shot we had on our run had multiple layers of flavour like this one did.
Rating - Tori Amos, Regina Spektor and Kate Bush back up Leonard Cohen on "Life On Mars"
As expected, the highlight of the run. Extra bonus points go to the fact that Sam was in the shop but not pulling shots. I don't know the name of his staff, but the guy is good. I also believe it's the beans currently in use. A roaster out of Quebec, I think the fact they weren't a dark roast really allowed them to be fully expressed without the common bitterness issues that happen around town.
Final confession - as much as I love a good espresso, I'm probably more excited by the siphon coffee on offer. Must try next.
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