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| - The meeting of Tango Coffee Company and I were written in the stars.
...well at the very least, the first time I came across the name, it was written in a Best of Leslieville-esque list of a well-respected Yelper. I'd say she qualifies as a star.
Anyways, to set the scene. It's just about 10pm and my dear friend Lai See* and I have been lolling about on the couch for the past two hours. Scattered on the table in front of us are the remnants of what were two canisters of Lays Stax in their past lives, a few lonely unpopped kernels, and oddly enough, a single serving sized cup of microwave apple cinnamon oatmeal. The credits of the romantic comedy we just watched were rolling, and I for one, having been royally screwed over by this year's DST, was ready for an adventure. Having woken up at an unmentionable time in the afternoon (evening?), I felt obligated to compensate by staying out all night and early morning. But what a conundrum...somewhere that was nearby, not a bar, new to us, and actually open (see: not a bar). Lo and behold, Yelp saves the day. Zero point three kilometres away? Check. Four star average rating? Check. Never before been? Check check check. Lai See later told me she had scoped out their washroom once, but we won't count that.
The large, retro brass espresso machine behind the counter was very impressive. As was the drinks menu, quaintly separated into two blackboards - one titled "The Basics" and the other "Advanced". Wanting to impress the attractive barista, I opted for an off-menu Dirty Chai and Lai See went for a white mocha. I think the both of us had resigned ourselves to not sleeping that night. Since impending sleep calories weren't a problem, a slice of Chocolate Sin was added to list. Who am I kidding? Calories, schmalories, it was on the list before we walked in.
For those unacquainted, a Dirty Chai is just regular masala chai "dirtied" by a shot of espresso. Tango mixed up a delightful one, the spicy-sweet mellowness cut through by caramel bitter. Lai See reported a likewise good White Mocha, and the accidental sip I took confirmed it. What? It was on *my* side of the table! Note that she's a leftie while I'm right-handed.
The cake was aptly named, very rich and dense with a thin sliver of crunchy espresso cream in the middle to break up the texture. I'd definitely recommend splitting this between two people, it can be a bit much on the flavour scale, despite the smallish size.
The atmosphere of this coffee house couldn't be better. The little round tables flanked by stiff armchairs, the tiled ceiling and exposed brick, the chalkboards advertising henna and tarot readings on certain days at certain times, all topped off by that odd Roman-looking sculpture suspended halfway up a wall. In a way, I feel like Tango *is* somewhere that should be visited at 10pm...walking in during broad daylight would make it lose part of its magic. Lai See and I were also big fans of the music, which seemed to match the intensity of our Bananagrams duel to the death.
The barista was lovely and didn't kick anyone out as the clock hit closing time. In fact both we and a group of four right behind us must of stayed fifteen minutes past eleven. Like I said, he was great. As a side note, the Tango prices can be a bit surprising. Our two medium drinks and a slice of cake came to just under $18. I'm not saying it's not worth it, but don't drop by with just change jingling in the butt zipper of your biking shorts.
Needless to say, all that caffeine and sugar packed a punch right to the face. Hours later, I'd be rolling restlessly in bed until dawn, cursing the chai's deceptive deliciousness and swearing off caffeinated beverages for life in a fit of grumpy sleep deprivation.
...Tango Palace Coffee Company can expect me back tomorrow; oaths sworn at 4am were never meant to be taken seriously.
*names were changed to protect the (somewhat) innocent
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