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| - Solid bet for very good second-wave coffee and sweets around the corner from Berri metro. Their espresso doesn't match Pourquoi Pas a few blocks away on Amherst, and you won't see bags of beans from a favourite third-wave roaster on offer, but that's not really the point. What you will find are quality baked goods, including great jelly-stuffed donuts for $1.25. (On those days when you are really winning at life, you may even find yourself here in the minutes before closing when they start clearing out the donuts at 2-for-1 prices.) The coffee holds its own with other quality second-wave offerings in town, like Olimpico, Café Vito or even San Simeon in Little Italy. It's less expensive than the average third-wave joint, too: as much as I love those spots, none of them will sell you a latte and a fancy baked good for under $5 like Café 1880 will, tax in.
On a recent weekday afternoon, there were some fuzzy bearded gentlemen tapping away on their laptops and a clutch of teenagers chatting over coffee. There is a handsome window counter in polished wood and a few high tables with stools, as well as some regular tables with chairs. I wouldn't make this a destination for the coffee per se, but it's definitely a sure bet for study, work or chatting if you're in the area (or if your sweet tooth is showing).
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