One of my two favourite coffee places in East Toronto (the other is Jet Fuel on Parliament St.) - the atmosphere at Balzac's is the coolest. Artists are the most frequent patrons, and many a theatre meeting has taken place upstairs at Balzac's (where there are various couches, chairs, tables, nooks and crannies... and balconies... to settle on). Decorated with local art, there is a great vibe here.
The beans are roasted until they are nearly burnt - yummmm! On the days where they do their roasting, you can smell it as far away as Front & Church! The location is amazing - best place for a coffee date, whether it's with a friend or a lover. Also, it reminds me of Stratford (where the original Balzac's is).
It's all in the roasting of the beans.