Boxcar Social - Coffee Shop and Bar - Toronto
Independent coffee shops abound in Toronto and one of my current favourites is Boxcar Social.
Coffee Shop by Day, Bar by Night - Boxcar Social. Photo: Robert Windisman
Barista at Boxcar Social. Photo: Robert Windisman
The first thing you notice when you enter Boxcar Social (I frequent the Temperance Street Location in the financial core) is the lighting. Sombre and relaxing. Why? It's to make an easy transition from hip coffee bar by day to social drinking establishment by night.
There is a large range of barista drinks on offer: from espressos and cortados to London fogs (Earl Grey tea lattes). My choice today was a cortado (a Spanish term for an espresso that has been cut with a roughly equal amount of warm milk to cut the acidity. Hence cortado which means cut in Spanish.)
Cortado at Boxcar Social. Photo: Robert Windisman
Coffee Beans currently on offer at Boxcar Social. These Phil & Sebastian beans were used in my cortado (left). Photo: Robert Windisman
The beans used vary by the day. Standard café items are on the board and further selections are in their paper menu. The beans used today were Ethiopian beans (Kercha Mengistu) from roasters Phil & Sebastian.
Current paper menu lists espresso beans from: Rwanada (Kabrizi) and roasted by Anchored in Nova Scotia; Ethiopia (Guji) roasted by Transcend in Edmonton, Alberta; and Brazil (Agua Limpa, Natural) roasted by The Barn in Berlin. (Oooh, I must visit The Barn in Berlin during my next trip!)
Food options vary from yoghurt parfaits (in the morning), to panini and salads at lunch, to charcuterie boards (at night). The evening bar menu ranges from beer and wine to cocktails to whiskey flights. See full menu below:
I like the ambiance at this location of Boxcar Social. It's tucked away on Temperance Street just west of Bay Street. This sliver of a street reminds me of New York: two towers straddle the street and let in very little light. As you stroll down Temperance, this hip little coffee shop with it's modest entrance leads to a hip cave that feels cosy, welcoming and very stylish.
Today I wandered over with my television industry colleague, Rita, who is not only a cocktail and coffee otaku, she is also a great food photographer/instagammer: cinebot. She immediately engaged the baristas in a deep discussion of their craft. (Yep, she knows her stuff!)
Rita (Instagrammer cinebot) chatting with the baristas. Photo: Robert Windisman
The Verdict
I'm hooked. I love how serious Boxcar Social is about their coffee. The atmosphere is hip and relaxed and perfect for a catching up with friends, or working way with your laptop. Keep your eye out. I'll be here often!
Boxcar Social
70 Temperance Street, Toronto, ON M5H 0B1
(647) 349-1210
Mon & Tues: 7:00 - 22:00
Wed & Thurs: 7:00 - 24:00
Fri: 7:00 - 2:00
Sat & Sun: Closed (This location in the financial district.)
