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B Espresso Bar
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
111 Queen St ESte 201
Toronto, ON M5C
Neighbourhoods: Corktown, Downtown Core
(416) 866-2111
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
17 reviews for B Espresso Bar
17 reviews in English
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Review from Grainne M.
Toronto, ON
I work near here once a week at the moment so it's my treat to get a proper coffee for a change. Their Americanos are pricey but they're real coffee with a gorgeous crema and taste silky smooth. Mmmm. I don't think my budget would quite cope with it being my main coffee place anyway so it's probably a good thing that I'm only in the area infrequently.
Staff are friendly but service isn't super speedy. I forgive them for taking their time though when I taste my creamy coffee.
There's a selection of wraps, paninis and some cookies and pastries. The selection isn't huge but it always looks fresh and tasty. Prices are quite high though and they have a strange odd number pricing system where, for example, a cupcake costs $3.57. Trying to figure out what combination of things could make my total an even number is the stuff of sleepless nights.
I like the decor which makes a small space seem open and is bright and clean. It hasn't been too packed any lunchtime when I've wandered in. Maybe people were doing as I did and heading outside to enjoy the sunshine. It's unfortunate that the closest green area is outside the Metropolitan United Church. It's one of those park areas where I begin to doubt the appropriateness of my shoe choice. A sudden sprint is definitely a possibility there-either away from a knife or after your handbag.
For friendly service and genuinely good coffee though, cross the road and pop into B! -
Review from Vivek S.
9/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Like my other experiences with B Espresso Bar this one was A-OK. I find there are two types of coffeeshop aesthetic in Toronto:
a) wood, earthy palette, warm aroma, cozy sun-kissed atmosphere
b) porcelain, sleek, clean lines, linea Italiana, cool
B falls into the latter category, which for me is harder to love. The set up in here is a little strange though you enter from the side, the café is extremely wide and squat. Like the café is a panorama. A communal table that runs the length of the place is similarly shaped and I felt as though it could barely fit my notebook. There are few tables and looking oddly-out-of-place is large booth that seats about six.
The coffee is OK, but as others have mentioned the service is deliberately paced. And I also had to repeat my order no less than four times to three different people. I ordered a small brewed coffee! I don't think they were expecting that.
I'll opt for the wood, thank you. (No wait.)
Obligatory Title Pun: B is A-OK.
Menu Readability: Yeah, yeah.
Need to mention: No wifi, suckers.
What this place teaches me about myself: Unlike my grades in highschool, I strive for As when it comes to coffeeshops.Listed in: Queen Street Address
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Review from Melinda M.
Toronto, ON
7/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Delicious lattes, beautiful decor, but turn off that horrible 80s music!
This place is a charming cafe with nice staff and the coffees are top notch. Unfortunately, I was there for about 30 minutes one recent morning and the awful music made it difficult to enjoy my latte. It was unrecognizable (to me) music that sounded like synthesized 80s pop and was way too loud, to boot.
I recommend getting your coffee to go. -
Review from Denise S.
I always want to come here because I like the b espresso bar inside Koerner Hall, but this one is closed on weekends and only open 'til 5pm on weekdays. I had the afternoon off today, so came by to do some reading.
I had a latte, which was rich, and velvety smooth (illy espresso, natch). I overheard them telling another customer that they roast their own coffee beans in some far away place, like Woodstock. I didn't try any food options, although they have a large selection of pre-made wraps, what looked like a Spanish omelette, salads, soup of the day (potato leek), and desserts. Service was smooth and efficient.
It's not really a linger and study kind of place. The people here seem important -- they wear suits and carry briefcases. Some people stopped by for lunch while reading the newspaper, others seemed to be on business meetings. There's a nice booth at one end of the room, a long communal table, and seating by the window. The cafe is located in the same building as Verity, but you can't use Verity's wifi and they don't have their own wifi (-1 star). The whole atmosphere is sleek but kind of sterile. Music was nothing I recognized, but inoffensive. CP24 played silently from the flat screen by the door.
A decent place for a pit stop if you happen to be in the area, but not somewhere I would go out of the way to visit.Listed in: Cafe Culture
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Review from Suzie G.
East York, ON
7/21/2009
B is located downstairs of my office. When it's raining outside, I can get a sandwich, a salad, a hot drink, or some yummy desserts without having to get wet! Seriously, you just can't beat that sort of convenience.
But it's not just the great location that keeps me coming back to B. Another major factor, rather obviously, is the food. This is some damn delicious cafe food, let me tell you. The sandwiches and wraps are uniquely mouthwatering combinations of awesomeness and I'm always satisfied with their salads as well, especially the pasta salad with ricotta, grape tomatoes, and roasted red peppers. And there's the desserts. I've tried a couple of cookies and have always enjoyed them, but when a place sells cupcakes, you know that's always going to win me over. They don't have them every day, but when their chocolate cuppies are in the display case, I'm all over it.
The other reason I love B is the service. Every employee I've ever encountered there has been super nice, super friendly, and super helpful. It's really quite a pleasure to be served by the staff at this cafe.
If I could, I'd give B a 4.5 star rating. I'm reluctant to give it a full 5 out of 5 because it definitely is rather pricey. I'd love to get my lunch from here every work day, but that would be a surefire way to blow my month's budget in only five days time. (I exaggerate, but not by that much!)
Oh, and don't ask me about the quality of the espresso -- I actually hate coffee! -
Review from Jon S.
Toronto, ON
4/19/2009
In my opinion, illy coffee is one of the better brands and b Espresso Bar serves it up nice and hot. I love their Espresso and their Americano.
So why not 5 stars? Their hours are fucked. I think they close everyday at 5pm. Now that's just (s)illy. (See what I did there? illy - silly? I'm a genius.) -
Review from Deanna W.
4/28/2009
They pour a mean latte here using top notch illy espresso and perfectly steam milk with just a touch of froth on top and it is hot too to boot.
The decor is very modern european, almost like a cafe straight out italy with sleek marble communal tables, red tiled bar and a flat screen tv playing european footie on the side. Not really a fan of the layout, I don't mind communal tables and all, but it's a little cramped sitting alongside a slab and not around a table-not much space for each person.
And as Jon S. mentioned their hours are crazy short-they close at 5pm everyday-show me a late, late coffee shop in toronto that isn't Timmie's or Starbucks and I'm there! But they do have great coffee, friendly staff and fresh, tasty food and for that I salute them. -
Review from Brian B.
2/28/2010
I sought this place out when my wife and I were in Toronto several months ago. The coffee is okay, but the food and the design were terrific. A really great space for a brief chat but not a place to linger over a cup of coffee and a book.
The quiche is delicious. -
Review from Brenda S.
Etobicoke, ON
4/13/2009
I used to work down the street from b Espresso and would sometimes drop in for lunch/coffee. Their coffee is top notch, and possibly the best I've had (although it is pretty hard to beat the lattes from Cafe Art Java in Montreal!). The baristas are very friendly.
It does get quite busy during the lunch hour, but it's worth the wait. I've had both the Pollo and Patate pizzas and they were delicious - flavourful and fresh! -
Review from Joshua H.
Toronto, ON
6/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Bit of a creative industry-businessy crowd. No patio but very air conditioned! Very good coffee
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Review from Sarah T.
Toronto, ON
12/17/2009
There is better coffee people. I had the deep honour of watching my barista make me a coffee with Illy coffee and then fake the latte art with a stick at the end. Just so you know - a real artist can do it with the milk.
This coffee to my left is nothing special. I really didn't appreciate the woman who shouted at me about crossing arms while we both got our beverages.
I am still on the hunt for a good americano on Bloor West! HELP! -
Review from Tina H.
3/18/2010
The flavoured ice coffees are really good. Small serving but really good--much better than the nearby Starbucks. There's one girl there (with brown hair) that makes a better ice coffee than the rest. I'd always hope that she would make it when I'd go. Been there a few times. The food is good too for a quick bite.
No wifi unfortunately. I think it'd be a great place to tuck away in and do work if they had wifi. It's pretty low key compared to other places. -
Review from Tony L.
9/8/2010
On my first morning in Toronto on vacation from NYC I got up from the hotel looking for good coffee.
Only had the dark drip coffee but it was spectacular on a mid-morning weekday. Everyone was very helpful and super nice. Blueberry scone was rich and not too sweet, carrot cake very moist and the croissant looked great.
Lunch looked great as well but the kids weren't ' ready for it. -
Review from Amanda D.
Toronto, ON
1/20/2009
B Espresso Bar is just plain awesome! The owner is from Italy and had the place designed by the well-known Ciccone Simone interior design firm. It has a fantastic industrial look with the exposed ceilings, red-tiled back wall, a delish display of food offerings, and long marble counters for communal seating. During the week, they're open till 5 and on Thursdays till midnight! They serve wine, Illy espresso, and yummy juices. But the draw for me are their panini! While not cheap, they have some great combinations like the catullo (chicken with pesto, cheese and zucchini), grilled veggies, and also yummy wraps. Try coming in the morning for a cappuccino and chocolate croissant- so European!!
Listed in: Missing Italy?
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Review from SNACKe R.
Toronto, ON
1/7/2010
Really nice little spot - it feels a bit tucked away for Queen and Church - a good thing. Really nice coffee, charming staff, and great ambiance & music. Glad I stumbled across it.
Seating is a bit communal, but on this particular day I am fine with that. And the clientele seems interesting, so if I had to share, that might be fun, too. -
Review from Nat H.
11/10/2008
I first heard about this place in a magazine (Barista mag. or imbibe maybe?) and at the time I was all about finding really good espresso (still kind of have that problem). So when we visited Toronto, it was a must. I was going to just give this espresso bar just four stars, but I decided to spring for 5 because, really, this is maybe the best cappuccino I've ever had (aside from the ones i used to make.) It's hard to get a correctly made, pleasant cappuccino, and I seldom find myself in a position to scrape out the last creamy bits of perfectly steamed milk with my finger. If its that good, I have no shame. No sugar needed, just warm, sweet milk and espresso. The baristas are friendly, the space is cozy, good for a quiet morning with the paper or some conversation. Those Italians sure know how to make a cup of coffee.
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Review from Johnny L.
Toronto, ON
1/26/2010
Best lunch in the neighbourhood for a tenner. Great coffee, too!
