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Blondie's
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
1378 Queen Street WestToronto, ON M6K 1L7
Neighbourhood: Parkdale
(416) 532-7410
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
11 reviews for Blondie's
11 reviews in English
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Review from Danielle F.
Toronto, ON
10/17/2011
Saturday night, I was not here for the coffee! No, instead it was a no cover, no bouncer situation that suited me just fine. This stylish place was comfortably packed and members of Down With Webster were there. A-ok.
The DJ was spinning pop music and hip hop. I love that he honoured my request for the Willow Smith classic, "Whip My Hair". Being Queen West, I was not anticipating him to respond with such gusto when I asked if it was totally ridiculous recommendation. He assured me it wasn't and I was glowing. The dance floor was small and attracted all types. Definitely a place where you can get your groove on.
The bartenders were dressed up in boustiers and S&Mish gear, with really aggressive eye makeup! They were very nice though they seemed to serve guys before girls. It was a little rattling; at one point they were out of change so we just had to keep our fingers crossed that they would remember us. It worked out in the end though! Just ended up using the change to shave some $s off the next round of drinks.
Very fun! Coffee shop during the day? Pretty much, I'll return any time. -
Review from Nicole H.
Toronto, ON
10/12/2010 1 Check-in Here
At first glance, Blondie's is pretty cool. It's a nice looking little coffee shop with the vibe of the nighttime bar always hovering about - a bit dank, but mostly a nice, open, clean space.
The staff were nice enough when I stopped in on a Saturday morning - it wasn't too busy so they got to my order promptly. I always lean toward a soy latte when getting coffee, but I still had a glance over the cute little menu of kids magnetic refrigerator letters - pretty standard coffee menu, but also a few baked goods on offer too.
However, none of this can really make up for the utterly appalling cup of coffee I experienced there. It was like they'd left the grounds in from the last cup and made mine with them. Watery, horrible, disappointing. Blondie's, why? I can honestly say i've had a better latte at Second Cup. Even if this could be a one-off mistake or just a bad morning, it's enough for me to know I won't be back.Listed in: Caffeine Nation: The Toronto…
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Review from Kat F.
The cafe by day, bar by night concept is a wise one, and it's more than welcome on this shady strip of real estate on west Queen West among the more dilapidated storefronts.
As a person who's relatively new to the coffee game, I can't describe my cappuccino in too much detail (in fact I've only recently become able to spell the word correctly on the first try), but it met my requirements: dry, not too bold, affordable and delivered with a bit of an eye roll.
Washrooms were delightfully stocked and impeccably clean. In fact, the whole place is pretty much spotless.
I won't be here often since I live far away in Latte Land (aka Leslieville), but if you are in Parkdale and want something, anything, better than Coffee Grime, go here. Then report back once you figure out a use for that curiously placed stripper pole.Listed in: Caffeinate Thyself
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Review from Greg C.
Toronto, ON
12/15/2009
Nathan: "Uh dude, are you sure you can handle this? You know it'll be a lot of caffeine, right?"
Me: "Pfft. Dude, I'll be good." (rolls eyes)
And so, on Saturday, December 12, 2009, something wonderful happened. The long gestating espresso crawl finally came to fruition.
As Nathan mentioned, we kept it to a west end version to ensure a cohesive thread and intact synapses. To further commit myself, I had half my normal intake of espresso and got about 5 hours sleep so it would be an even playing field.
First stop was Blondie's Café Bar in Parkdale. This place was a 3 minute walk from Nathan's house and that makes him a lucky bastard. But like most (lucky) bastards, they don't know when they have a good thing in front of them.
Caffeine Level : Normal person with functioning motor skills.
The décor vibe is...ummm.... Charlie Sheen's limo? Kinda dark and suggestive, which I guess is what they were going for? There was a stripper pole. Music was the Smiths though, if that helps?
When I saw our barista, I almost let out a verbal "yes!" It was the former-Leslievillian Damien from Mercury. Dude has always been in the zone when I've gone in. Always gives me a killer shot and always at a steal. I (heart) him. But of course, he had to move down the street from Nathan the (lucky) bastard's house.
Sure enough, it came to 4 bucks for 2 double espressos pulled beautifully. The rich mahogany swirl that was almost syrup like in texture got me all giddy. But here's the dilemma; the beans are not my fave. They used the Origins beans which are roasted in Vancouver and a lot of people swear by. We both agreed they suffered from over-roasting.
I went to give Damian props for his skills. About 3 minutes into the conversation I had the same face I give the Honda mechanic when he's telling me what's wrong with the car. My internal voice told me to maintain eye contact and nod approvingly.
Feeling better with some pep, we headed over to Cherry Bomb.Listed in: Natey / Gory West-End Espresso…
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Review from Michelle G.
Toronto, ON
10/13/2010 1 Check-in Here
This place is a coffee shop by day, and a bar by night, which may help explain the stripper pole and the dance floor.
Really nice atmosphere, lounge-like seating areas and free wifi. What's not to like? Well. While I did appreciate not being charged for soy milk, and I liked that they charged extra for to go/paper cups (I think it was 50 cents) the soy latte I had was totally awful.
Bitter, sour and composed of mostly foam. Maybe this was an off day, but it was honestly atrocious. I wouldn't mind visiting Blondie's in the evening sometime, but I think I'll just skip the coffee from now on. -
Review from Eliah H.
Toronto, ON
11/4/2009
Up until recent, if you lived in Parkdale and wanted a proper espresso based beverage in a cafe' setting you'd have to travel out of the 'hood. Now we have Blondies Cafe Bar serving up a delicious caffeinated brew right in the heart of Parkdale. At night the place transforms into a bar with DJs. I haven't been yet after dark but I look forward to checking it out soon.
The cafe itself has a cozy ambiance with dark wood tones, leather chairs and exposed brick all settled spaciously enough to offer customers room to relax and enjoy. The staff are pleasant and well versed in producing a quality espresso shot. Though I often order one of their yummy americanos it's well worth noting they make one of the best tasting lattes I've every had.
If you live in Parkdale or just visiting swing by this cafe for a brew, you won't be disappointed. -
Review from Noel D.
12/14/2009
Heard about this place and finally checked it out on a Wednesday... The layout is fantastic. They have couches up front with some side tables and then the bar in the middle. In the back are more couches and a proper dance floor and DJ booth. Disco ball and all. The sound was decent and the washrooms were nice and clean.
On this night they had 3 dollar mixed drinks and 4 dollar pints of their house lager. Needless to say there's a lot of drinking that can be done on that kind of pricelist.
Bartenders were all very nice (including the owner) and I had a very good time here. Mind you it was on a Wednesday and it was my friend's birthday so the vibe was just perfect. I can imagine this place is a total shit storm when the weekend rolls in. -
Review from Nathan W.
Toronto, ON
12/13/2009
Stop # 1 on the Gory n' Pantz Espresso Run - West End.
As the first stop on the Espresso Run West End version, Greg (Gory) and I (Pantz) settle in to determine how we will order and what our criteria will be for rating.
We determine our standard order will be a short shot or ristretto.
As a side note, asking for a ristretto seems unbearably geeky and a might confusing to some of the counter staff we encounter that day (though not here, they speak the language). As the day goes on we have more success in just specifying a short shot.
We'll try to free-associate our impressions on appearance, smell, taste and then a final impression or overall rating.
For Blondies, I score as follows:
Look - viscous, oily syrup, with a light film of dark crema
Smell - metallic, burnt sugary notes
Taste - intense roast, an acidic tang and long finish of bitter cocoa.
Overall Rating - REM covers "How Soon Is Now"
The craft and care of the shot is there, but the roast of the beans may be too dark and perhaps not suitable for such an intense, short extraction. In short, it was enjoyable but challenging shot and perhaps not the best expression of the bean. I believe Greg rates the shot a little higher than I do, though it's hard to tell. Greg gets quite secretive and refuses to share his notes. For much of the rest of the day, he frequently mutters "nutmeg" and "cinnamon" into his phone's voicemail.
All in all, Blondies has brought some welcome barista cred to Parkdale in the form of Damien Zielinski. Many of the shops around town are pulling decent enough shots, but when I walk into a place, I'm looking for that intense "I just drank the Kool-Aid and I have seen the light" fervour. Damien has the intensity, the OCD attention to detail that shows in his product. He'll happily talk some inside baseball with you, discussing beans (they use Origins) grinds, degassing and other arcane barista wizardry. -
Review from E C.
12/23/2009
Absolutely some of the best espresso in the west end.
I have to admit that I judge restaurants and cafes based on the typeface used in their signage. The Blondies sign and their horrible zebra print curtains always made me feel a bit nauseous.
I was proven wrong. The baked treats are scrumptious. The prices are incredibly affordable. And there is less zebra print inside, which is always a bonus. -
Review from Marie F.
6/22/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I popped by today with my friend from out of town and immediately fell in love with the atmosphere. I am a sucker for chandeliers and ones made of wood made to look like horns are really no exception!
I also loved how the Man/Woman indicator for the washrooms are male and female barbie dolls bolted to the door!
Damian my Batista, was super cool and the three of us chatted for a bit while I sipped on my excellent cappuccino and latte. Just like Lit, Manic Coffee and others it's part of Toronto's disloyalty program.
Hand over your card, get a stamp and when you've "collected them all" you can redeem your card for a free coffee!
As previously stated, Blondie's a coffee joint by day and bar by night. I can't wait to check out the bar!
***They only take cash*** -
Review from Ian G.
Toronto, ON
11/29/2009
Leslieville lost two bona fide barista heroes when Damien and Alex left for the west.
