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Saving Gigi
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
858 Bloor St WToronto, ON M6G 1M4
Neighbourhoods: Christie Pits, Bickford Park
(416) 531-1538
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 8 am - 6 pm
Sat-Sun 10 am - 4 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
24 reviews for Saving Gigi
Review Highlights
"They have a record player set up by the counter that plays..."
(in 1 review)
"The cafe itself is bright, airy and open."
(in 11 reviews)
"...make a fabulous sandwich with raisin bread, bacon, and old..."
(in 3 reviews)
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24 reviews in English
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Review from Ayesha A.
9/9/2011
I love love love cafes, whenever i travel i tend to check out the cafes over the bars....and I'm no teetotaler...I must just be boring.
Anyway this place is so so so cute.
Small (but not teeny) cafe, independently owned, downtown, food options, good coffee, wifi.
So so cute. -
Review from S S.
Toronto, ON
10/20/2011
I've been meaning to review this spot for a while. I really, really want to love this place, but in my experience it often comes up short.
First, let's start with the strong points.
Saving Gigi has a nice atmosphere/decor, great food and beverages and an adorable little patio. Sometimes there is even live music. The owners are pleasant and are usually around the joint.
Unfortunately, it seems that something always goes wrong or manages to irk me while I am there.
First of all, the WIFI often doesn't work and the staff do not care to help when it is acting up. On many occasions I have found the staff to be borderline rude, dismissive or annoyed by requests. I often feel as though I am walking on eggshells with them.
As for the food, there are often incredibly long wait times. Though the sandwiches ARE good, they are far too tiny to warrant the $7.50+tax cost. This isn't Yorkville. I understand that this is a small, independently-run establishment that needs to stay afloat, but for that price I feel as though the portion should be larger.
Overall, it's a cute little cafe, and it could be made significantly better with a few minor tweaks. -
Review from Ellie A.
8/13/2011
How have I not reviewed this place yet? Saving Gigi, I've taken you for granted.
I love this place. Top reasons for loving Saving Gigi:
1. Super friendly staff. I don't know what's in their water, but I want some of it. To a person, they are accommodating, chill and helpful. When you order a coffee, they smile and say, "Go ahead and sit down, I'll bring it to your table." They bring you water without you having to ask for it. (Maybe I should be drinking more of it?)
2. Music. Never before in my life could I say that I've liked the music playing in a cafe literally every time I've been there. But the vinyl they spin at Saving Gigi is always great. And they often play whole albums instead of the jarring effect of one song from one genre followed by another totally different genre (You know what I'm talking about...brazilian guitar followed by nine inch nails a la ipod shuffle).
3. Location. We have so few good cafes in the Ossington and Bloor area. This is our saving grace!
4. Free wifi and many plugs so you can easily charge your computer as you work
5. Pretty colourful pillows scattered around the benches. I just like them.
6. I've heard the food's good, too. I've always stuck to the coffee and never been disappointed.
4 stars instead of 5 because of the shortish hours. But hey, you can't have everything. -
Review from Shari M.
Toronto, ON
2/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love how Toronto has so many coffee shops. Each shop a bit different, allowing patrons to pick what is the best for them. As such, the variety of all these shops makes out (pun intended) for almost like a caffeinated dating scene. You want to get out there, see what the scene has to offer, but ultimately (as with dating), it either clicks or it doesn't.
For me, Saving Gigi didn't click. Let me run down my personal pros and cons,
Pros
- great location. If you are meeting someone along the Bloor line and don't want to go to a place that is uber busy, or is a chain - this is the spot
- very friendly staff. The staff seem to genuinely like working at this place! No somber faces, no people pushing you to get out. Very welcoming
- Bottles of water, and glasses, at the table. Love this.
- small patio on the east side of the shop
- turntable! Expect a great variety of music!
- a pretty decent latte. Not too strong or bitter. Quite smooth.
Cons
- Aesthetically unappealing. It seems as if the decor is trying to go for the homey feel. To me, it seems grungy (and not in a Kurt Cobain kinda way). The space does not feel clean to me. The signage out front leaves much to be desired. From the decor, signage, and uncomfortable wobbly chairs, it seems as if someone had an idea to open a coffee shop on a Wednesday, raided their grandparents basement, and opened shop on the Friday.
- My friend ventured into the basement bathroom and said it reminded her of the outhouse that was adjacent to her grandparents wee, no central heating, home in the West Midlands of England.
Overall if you are into the hipster scene, this is a spot for you. If you have a beard, wear t-shirts that are too tight, go for that haven't bathed in a while look - check this spot out.
Will I visit again - if I am in the neighbourhood and want a half decent cup of joe - yes.Listed in: Give me my f*$%ing coffee!
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Review from Emily C.
Toronto, ON
8/30/2010
Saving Gigi is pretty cool. But in the summer it's really hot. Literally, it's boiling, sweaty and the air is dense. Wear deodorant.
I've only ever ordered an Americano when I've been there. But it's good, and I'd order it again and again and again.
I'm discouraged by how expensive the sandwiches are: 7 dollars for a panini. Mind you, I'm sure it's made well and I'm sure it's delicious. But my broke U of T ass can't afford that. So I have to resort to the student diet when I'm there: curbing the apatite with caffeine.
When you go to order a coffee they tell you they'll bring the coffee to you, which is nice, in a way, but mostly just inconvenient. If you put anything in your coffee you have to get your lazy ass up to put the milk or the sugar in, then you have to get your lazy ass up again at the end and request to pay. I rather just get it all over and done with in the first place. Every time I've gone there I've found the whole experience rather awkward. Maybe it's just me? Maybe I'm awkward and Saving Gigi isn't?
I think why I like Saving Gigi so much, apart from the decor (which I, being drawn to things that look pretty, am always critical of), is that there aren't many other cafe options in the area. If you migrate a bit west on Bloor from the Annex, you get to Saving Gigi and it's refreshing and it's exciting and it's not Aroma or Starbucks. I'm pleased. But I'll still never go there on an empty stomach. -
Review from Lizzie J.
Toronto, ON
8/19/2010
I'm ambivalent about Saving Gigi these days.
I knew this place when it first opened a few years ago. It's food, coffee, and service was worse, but there were less clientele and it felt like a cool, secret lil' spot.
Now, it's revamped and has new ownership. The food and coffee are far better but it doesn't feel comfy anymore (definitely no longer a place to sit for hours to do work...)
That said, Christian and Amelia are lovely lovely people who do their best to keep their customers happy. Introduce yourself. They will chat you up and make you feel at home. It is only because of them that I I've forgotten I wasn't in my living room and left without paying!
In summation: points for neighbhorhood appeal, food, and coffee, demerits for increased hipsterdom and crowdedness...
ALSO the wi-fi there is shakey at best -
Review from Alek L.
Toronto, ON
11/24/2010
I would rate Saving Gigi anything more than 1 star, if it was only open at the times that I actually want coffee... which is pretty average at most and bit pricey.
Look out for places with longer opening times and serious quality coffee. At least in this category there is no shortage.... -
Review from Daniel B.
Been spending way too much time here recently.
I'm such a sucker for good coffeeshop music. I spend way too much time in these places to have to suffer through the radio dial or iPod tributes to Will Smith.
Saving Gigi delivers. An outstanding collection of well picked music played through vinyl on an old school hi fi.
I have been here for four hours. I'm on my third drink. Duke Ellington is on. Love it. Love it. Love it. Love it.
I don't even have my headphones on.
Finally, someone gets it. -
Review from Jonathan W.
Calgary, AB
3/5/2010
My yelp ethics compel me to begrudgingly write this review because if too many people find out about this place, I'll be sorely disappointed.
Just a great atmosphere, replacing my previous front-runner, Dark Horse expresso, for best coffee/work place. Individual or communal seating. Great large lattes served in tall glasses. An excellent selection of crisp and unique sandwiches. Old white cheddar, avocado, bacon served on a toasted raisin bread....yum.
A great playlist manned by a quirky, energetic, entertaining staff.
Please limit your visit to 15minutes so that I don't have to wait. -
Review from Melissa F.
Toronto, ON
11/13/2009
SUCH a great cafe- the type of indie coffee shop you love to spend time in.
cozy, small, options of communial tables and your own.
I approve. -
Review from Stephanie C.
Toronto, ON
11/13/2008 1 Check-in Here
Who says a sequel can't live up to an original idea? Everyone's loves a comeback. Enter Saving Gigi.
Combine the brains behind the much-loved now defunct cafe nook, Caffe 163, and the ever-popular brunch hotspot, Saving Grace, and you'll get a cozy cafe that serves more than a regular cup of Joe. It's a welcoming addition to the Bloorcourt Village.
Saving Gigi carries a variety of fair-trade coffees from around the world that will appease your caffeine fix. Amongst the lattes and espressos, try a unique beverage: the Espressado. An odd mix of ingredients such as condensed milk, espresso, sugar and avocado, its taste is unlike anything else. Wash down the homemade sandwiches and salads with a tall juice made from the juice bar.
You'll notice a warm and inviting atmosphere upon entering. Little art clutters the stark white walls except for a large mirror and a few framed prints, contrasting nicely with the dark stained wooden floors. The look is modern, very Soho chic.
Wrapped along the front window is the banquet seating, a perfect spot for people watching. The large communal table in the centre of the room is a great opportunity to get to know your neighbours.
Since its opening in May of 2008, Saving Gigi's has quickly become a popular homebase for many who live and work in the area. With free wireless available, it's a nice setting to get some work done, fuelled by a few cups of the cafe's signature beverage, the Americano. -
Review from U. S.
Toronto, ON
3/8/2011
The cappuccino here was great and I like that you get little bottles of water (tap) to take back to the table with you, along with a glass. I didn't try any of the food, so can't really comment there.
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Review from Michelle C.
Toronto, ON
7/5/2010
Before I had a car, I used to pass the Delaware entrance to Ossington Station to walk to Saving Gigi and back to the main Ossington entrance just to get coffee here. That's a lot of extra work early in the morning! If only this place existed when I lived 10 houses down the street!
I guess the word rustic is appropriate to describe the setting of the cafe. They have a record player set up by the counter that plays actual vinyl all day. There's also a small patio area out the side which is very cozy. To be honest, though, I mostly take my coffee to go.
A few not always amazing points: it can be slow, and i've occasionally received a size regular when I ask for a large, but the coffee is so good and they take such care that I never think to correct the mistake. The owner is much more consistent in his soy milk frothing abilities than some of the staff which sounds nit-picky of me but it is something that you learn to value.
So yes, in the end, the coffee is sooo worth it. They also have fantastic vegan banana bread and although I've never tried it, I hear great things about the brunch. I wish they were open a bit later - I feel like that is asking a lot but I seem to come by around 7 or 7:30 often and get disappointed when they are closed.
If you're not vegan, please try a muffin for me. They look amazing and are often very creative combinations. -
Review from Amy P.
Toronto, ON
3/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
I LOVE this place. Relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff, and the food is so good with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options - the southern fried tofu sandwich is SO GOOD and the coffee is delicious and plentiful. Good place to meet someone for a chat or just come to hang out and read.
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Review from Bill P.
Vancouver, BC
12/6/2010
Coffee 4/5 - my personal pref is for a more acidic/assertive espresso base, but Gigi's is good, attentively prepared, and competitively priced.
Food 4/5 - carefully prepared, attractive, tastes good, but the price is a tiny bit excessive for the portions, given the neighbourhood.
Music/atmosphere 5/5: Burl Ives, Kitty Wells? I would put the choice of music in the "affectionately ironic" genre; it's slightly arch without being nasty. I find it entirely agreeable. It is loud enough to warm the space but not too loud for conversation.
Service 5/5. I don't mind that it's a little slow, cause they are clearly taking care with what they're doing, and it's not like they're standing around chit-chatting. They're *busy*. Which means the turnover is good so the ingredients are fresh.
Decor 4/5 - I enjoy the aesthetic: wood floors, re-purposed furniture, fun mismatched crockery. Perhaps a quick touch-up of the paint here and there might be a good thing, before "lived-in" segues into "grubby".
Clientele: A lot of people are glued to their laptops, which makes for a restful environment. It's a tiny space, and two or three "creative professionals" talking loudly about their own fabulosity quickly fill it. But mostly people are quite considerate. -
Review from Sam G.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 8/17/2010
Now that I've visited a few more times (read: every chance I get) I can safely upgrade this to a 5!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/17/2010
The white cheddar/bacon/raisin bread sandwich is awesome! It might be the best sandwich I've had in… Read more »
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Review from Brian S.
Toronto, ON
12/12/2010
The first time I came to this place was only a few weeks ago while meeting one of my co-workers who lives in the neighbourhood. During the day it was packed with people working on their laptops, which is what I do at cafes close to me. I like that this place is very friendly to people coming in to do work during the day. One of the complaints I had was that I sat near the window and the heat was almost unbearable as there were floor heaters right underneath me. There was also a shortage of plugs, but luckily one one the patrons in the place ran down the street to a hardware store and picked up a powerbar and shared it with a bunch of us who were all getting low on our laptops.
As for the lattes - yum. i definitely have no complaints, and I did like their music choices, which seemed to be coming from a turntable near the counter at the back. When I'm in this neighbourhood again, I'll be back -
Review from Giselle d.
Toronto, ON
2/24/2010
Finally a good alternative to Coffee Time in this neighbourhood. Employees are incredibly friendly and make a decent coffee. The place attracts hipsters with laptops who make like it's their office on weekdays so I always get my stuff to go. I'm a muffin-skeptic as a general rule (too many stale ones out there) but I could tell the ones at Saving Gigi were freshly baked just by looking at them and I have not been disappointed by a SG muffin yet. I would actually go so far as to declare their muffins Best in Toronto. My favourite is the chocolate espresso but it's a changing line up every day with 2 or 3 types on offer, usually including some fresh fruit and nut options. Well worth my $2.50.
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Review from Roanna Z.
10/21/2008
What a nice surprise to come around the corner and find Saving Gigi. I knew it the moment I walked in that I would have a good experience here. An owner operated cafe with seriously good coffee and yummies. No arrogant edge to this place. A few seats and wireless, in a neighbourhood that obviously needs a little push in the right direction.
Listed in: Connect the dots on a coffee…
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Review from Andrea B.
Montréal, QC
5/27/2009
So the staff might not be overly excited to see you, but the wooden tables, free Wifi and chill music make this a great place to do some work or grab a coffee. They do have some nice, simple sandwiches and the coffee's ok, but it's good for taking your laptop or book and wiling away a wintry day.
Listed in: Hunt for the Best Cafe
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Review from Luke R.
5/26/2009
A great place to get a coffee, sandwich or delicious smoothie and read a book or hang out in the Bloorcourt area, with free wifi (which, obviously, gets a bit slow during peak hours).
The large windows provide lots of nice light, and the simple, re-used furniture (old wooden chairs, desks) makes you feel at home. A single, long table spans much of the room, encouraging conversation with strangers, which is nice.
They seem to have a bit of a patio now as well, which will be great in the summer. -
Review from Diane R.
Toronto, ON
11/9/2010
This place has it all: a nice room (complete with the view of the onion domes of an Orthodox church to the south), slightly high-priced but really delicious fresh food (a rarity on the cafe scene), good selection of coffees and teas, nice baked goods (though those do sell out pretty fast) and free wireless. The wait for the food can be a little long at times, but it's always worth it and the staff have always been very pleasant.
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Review from Andrew S.
Toronto, ON
8/25/2009
The wood plank floor boards and matching tables won me over, but really this is a great cafe. They run americanos like allonges. They make a fabulous sandwich with raisin bread, bacon, and old cheddar - the sweet and savory work perfectly. Finally, Luigi is a great guy and he likes old movies.
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Review from Tiffany G.
Toronto, ON
1/22/2009
Located in an area known as "Bloorcourt" by locals and surrounded by Ethiopian/Greek restaurants. This is a neigborhood that doesn't know what it wants to be, but has some serious potential. To help that potential soar- at least with the locals- a cafe has finally opened up that meets the needs of the "I can't afford living in the Annex but I will NOT move to the east end Torontonian professional/student hippsters" .The cafe is a great place to read a book, utilize free (somewhat slow) wireless internet, connect with a friend, or meet with collegues. Saving Gigi provides the basics of a classic cafe: coffee, espresso, tea, muffins and several gourmet sounding sandwiches. Normally, I just have a tea and muffin as I am on a budget these days. But, decided to try one of their food items called the "Bruschetta wrap". Unfortunately, it was a tasteless, bland salad mushy like wrap strewn with bits and pieces of soggy avocado and tomatoes. The wrap was actually of lettuce and not the usual tortilla. Usually, I give someone props for trying something new and interesting...but this is the worst food item that I have eaten (and paid for!!!) within recent memory. That being said- I still like the cafe. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt- because truly this area needs it, needs them! The cafe itself is bright, airy and open. A great place to spend a winter afternoon. You still want the sun- but don't want to freeze to death sitting outside in it, the seats near the window will give you your much needed Vitamin D and caffiene.
