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Spice Safar - CLOSED
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
17 reviews for Spice Safar
17 reviews in English
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Review from Sarah Y.
Vancouver, BC
Holy hell this place is to die for..
I'm a newbie to this city so if it weren't for TeamBuy (I think?) I wouldn'tve found or set foot in this place...but now that I have, this place has quickly become my regular Saturday place.
I'll just get right to the point:
- Panini - order the Porchetta (pork and a whole bunch of delicious, robust goodness in it...sorry I didn't take notes from the menu so I can't remember exactly).
- Panini - order the Veal (not the osso bucco but the other one)...the spices in it are AMAZINGLY delicious)
- Croissants - white chocolate (perfectly crusty on the outside, deliciously melt-in-your-mouth white choclaty on the inside).
- Sticky Bun - pecans, delicious cinnamon raisin goodness filling on the inside
- Coffee - the cappucino is soo good, robust flavours...comes with a shot of sparkling water!
Ok and that's all I have for you after two visits....but wow...the seating is great too, just come here with your laptop and sink into pillows galore. There's always great jazz music playing and the bathroom area is worth checking out lol....that's all I'll say.
Until next week! -
Review from Renata R.
2/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
It is one of those places to impress your SO or date. I had a very well prepared, smooth and delicious cappuccino, served by a friendly barista.
I like the décor and the open concept. They lose some points for playing boring-cafe-songs and being expensive. But food and coffee is good and I love the sofas and ottomans.
I also had good service (cappuccino was served with a delicious mini-brownie on the side and a shot of sparkling water!) and it was lunch time. Very very good. I'd definitely come back. They have some food too, and I'd love to try it.Listed in: Coffee & Muffins
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Review from Janna S.
11/29/2010
I came here yesterday because this place had a high rating but I wasn't really impressed. Several things I wanted to order from the menu were already out of stock (it was only 1:30 pm in the afternoon), and the place had a strange, musty smell. The chairs/benches are not really that comfortable - you have to sit beside whoever you're talking to and kind of prop things up with pillows. I think it looks better than it actually feels.
The servers seem pretty nice and my food arrived fairly quickly, but I opted for post-lunch coffee at Starbucks because I didn't feel that comfortable sitting around much longer. The sandwich was definitely tasty - Gruyere cheese and pear slices, but both soup choices were already gone so I didn't order a side.
The bathrooms could really use a good cleaning! Maybe that explains the smell...? Probably would not return here but if you're in the area you could do worse. -
Review from Ryan M.
Toronto, ON
9/19/2010
I live literally next door and regret not having brunch here sooner. The food was *delicious* (I had the smoked salmon eggs benedict [$11.95] and my girlfriend had the best pancakes [$11.95] I've ever had in my entire life), the presentation was impressive, and the staff were extremely pleasant. I highly recommend the rooibos latte.
All in all a wonderful experience with exceptional value. Beats any brunch spot in the vicinity. -
Review from Aaron B.
1/10/2011
I had an utterly disappointing experience with this place. Seemed like just the place for me, but they DEFINITELY are working hard to achieve a look (which is quite nice) without considering the functional aspects (which are terrible) of those decisions.
The tables are much lower than normal so if you are reading, typing, eating, drawing etc. on the tables you have to hunch over...not comfortable. The little ottomans they have for seats are ridiculously uncomfortable after about 4 minutes.
Sure, it's fashionable, but you're paying for that look and feel. The Americano I had was meh at best. The panino was pretty tasty, but also super greasy (i.e. unhealthy) and not a step above average. The salad with it was a nice touch. So it also came on fancy wood trays with little shot glasses of sparkling water and a tiny cube of brownie sample...these are all nice touches that I don't care about and this sandwich+coffee combo cost $15. When it came to the stuff I DO care about this place failed.
They advertised free wifi, but neither I nor the people seating near me could detect the network. Not a deal-breaker for me, but there it is. They didn't post the hours outside or on the menu, but when I asked the (very nice) waitress said 7:00. When it was 5:30 business was slow, and I heard the (I think) manager say that she was going to close at 6:00 instead. That's friggin' bullshit. You can't just do that. I don't know if they followed through with that diabolical plan because I was so uncomfortable that I decided to leave earlier than planned and go to a better place to get some writing done...Starbucks. If I'd rather be at Starbucks then you know the place has issues.
So unless you need to impress a superficial person with fancy, pretentious, and mediocre food and decor, I'd skip this place and hit Zoe's a little down the street. Same basic deal, but the espresso is really good, you'll save a few bucks, and your back will thank you. -
Review from Cindy C.
Toronto, ON
8/13/2010
This place achieves the snazzy, upscale feel that is quite casual.
Formerly Atellier Lounge, the decor is hip, trendy and a great place to go have an afternoon chat with a friend, meeting of new friends, business meetings, whatever!
I tried the ICED ROOBIS TEA LATTE, as per the staff recommendation, she said "if you want to try something you've never tried and can't get everywhere, it's our Roobis tea latte". They were right. It was refreshing, you can add your own maple syrup on the side to control the sweetness.
I went there on a business meeting but I look forward to going back again soon just to sit and chill out with the Roobis tea. -
Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
6/22/2010 1 photo
As I write this review, I'm sitting here in my '60s shift dress, sipping a red rooibos latte amongst other Mad Men advertising exec types from the agency next door, and I am feeling absolutely SEXY.
The seats, the layout, the clientele, the presentation of drinks + treat on a wooden plank, the service, the music... It would make an early bird out of any night owl.
Rawr. [raising panther paw] -
Review from Rob D.
3/31/2010
Stellar afternoon loungey cafe ... excellent coffees and fantastic, healthy, delicious and light foods.
Super comfy bench seating with lots of pillows.
Cool to chill with a laptop and of course has wireless Internet :)
Turns into Atelier in the evenings for bottle service, music and a hot crowd.
As a cafe, it is one of my favourites in Toronto. This one is classy and stylin'. -
Review from Ms. J.
Toronto, ON
9/7/2010
We did the brunch thing at Spice Safar for a Foodie review on our website:
Spice Safar on King Street West is a stylish boutique cafe that does many things well. The owner, "Wil" (short for Wilhelm) gave us some detailed background on what led him to open this part patisserie, part lounge, part coffee house. Simply put, Spice Safar is his "passion" acted out in 3D.
The cafe seating area is furnished with comfy benches all in a row with low tables, much like mini VIP areas. The warm caramel coloured wood on the walls make it cozy enough to diminish the night club feel. But then there is the wallpaper, and crystal chandelier.
The three of us started off with the beverages recommended to us by Wil. We tried the Cafe Americano, Americano Latte, and the Rooibos Red Latte ($3.95). The latter won by a heart beat, plus it's full of good antioxidants. As a tea lover, I have never tasted a better Rooibos Latte. For the one coffee lover in our group, her palate was quite pleased with the coffee selections.
What we ate:
The Jerk Chicken Panino ($9.95), which was spicy and flavorful. Filled with jerk-chicken, cilantro, truffled sweet potato puree, and served in a home-made foccacia.
The Pancakes ($11.95). Fabulous ricotta pancakes drizzled with the 5 spice Safar house-made syrup and sprinkled with spiced caramelized nuts, and served with delicious grilled fruit on a skewer. These are gourmet pancakes at its finest. Served as well with 3 "sides" of yogurt, chocolate, and pureed banana in tiny amounts - all home-made of course.
The Eggs Benedict ($11.95) with (non-smoked) Salmon. Not a winner. Taste wise it did not meet our expectations, and one of the yolks was over poached and not runny. We traded it in for the...
Waffles ($11.95). Lemon and poppyseed waffles with a soft center and more crisp outside. More dense that most waffles I've had, but definitely more tasty. Served with the same 5 spiced-syrup and sides as the pancake, this dish was also a winner.
Arugula salad ($3.95) with avocado and mango in a special Safar house dressing. We thought the salad was too bitter, and not balanced enough.
Portions were of a good size, attractively presented, and the food was easy to share amongst friends. A great touch was the mineral water to cleanse the palate after drinking the coffee and lattes.
We will definitely return to this location for the Pancakes, Rooibos Red Latte, and a new Safar, which means "journey" in Arabic. -
Review from Kelly O.
11/4/2009
This was a surprising experience. Having never visited Atelier, the former occupant, I was unprepared for the size of the place. Its quite large, open concept, and very well decorated. Benches line the entire wall on every side, topped with fluffy pillows. People seemed to be using the internet, but I'm unsure what the status of their WiFi is.
I ordered a small Americano and a pistachio croissant. Came to just over $6. Beverage was good and strong, and the barista guy was completely friendly and awesome. Now onto my expertise: The Croissant. I could have gone for the plain one, but the pistachio chunks on the top of the others called my name. Surprisingly, the inside contained marzipan and pistachio too! Not too sweet, it had a great texture and taste. The croissant was a bit denser and less flaky than I would like (could have been because it was 3 pm), but the overall flavour was good!
I'd probably go back, but only if its on my way.Listed in: All About Croissants Yo!
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Review from Kaija H.
Toronto, ON
11/5/2010
This is my favorite go-to cafe in my neighborhood...great coffee and pastries, free and reliable wireless, comfy seats, and a unique atmosphere. There are lots of outlets (under the benches piled with pillows) for my laptop and just enough people/conversation/music to keep things interesting while still getting work done. Yes, I am one of those people who actually do work in cafes...I can read/catalog information from remote locations over a VPN connection and draft/write/edit from anywhere and I am much more productive when I am not at home or office (where other interruptions and distractions take over the day).
The staff at Spice Safar are very friendly and have excellent suggestions about the food and drinks. I prefer coffee (try the Americano!) over tea, but others tell me the tea lattes are superb. I also highly recommend the croissants, especially the pistachio. -
Review from Ray N.
Toronto, ON
5/14/2010 1 Check-in Here
In a previous life, I spent a lot of time at the W Hotel in Seattle. Far from just a hotel, back in those days at the beginning of the 21st century, the W provided Seatellites with a chic, beautiful, modern and really swanky place to chill after work. Toronto has some great places to hang out, but it's always lacked a place with that 'W' kind of feel. Yeah I know, some of you will think of the Drake. But it's just not the same. As far as I know, Spice Safar is the closest we've come, and it's not a hotel, it's a coffee lounge.
But even better than the 'W' like ambiance, is the service. During the many hours that I've spent at Spice Safar over the last couple of weeks, I've often been served by Jane or Anna. Coincidentally, they happen to both hail from Australia. Makes me want to visit the land down under more than ever. They are the consummate hosts, and are capable of making every drink an experience, even if it's just green tea. The coffee is awesome, I usually get an Americano, and these always come with a little nibble of pastry, which always happen to leave you wanting just a bit more! But wait, there's more...
This place has far more than coffee, and great pastries; it's also a licensed bar. Jane tells me they're about to start hosting weekly mixers for local businesses, and one can often find Anna the barrista/mixologist tinkering with cocktails behind the bar. I'm not a big martini/cocktail drinker myself, but if that's your thing, my bet is you'll find what you're looking for here.
Now here's a tip. In an unusually creative twist, Spice Safar also offers a coffee card. What's unique about this loyalty card though is that it starts with a free coffee. Make sure you ask for it. Tell them you're a friend of Ray's and they may even give you a slightly bigger nibble of pastry!
I suggest you try this place.. You'll find yourself spending more time there than you'd planned, trust me. -
Review from Alex B.
Toronto, ON
7/29/2010
I'm one of those classy people who goes here for alcohol, not coffee. I've been there twice, once for afternoon drinks and the other for a private evening event.
Both times I was impressed and it is one of my favorite places in the city for infusions. The owner is nice, the design is unique and the staff friendly.
Check them out, say hello and buy a lemongrass infusion if they are available. One of the most bestest things you will ever taste. -
Review from Adam P.
Toronto, ON
1/27/2010
Although a great business idea in terms of functionality, I find it hard to comprehend how a lounge at night could be a coffee place in the morning. Its unprecedented yet genius.
When I walked into the place on a Saturday morning there was nobody in there and took me by surprise the pillow filled wall couch and the eurotrance music playing (not loudly but noticeable) and a single guy at the counter. And order of an Americano and a Chai Latte came to about $10 which I find a little expensive (since americano's are relatively cheap). The guy told us to have a seat and he would bring it too us. Interestingly the drinks came on a plank of wood with mineral water and a bite sized desert bit.
The coffee was good (nothing groundbreaking) and it seemed like a really trendy coffee place. I think this is a good place to check out, only make sure that you change your way of thinking in what a coffee shop should be. I probably would have felt more comfortable there was more people there. -
Review from angela k.
Toronto, ON
10/27/2009
The space here is absolutely lovely - it feels roomy and the music has always been fun and delightful yet mellow (just what I'm looking for in a coffee shop).
The coffee and all the treats are all organic and tasty. I'm not quite sure it's worth the premium price on a regular basis but it's nice for a once-in-a-while treat! -
Review from Denise S.
9/13/2010
Although this place borders slightly on trying too hard to be stylish, you can't deny the beauty of the open space, dark decor, and black and white photos.
I came here in the afternoon for coffee. This is a great, relaxed place to catch up with friends. The seating is cozy (benches with pillows), and not conducive to using a laptop, so the vibe is a lot more social than most cafes.
It's a bit confusing where to order/pay. I walked up to the counter to order, so I expected to just pay then, but the barista told me to just sit down and she would bring my drink out. (Before you leave, you go back up and pay at the counter). The rooibos tea latte was unfortunately sold out, so I just had a chai latte instead. It was appropriately spicy and creamy, and came on a cute little tray, along with a tall shot glass of sparkling water and a chocolate macaroon. Fancy!
Also - be prepared for the unisex washrooms that seems to be so trendy these days.Listed in: Cafe Culture
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Review from I K.
Richmond Hill, ON
10/21/2009
For the same price as Starbucks, you get unique experience in coffee presentation and posh atmosphere
