In search of bests: cappuccinos
Cappuccino at Manic Coffee (Photo by Andrea Chiu)
UPDATE: We discuss finding good cappuccinos in the June 2010 podcast, download or stream it now.
It’s fair to say that if you are visiting the site, you probably love food. We’ve all got standards and we’ve all got our preferred tastes and textures. In our regular feature called “In Search of Bests,” Ben and I will pick one of our favourite dishes or drinks and ask you where you think the “best” version of it is and why you like it. We’re not trying to compile a “Best of” list but we are trying to find some examples of our favourite dishes executed well and discuss what makes them so good. So whether you’re writing in from Queen St. W in Toronto or Queensland in Australia, we’d like to hear from you.
Let’s begin with my personal favourite: the cappuccino. I start almost everyday with 2% milk cappuccino from Sam James. I love Sam’s cappuccino because it’s smooth, not bitter and the foam atop the cup is reliably consistent. Never too thick nor thin, it’s a perfect quarter inch of light frothed milk that waits for me to scoop it up at the bottom of the cup. It is, in many ways an art, as most coffee baristas will agree, cappuccinos are the most difficult of all espresso-based drinks to prepare.
So tell me, where do you get your favourite cappuccino and what makes it, for you, the best?
For those of you in the Greater Toronto Area, I’m willing to travel anywhere, within reason, to get a great cappuccino so if you make a good case for your favourite in the comments below, I will probably try it. Not only do I want to hear about cool independent coffee shops (like those in the Toronto Coffee Conspiracy), but I also want to hear about the mom and pop cafés we rarely hear about. Is there a little known Italian cafe that pours a wonderful cappuccino? Let me know!
I’ll report my findings/tastings in the second episode of the Tongue & Cheek podcast.
More about the Toronto Coffee Conspiracy’s Disloyalty Cards: Sam James in the National Post
P.S. Can you guess at which Toronto coffee shop the above photo was taken?
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Comments ( 8 )
[...] Tongue & Cheek » In search of bests: cappuccinos [...]
Looking for a coffee/cappuccino maker? added these pithy words on May 20 10 at 1:14 pmThe photo was taken at Manic – home of one of the city’s best lattes! I can’t help you in your quest for the best cappuccino, though, I’m no fan of foam.
nico added these pithy words on
Apr 23 10 at
10:47 am
Correct, Nico! Manic also pours great drinks, but I must ask, what don’t you like about foam?
Andrea added these pithy words on
Apr 23 10 at
1:04 pm
Cappuccinos are too pretty to drink every day. So I stick to Americanos, and save my c’s for post-Italian feasts (at home in Leamington, or at restos like Capitol Trattoria Pizzeria!).
Also, check out this art…
For Teachers: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/27/67882942_f027ed4ee2.jpg
For Curators:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67592622@N00/3514530083
Lori added these pithy words on
Apr 23 10 at
1:13 pm
some suggestions
Rooster Coffee House – 479 Broadview Ave
The Communal Mule – 984 Dundas Street West
Te Aro – 983 Queen Street East
Bisogno Espresso Bar – 61 Sherbourne Street
sean added these pithy words on
Apr 24 10 at
1:39 am
Sean, thanks for adding your suggestions. I’m ashamed to admit, I’ve not been to any of those places. The Communal Mule is close to my house, so that is definitely on the list. Do you have a favourite of the four?
Andrea added these pithy words on
Apr 29 10 at
10:57 am
I love the caps at Te Aro. I have to say I fell in love with the place and their coffee a few months ago – so much so, that it actually made me stop going to my old local down the street from there.
If you are in the West End, I love Communal Mule (the design is great, caps are ok), and Crema.
Jaimie added these pithy words on
May 29 10 at
9:06 pm
Jaimie, I’ve heard from many that Te Aro is the place to go on the east side. I will go there next time I’m in Leslieville, thanks!
Andrea added these pithy words on
Jun 02 10 at
1:40 pm
