Station 1 Coffee House

28 Main Street East

Grimsby, Ontario

905-309-4000

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Coffeecology.com for more info.

I work with people from all over the area in my profession as a massage therapist.  I always appreciate where they come from and where they've been and inevitably my blog comes up in conversation at some point.  I get the BEST information about great places to go from people I work with and patients too.   I had heard through the "grape-vine" that a new coffee shop had opened up in Grimsby.   I live in Stoney Creek, so I had an excuse to have my husband drive me around in the gorgeous fall weather and check it out.  The owners of Station 1 have joined forces with the most clever people in the local coffee selling business to make a fantastic, friendly, and unique cafe in Grimsby.  I gather (from the name and look) it was an old fire station, the main front doors are two huge, rolling doors that open it up to a large cafe/patio combo with lots of seating.  I was in love immediately with the parking, seating and inviting quality.  I was excited to see that they carry Coffeecology beans roasted locally as well as free-trade, organic with a variety of delicious, homemade treats including vegan chocolate cupcakes and macaroons.  

1)coffee- $1.85 small $2.10 large $2.10 iced (nice to have choice) 9/10

2)roasted- Coffeecology is locally roasted 9/10

3)service- quick and friendly 7.5/10 (no interaction with customers)

4)assessibility- 9.5/10 large, free parking lot, main access road

5)flavour- medium roast was delicious, hot and full flavour 9/10

6)Eco-friendly- recycling, composting, bio-degradeable cups 9/10 

7)cup size- good size mug for coffee, Americano as well 8.5/10

8)food- cupcake and Helly Dolly was big, sweet and rich, vegan and vegetarian choices 9.5/10

9)ambience- bright, clean,sunny, fun music, spacious seating 9/10

10)wifi- free, access is posted (friendly gesture is appreciated by bloggers like me) 10/10

*overall 9/10. 

** as an after thought I wanted the business card for my blog info. When I asked for one, I got a weird vibe that I didn't understand other than they were busy and didn't want to get it for me.  The server went in search of what I thought was their information and came back with a free coffee card...I was confused but appreciative.  I still feel funky that they thought I was searching for free stuff, ah well.  I think Station 1 is super and certainly worth a trip down Hwy# 8 or mountain country to enjoy it!

Fine Grind Cafe

37 James Street

St. Catharines, Ontario

905-348-3214

When checking out places to go for a coffee in St. Catharines you don't have to go far on James or St.Paul street to find a cafe or bistro with alluring signage and seating (some have added a patio on the street...very unique).  Neil and I chose by default a lovely little place called Fine Grind, the write up online steered us in the right direction and we were so happy.  Our greeter/owner was a smiley guy (didn't catch his name) that answered all my questions and spent time explaining about Jim the coffee guy that is his source locally for fair trade/organic beans based out of Niagara Falls.  Neil and I both ordered the *gasp* bottomless cup and a cookie.  I asked about vegan treats and foods and he provides both due to demand.  How wonderful is that? 

We took our seat at the back of the store on the couch (dopple ganger of our own) and our drinks were brought to us as we proceed to add the wifi password to our various devices!  All around us are odd bits of art work, paintings and carvings to keep you interested and a book shelf of reading material ! 

We drank our coffee, ate our cookies and complemented the baristas, there may have also been a rousing fist-bump for a coffee shop well found! Thanks Fine Grind Cafe! 

1)coffee-$1.50 per cup, $2.50 bottomless 9/10

2)roasted-locally roasted, organic and fair-trade 9/10

3)service- 10/10 fast, friendly, brought to us

4)assessibility-8/10 metered, street

5)flavour- 7.5/10 Guatemalan, medium roasted

6)Eco-friendly- china cups, paper for take out 8/10

7)cup size- 8/10

8)food- vegan choices, cookies were very good 8/10

9)ambience- 10/10 music, comfort, quiet, service, books, conversation

10)wifi- 10/10 free

*overall- 8.75/10 so fantastic!

Blue Dog Coffee Roasters

199 Brant Ave,

Brantford, Ont.

N3T 3J1

(519)512-0022

www.bluedogcoffeeroasters.com

I had been told about The Blue Dog a few months ago but hadn't had the chance to get to Brantford, I am really glad we did.  Neil and I took the motorcycle from home along the back roads to Brantford and had glorious weather to travel.  We found the cafe on the main road, it was surprisingly in a neighbourhood with homes around and shops, this cafe had been a house at one time too.  The art inside was cool, the decor was interesting and the coffee and food was delicious!  I had a great time and highly recommend anyone to go and have a great experience.

1)coffee-small $1.62 medium $1.86 large $2.14  8/10

2)roasted- locally but off site in Brantford 9/10

3)service- just fine 7/10

4)accessibility- main thoroughfare, lots of free parking 9/10

5)flavour- full flavour, smooth and sweet 8/10

6)Eco-friendly- china cups, recycling, soy milk available 8/10

7)cup size- good size with 3 choices 8/10

8)food- I had cauliflower soup and bagel, fresh and hot 9/10

9)ambience- comfortable, sunny and lots of seating 8.5/10

10)wifi- free and no password needed. 10/10

*overall- 8.5/10 

Grounded Coffee Inc.

292 King Street 

Midland, Ont.

(705)527-5997

www.groundedcoffee.ca

I went to Midland with a girlfriend of mine, we went to the Sugar Ridge Yoga Retreat Centre in June, 2013.  We decided to venture into the little town of Midland to walk and shop, and find an awesome coffee shop (who knew?).  We were encouraged to try Grounded Coffee when I explained that I like a cool, comfortable, fresh roasted and fair trade kinda shop! Voila! We got one!  I asked the owner about his favourite coffee and he spent a few minutes explaining the medium roast he is proud of at the cafe. I got the blend called Dragon Tail, it's named after the location of the coffee beans (Sumatra and Papua Guinea) and the land looks like a dragons tail...kinda :). I bought some beans to bring home as well. The roast was pretty good, light in roast and full flavour and I am looking forward to making it fresh at home.

1)coffee- small -$1.85 medium $2.00 large $2.15 8/10

2)roasted- locally, in house 9/10

3)service- friendly and informative 9/10

4)accessibility - main thoroughfare in Midland with pay street parking. 7/10

5)Flavour- smooth, light, not robust 8/10

6)Eco-friendly- china cups, soy milk available 7.5/10

7)cup size- good size with 3 sizes to choose from 8/10

8)food- tried a vegan fruit and nut bar, healthy and tasty 8.5/10

9)ambience- cool, relaxed, plenty of seating 8/10

10)Wifi- open with a password 10/10

Overall- 8/10 charming place to go in Midland, check it out!

Sestres- pastry and Coffee Shop

Vegan and Gluten-free Shop

191 Ottawa St.N.

Hamilton, Ont.

L8H 3Z4

www.sestrespastries.com

Sestrespatries@gmail.com

905-545-5040

Hamilton Ontario has a few special areas to shop with strong communities and interesting places to shop, Ottawa Street is one of them.  I have been going to Sestres for quite a long time, since it opened a couple years ago.  I am a huge fan of small business, friendly service and environmentally responsible shops and this one meets the criteria very well.  

When you enter Sestres you are met by a large array of pastries that are separated by gluten-free or vegan, honestly you would never know if you judged by looks and taste alone.  They have all kinds of coffee service too including the choice of soy milk in all the drinks.  When I went for a coffee recently they had begun to serve lunch as well, limited choices but delicious and safe for consumers that want to eat and not worry about their diets.

1) coffee- small- $1.60 med.-$1.89 large-$2.00 8/10

2) roasted- unclear where in Toronto but organic and fair trade 8/10

3) service- excellent, friendly and prompt 8.5/10

4) accessibility- Ottawa and Cannon Street with street parking or local lot 8/10

5) flavour- 7.5/10

6) Eco-friendly- china cups available in cafe, Eco sourced 8/10

7) cup size- 3 sizes to choose from with decent size 9/10

8) food- vegan/gluten-free food and pastries that would appeal to anyone 8/10

9)ambience-small,friendly and family friendly 8/10

10wifi- ????

*overall 8/10 support one of Hamilton's wonderful family owned cafes on a wonderfully eclectic street! 

Crepe it Up

Tastes like love without the heartache. Eat in- Take out- Catering

507 Church Street Unit #8
Toronto, Ontario
M4Y 2C9
(416)916-3558
www.pavillioncoffee.com

I had some time to kill in Toronto on a beautiful sunny day and took a walk down Church and Wellesley to a little place called Crepe It Up. The food is really good, the coffee is really nice but the lady running the place was really against and photos being taken ( I always ask first). I was really confused, I was really glad that went back and spoke to again and explained what I was doing, she didn't mind and I set about taking pictures WITH her permission this time😀. It's a nice place. Interesting decor with typical chalkboard writing to decorate the place. The sign out front advertised fresh coffee, I think actually roast here because they have green coffee beans as well as a roaster sitting in the corner. I like the big front windows that show Church Street in its best busy, fun atmosphere.

I ordered the special of the day of lentil soup and Mushroom/Spinach crepe that was quite good but could have been hotter. The coffee was served in a nice big mug with decent flavour although not made fresh. I'm not sure I would suggest this one for a coffee if there were dedicated cafes around (I'm not sure where anything is) but its nice for a cheap, quick meal.

1)coffee- small $1.65 Large $1.95 8/10
2)roasted locally- yes? 8/10
3)Service- I little uncomfortable with the menu, the cook was helpful 7/10
4)accessibility - church and Wellesley is a main road in Toronto by bus 8/10
5)flavour- pretty good and quick 7/10
6)Eco-friendly- recycling and china cups 7.5/10
7)cup size- very good 8.5/10
8)food- many choices, freshly made and tasty if you like crepes 8/10
9)ambience- light conversation, laughter and sunny eating area 8.5/10
10)wifi- free of charge with password 10/10

*pretty cool that they have Viet espresso available to order
**overall 8/10 descent but not glowing