3: Mercury Espresso

Mercury Espresso Bar

Address: 915 Queen Street East

Neighbourhood: Leslieville
Contact: 647 435 4779 email

(website)

Having open in the spring of 2006, they made this corner shine with their precise attention to details. It took a while to get used to the new layout having spent a long time with the huge mural of Toronto streets, corner couches and tables these recent renovations opens up the floor to a bigger space for this hip-east side hot spot. 

Currently there are more windows, a revamped espresso bar, and more small tables to conduct business meetings. There is a large art installation hung from the ceiling and a tribute to the old - with their old white sign hanging on the side wall. New coats of paints, and this new set-up gives it more of a professional look, than the old hangout joint.
The baristas and owners really try to connect with their customers, by knowing their roasters, products and machine. This relationship manifests itself into how they pull their shots.

They usually have Intelligenstia Black Cat Classic and a feature espresso on this visit it was Intelligenstia single origin Kenya Gichathanini


Machine:Synesso's flagship model, the Cyncra
Doser: Mazzer
Turnover: Heavy Traffic
Beans: Intelligenstia Black Cat Espresso; 
Feature:Kenya Gichathaini - Single Origin
Music: indie hip, rock, and blues
Disloyalty Card: YES

Owners Matt and Doug strive to find quality beans while bringing new coffees, roasters and flavours that they find fascinating.
On this trip I had an opportunity to chat with Nolan about how he liked the amazing Synesso machine.
Individual temperature control of the 3 heads, means that the Synesso machine can handle three different beans. Nolan noted that the featured beans use 201 degrees while the other ones typically are pulled at 196/197 degrees.


Nice that they take care in keeping the temperature gauges monitored for the optimal temperature to create the best shot.

Verdict: Well balanced, citrus acidity, notes mandarin orange & grapefruit, spicy lingering finish.This brings me back to SF's Ritual Coffees' Sweet tooth (August edition). yum yum!
Great vibe for a cafe, but the love of espresso oozes once you step thru the curtains, and explore what they have in store.