B.F. S.
Yelp
I don't often leave five-star reviews, as it's like saying something is perfect, which nothing is. But I'm such a fan of this little coffee shop and lunch spot that I can't bring myself down to a lowly four.
It's a small but cozy shop, doing the most to assist an otherwise blah stretch of Dundas West, north of Bloor but well south of the junction. Somehow you forget you're across a busy road from a FreshCo parking lot, and just immerse yourself in tasty eats and friendly people.
Owner Todd is a sweetheart, and his house-made scones, breakfast sammies and curries are all delicious. He is always crafting new flavours, many of which nicely straddle the savoury-sweet divide with options like caramelized onion and cheddar or fig and ricotta. In all cases they are rich, buttery, a bit crunchy outside and go perfectly with an espresso drink.
I mentioned the curries. Todd is from Liverpool (hence the Merseyside name) and represents the British tradition of reimagined Indian cuisine proudly. I don't think I've had a tastier butter chicken or massaman beef curry in Toronto -- just know that they aren't on offer every day, and when they are they often run out pretty fast.
The breakfast sandwiches are another fave, simple but good sausage, peameal bacon or roast veggies, with an egg and cheese, flattened in a buttery crip-pressed English muffin. So good.
Coffee is very good, if not groundbreaking or obsessively nerdy. They use locally roasted Propeller beans for the usual mix of milk and non-milk based espresso drinks.
This summer Todd's been pumping out different cold drink options too, that vary each day. A hibiscus iced tea was perfectly tart and refreshing and an iced chai latte had the perfect balance of sweet spice and cream.
Something about this place seems to attract interesting folks too. I hear interesting discussions, sometimes in French or Japanese on the regular, and it's an easy spot to strike up a chat with someone too. Note: they turn off their Wi-Fi on weekends, but it's available on other days.