605 Yonge Street

(416) 513-0936

Pricing: Cheap – Average

Cuisine: Dessert (crepes and waffles)

Type: Espresso Bar

Rating: 10/10

Me and my boyfriend were looking for a cafe or bakery that was near the Dundas and Yonge area when we were recommended this espresso cafe courtesy of the Urbanspoon app =p.

This cafe is so cozy and when you walk in, you can tell that the owners of this shop have great style by looking at the decor. All of the seats are red, leather and so comfy. The tables are made out of black marble and the dessert bar is all stone with the menu’s on TV’s behind them.

They have many variations of crepes for breakfast, lunch, dinner AND dessert. As well as waffles, fruit smoothies, iced drinks and of course, espresso. It was so hard deciding what kind of sweet crepe I wanted because they all sounded so appealing; that or they had nuts and I don’t like nuts very much =p.

I ended up getting Lovers Mania (strawberries, nutella, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, icing sugar and ice cream) and he got The Ultra Mania (nutella, strawberries, walnuts, almonds, coconut, whip cream and ice cream) with an Iced Latte. Let me just say, that the crepes are DELICIOUS! The crepe was so light and fluffy while they put more than enough filling. It was so good I wanted more! The drink, I wasn’t too crazy on but that could’ve been because I was never a big coffee drinker unless it was sweet.

The waiter was so courteous and polite. He seemed like he was genuinely pleased that we were there unlike other people who do it because they have to. Then again, he could’ve been the owner. But point is, it’s one of those places you can just sit down and not have to worry about the time. Although they leave you alone in most cafe’s, this one is all in the atmosphere.

I’ll definitely be coming back here when I’m downtown again, they have awesome crepes. It also helps that the Victoria Secret Fashion Show was playing .

[Updated 01/03/12]

It’s been a year since I’ve gone back even though I love this place but the location is just so out of the way for me. A few months back, FabFind offered vouchers to Cafe Mania! I bought two and headed there the week after.

The decor hasn’t changed and the menu also remains the same. One feature they have added is crepes of the day. On the day that we went, the choices were either the Steak Mania (first image) or the Canadian Mania (second).

I didn’t like the Steak Mania too much. The sun-dried tomatoes gave it a really sour taste and it doesn’t mix very well with the rest of it. Otherwise, it would be pretty good.

The Canadian was pretty much a breakfast crepe with a perfect blend of ham, mozzerella cheese and eggs. It was so creamy and the cheese was stringy. The crepe itself is still just as yummy and addicting.

The White Frappe is a white chocolate mocha with lots of chocolate sauce and whipped cream at the top. This drink is still better than the Iced Latte I got the first time around but it’s still not a favourite.

[Updated 03/29/12]

Another trip to Cafe Mania and it didn’t dissapoint! You can find Sanpellegrino almost anywhere nowadays. There are different flavours available but it’s pretty much soda water with a punch!

I’ve grown to love White Mocha recently because I tried it at Starbucks and it has become my new favourite drink. Cafe’s make them a lot better of course and that’s true here as well.

The Salmon Mania isn’t over stuffed which I love because I can actually taste the crepe on the outside. In it, you’ll find two scrambled eggs, salmon, sour cream, ricotta, spinack and dill.

Unlike the salmon, the Chicken Fajita has too much in it. I don’t like soggy lettuce and I don’t know anyone else that does.

500 Bloor Street W

(416) 536-7750

http://www.aroma.ca

Pricing: Cheap – Average

Cuisine: Beverages/Pastry

Type: Cafe

Rating: 10/10

I ended up at this amazing place after being lured here by my boyfriend. I’ve passed by this place a few times but I never really gave it a good look.

The inside is very hip and elegant. The tables are black and seem to be made out of marble while the chairs are red and leather. Very comfortable too! It has a modern look to it and is much more classy than your typical Starbucks.

They carry a variety of drinks and little pastries like a cheese danish or a croissant in case you want something more. You can feel that it’s a very comforting atmosphere. If you were at a Starbucks, there’s a certain air to the people that are in there. They seem a bit…self-absorbed, for the lack of a better word. Doing their own thing, keeping to themselves. At cafes that aren’t a major chain (aroma has a few locations but that’s all, really!), everyone seems like they are there to socialize or escape from reality, not treat it as your office.

I got the hot chocolate (above) while he got his usual chai latte. I gotta say, it’s the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had! It’s already flavoured and each drink comes with their own chocolate square. Whether you eat it or drop it in is up to you. Want to take a guess at which one I chose?

I think places like these need to be heard about. They’re little nooks that people don’t think about going into but try it, you might be in for a surprise!

Know of any more cafe’s worth trying? Let me know!