Cafe Culture

September 10, 2019 By Monika Sammut

Whispers of “Summer is over!” have been spreading like wild fire across London. With the first day of school behind us and Mother Nature turning down the thermostat, it’s little wonder this has become a September chant.

However, summer isn’t officialy over until September 23rd so let’s not fall into that pit of despair just yet people! Let’s squeeze out every last bit of joy the season gives us. Let’s sit on patios, indulge in ice cream and don’t you dare even glance at the sock drawer! Let’s keep that summer feeling going as long as we can!

What is over for me, however, is having time off to induge in cafe culture. It’s back to work. No more slow days lingering over my iced mocha. No more catching up on delicious summer reads or eavesdropping on some even more titillating conversations (yes, I know it’s not polite but…).

In an effort to extend that glorious summer sentiment, I wanted to share with you my two favourite summer haunts which I hope become yours as well…all year long.

First up is CommonWealth Coffee Co. Bookending Richmond St with the Grand Theatre, this bright hipster hangout will supply you with ample caffeine, a bit of a sugar rush, and plenty of hangout/work space. With a catchy motto “Life is too short, Stay awake for it” the shop introduces its customer to higher end artisan beans and coffee producers, as well as refined baked goods.

Next it’s Reset Social Cafe. Nestled beneath the brand new Azure condo building on Talbot St., this cafe serves its premium coffee, juices, shakes, and lighter fare (must try the chicken curry) in a colourfully industrial setting. A comfortable space filled with students, well heeled Moms with curious toddlers, and smartly turned out business set, Reset has something for everyone.

Rain or shine, summer or winter, both CommonWealth Coffee and Reset Cafe will satisfy your social needs and your caffeine dreams. Give them a try!

You Made It Cafe

July 2, 2019 By Monika Sammut

So it has been about a billion years since I last posted on my blog. Life …what can I say. The boy and I bought a place last summer. We renovated it floor to ceiling. And between the stress of renovating, decorating, and balancing budgets there was little place for much else. Both self care and blog went on the back burner. I didn’t need any more pressure in my life. I have always thought of Cobblestones and Cappuccinos as an avenue for my creative expression. A way to share some of my funventures and finds with those of you who pop on here from time to time (by the way…thank you for reading!). I didn’t want to keep posting “just cause” and especially not until I had something special to share. Until now!

Having just finished the renovations on a 40 year old place, let me tell you…I believe in second chances. And often third…and fourth, sometimes to my detriment. So when I finally had the opportunity to visit YOU Made It Cafe, I was not disappointed. A business that has not only breathed life into an old, underutilized heritage building (something London has a lot of) but also offers a comprehensive program of employment services to youth dealing with homelessness, unemployment and/or lack of education. Second chances are everything.

The Cafe has been around since 2012 and is owned and operated by Youth Opportunities Unlimited. It offers a skills training program under the mentorship of professional staff the results of which can be witnessed in the service and food prep in the cafe. It also sells Mushed by YOU preserves featuring jams, jellies, spreads, salsas and BBQ sauce made by youth employed in Enterprise Services. The only draw back of this business model are the limited hours of operation. The cafe is only open for breakfast and lunch Monday to Friday. They occasionally host special evening events, Cornerstone Cuisine dinner series with guest chefs and creative themes, which are worth watching for. With a good book and time to spare, I filled my morning with a spot of good coffee, bacon grilled cheese with apple butter, a side of freshly made home fries, and a great feeling that I was supporting not only my city but also the youth of its future.

Enchanted Vilnius

August 18, 2017 By Monika Sammut

Sometimes taking a leap of faith, or a road trip, to a place unknown can lead to the most beautiful surprises. When my cousin proposed a visit to Vilnius, Lithuania during my three week stay in Europe, I wasn’t immediately swept off my feet. I dreamt of Vienna, Prague or Stockholm. The small country of Lithuania was never on my radar as a tourist destination. Images of many former eastern block nations danced in my head like a depressing film noir. What could I possibly see or enjoy in Lithuania for one day, let alone three! I was primed to be enchanted.

The six hour comfort bus ride from Bialystok (for which I paid $38 round trip!) to Vilnius was filled with naps and stork spotting, wifi and snacks. I barely realized how much time had passed when we pulled into Lithuania’s capital city. A city where almost 700 years of history mingles to highlight its past with the emerging bright future. Where any visitor with euros in their pocket and speaking nothing more than English can feel at ease. Where I was reminded of how much this city and country were a part of my own Polish heritage.

As always it is near impossible to present in a few words and photos what a country or a city has to offer. There are so many beautiful places around the world that need to be seen with your own eyes. I’m still slowly checking off my extensive travel list, as each year I make a choice between seeing something new or returning to a place I have come to love.

Vilnius is definitely going on the “must return” list. I hope you will travel there yourself and become enchanted!

A Morning Date with Edgar & Joe

October 3, 2016 By Monika Sammut

I am a diehard advocate of, in my humble opinion, the most important meal of the day – BREAKFAST! Whether hot or cold, at home or out, I always start my day on a full stomach.

The boy is, by now, familiar with the sound of my alarm clock gently tinkling in the darkness. It urges me up at 6am (two and a half hours before I leave for work) so that I can indulge in my ritual of a steaming cup and a warm breakfast. Always warm! My tastes run from a smooth egg scramble with bacon to warm apple and cheese filled crepes. Sunday is always a Dutch Baby extravaganza! All a bit time consuming in my bleary eyed state. But well worth it.

However, I cherish the days when I can hand over breakfast making duties to the experts. Enter my other favourite boys, Edgar & Joe‘s. It’s a little spot that has found a firm hold in London’s blossoming downtown.

Part of the Goodwill Industries, it touts itself as a cafe with a purpose, serving fresh, local, and affordable food that keep the patrons coming back.

So if your tummy starts to rumble at the sight of the last pic, grab a spot at Edgar & Joe’s and start your day off right!

Colette Grand Café and Bakery

August 11, 2014 By Monika Sammut

After hearing that a brand new French café opened its doors at the Thompson Hotel in Toronto a few weeks ago, I just knew I had stop in. Colette Grand Café and Bakery is both elegant and simple in its design, with the requisite blue, yellow, and white colours giving the space a French flare. Although Colette serves a full menu in the cafe, it’s the little things that truly bring me pleasure. My sweet tooth urged me to the maccaron display where two palm-sized confections, sweet cherry and bittersweet chocolate, made their way into a box to be devoured on the way home. Absolutely divine!