  he Saturday morning St. Lawrence crowd have a new site to quench their early-morning coffee thirst. When I went there on a Wednesday afternoon, the place was sparse save for a couple of chatters but as I waited for my mango-mint concoction, several other patrons came in, one raving about an Americano made 'just right."
The space is airy and bright and its decor, sleek but friendly, is a good match for the upscale furniture boutiques on King.
A single large table welcomes customers to sit together and maybe even *gasp* talk to one another. However, the plush dining room chairs reminded me of my grandmother's house and I feared I would drip coffee on the fine polished table top (so I got mine to go). A sign next to the espresso machine promises that patrons will receive a sense of humor with their drink and this is true. As I waited, the young man chuckled and chatted and then said he was sorry I was getting mine to go. Ahhhh.
–L.D.
|
|
 AT A GLANCE
Bisogno Espresso Bar
61 Sherbourne Street, Toronto, Ontario
Coffee
Esplanade
Venue:
Coffee Shop
Hours:
Price Range:
Payment:
Visa, Master Card, Cash
|
 |
THE BUZZ
|
|
|
IN THE AREA
|
|
|
|
|
16 Reader Reviews | Marioak, if you want rude, go to Bulldog and bring up the word "Starbucks", then let's talk LOL. Von is nothing but a caring barista to his customers. I suggest you try it again.
1. Anonymous's Review :: June 16, 2008 |
I'm an addict...Bisogno addict. I love going there. Coffee is excellent, if not better than Bulldog and Dark Horse. The owner/barista Vaungh is a sweetheart.
2. Anonymous's Review :: June 16, 2008 |
Cut above the riff-raff of Toronto's cafes is Bisogno - The best espresso in the city. (and by now I must have had all of them many times)
I've searched high and low for a great cafe with the right balance of service, food, drink and atmosphere. Bisogno delivers that balance CONSISTENTLY everyday I go.
If you're serious about a good espresso in Toronto, you need to make a trip to St. Lawrence and see how these guys are raising the 'espresso bar'.
3. Anonymous's Review :: May 30, 2008 |
Mariok,
i guess you didn't hear me. I DID APOLOGIZE. "I'm sorry if i've offended you. It was not my intention at all." Your response; "oh it doesn't matter, we're not coming back here anyway". I have two witnesses to that FACT. You never tried anything. It puzzles me how you can formulate an opinion a product you've never tried. I am also puzzled why you would say that i disappointed that people have become our customers as a result of your opinion. THANK YOU. WE ARE A SMALL espresso bar. WE SHALL REMAIN SO. We pretend to be nothing more than that. WE ARE A SMALL FISH. We're not pretending to be anything. I don't know anything else i can say or do at this point to sway your opinion otherwise. As i have said before. WE HAVE A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION. Hence, let us agree to disagree. I was coming from a different place you, quite obviously, come from a diametrically opposing one. I shall not respond further to any more of your comments here. WE are content at Bisogno Espresso Bar with our clientele. We consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have attracted such a wonderful and interesting bunch of people. there is something i have done in the past to have attracted such a person in you. i also am not quite sure why i have struck such a "violent and angry" chord in you. I don't if i make or not make a million dollar empire out of Bisogno Espresso Bar. We are about community. I know all too well what is most important to me. In closing, I had to respond to you because (unfortunately) bad press spreads easier than good one. We don't have the money for any kind of press. We are just trying to make a living. We want to serve our neighbourhood. THAT'S IT. We try to have fun along the way and we NEVER take ourselves seriously.
buon giorno.
P.S. Please don't recommend our coffee to anyone if you've never tried it. THAT'S LYING!!!
4. Anonymous's Review :: May 29, 2008 |
Van Flores,
All you had to do was say: I'm sorry, my intention was not to offend.
That's it, end of story.
That's all you could've said now and I would've thought about visiting your establishment again.
The issue then as is now with your response below, is that you 'presume' to know what another person is thinking or likes.
There is no matter of disagreement or different views, you offened whether you wanted to or not.It's a fact.
My companion was equally shocked at your responses and failure to simply just say sorry.
You will be dissapointed further to know that our opinion of the coffee itself has lead to a few of my colleagues becoming your customers.
To everybody who reads this:
The coffee was good at Bisogno albeit the barrista's wit and manners can be questionable.
I and my friend prefer all other places where basic ettiqute and simple respect for every person are commonplace.
This includes Tim Horton's where this straightforward principle has made them a multi-million dollar company.
5. Anonymous's Review :: May 23, 2008 |
Me and my girlfriend were walking up and down King st E, on a cold and wintery Sunday afternoon, walking in and out of furniture stores, when we accidentally stumbled upon Bisogno Espresso Bar. We needed the caffeine rush and made our way in.We were kindly greeted by the owner, Von I believe, who genuinely engaged in friendly convo and pleasant humour with us while he made our cappucinos. The place itself reminded me of my aunt's house in Italy. It had one communal living room-like table with a bunch of magazines on it. The coffee was great, the place was different and refreshing and the owner was soo friendly and warm, that we've gone back to visit when in the area just to say "hi".
6. Amanda B's Review :: May 23, 2008 Amanda B's Rating: 4 Stars |
Van Flores,
All you had to do was say: I'm sorry, my intention was not to offend.
That's it, end of story.
That's all you could've said now and I would've thought about visiting your establishment again.
The issue then as is now with your response below, is that you 'presume' to know what another person is thinking or likes.
There is no matter of disagreement or different views, you offened whether you wanted to or not.It's a fact.
My companion was equally shocked at your responses and failure to simply just say sorry.
You will be dissapointed further to know that our opinion of the coffee itself has lead to a few of my colleagues becoming your customers.
To everybody who reads this:
The coffee was good at Bisogno albeit the barrista's wit and manners can be questionable.
I and my friend prefer all other places where basic ettiqute and simple respect for every person are commonplace.
This includes Tim Horton's where this straightforward principle has made them a multi-million dollar company.
7. MarioK's Review :: May 23, 2008 MarioK's Rating: 1 Stars |
hey mariok,
if you remember, i offered (a sincere) an apology and explained that i meant no harm with my comment. but it seemed you were steadfast in your quick formulation of an opinion. we were off on a very bad note. i'm disappointed that my reckless sense of humour was not to your liking. again, let us agree to disagree. i felt really bad for your companion -- that she had to be witness to a most uncomfortable situation.
good luck to you and may your world be filled with like-minded opinion.
yours
the egocentric self important barista.
8. Anonymous's Review :: May 17, 2008 |
hey mariok,
if you remember, i offered (a sincere) an apology and explained that i meant no harm with my comment. but it seemed you were steadfast in your quick formulation of an opinion. we were off on a very bad note. i'm disappointed that my reckless sense of humour was not to your liking. again, let us agree to disagree. i felt really bad for your companion -- that she had to be witness to a most uncomfortable situation.
good luck to you and may your world be filled with like-minded opinion.
yours
the egocentric self important barista.
9. Von Flores's Review :: May 17, 2008 Von Flores's Rating: 4 Stars |
I was very excited to check this place out but the greeting at the door left a bad taste.
I couldn't bring myself to try the food after that. As a friend and I walked in the door we were greeted with "Just so you know this is not Tim Hortons".
As confusing as this first comment was, the responses afterwards left no doubt the person was just plain rude, and appeared to be incharge of the place.
The cashier seemed pretty nice, but I wouldn't recommend a place where the person incharge is more interested in inflating his ego rather than business.
Overall impression was of a little fish trying desperately not to be a little fish.
10. Anonymous's Review :: April 08, 2008 |
I was very excited to check this place out but the greeting at the door left a bad taste.
I couldn't bring myself to try the food after that. As a friend and I walked in the door we were greeted with "Just so you know this is not Tim Hortons".
As confusing as this first comment was, the responses afterwards left no doubt the person was just plain rude, and appeared to be incharge of the place.
The cashier seemed pretty nice, but I wouldn't recommend a place where the person incharge is more interested in inflating his ego rather than business.
Overall impression was of a little fish trying desperately not to be a little fish.
11. MarioK's Review :: April 08, 2008 MarioK's Rating: 1 Stars |
It's wonderful to have such a friendly and great tasting coffee in the neighbourhood. It's refreshing and the owner is great and friendly (plus he is just adorable and cute!) Highly recommend this place for all the real coffee lovers!
12. Anonymous's Review :: August 20, 2007 |
It's wonderful to have such a friendly and great tasting coffee in the neighbourhood. It's refreshing and the owner is great and friendly (plus he is just adorable and cute!) Highly recommend this place for all the real coffee lovers!
13. Rocio's Review :: August 19, 2007 Rocio's Rating: 4 Stars |
Best place in Toronto for Cappuccino's and Latte's. And at a WAY lower price point than Starbucks who can't hold a candle to these guys! They also have really good drinks like Mango-Mint. If you're in the area (or even if you're not), drop in....you won't be disappointed.
14. Anonymous's Review :: August 14, 2007 |
After years of searching Toronto for cappuccino's like those delicious little devils they serve in Italy, I have finally found my salvation....Bisogno Espresso Bar has THE BEST cappuccino's this side of the pond!!
15. Anonymous's Review :: August 13, 2007 |
Best place in Toronto for Cappuccino's and Latte's. And at a WAY lower price point than Starbucks who can't hold a candle to these guys! They also have really good drinks like Mango-Mint. If you're in the area (or even if you're not), drop in....you won't be disappointed.
16. Dave's Review :: August 13, 2007 Dave's Rating: 4 Stars |
|
|
61 Sherbourne Street, Toronto, Ontario |
|
|
|
|
MBO Toronto :: Toronto Restaurants & Dining Guide
