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Lauren Denhartog | Last Updated: March 18,2010 4:29:05 pm
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Named after a nearby streetcar cemetery, Red Rocket Coffee was born in the spring of 2007 by partners Liako Dertilis, Pamela MacDonald and Peter Christamtsis. The problem: five years ago one had to launch an Indiana Jones-type mission to find good tasting organic coffee, according to Mr. Dertilis. With Red Rocket Coffee and Niche Coffee and Tea Co. further up the way, that is no longer the case.
Behind the manually operated Fiorenzato, wonderful things are happening. Red Rocket has garnered much attention for cloaking traditional coffee concoctions in ingenuity. The house specialty, aptly named The Red Rocket, is a shot of deliciously warm espresso, chocolate sauce and French roast coffee. Or, if it's extravagance you crave, The Golden Monkey is made with caramel and banana syrup and steamed milked, topped with toasted marshmallow whipped cream and banana chips.
Even the hot chocolate here is not your average flat, brown liquid affair. The Dirt and Worms Hot Chocolate comes with crushed Oreos and gummy worms (which I'm sure probably turn the warm chocolate bevvie a wicked color if left to idle).
Rest assured, Red Rocket uses Reunion Island organic and fair-trade grinds. Grub includes deserts and sandwiches some of which, like the meatloaf sandwich, might take you back to your mother's kitchen. Leather chairs and wireless mean it's alright for you to stay while. -L.D. |
 AT A GLANCE
Red Rocket Coffee
1402B Queen Street East, Toronto, ON
416-406-0880
Cafe Fare
Leslieville
Venue:
Cafe
Hours:
Mon. to Thu.: 7:00am - 6:00pm Fri.: 7:00am - 9:00pm Sat. to Sun.: 5:00am - 9:00pm
Price Range:
$$ (Affordable)
Payment:
Cash
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THE BUZZ
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IN THE AREA
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14 Reader Reviews | Amazing staff! So friendly and funny and warm. Great coffee. It's a delightful Leslieville feature; you can meet and catch up with your neighbours there every weekend. Best scones in the city... yum yum. But, I wish the rest of the baking was just as world-rocking, it's a little pale.
1. Wrb's Review :: March 02, 2010 Wrb's Rating: 3 Stars |
Great barrista. Without him, this entire endeavor is nothing.
2. Gregg's Review :: September 16, 2009 Gregg's Rating: 4 Stars |
I really like the Red Rocket, and as a resident of the area, it makes me smile every time I pass the place to see that it is packed, and for good reason. Very high quality food, great desserts, super coffee selection, and a nice vibe to the place. My only regret is that my wife doesn't drink coffee, and I don't like going alone, so I don't get the chance to go as often as I'd like.
3. Rob's Review :: July 15, 2009 Rob's Rating: 4 Stars |
I like Red Rocket, but little things (not many) are missing. The people - staff - I've met there the few times I've been in are fine folks. But if you aren't into sitting out on the dust swept patio (TTC streetcars, which are constantly rolling past, grind sand under their wheels to stop and go and it's nuts) or utilizing a tightly sqeezed in table in order to work on a laptop, then not much is left in the way of comfortable seating. However, I've always been lucky in having one of the two comfy chairs available for my stay-in visits.
I never got why they weren't more organized in there. They seem to not be bothered by the illogic of having folks who've already ordered drinks pick them up where folks are ordering them, when all they need to do, a la Starbucks and Second Cup, is add a smallish table at the end of the counter for that. The space is there. And the idea should have occurred to one of them by now.
I will one day have to try something more exotic here. In all honesty, The espressos don't bowl me over (or even seem to be what they are supposed to be, which is 'richer'). But they don't do that anywhere really. Still, I like Red Rocket. I've only had the regular brewed coffee two or three times. Once - the first time - it was awesome. The other time(s) I had it, it was weak. And that is largely what I find everywhere and the reason I only drink regular brewed coffee in a few places, like Second Cup, where the regular brewed coffee is not only good but it's strong enough that you can taste it whatever it is.
4. Arby's Review :: June 08, 2009 Arby's Rating: 2 Stars |
i don't know why, but I'm not so excited about this place anymore. last visit to this place wasn't so great. Coffee is still good, but the rest... meh...
5. Gail Orlando's Review :: March 04, 2009 Gail Orlando's Rating: 2 Stars |
Coffee is Intelligentsia, portions are enormous, payment is cash only. Owners couldn't be sweeter and I loved watching them engage the customers. These people care about people, food and service and it definitely shows...
6. Carlos B.'s Review :: March 05, 2008 Carlos B.'s Rating: 4 Stars |
I don't drink coffee so I'm nut much of a Starbucks hater/devotee, but plus three stars in my eyes for having two-ply toilet paper.
7. Anonymous's Review :: March 01, 2008 |
Red Rocket Rocks! I love this place, cheaper than Starbucks (you can actually buy your drink with change) , tastes better, and the food, sandwiches especially, are absolutely delicious. If you live in Leslieville support this friendly, local business. Screw Starbucks, they don't need your money...Leslieville does. We have to support all these awesome local shops sprouting up in Leslieville. And keep this area progressing!
8. Anonymous's Review :: November 18, 2007 |
Red Rocket Rocks! I love this place, cheaper than Starbucks (you can actually buy your drink with change) , tastes better, and the food, sandwiches especially, are absolutely delicious. If you live in Leslieville support this friendly, local business. Screw Starbucks, they don't need your money...Leslieville does. We have to support all these awesome local shops sprouting up in Leslieville. And keep this area progressing!
9. Laura McIntyre's Review :: November 16, 2007 Laura McIntyre's Rating: 4 Stars |
I quite like the sandwiches and squares/cookies/shortbreads they are sooooooo good and are very gourmet.
10. Anonymous's Review :: October 19, 2007 |
The espresso we ordered were very smokey and acidic, and they tasted burnt. This was by far the most unpleasant espresso I have ever tasted. The atmostpher was very welcoming and comfortable though.
11. Anonymous's Review :: September 23, 2007 |
The espresso we ordered were very smokey and acidic, and they tasted burnt. This was by far the most unpleasant espresso I have ever tasted. The atmostpher was very welcoming and comfortable though.
12. John's Review :: September 23, 2007 John's Rating: 2 Stars |
Its about time this area (Leslieville) got something with some warmth and a touch of class! Amazing coffee, food (especially the shortbreads) and atmosphere!
Keep it up,
13. Anonymous's Review :: September 19, 2007 |
Its about time this area (Leslieville) got something with some warmth and a touch of class! Amazing coffee, food (especially the shortbreads) and atmosphere!
Keep it up,
14. Marcus's Review :: September 18, 2007 Marcus's Rating: 4 Stars |
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1402B Queen Street East, Toronto, ON |
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