he Common, a hole-in-the-wall café has been here for a few years, pumping out top-grade espressos with wild abandon. More than a neighbourhood coffee shop, The Common is just sweet and cozy enough to make you wish you lived in these parts. On our visit, it was postcard perfect – complete with a magical coffee aroma and the obligatory i-mac guy at the window table.

And the espresso? Yes, there is indeed quality within these walls, as evidenced in astoundingly good, strong and smooth espresso, rocket fuel in a velvet glove. Cheers to the innovative barista who shaved the tops of the espresso filter to maximize the crema! Risky business, as if any part of the process is messed up, the espresso could lose its aroma or get burned. But The Common's ad hoc system was surprisingly effective.