Pressed Cafe

About a year ago a new 'coffee' shop opened in my neighbourhood.  This is Pressed Cafe.

I was so excited to have a gourmet coffee and sandwich shop so close by my place.  And I was not the least bit disappointed the first time I went there, shortly after they opened.  The place is really cool inside with some re-purposed wood, a church pew, a HUGE barrel with a carved out butcher block as a garbage can, antique/eclectic lamps and chandeliers.  They have big windows looking out onto the street so you can watch what's going on, and this summer they added the petit patio out front and those steel fabricated mug sculptures, which conveniently serve as mini planters for their fresh herbs.

The number one thing about Pressed Cafe is the staff is excellent.  They are so friendly and helpful.  Every time I have been in there, the level of service is outstanding.  In fact, a few weeks ago I went in for a coffee and walked out with this free cupcake:  chocolate caramel.

These are Auntie Loo's cupcakes, another local to my neighbourhood bakery ... oh, and they are vegan.  The cupcake was awesome ... rich chocolate flavour, perfectly chocolate but not overly sweet icing and the pièce de résistance:  the smooth, buttery, creamy caramel on top.  Yum-A-Rama!!!!  Awesome and perfect with my coffee.  It was presented to me in this super cute little paper bag (loves it ... very good for the environment).

But I digress, back to the cafe.  They serve gourmet sandwiches with fresh local ingredients (hence the 'pressed' in Pressed Cafe ... from the grill press that they toast the sammies on).  They are house smoking meats, making homemade soups and beef brisket chili, lots of vegetarian options and fresh seasonal salads.  On weekends they feature a waffle brunch (which I have yet to try but since I love waffles, you can bet that one of these days I'll get there).

Pressed Cafe features local artwork on the walls, open mic nights on Sundays and other community events.  For you Hintonburg, Mechanicsville, Lebreton Flats (or anywhere nearby) residents it's important to support our local businesses and this is a place that is very worth supporting.  If you haven't been to Pressed Cafe yet, get there ... you won't be disappointed.