Situated at 817 Broadview Avenue at Pretoria, Broadview Espresso is the kind of neighbourhood spot where you can find tasty home-style baked goods and a beautifully crafted cup of espresso, all in a cozy and comfy setting replete with beadboard ceiling and vintage school-room lighting. On a frosty winter’s day like today, who could ask for anything more?
Besides the yummy treats and fab java, urbaneer is head-over-heels with the friendly vibe at this spot. As we were setting up our little exterior shots of the store’s “cuppa joe” steamy picture window logo, playful patrons within added the hot steam vapours rising from the cup! As it turned out, they were situated ideally to keep an eye on their friendly family hound, which was waiting expectantly and not too patiently for their eventual return outside!
Owner Mike Cullen (who originally harkens from Victoria on the west-coast where had his start washing dishes for a seafood restaurant) and his friendly and super-attentive staff have done an outstanding job of establishing the kind of enterprise that keeps folks in the hood coming back – friendly smiles and service, great coffee and accoutrements, and a focus on the work of local artists and artisans to provide ever-changing visual interest. Stop in to check out works currently on display by local visual artist Noreen Mallory, in encaustic and other media. Be sure to explore more of Noreen’s work on her website by clicking her art work below:
Since opening in September of 2008 in a former porno shop, Broadview Espresso has become the much needed go-to-place for one’s daily respite from the rigours of city living, and has provided a whole new and much needed community-centred feel to the stretch of Broadview just north of the Danforth and west of the delightful residential enclave of Playter Estates.
There’s no website for Broadview Espresso, but you can call Mike and his staff up at 416-553-3833. Better yet, stop in, say hello, sample some wonderful java and stay awhile!
~ Steven and the urbaneer team
Restaurants