just opened - Just Us Cafe

[domesticgodess]

Just Us Cafe...had a grand opening today. Great coffee ( I had a chai latte), great atmosphere and fantastic looking healthy muffins, salads, etc. I understand they will be opening another location in the new few weeks. Anyone else been there?

[dianabanana]

OK place. Good espresso. Was turned off by the greasy looking display of cookies and danishes etc.

[tp24]

Here's my review written last July ('07) - (pics on my blog though):

Whatever happened to the original Tequila Bookworm locale? Well, it’s been replaced with Just Us! Coffee Roasters Co-op - Canada’s first Fair Trade coffee roaster believing in “people and the planet before profits”. Justly, the cafe only sells products (Coffees, Teas, Sugar and Chocolates) which are 100% certified Fair Trade and Organic. When you walk in, you are reminded of Tequila Bookworm’s old layout, only now everything is shiny, brand new and more airy. The square tables in the front are filled with patrons enjoying some java after work, the music is new age, and the staff behind the counter are young, hip…and novice.

After learning that their chocolates are created (handcrafted) in their own chocolate factory in the town of Hantsport, in Nova Scotia, I knew I had to give one a try. The Midnight Mint, is a 42g, $2.99 organic, dark, smooth, melt-on-your-fingers slab of chocolately goodness with a hint of peppermint. In other words, ’twas rather delectable.

Not only do they have chocolate, coffee and tea...Just Us! serves salads, sandwiches, soups, martinis and other specialty drinks, not to mention baked goods created in their own bakery. Naturally, I had to try the brownie. The vegan brownie came highly acclaimed over the regular brownie by the girl behind the counter. Oh, were we ever disappointed! Lovely as it was to look at, its spongey texture was more akin to cake than brownie and the taste more suited to those who prefer their desserts on the low end of sweetness (and to those who like ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda).

Word on the street is that Just Us! serves the best espresso in town. I, unfortunately, cannot attest to this, for when it comes to coffee, I am most certainly a lightweight, and won’t even bother to deny it. I will have to return to Just Us! with my seasoned-espresso-drinker friend to find out how great the coffee really is.

Teas, on the other hand, I can appreciate. The lemon honey tea was absolutely delicious…it had a wonderful scent to go with the soft, sweet flavour. The ‘chai’ was very good…not like some other teas where it’s mostly all strong spice. They don’t carry lactose-free milk, but they do carry Harmony Organic milks in whole, skim and half & half, with soy behind the counter. I was suprised to see that they serve dairy-free cappuccinos as well (made with soy milk). What’s lacking in Just Us! for now is that personality that the aged, lived-in coffee houses have, but I think in a few years it’ll be a great joint for those who really do care where their java comes from.

- Foodhogger

[warlock]

The Queens W location is closed,I went on its last day,unaware that it was closing.Was told by a barista that it was a management decision.This was like a month back.Too bad,loved the place with its free wifi and chai latte.....

[artificialard]

The cafe has re-opened but I couldn't spot a clear sign (I always pass-by on the streetcar). Anyone know what the new place is called? Experiences?

[Gary]

It reopened as Greenavi Cafe shortly after Just Us went under. The decor is exactly the same, very nice and open to the street most of the time. They had free wireless when they first opened but last time I went it wasn't working. Friendly service and decent lattes: not the best in town but I've had a heckuva lot worse.

[artificialard]

Excellent! I'm always on the lookout for a place that serves decent grub and has wifi for working in.

Thanks Gary.

[jaye123]

I heard that Just Us! Cafe in the Beach will now be opening at the end of June. Did anyone else see them on Canoe Live?

[FlavoursGal]

I haven't been yet, but I've been using Just Us! coffee beans at home for a couple of years now - fabulous coffee.

Just Us! is a Nova Scotia-based co-op coffee roaster that roasts only fairly traded beans.

[foodieinTO]

The cafe is really nice but I won't be buying my beans there. They are almost five dollars
more expensive a bag ($13.95 for 340g) than at Just Us! in Nova Scotia and where I get
it in Toronto. Seems a little much.

[FlavoursGal]

You're right - that works out to about 0.04 per gram. I pay 58.95 for a 5-pound bag at Qi Natural Foods, which works out to just under 0.026 per gram. Quite a price difference!

I did go in there the other day for an espresso (very good) and picked up a pineapple zucchini muffin, which was wonderful, along with a bag of their really delicious chocolate covered almonds. The muffin and chocolate almonds were noticeably less sweet than one usually encounters with these products -- which, in my mind, made them vastly superior.

[foodieinTO]

I enjoyed my food there as well. I just feel like it has been opened in Toronto to
capitalize on fair trade organic and really inflate the prices of the coffee. None of that profit goes back to the farmers. They don't even do biodegradable cups or recycled plastic bags.But I agree that the food is quite good. Loved the chocolate almonds.

[embee]

A heads up on Just Us: the east end location (in the Beach, next to Gardenscapes) is nowhere close to completion.

[cheesymama]

Thanks, I was planning on heading to the Beach(es) tomorrow specifically for one of their lattes and a bag of Jungle Blend.

[domesticgodess]

oops..forgot to mention this detail...490 Queen St. West!! Enjoy....

[hungryabbey]

where is it?