Balluchon

Balluchon is now i deal coffee. It’s basically the same place, but better.
I love this place now, so my regular Monday Sorauren Farmers’ Market visit is paired with a tasty cup of coffee from –i deal coffee– as well.
Service has been fantastic every time I’ve gone in. It feels like a space that’s good to hang out in, they have vegan and/​or gluten-​free options, and have soy and almond milk at no extra charge (YEY!)
So lovely. I can’t wait to keep going back.
As an added bonus, since they only recently took over that location they are part of the Indie Coffee Passport less-​than-​3 Edition, so you can give them a try, while taking advantage of a really great deal.
They’re currently cash only, but it sounded like they were planning on getting a debit machine at some point.

What a gem! Café is cozy, staff is friendly, and it seems like a hub for local residents. Food and drinks were great and reasonably priced.

I stopped by Baluchon today for the first time due to a temporary closure of my favourite café, and am so glad I did! This place was as lovely as the reviews I read would suggest. I had a cappuccino, blueberry balsamic quinoa salad, and a homemade pomegranate cherry iced tea, and was very pleased. Good pricing for everything which was nice among so many overpriced cafes. The cappuccino was very, very, good and I’m pretty picky with my cappuccinos. The salad was delicious as well, and something unlike any quinoa salad I’ve had previously. The pomegranate iced tea was a little bitter for my taste, better with honey though. In terms of the atmosphere I’m a big fan, simple exposed brick walls with wood tables and a thoroughly unpretentious feeling and crowd. There was the occasional decoration of a knit/​crotched sea animal, fruit etc. which it turns out were made by the barista! I decided to special order one for a friends birthday. She was very helpful, even giving me a bandaid after I bumped into a friend who accidentally stepped on my toe. I will definitely be going back! It’s worth a trip, even if you don’t live in the area, and despite being nestled in a residential street (among a few other businesses) it’s such a quick walk from Roncesvalles!

Balluchon Raymond Inc. is located far west in Roncesvalles. When I made my trip, it was a couple of months back when the weather was still freezing and dreary. The trek from the bus stop to the café seemed to go on forever in the cold. However, I finally made it to my destination in one piece. The café was snuggled deep in a residential neighbourhood with another café, Joes (that was also part of the Indie Coffee Passport), down the street.
I was greeted by the owner, Raymond, who was a person full of life and character. He was a roaster by trade and was more than enthusiastic to talk about his café when I asked. In fact, he took me to the back to show me a layout of where his second café was going to be. It was going to be at Duffy’s Farm Gate Market, located in Hepworth (which is north of Toronto with a 3 hour drive for those who have never heard of it), that had indoor and outdoor vendors that offered local produce, coffee and more. However, the current café is now under renovation but is still open to the public. For regulars, they would be seeing a transformation as the café gets new French windows, a front patio and some reno on the inside.
Raymond emphasized on wanting his customers to «enjoy the moment» when they are at his café. He is not a fan of the fast-​paced lifestyle that Torontonians tend to have, grabbing their coffee to go or always on their laptops (he offers Wi-​Fi, but he prefers that you don’t you use it so much or at all!). He is inspired by the European cafes and wants to create that environment for people to be able to sit for hours and relax with a delicious cup of coffee. So if you do go to his café, take your coffee in «civilized ceramic» rather than in a to-​go cup and stay as long as you can!
The café have plenty of gigs that happen every so often. You pay what you can to enjoy some fun and live performances. They have anything from live acoustic music to young professional classical musicians performing. As well, there are always new art up for sale every month with an artist opening. After the reno, the café will be having a grand re-​opening and will be inviting the neighbourhood to come out, which is later to be announced.

My Passport partner and I had scoped out this café a few months back, when we’d been on our way to [Sunny] Joe’s Café up the street. At that time we got the sense that this was an almost formal kind of place, dark and very busy with people who all seemed to know each other.
In the spirit of the Passport, we came back and were delightfully surprised to find Baluchon to be quirky, unassuming and very welcoming. The barista was taking care of a few orders when we arrived, but assured us she’d be with us soon and please just make ourselves at home. We got comfortable in a corner booth and eavesdropped on some interesting arty conversations while we waited for our beverages. We savoured our coffees and got some good info on galleries and exhibitions in the area.
So glad we came back to experience Baluchon and a bit more of the neighbourhood.
Totally worth it.

I came her for the Indie Coffee passport 2012 (ICP)
Again this place is in a strange location as I wouldn’t expect something like this in a residential area.
The interior is on the other extreme from the café across and is kinda dark and has grungy feel. There is music playing which might or might be not to your taste.
The barista was friendly and made one the biggest cappuccino I have had in the city. I am talking a huge mug here which took me sometime to finish.
Espresso: Mild
Crema’: low
Milk: OK
Latte Art: OK
I think as the serving was so large I felt like I was drinking a Latte which is not my drink of choice.
2 Stars for the drink.
P. S. I decided to enjoy my drink outside and saw several Audi A4s pass by vorsprung durch technik anyone!

Like Joes up the street, Baluchon Raymond is in the middle of nowhere and I am thankful to the Indie Passport that I was able to find it along with two friends.
The place has a chill-​out vibe that you would find in Insomnia lounge if it were cut by ²⁄₃ and turned into a café. Exposed brick walls, large front windows and inviting if limited seating.
There was a girl working on her computer, although in fairness Baluchon lacks wifi and we found one charger near the window to charge our smartphones. Two gentlemen where playing chess which really added to the cool, relaxed factor. Although don’t expect much in the people watching front since like Joes, this place is surrounded by residential housing and little foot traffic if at all.
The lattes were good however my friend ordered the Chai and was completely blown away. Since he is Indian, I will take that as high praise on the owner’s skill to make one. Which by the way, he must be mentioned as a plus as he was friendly and willing to joke around a bit which added positively to the experience of the visit. Since the place is small, having an unfriendly barista would feel like going to a party with an unfriendly host.
Food items are interesting but the sandwich my friend ordered was overpriced for what he got but as other reviewers have mentioned menu items change so your mileage may vary.
Personally I will not be making plans to come back as it is simply too far and too much of a hassle to specifically come here. Although I would drop by if I was in the hood AND my friend Karthik who lives much closer has made it clear he will be coming back for some of that great Chai, so Baluchon at least got one more regular customer out of the three of us.
Great little place.

Found this place from the Indie Coffee pass. man, what a Great atmosphere. The service is fantastic and the coffee is good. Everything is homemade, and organic. Down to the mill and coffee cream. Very cute place. Will return.

Great service every time. Coffee, tea and pastry are top notch.

Went for brunch, and what a great tucked-​away find. Was originally going to go to another restaurant nearby but with a long waiting we went for a wander, and it worked out great.
Baluchon is a great place — being first-​time visitors the staff were friendly and let us know all the details about the coffee and food options. The brewed coffee was very high quality, and the food was great. There were a few options, but each showed unique touches (e.g. honey drizzled on the bacon) making the place stand out.
Would recommend dropping by for a meal or a coffee.

Baluchon is probably my new fave place in Toronto.
I went here after a good friend of mine told me and another friend who was in from out of town to check it out as we were in search of a good cup of coffee and a quick bite.
The place is so charming. We ordered our coffees, which were served in huge mugs, and we each ordered a bagel. We sat down while we waited for our bagels to come out, when the amazing chef & owner Ray walks out to offer us a sample of his latest creation. It was a fava bean soup and it was AMAZING. After our quick sample, he asked us what we thought. I loved it so much I said I would eat an entire bowl of it. He said he could accommodate and a few minutes later, he walked out with a huge bowl of the best tasting soup I have had in ages, served with blue cheese & pancetta. SO. GOOD. When he asked how we heard about the place, I told him about my friend who works at a bank just up the road, and he immediately knew who I was talking about and was so thrilled about her recommendation. He also told us about the jazz and music nights they have there, that I can’t wait to check out!
I am SO in love with this place. The staff is great, and Ray is so charming and personable and has a real passion for food and great service. I couldn’t ask for more in a place.
I hope I can get back soon and get my hands on the Croque Monsieur that I so desperately wanted when I was there!
Run, don’t walk, to Baluchon. You won’t regret it!

Baluchon is absolutely fabulous! And, it’s quite a rare gem that’s hidden in the residential streets behind Roncesvalles.
I visited this place quite a few times in the summer months for Brunch. I was never disappointed!
The menu is different every single day, so I really couldn’t tell you what to order (though I think that no matter what you order you will be in food heaven).
If possible, try their maple glazed bacon, or anything that’s served on their sourdough bread.
The chef Ray (who will take your order personally) has daily specials, and these are usually to die for. One time, he made us German potato pancakes from grated raw potatoes, served with sour cream, eggs and maple bacon. I’m salivating at my desk right now just thinking about divine that meal was…
The Baluchon coffee is quite nice too, and the patio in the summer is even nicer — you really feel like you’re eating Brunch on your front porch when on the patio, as Baluchon is smack in the middle of a residential neighbourhood.
I highly, highly recommend Baluchon for a weekend breakfast/​brunch/​lunch. I don’t think that the restaurant is open for dinner… Though I could be wrong as Ray may have extended his hours (which would be amazing).

This place is just terrible…
Please, for my sake, never, never go… so my table is always free!
This amazing new addition to the Sorauren side of Roncy is reminiscent of a little Europeon café and bistro. Exposed brick and hanging art on the inside and a little patio on the quiet street side make it quite charming.
Most charming though are the staff… and owner was incredibly funny and courteous… and the chef: generous with the portions. The food was served perfectly to order (and hot) and their bread was so good I had to ask where they got it! I just have to go back!
We shared a large coffee and two of their unique german breakfasts which were both absolutely flawless…
Tip: cash only.

Balluchon is great!
Oh wow, the staff are sooo friendly! They ask for your name if you’re in the neighbourhood and are very personable.
My coffee was great — better than Second Cup, etc — and the selection of newspapers kept me busy the whole time. There seemed to be a lot of regular customers.
I love that they have cute little stuffed dogs outside the restaurant to let people know that they are open. Especially since the «open» sign is sometimes in the window while they are not. Oh! I would check their hours. They have strange hours.

Really, really good coffee. Buy grounds and take them home in a jar that you can bring back for a refill. Mmmmm.

From the pages of Another Story book store, «me and my Bike» took a left turn and wandered down the side streets of, «Ronce» and on the corner of Sorauren and Wright, the spring buds on“Balluchon” appeared…
Caught in the nostalgia of fresly roasting fair trade coffee and a bread pudding made from croissants I was informed the bike racks and patio were coming soon.
.Update…unfortunately due to the requests of the sorauren neighbrhood the roaster has gone on vacation, but rental bikes and croisannt pudding are still there.

A hidden gem in Toronto’s West end.
It looks like its still a secret, and I’m fine if you don’t know about it yet.
Its the needle in the hay stack, …and I’ve found the needle!

Delightful staff and delicious coffee roasted on-​site. Sweets are sourced from Pain Perdu and savouries from Gamelle. The croque-​monsieur is a neighbourhood favourite.