Well, as the house rounds out, I find myself with a bit more free time.  So I decided to stop stumbling up and down three flights of stairs and to focus on getting out of the house for a change.  To take some time to learn my surroundings before winter really sets in (it was really nice the last two days, but today is anything but) and find some “out of home experiences” to take advantage of once we shift seasons.

The one thing I really want to find is a good coffee shop.  There are two I know of in North York Centre.  But the one I like is kind of below ground (subway level) and the other is a Second Cup in the middle of a busy area and not very comfortable.  While being out and about, I have noticed Cafe Aries.  It is about three blocks walk from the house, so certainly possible even on short winter days.

After running through the library, I walked north to the café and, finally, entered the shop.  Not quite what I expected, but not in a bad way (though the music is certainly something I could do without).  

Let’s start with some context.  We live one stop short of the end of the Yonge subway line.  This area is a pretty good balance of white and asian populations with some middle-eastern and eastern european thrown in.  Someone explained to me the populations shift as you get closer to Yonge.  The condos and apartments in this area tend to be people who moved from Asia.  As you shift out, into the more traditional housing, the population shifts more towards people of European descent.  So, most of the shops along Yonge are Asian restaurants, tea shops and a few bodegas catering to local needs.

Cafe Aries is no exception.  The front of the store has a sign which says “Parking available in rear” (or something like that).  Just below is another sign with the same u-turn arrow in what I suspect is Korean (more on why later).  So we already have an owner who is aware of local populations.

Once in the shop, which is decorated in a style which seems to combine hints of Japanese tradition (probably Korean, but I don’t know that culture’s architecture and art as well) and a bit of Starbucks as well (mostly the swirls on the wall and certainly the menu design).  So, you feel the hybrid nature of the shop from first glance.

Now, what sells it is the bad pop and rap music playing which is certainly being sung in an Asian language.  The menu has a section for ordering Korean Porridge.  Which is cool.  Because, Korean or not, I’ve never had porridge before (BTW - what the hell is porridge?).  Three flavors - Red Bean, Black Sesame and Sweet Pumpkin.  Pretty cool.  I plan to try each of them in time.  

There are also sandwiches, bubble tea, smoothies, waffles and cake in addition to traditional coffees and teas.  Right now, I’m munching a slice of sweet potato cake (kind of an angel cake with a different flavor center) and drinking a green tea (all they have is Twining’s, which is two strikes against them).  

You would think the horrid music, combined with Twinings would send me screaming.  However, they have free wireless.  That’s 2.5 points to the good, so I guess I’ll hang.  And late hours.  Until something like midnight or 2 a.m. depending on the night.  How can you beat that?

And the clientele speaks for the region as well.  To my right is a table of three ladies speaking an Asian language (can’t tell you which, but I’m pretty sure it isn’t Japanese).  On the other side of them is a table of two ladies speaking an Asian language.  Other than them is a older white guy wearing a Led Zeppelin t-shirt and looking pretty greasy.  He’s also been staring at me since I walked in.  So he’s kind of creepy.  Oh, well.  I could take him in a death match.

So far, so good.  But it may require me to buy some really thick headphones to block out the music.  Right now, the song on the speakers sounds like some Asian guys doing a 50 Cent rip-off.  Don’t ask me how I know, I’ve just had a lot of MTV on in the morning when trying to wake up.

Back to the cake at hand

If you try to take it, I’ll kick you in the can

I’m down.  Later.

P.S. - Don’t know what the mix is, but Kanye West just came on.  What a crazy music selection this is.  Full of nothing but people over 30 and a pure hip hop blend.