Wild Thing

196 Borden Street Website
Phone: 416.833.8379

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Posted by Tim
June 23, 2008

Currently 3.97/5
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Rating: 4.0/5 (29 votes cast)

It was the retro Pepsi sign that first drew me into Wild Thing, the Annex's newest cafe and the latest business to sprout up on Harbord Street west of Spadina. Formerly home to Manny's Coffee Shop which had been at this location for twenty or thirty years, Wild Thing is the lovechild of Daniel Cohen, an ex software engineer who traded in his twelve years of writing code for the chance to feed the caffeine-cravings of local residents.

Inside, the refurbished space features a long coffee bar anchored by an Elektra espresso machine and a handful of seating options where patrons can connect to the free WiFi and beat the heat with Daniels' homemade gelato.

Worth checking our are Wild Thing's original flavours including Pineapple and Basil, Mayan Chocolate, Ruby Red Grapefruit with Vodka, Halva and Espresso. All are made with Harmony organic milk and organic sugar.

Also on the menu are three types of panini (all $6.50), salad, fresh lemonade, various iced drinks and the usual assortment of coffee options. The beans used here are not fair trade but are from 49th Parallel, considered by many to make the best espresso blend in North America.

But if you go here, and you're in the mood, the thing to get is their affogato, a scoop of gelato (raspberry, chocolate or vanilla is recommended) with a double shot of espresso. Daniel calls this a small piece of heaven.

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Beans not being fairtrade isn't necessarily a bad thing. Some companies are capable of treating their farmers with respect without having to shell out huge amounts of cash to the Fairtrade corporation.

Posted by: Ryan L. at June 23, 2008 3:53 PM

Wow, looks nice. Makes me wish I was still at U of T so I could visit without making a special trip.

Posted by: paul at June 23, 2008 5:13 PM

He's made a brave move opening at the intersection at Borden, which marks the dead end of the Harbord strip. I hope that he's successful and spurs further growth going west.

Posted by: chris at June 23, 2008 5:19 PM

I thought he made a brave move opening across from Central Tech. Maybe he'll find a niche amongst the artsy-fartsier young.

Posted by: Danielle at June 23, 2008 5:32 PM

That Mayan chocolate gelato looks delish. I'll have to drop by.

Posted by: Gloria at June 23, 2008 5:44 PM

I stopped by Wild Thing last weekend after shopping for a bit on Harbord and I was very impressed with their selection. I ordered the Brie, garlic and apple panini with a side of greens. The sandwich was crisp on the outside and very generous with the Brie with just the right amount of fresh garlic. The organic greens were a bit on the bland side; not enough vinegrette. But on the whole, I liked it alot, and will be going back again.

Posted by: suzanne at June 23, 2008 6:15 PM

I'd say the brave move was opening up only a couple of blocks from Manic.

Posted by: Josh at June 23, 2008 6:17 PM

I think it's great that he's opening up a couple blocks from Manic. The "third wave" coffee culture in Toronto is so young that the shops have to learn from each other, and it seems like the veterans have been helping the newbies out (take a look at Bisogno and Dark Horse similarities).

I'm glad to see more 49th Parallel in the city as well; no more Intelly monopoly!

Posted by: pat at June 23, 2008 6:34 PM

I stopped by a couple weeks ago and had a panini, which was delicious. Soo glad this opened up in the hood!

Posted by: Maryam at June 23, 2008 8:35 PM