Black Gold Cafe serves inventive drinks from a menu of sweet and fruity coffees and teas, as well as baked goods, sandwiches and salads.

Update: The cafe has been rebranded to Vanta Coffee Club.

Its large quarters and ample seating make it the perfect place to get some studying or work done, or just to chill out and have a pleasant chat in the calming atmosphere.

Everything in the space was designed by owners Sal Azmi and Ali Bedreddine, including touches by Badreddine’s own woodworking company, like a syrup holder made from reclaimed wood.

The blueberry caramel fog ($3.15 - $4.15) is one of Badreddine’s far more consumable creations, Pluck blueberry caramel tea with vanilla and caramel syrup and steamed milk, which makes for a super sweet, faux-fruity taste. We decide to get it iced: always ask for customizations here, because they’re likely to do it for you.

As for food, they have standard options with personal twists here, like this smoked salmon bagel ($7.45) with house-made cajun cream cheese, made using chives and roasted red pepper. It’s not spicy necessarily, and I get more flavour from the salmon.

A roasted veggie salad ($7.45) is pretty much an all-around winner, though, super healthy feeling without being bitter or flavourless. I would totally add chicken to this for $2.95 for an ultra-satisfying nutritious dinner. It’s got brussel sprouts, sweet potato, peppers, onion, feta and spring mix, with green goddess dressing on the side.

A shot of liquid gold ($2.95) is another Black Gold creation, basically a shot of straight sugar with espresso, frothed and steamed milk, and whipped cream.

I like the flavour on the cajun chicken sandwich ($7.95) which does bring the heat with the cajun and I like the nice big bits of chicken, though the grilled bread gets a little soggy after a while.

Raspberry white hot chocolate ($3.60 - $4.45) is an aesthetically pleasing invention that basically tastes like a creamsicle dipped in white hot chocolate. If girly and sugary is your style, come running.

Baked goods include crunchy pastries enveloping spinach and feta or egg and peppers ($2.95) as well as maple ($2.45).

Light and classy macarons ($2.25) are also available for that extra little touch of sweetness, though you probably won’t need it if you’ve already got a considerable sugar rush going from those drinks.

Soft wood tones balance with bold graphic textures in this modern space. The stream of hits playing in the cafe puts me in a good mood, as does the spaciousness and cheerful but sleek tone of the entire place.