Red Bulb Espresso Bar
Red Bulb Espresso Bar is bringing the indie coffee scene north. Located on Stouffville's historic Main St., Red Bulb is the perfect local coffee shop in a community experiencing tremendous growth.
Owner Cheeyuen Lim migrated from Singapore to Canada in 2004, with a long-held desire to open up his own coffee shop. After years working in the business sector with a side job as a barista, Cheeyuen opened up shop about 5 years ago.
Located in a 100-year-old house, Red Bulb has a unique feel. The first thing I notice after walking in is the modern, bright red tiles encompassing the wall behind the counter.
Further to the back of the shop, country-style furnishings give the space a homey feel. The space was designed by Cheeyuen's wife Sching Ng. Her design concept works beautifully, striking a nice balance between country feel and modern dĂŠcor.
The menu here consists of an extensive list of coffees, teas, and espresso drinks. They also have a selection of baked goods sourced from local bakeries with some items baked in house. Light lunch options like their house made crustless quiche are also available.
To craft his drinks, Cheeyuen uses a La Marzocco GB5 espresso machine, paired with a Nuova Simonelli Mythos grinder. The custom espresso blend comes from Social Coffee Co. a Richmond Hill based roaster. My latte is smooth, creamy and very enjoyable.
I also try their chai mocha, which is a chai latte with a shot of espresso. Not overly sweet, with a nice caffeine punch, this one will be a hit for those looking for something a little different. Prices for espresso drinks range from $3-$5 depending on flavour and size.
The Cranberry Chocolate Oatie ($1.85) is a traditional oatmeal cookie made in-house. Loaded with tons of dried cranberries, and dark chocolate chips, it's very moist with great tartness from the cranberries and slight sweetness from the dark chocolate - a perfect match for my latte. Their selection of baked goods also includes butter tarts, biscotti, and gluten free options such as their cashew cookies, and fudge brownies.
It is easy to see why this place is a local favourite. Their commitment to quality ingredients combined with passionate ownership has them poised to stay a local favourite as the community continues to boom.
