Platform Espresso Bar

As I've mentioned before, York region is in desperate need of a good coffee shop.  So imagine my surprise when I saw Platform Espresso Bar while driving along Highway 7.  Since that day, I have been meaning to stop by.  So last night, after doing some research on where to meet our friends for breakfast, I was pleasantly surprised that they not only serve coffee, but they also serve brunch!  So our meet up location was determined.

They open at 900a, and we were the first ones to arrive.  And good thing at that, while there is seating, it is quite minimal.  There are 4 small booths that seats 2 comfortably (4 adults would be very squished), and a larger booth that would seat 6 adults comfortably.  On the coffee front, there is quite a bit of selection.  For espresso based drinks, you get a choice of two beans.  If you want a pour over, there's a selection of 4 to 5 different kind of beans.  If you just want a regular coffee, look elsewhere, there isn't that option.  I ordered a latte made with an Ethiopian bean, the hubby ordered a pour over (which they suggest you drink black), also with an Ethiopian bean.  Coffees were good, but as much as I love drinking coffee, I'm not good with distinguishing the flavours in coffee, so I didn't detect the hints of fruitiness in my latte.  Overall I thought my latte could have been a bit stronger.  Latte art was cute, something that is rare up in Markham.  The pour over I initially though was weak, but a few seconds later, the flavour was quite nice.

Pour Over & Latte

Foodwise, we ordered the Sunrise waffle sandwich, one with scrambled eggs instead of sunny side up, a Platform waffle sandwich, and a brioche.  The Sunrise waffle sandwich has eggs, mushrooms, spinach, bacon, and cheese on top of a savoury waffle with choice of crispy potato curls or salad.  The Platform waffle sandwich has chicken, tomato, lettuce, and guacamole also on top of a savoury waffle.  The waffle was pretty good, not really sure what herbs were in it, but I did see herbs.  Crispy potato curls were crispy, but almost couldn't really tell that they were potatoes.  They almost seemed like they were crispy thin onion rings.  I, myself ordered the brioche (forgot to take a picture), because I saw on another blog that it was essentially a mini loaf of bread that came with butter and jam.  I guess I didn't read the description properly, because I got a savoury dinner roll topped with sesame seeds and rosemary.  I was quite disappointed.

Sunrise Waffle Sandwich

 

Sunrise Waffle Sandwich (Scrambled Eggs)

Platform Waffle Sandwich

With the lack of coffee options up here, I would definitely come back for more.  Service was also great here.  Barista was very friendly and very helpful in explaining anything that we were not sure of.  And prior to us ordering, she let us know that recently there has been a warning about potential issues with romaine lettuce, not yet a recall, but to be on the safe side, they were replacing all romaine with iceberg lettuce.

Platform Espresso Bar

4450 Highway 7 E
Markham, ON 

L3R 1M2

Hours:  Monday - Sunday 900a -600p

Phone: (905) 604-9110 

https://www.facebook.com/platform.espresso.bar/

Funky Munky Cafe

By the name, you would never guess that this is a cafe.  And when you make the trip to visit Funky Munky, don't assume that it's just a normal coffee shop.  It totally isn't.  I made the mistake of telling my husband to put in my order for a latte while I setup my notebook to do some catch up blogging.  The owner of Funky Munky, who was behind the counter, called me over and explained their menu to us.  Funky Munky's drink options are I guess what you can call more Asian based.  They do offer coffee, but they also do bubble teas, and milk teas.  In the end I ordered a tea latte.  Funky Munky has their own special blend of black tea as the base of the tea latte, and then they add frothed milk to give it a latte like feeling.  The tea was really good, fragrant, and strong.  It tastes like a Hong Kong styled milk tea, but lighter because of the frothed milk instead of using normal dense evaporated milk.

Tea Latte

I wish that Funky Munky opened while I was still living in the neighbourhood.  Now it's a bit of a trek to get up there, but I will try.

Funky Munky Cafe
9275 Markham Rd. Unit #7,
Markham, ON
L6E 1A1

Phone:  (905) 201-0FMC

Hours:  Monday - Thursday 1000a - 1000p
             Friday - Saturday 1000a - 1200a
             Sunday 1200p - 1000p

http://funkymunky.ca

Alchemy Coffee

I have been complaining about the lack of independent coffee shops in the York Region in almost forever.  I always think to myself that if I won the lottery, I would love to open small coffee shop/cafe just to pass time.  So when I heard about Alchemy Coffee, I was super excited to give it a try.  Just nice to have a choice/option of not having to go to Starbucks or Timmys.

When we arrived at Alchemy Coffee, it was pretty full in there.  The tables were all taken, and people were sitting at the counter seating overlooking the parking lot.  All of the people sitting down were eating breakfast/brunch consisting of eggs, bread and french fries alongside a cup of coffee.   Good thing I was just looking for a cup of joe to go.  Trying to get a table to sit, wouldn't happen anytime soon.  So I ordered my usual latte, and the hubby I think got a flat white or a macchiato.  I can't remember, and apparently I only took a picture of my drink.  We ordered and had to wait a LONG time for our drinks.  I don't know if it was because they were still new at doing what they do, but for coffee, I think it was way too long.  I got my latte first, and then still had to wait to get the hubby's drink.  I took a sip, and my latte was at best room temp.  I didn't want to make a stink, so I just sucked it up and didn't say anything.  A few minutes later, hubby got his drink, steaming hot.  After getting in the car, I told my hubby that my latte wasn't as hot as 'normal'.  My hubby noticed that the barista made my latte with 'leftover' steamed milk.  I'm sure it wasn't leftover like sitting on the counter for hours, but it was made for someone else's drink and I got the remnants.  The hubby's drink took longer and was hotter because it was freshly steamed.  Aside from the leftover milk incident, I didn't find their latte better than others.  Hubby didn't like his drink so much.  I asked him if he wanted to go back and give them a second chance (i'm giving them the benefit of the doubt that they worked out their kinks), and he said no, that he would rather go to Starbucks instead.  And this is coming from the guy that usually has no opinion, and most things taste "ok".

Latte

Alchemy Coffee
4361 Highway 7E, Unit 1
Markham, ON
L3R 1M1

Phone:  (905) 604-6622

Hours:  Monday - Thursday 7:30a - 6:00p
             Saturday - Sunday 8:00am - 6:00p

http://alchemycoffee.ca