Balzac’s | The Lost Art of The Daily Ritual

Any good design excursion requires fuel. The process of gathering together fresh ideas, new materials and exciting products can spend energy faster than you realize, all swept up in the moment of inspiration. But when the realization hits, it is imperative to have a well-mapped layout of the city’s best coffee shops on hand for immediate action. There is no underestimating the urgency of this situation when it hits, and the need for REALLY good coffee at a moment like this is a serious matter. One of my favourite “suppliers,” nestled in the heart of the Distillery District, is the artisinal coffee roaster and neighbourhood café Balzac’s.

If, like me, you believe that daily rituals can be art, then Balzac’s is the place for you. With their exposed brick walls, vintage signage everywhere and industrial lighting mixed with antique chandeliers, the environment is the perfect backdrop for great conversation and great ideas. Not to mention that they present their lattés as coffee art {one of my favourite touches}.
Named after the French 19th century novelist whose prolific satirical works were said to be fuelled by endless cups of strong, black coffee, Balzac’s coffee culture is steeped in history while meeting the needs of the modern day joe-junkie.

It almost seems a shame to drink it at first! But it would be even more shameful to waste that slow-roasted goodness. And getting to the bottom of each cup {for me} is a ritual of seeing how my coffee art unravels with every sip. I try to have at least the tip of the milk-foam leaf left at the bottom of the cup as testament to where we began {just for fun, of course}. And then – fear not – I drink that, too.

An empty cup and a filled tank, ready for more adventures. Where do you get your fuel fix? Tell me about your favourite and inspired coffee shops and local eateries {and how you turn some of your daily rituals into art}. I’ll add your favourites to my ever-expanding “emergency map.”

xo
s.

All photographs by the lovely Gabriela Hansen