The gift: Holiday Blend Coffee. Te Aro makes delicious coffee, and this coffee will be more than just tasty! Every bag sold sends a gift of one dollar to Coffee Kids, a non-profit organization that works with coffee-farming families in Latin America to improve their lives and livelihoods.

Where to get it: Crafted by Te Aro, 135 Ossington Ave.

Price range: $15

Who would like it: Coffee lovers and people who believe in helping others this time of year.

Based on their Twitter feed and the sign in front tonight, they are open very late Thursday-Saturday, until 3am. The new additions to the menu that they are serving for late-night diners includes burgers and fries and poutine. We knew they were planning to do this, and really feel they are filling a void on the busy strip. They also do waffles and ice cream for dessert.

So when you stop in and try the food at Goed Eten, let us know what you think!

I finally got to meet with Mike Layton, both over a coffee at I Deal and drink at Reposado. We talked about many of the issues of the neighbourhood, which, from his canvassing, he is learning quickly.

He’s a resident of the area, and obviously, through his father, he’s well connected. His clear passion is the environment, and he knows a lot about the politics of it, which is obviously a good skill and passion to have in this city. He currently works for an environmental organization doing research and communications work on issues related to renewable energy.

One of the great characteristics I thought he brought to the table was the ability to listen. He is very personable and friendly, and will lend an ear to all the local residents. People talk about the characteristic of “a politician you’d want to have a drink with” – and Mike fits right in that category.

His endorsement by Joe Pantalone, who we’re not a fan of on this blog, may help him, and may hinder him. In our conversations he was careful not to criticize his potential predecessor but stressed the importance of good communication within the community, something that didn’t happen with the restaurant moratorium.

We are happy that there will be a new and eager councilor for our ward, whoever is chosen. We encourage you to stay informed about who is running, we have been interviewing the candidates, and plan to do more in the next few weeks.

This morning “Crafted” opened in the location where Get Real used to be at 135 Ossington.  It is the newest location for the entrepreneurs behind Te Aro Roasted in Leslieville.

We stopped by this afternoon and tried a few of their blends – an iced tea which had a delicious peachy flavour and a cold filtered iced coffee. The people behind Crafted enjoy experimenting with different ways of brewing coffee and have a very funky machine which looks a bit like something I might have played with in a university chemistry class for making the cold filtered coffee. (I’m hoping there won’t be too much caffeine in it or else I’m going to be up all night)

Although they are still shopping for some furniture the interior is already comfortable with warm unfinished wood paneling and a nice table where people can congregate and work – and they even have free WiFi. There’s also a back patio area with a herb garden as a place to enjoy a coffee outdoors.

If you want to buy some of their specialty roasted coffee to take home, you can pack it up and take it with you.

They promised to be teaching some classes and having specialty coffee tastings and they’d tell us about. So keep an eye on the blog for upcoming events at Crafted.

In the meantime, stop by and welcome our newest business to the neighbourhood.

Semolina, while never very busy, was/is a good little spot for fresh bread, pastries, good coffee, and sometimes a quiet place to work. It may have been too quiet.

Does anyone know whether they are going to disappear? Can new owner continue to run a bakery, or do the new restrictions apply to them also?