It has been YEARS since I had a Latte and I must admit that I miss them. I was a “Grande Non-Fat Latte” or “Double Tall Non-Fat Caramel Macchiato” kind of girl for years before I said goodbye to dairy (…and coincidentally my ‘paunch’ disappeared at the same time) and switched to black Americano’s and coffee (and more recently, decaf). So when I heard that my friend Freya Ravensburgen and her beau Clinton Pontes were opening The Primal Grind – the FIRST (EVER, I think) paleo/primal cafe – inside of the Academy of Lions, I knew I had to check it out to fulfill my Latte fantasy.
Located in downtown Toronto on Dundas St near Ossington, the name speaks for itself…staying true to its Primal roots – No dairy, no grains, no sugar and no soy. This is REAL food kids! To the everyday Starbucks customer, it might seem like it is lacking everything of familiarity. But to me, it offered a whole new level of indulgence. Want a Latte or Chai Latte? You can get one with Almond or Coconut Milk. Want a muffin? They’ve got that too! The baked goods from Primal Indulgence are to die for…more on that in a second.
I asked Freya about what inspired her and Clinton to open The Primal Grind and she said it had always been their dream to open a cafe. The idea came into fruition during a (blueberry picking) trip to Quebec last year and from that point forward the wheels were in motion to open The Primal Grind. They use Intelligentsia’s Black Cat espresso blend on a slick Nuova Simonelli espresso machine – But rest assured, although the ‘inputs’ are the Christian Louboutin of the coffee world, The Primal Grind maintains the same hardcore yet warm (kind of like Eddie Vedder) attitude as Academy of Lions.
OK, enough chit-chat….I was ready for my Coconut Milk Latte…I had been dreaming about it all week. Although I have significantly reduced my caffeine consumption since November, I knew I had to make an exception for this. I have tried to mix coconut milk and coffee before, but it never turns out right. The coconut milk always separates from the coffee and ends up being a lonesome glob floating in the coffee. But with the coconut milk steamed, it mixed perfectly with the espresso….and looked like a real latte. I topped mine off with some cinnamon and was good to go. From the first sip I knew I was in love. It is so rich and creamy and amazing and delicious and so SO perfect. I brought along my 2 non-primal co-workers and they also tried out the Coconut and Almond milk latte’s. We savoured every sip and my non-primal co-workers were pleasantly surprised by how much they loved their drinks. The Coconut Milk Latte is amazing and fills you up almost like a meal. If you’re looking for something lighter, go with the Almond Milk Latte which is equally as delicious, but a bit lighter in your tummy. The verdict: It surpassed my Latte fantasy and made me want to rollerblade around in a crop top and jean shorts like Mariah Carey (from the Fantasy video…get it??) while singing at the top of my lungs.
Next we had to try the baked goods from Primal Indulgence – all made with REAL food…no grains, refined sugar, agave, processed crap or dairy. Being a baked good fiend, I was stoked to taste test them all. It’s not often that I have a legit excuse to sit and eat 4 different treats. OK, I shared them with my 2 co-workers…I’m not that much of a pig….although I did hog/inhale most of the Choco Zucchini Spice Loaf. Each treat was amazing and I was impressed…This is a big statement from me because I am a baked good aficionado. The Banana Cacao Muffins contain ZERO flour (not even coconut flour) and are made with walnuts, banana, raw cocoa, honey and a couple other ingredients. O…M…G… it was good! So moist and satisfying….If this Banana Cacao Muffin went head-to-head with a regular banana muffin on American Gladiator, this muffin would win hands down and that poor gluten-filled banana muffin would be jousted from the stage in seconds. We also had the Apricot Nutballs which are a bit sweeter from the fruit and were the favourite for my co-workers. Then we had the MACaroons which were coconut-y goodness rolled up in a cute little ball. They were crunchy and light…and I could eat 4,000 in 1 sitting. I saved the best for last…The Choco Zucchini Spice Loaf which was my personal favourite…super moist and chocolaty with a little kick of spice. Hot DAMN… that squash makes a mean brownie base! The verdict: I was so tempted to eat the entire display case…I can picture myself with crumbs and raw cacao all over my face running down Dundas St jacked up on espresso laughing hysterically and rolling in the street like cookie monster on crack.
As I write this I’m drooling for more of everything….but alas, I must wait until my next visit.
All REAL ingredients…
Once I was able to take my mouth away from the Latte and treats, I had to ask whether they have had any customers come in from the street and ask for a Starbucks clone… “Non-Fat, no whip, extra hot SOY Latte.” Freya told me that they have had people request ‘Starbucks’ fare. Rather than making them feel like they’ve entered the twilight zone, she kindly tells them that they choose to use Coconut and Almond Milk instead and provides them with some information on WHY they choose to serve it up Primal style. For the most part, it sounds like people are willing to ditch their “Venti Mocha’s” in favour of trying something new which is pretty awesome. I can speak from experience that once you taste the rich, creamy Coconut Latte you will be hooked for life. And I think I’ve converted my non-primal co-workers too.
And it’s not just about the drinks and food….the experience ROCKS….literally. The combination of enjoying a Coconut Milk Latte and some of the Primal Indulgence treats while watching a Crossfit class at Academy of Lions do deadlifts and handstand push-ups was my idea of heaven. Of course the whole experience was elevated to another level with GnR’s Patience blasting in the background. Take note Starbucks….I’d much rather sip on a Coconut Milk Latte to some sweet Axl than your Jack Johnson boo-hoo music any day.
Check out the Primal Grind here and here. And if you’re in Toronto, what are you waiting for? Go get your own Coconut Milk Latte!
April 9, 2011 at 8:49 am
This place sounds awesome! I wish there was some place like that in Denver! I’m not really a Paleo follower, but I am exploring it and love real food cafes. There are so few of them! Maybe I should open up something in Denver like that! 🙂
April 9, 2011 at 8:52 am
[…] Grind, You had me at Coconut Milk Latte… Cosmopolitan Primal Girl / Posted on: April 09, 2011Cosmopolitan Primal Girl – It has been YEARS since I had a Latte and I must admit that I miss them. I was a […]
April 9, 2011 at 9:41 am
Yes! I wish there was a place like that here in Seattle as well. The only espresso cafe that I know of that even gave you the option of replacing dairy with almond milk went out of business…and no one does primal pastries and goodies 😦 Gluten free does have a foothold now though, which is at least a step in the right direction. And there is quite the Paleo community here in the heart of the Starbucks empire, one can always hope… 🙂
April 9, 2011 at 10:05 am
Sounds delicious! I don’t know of anywhere in Austin that has coconut milk or almond milk lattes….I would love to try one. There are a few paleo-friendly snack places, but most of the “health” food here is focused on gluten-free living and therefore filled with rice meal, potato starch, etc.
Hopefully Austin will follow Toronto’s lead soon!
April 9, 2011 at 10:09 am
This sounds amazing Summer! I’m going to check it out when I move back in a few weeks. I’d also like to try making my own. Do you just steam coconut milk that you get in a can at the grocery store?
April 9, 2011 at 10:55 am
@Courtney – That’s so amazing that you’re moving home! We’ll have to do lunch or dinner once you’re settled. I would love to meet Senna! They use 1/2 a can of Lite Coconut Milk (including the water) to make 1 Latte. They used a professional steaming apparatus (ie: that thing that Starbucks uses). If you try to make one on your own, let me know how it turns out!
April 9, 2011 at 12:07 pm
I like the looks of that ‘brownie’!
April 9, 2011 at 1:37 pm
This sounds amazing
April 9, 2011 at 5:50 pm
I hope they go on Dragon’s Den in a year or two and get some funding to expand their business westward. Something like that would do very well in Vancouver/Kelowna/Calgary, I bet. Will have to visit if I’m ever in Toronto.
April 9, 2011 at 6:29 pm
I’ll be in Toronto in a couple of weeks. This is definitely a place I’ll be checking out!
April 9, 2011 at 8:53 pm
Your verdicts made me laugh out loud- great post (as usual)!
April 10, 2011 at 12:21 am
Thanks for the amazingly kind words Summer. Means a lot. And made me laugh out loud. A lot. Those poor gluten filled banana muffins….
April 10, 2011 at 7:48 am
Summer. Great review! I have been wanting to go and check this place out. I make my own coconut milk latte’s at home and they are yummy! I don’t get all fancy with the steamer thing but they are GOOD!!
April 13, 2011 at 9:27 pm
Umm so this place sounds AMAZING and I need to go there Stat! So excited there is a Paleo coffee shop in Toronto! It inspired me to make my own coconut-based mocha today. But I still need to go here!
April 15, 2011 at 10:44 am
Thanks for posting! I too have been off the caffeine for a while now – off and on for 2 years. But I am soooo craving an almond milk latte, and found your review, right in my neighbourhood! Thanks and can’t wait to try it this weekend!
July 18, 2012 at 10:28 am
Oh, if only i was in Toronto! Dallas is a bit far away!