This is the "Shout ouT i love Music and aM Going to Take Up a Whole Page Just Talking aBout Tunes - Eat it" Blog.

Berg: Well I'm going to say Brutal Knights. Just name dropping and talking up a band that I'm sure Alex likes more. Now I've never seen Brutal Knights, but I've had many discussions with Crane Boy (the guitarist), and I think it's safe to say that they're awesome. Picture this- You're at a show drunk and pumped, rippin' it up and freaking out. I don't know what I like more, having the beer thrown at me or on me baby! I'm off the bottle for the moment...so any beer in my direction is much appreciated. If I were a rock star I know how i'd start every show... I'd emerge from a pool of beer with a Bengal tiger and a large jar of M&Ms (but only the brown ones). Hey, they say beer is great for your hair. Anyway, see for yourself. Make up your mind. Or don't. Whatever. I don't F#%$*&! care. www.myspace.com/brutalknights . What about you?
Neil: I'm pretty into Roxy Music right now. I'm pretty down with it. Love Is The Drug is a great song. Later in their career it's a little hit and miss, a little shaky, with ultra glossy production values and all... but I'm pretty into them.
Matthew: What band am I really into right now? I'm thinking Daniel Johnston. Daniel Johnston and this guy called Jandek. Oh man, it's really hard to come by. Oh I'm really digging it. It's like introverted love songs. Daniel Johnston- and he's a really homely looking guy.
What?! Did someone just say Robert Palmer?! No Neil, there is no way you're going to convince me on Robert Palmer.
Neil: But there is this one song. It's pretty cool. Looking For Clues. It's got some great lines in it. That song might change your mind...and your life.
Matthew: No Neil. Sorry. No Palmer! But I've also been listening to a lot of Steve Earle. I'm getting really pumped for the show. The new album is one of the best albums going right now.
Alice: I'm really into the whole Flight of the Conchords stuff. So good. So funny! conchordshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGOohBytKTU
There's a little gem to get you hooked. Can I also give a shout out to Mississippi Gary from kids in the hall. That's music related... I don't feel I need to defend myself to you... so what they're both TV shows... there's music... there's singing!... Wow don't get all crazy Neil. Put the gun down Neil!! You know you're the first Man I ever loved!
Neil: Really? I am?!?
Alice: Naw. You're not a man now, and you weren't a man then.
[Neil then shoots Alice and she dies a tragic yet beautiful death].
Matthew: Now that that's out of the way...
Neil: I'm also into something real sexy. Something so hot it will burn you hard. What am I listening to you ask? Oh darn, look at the time. Must be off! Got To GO!
[Damien swoops in like a ninja. No one saw him come on OR put on an apron. But He decided to let his presence be know with one burst]
Damien: ROBERT PALMER?!? No Neil, No.
Neil: But...
Damien: No. So what am i into eh. UUUmmm... I kinda like... the only new thing I've been listing to is Stevie Wonder. Stevie's a genius. Just show me someone who don't like Stevie and I'll show you a guy who don't got no soul. You do not have a soul- you are not human. This music [Arms Aloft- Joe Strummer] sounds like it should be the theme from titanic.
Alice: No wait, Braveheart on the titanic. Maybe a little Frodo getting it on with the last unicorn in the back.
Damien: Nail on the Head. Can we listen to the Animals after this?
Alice: Yes. Yes we can.

Now I know what you're thinking....

Actually, no you don't. Because if you guessed freak accidents involving our ceiling fans you were way the hell off.

Our morning crew started off the above blog but I'm now assuming command of this battlestar. I'm declaring marshal law. No more effin' around 'cos the big boys are playing now.

I'd like to first introduce to your XO:

Rwanda Zirkana. Flavor: Tropical fruit, pomegranate, brown sugar Acidity: Lemony, juicy Finish: Clean, sweet, satisfying

Next in command:

Organic Peru Cruz del Sur. Flavor: Green grapes, pear, cane sugar Acidity: balanced, gentle Finish: Light molasses, milk chocolate


Chief scientist:

Colombia Santander. The Dark City single origin offering from the Tres Santos lot. It's mild, with a hint of bourbon, and finishes off with milk chocolate.

-End transmission-

Well, to be honest I really couldn't care less about Duke's Overpriced Cycle (as a business- of course my heart goes out to the Duke family), but I am absolutely devastated by the loss of Toronto's greatest video store. Truly the Mercury Espresso Bar of video stores, Suspect Video can never be replaced.

Why, you ask? Because, despite the alternate Mirvish Village location, and the probability of a new Queen location once the insurance is settled, it will never be the same. You see, Suspect was more than a place to get amazing obscure foreign films, weird action figures, and far out sex mags. Yeah, I know I can get films by Jean Luc Godard and Imamura Shohei at places like Queen Video and Bay Street. Who cares? Suspect on Queen was one of Toronto's very few Real Places. Now, you, dear reader, don't need to ask me what a Real Place is, because you (better) have already experienced the realness of Mercury.

I'll miss the rotting bricks, the weird smell, the subterranean feel, and the sticky notes all over staff pick flicks. I'll miss the guy saying 'what's your password?' and me saying 'lemon'. There isn't anything, anything, anything, anything, anything, that I won't miss about it.

From one end of Queen Street to the other, I genuflect for thee, Suspect. May you rise like a Phoenix from the ashes of your material demise.

Well 30 Helens agree: Love hurts, You can never spend too much money on a good pair of shoes, tattoos aren't for everyone, and the Mercury Blog is a thing of greatness.
What does a double americano, a Bearded Ben, and the Beastie Boys have in common?
answer: Mercury. That's right not only do we have great coffee...a great guy like Ben (or should I say FRANK!)...but we also have killer tunes. Yeah, that's what I'm talking about.
Sub topic: Family Day
don't know about you guys, but my family day was off the hook! Hardcore drinking, wet T-shirt contests, Jello fights, the list goes on. Naw, I'm just messin' wit ya. Dooder you get your head out of that pig! It was tame. Real tame. Way tame.
Ben got a new lip balm and watched youtube videos of cats meowing words. Need i say more.
Hope you all had a wondrous time avec family or sans family. It was a day indeed, you'll have to agree with me on that one.
Promo: Feature Latte.
You know the drill. We have a feature latte and you'd step over your own mother (even on family day? yes timmy even on family day) just to get one. So Let us do the right thing here, save your mother the trip, and walk at a steady pace down to mercury and get one. Simple and effective. This is us helping you helping us helping you to get your very own feature latte.
Add on: I'm starting a brown bag revolution. ALL of the beans we carry are excellent- even if they don't come in a red bag (It's so like you to go for flash over substance). So the next time you're in try a brown bag and feel good about it.
Like my old horse James used to say "impacted fecal matters."
and on that note I'm out of here.
-Alice "Dooder" Berg and Ben "what about impacted fecal matters?" Bruneau

Family Day

It's my family's tradition to always watch Family Guy, Family Matters, Family Man, All In the Family, Partridge Family, and at least a few minutes of the Family Channel on this most sacred of days. At four o'clock sharp we sit around in a circle and regale each other with anecdotal quips on life courtesy of the beloved Family Circus, then it's off to eat at Peter's Family Restaurant in sunny Tillsonburg (on the corner of Brock & Broadway) for some good eats and a friendly environment. After a fabulous chicken finger and hot dog meal (with a side of coleslaw) it's back home for some Family Feud and Family Ties before we hit the hay and dream of next year's Family Day.

How will you spend your Family Day?

If you said Mercury, then you are among the masses because it seemed that everyone decided we were their family today. Thanks extended Mercury family! This is a tradition I can latch onto, let's do it all again next year. Today was way better than our old family tradition of watching the boob tube.

Be among the many and join in on the Family Day festivities here at Mercury Espresso Bar.

From all your aunts, uncles, cousins, and estranged fathers here at the Merc, we say: Happy Family Day!!!

The weather for today- February 17th 2008- Is brought to you by the letter 'J'- "cause if it ain't 'J', I don't want it."

Temperature: 3-6°C
Condition: Rain/Light rain
Wind: SE 20-25km/h
Humidity 81%
Rain: 15mm

So there it is put on your rain suit, grab an umbrella, and come cozy up to an electric fireplace here at Mercury. It's Ben and I (plus a little Rankin and Damien for fun) taking you through the morning. Seeing as today is brought you you by the letter 'J' I feel a poem is in order.

Jovially Ben Jested
Just as Alice Joked
Justice is served best
As a cold Juniper Juice
Jived the Neil

Jones
Only a
Couple of
Jaunty blocks away
From where we are
Today
Mercury

Jump on into your
Jumpsuit space suit and blast off
Toward our planet

Juggle a couple of lattes as you walk out the door and the change
In your pocket Jingles.

-Neil Rankin

As for the coffee... we've got the Ethiopia Harrar as the Feature Latte and Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, Costa Rica, and New Guinea on press (5.00 + tax/ press).
If you're in the mood for some sweets we've got loads of ginger and chocolate chip cookies...
If you're not in the mood for coffee we've got some super Cider!
I really can't think of a reason you shouldn't be here.
NOT ONE!

Damien will now finish off the Blog with a joke.
over and out
Big Ben and Ranks, Berg and the big Z.

PS! Hey! Why was 2 afraid of 3! Cause 3 8 4!

HEY THERE SPORTSFANS!












Just for all you Mercaholics who wake up early and check the blog first thing in the morning, this one goes out to you! Party people in the HOUSE!

This is a special morning update: This weekend, it's Ethiopia all the way. Check out our feature, from the Oromia co-op of the magnificent Harrar region of Ethiopia, an aromatic, magical, berry- and chocolate tinged treat for your palette; or on press, perennial favourite Yirgacheffe. But that's not all-- Intelligentsia delights Flecha Roja and New Guinea round out the pack.


It's a beautiful day in the neaighbourhood, and a beautiful day for a latte. Run, jog, ski, bike, skateboard, parkour, waterski, or take whatever alternate means of transportation you can, as that the cold has receded, at least for now.

So we've made it to Friday- fifth day of the week- "day (of the planet) Venus." And what's the deal with our Feature Bean Grinder? The thing can't stay clean to save it's life. You dose one shot into the group head and end up with two more sprayed across the counter. It breaks my heart to see two shots of coffee wasted for every one shot used! Especially when this week's feature is a beautiful, smokey, oily Bali single origin. I shouldn't blame the Mazzer, for, as the immortal words of Sun Tzu preach: "change must come from within." Get it before the goin' gets. John Lennon once sang of a world without religion, no possessions too. I think he was on to something with that one. Parents will never be able to force their children to floss and zealots will never be able to force the secular to pray. And Alice is so gullible she will believe her own lies (which I suppose on further consideration doesn't make them lies at all. After all we each construct our own reality)
Speaking of constructing one's own reality (and believe me, I don't want to go on a rant here) I'd like to take a moment to rail on a modern piece of technology that is redefining the way people socialize and interact with one another: Facebook. Somehow, it succeeds in being both highly intrusive while remaining impersonal. Facebook is an unhealthy mode of communication which can have disastrous social and psychological consequences. Facebook users become comfortable with their "perceived identities" and very uncomfortable with their "actual identities." It's a constructed society of microchips in which photo-shopped images and carefully constructed Oscar Wildeisms rule the day. People please! This isn't who you are, but rather what you want to be! Get off your computer, get into Mercury, air out your true colours and try a conversation on for size with one of our affable baristas or customers.

Thanks,
Adrian

This blog is brought to you by:

Journey - Don't Stop Believin

A classic, track by the band who has a song for pretty much every occasion. On days like today you just can't stop believing that the warm weather will be back at some point and we'll all be able to ride our bicycles again. Or at least walk somewhere without having to wait 20 minutes while your snot thaws out and you can finally breathe through your nose again. Naw'msayin'??? Sure you do.

The snow is falling horizontally for crissakes! I wouldn't recommend going out there if you don't need to but if you really need an incentive, great coffee is always a good one.

Barista's recommendation: The Bali's Paradise Valley roasted by Dark City makes an amazing cappuccino. It's buttery, sweet like peanut butter and coats the mouth in a similar way! It's low in acidity so that means if you're a soy drinker it compliments it very well.

Now let's take a moment to realize that soy just doesn't get much attention in general. Many non-soy drinkers find it has an innate nuttiness that is rather overwhelming. Fair enough. There's not much you can do about that but if you're into those flavors try it with the Bali. It's like a Reese Peanut Butter Cup, in a cup.

Thank you that's all for this guy. Don't forget to listen to the track, you'll need it on a day like today.

*burp*

Sunday February Tenth
-11 Degrees Celsius
Feels like: -23
Light Flurries
Relative Humidity: 61%
Wind: W 46km/h
Sunrise: 7:24
Sunset: 17:41

That's the kind of day it is outside, which makes me wonder why anyone would want to be out there. Why not come on in to the warmest place in our solar system (next to the sun, of course) and warm up with a coffee? I recommend getting a press of the Cruz Del Sur Organic Peru for $5.50 (plus applicable taxes) while it lasts because we are getting low on supplies.

Green grapes! Pear! Cane Sugar! Mmmmm. Lime! Balanced! Gentle! (gentle seems odd with an exclamation point, strike it from the records). Light Molasses! Milk Chocolate! Yep, I just described the beans from the Tingo Maria and Chirinos regions with exclamation points for all y'all. What a coffee that Peru is, worth everyone of these: "!"

Damien sez:

You know what I recommend? Getting Damien Zielinski (of Mercury fame) to make you a double cappuccino to go. It's always been the drink he makes best, but suddenly has slungshot its way to new astronomical heights of righteous excellence and virtue. You know why? Because ever since Alex Tran showed him the Sacred Five-Point Shaolin dose-and-tamp technique, his shots are about %3000 percent better (and they were pretty good to begin with).

Meanwhile, The Zielinski-nator has been developing the world's first X-rated latte art design. Yeah, you read it right- you, dear customer, can have your own sexually-explicit latte or cappuccino. (Naturally, considering the delicacy of Young Minds, a valid driver's license or proof of age will be required if you're under 25. Also, Damien has to be working, because a True Magician never reveals his secrets, know what uhm saying?)

In summary, the phrase of the day is: SEXY WEATHER.

It's SATUR-YAY!
smoky, chocolaty, rich and smooth... oh no I'm not talking about one of my many suiters, I'm talking about the FEATURE LATTE! It's 'big league' as a latte, and makes a pretty good shot 'straight up' if you're into that sort of thing.

It's a bit gloomy out there in the streets(-3 points)... but I assure you it's warm(1 point) and dry(2 points) in here. Plus we have the clash (10 points), Adrian (-1point...just kidding...3 points), and bags and bags and cup and cups of coffee (pointless...or priceless...but priceless in the point kinda way..you know what I'm saying).
So there it is
Outside on the streets/anywhere that isn't here= -68points
Mercury= one million points

The math doesn't lie!
Come support the little guy!

PS. A point in every direction is the same as no point at all. Fact.

DANCE RUMMY, DANCE!

It is Friday after all. So, we can all do a little jig for joy as Saturday's face draws ever nearer to our own. Soon our cold, runny nose will brush against the warm, inviting nose of tomorrow and we'll know(s) that the weekend is indeed upon us.
Hey, I got a question for ya (picture me Neil Rankin, impersonating Damien Zielinski for this one) have you ever been broken up with? Yeah, not so bad. How 'bout over Facebook? Pretty bad. Well, I mean, I guess it's sort of personal, it is FACEbook after all. But, still, come on, that's just one step away from a text message.

On a lighter note. I'm sitting here chatting away to Mark.
He just came in for a coffee and some sweet loving'
he's now on his way home,
and I will be left wrinkled and alone.

Anyhooooooo,
We have got some killer* coffee in the house!
This is the scoop on some BRAND NEW BEANS!
Cruz del Sur Organic Peru- Green Grapes, pear, cane sugar, lime, balanced, milk chocolate.
From two growing regions of Peru, Chirinos and Tingo Maria, Intelligentsia's Cruz del Sur provides a refined and elegant cup. This coffee is defined by its peaceful and balanced acidity of lime and green grapes. The sweetness comes across gently as cane sugar, light molasses and fresh pear. The body is affable and soft as it finishes with hints of milk chocolate and honeysuckle. $9.50 1/2lb, 5.50 +tax/press
New Guinea- Lime, sweet spice, creamy, bright, rich, smooth.
With seedlings from the Jamaica Blue Mountain region, cultivation of coffee began in Papua New Guinea in the late 30's. It offers full syrupy body, balanced snappy acidity, and wonderful complexity. Some say it is reminiscent of what Jamaica Blue Mountain used to taste like.
$9.00 1/2lb, $5.00+ tax/press
We also have our regular selection of beans for you to take home..or to work..or to give away.. or whatever.. as long as you show them the love.. and don't break up with them over facebook (ouch!)

*Note that I am using killer in terms of being highly effective/superior, and not as a person or thing that kills. Also not to be confused with any device used by a post office for printing cancellations on postage stamps or the mark of cancellation on that postage stamp. Well This is Berg and the Rank saying' Happy Friday, Happy Days, and Happy trails to you until we meet again.

This is the Mercury Blog's
GET DOWN (and make love) EDITION


Valentine's Day in just around the bend...
How are you going to express yourself to the one you love?
well here's a little insider information
Don't go with the following:
a) Flowers- maybe that could fly with your mom... or with a noted that reads "you're a really great pal"... but be warned men do not like flowers. They are pretty and then they die. Not a great metaphor for a relationship.
b) Chocolates/ Candy- coupled with a gym membership might be a little offensive. But there is nothing about candy that says lasting (except for dead weight to carry around...ouch!)
c) A Puppy- sure, they're real cute and all but remember: THEY GROW UP TO BE BIG, SMELLY, SLOBBERING, POOPING, DOGS. Coupled with the possibility that your relationship may not even last the night, a puppy spells commitment with a capital C, and we all know how afraid you are to commit.
d) Nothing- You insensitive Jerk!

Well it looks like you are all out of options... BUT WAIT!!!
MERCURY COMES IN TO SAVE THE DAY!
-1/2lbs of fresh coffee -Mercury gift certificates ($5 or $10)
-better yet, come on in and share a press!
It will give you the energy you need to last all night long (take that however you will). Other than a Honey Glazed Ham there is no better gift ('cause who doesn't want a honey glazed ham?!)

Lovin' you right back,
Damien, Alice, Neil, and all the other crazy kids at the Merc. Facebook me!

Today can be summed up in one word: HEAVY.

Heavy snow to be shoveled off the sidewalk, heavy metal on the jukebox (in the form of Black Mountain. Righteous.), and heavy coffee in your hand as you trudge through the heavy flakes in your heavy winter boots. Just be sure you don't ruin those boots, you'll need them someday.

If you do feel like taking those precious boots for a walk through the slush, then why don't you come on down for one of our feature lattes this weekend featuring Dark City's Paradise Valley Estate all the way from Bali. Gee golly. For only $4.75 you can't afford not to clomp through this messy weather.

Uh-oh A.B. Berg just walked in, talking up a storm to M.T. Taylor and N.R. Rankin ain't gonna stand for it. That's why he's sitting typing out this blog for all you wonderful people to read, sipping on a soy cappuccino. Soy why don't you head on down to catch a glimpse of these majestic animals in their natural habitat? It's better and cheaper than going to the zoo and a lot less stinky too.

Ooo Ooo Ahh Ahh, I'm outta here!

It's Saturday night and I ain't got nobody... I got some money 'cause I just got paid... How i wish i had someone to talk to...

Welcome to the Mercury blog. Todays blog is brought to you by robots. Cause what's better than a whole lotta robots?
answer: Nothing! (But a great cup of coffee is a close second)

!ON PRESS!
If you wanted a brewed coffee, or just to try something new...
Have I got a press for you!
(Lame Rhymes inspired by Neil Rankin)
- Los Inmortales El Salvador 5.5o+ tax
- Los Delirios Nicaragua 5.00+ tax
- El Cuervo Guatemala 5.00+ tax
When I've got 4 mins to wait, I go for a press 'cause they're GREAT! (The Rhymes are lame, but the coffee is excellent!)

So back to robots for a second. If they [robots] ever have an evil twin like Data from Star Trek you'd better watch your caboose. Evil robots are like totally so much more evil than evil people. Remember Bender's golden counterpart? Bender was evil already so his twin was like double evilly! Then we have everyone's favorite governor we have to shout out to. Terminator! Ok so Arnie is all eviling it up in the first one... and i know that in the second Arnie and the liquid metal cop aren't twins...but man does that movie rock. It has everything really- Blood, Guns, Hardcore action, and LIQUID ROBOTS! yeah!


Feature Latte alert! No need to freak out... We've got the Yemen Mocha Matari coming at you from all angles! Alice Berg was over heard saying "WOW! This has got to be my favourite feature ever! of all time! Tonight I'm going to go home and write BEST DAY EVER on my calender". So if you want to be as cool as the Berg, but you don't want to dye your hair, come in and get the feature. It's $4.75 of straight up coolness!


New Idea! Rock'Em Sock'Em Robot Reality Show. It's a combination of American Gladiators and Intervention, with a splash of Trading spaces and Handyman Superstar challenge. "What would that look like?" you ask... Well other than AWESOME...
First show I'm the Blue Bomber and Alex can be the Red Rocker. Go Blue Bomber! Knock His Block Off!


Well I guess that brings us to the end of the Robot Blog. Alex says "Go Play in the snow. It's fun"
The Berg sez " Never forget where you come from... ROBOTS!!"
P.S- I think Tran is going to be listening to The National all night long. So if you to want to get down wit your bad self to melancholy rock.. come on in. The door is always open (until 8pm. Then we're closed... and you're out of luck... and coffee... and melancholy rock... just sayin')

SNOW DAY!
Well kids
So far the participation for "Giving Up Friday" has been lacking. I, Alice Berg, have been in a sweat suit all morning... I can't give up alone! That just doesn't seem fair does it? So put on your sweat pants, bed pants, track pants (anything that says "I've given up"), and hang out and have a coffee with me. Is that TOO MUCH to ask for?

Tunes.
Spinning a lot of old favourites today: Willie Nelson; Junior Murvin; Joe Strummer. Music that keeps you warm at night.

Coffee. Feature Yemen. - Chocolaty, but not too chocolaty. For the person who isn't sure if they like chocolate yet. It's like rubber but plastic. Leather but canvas, y'know. 9 holes when you ask for 4. That's what I'm saying.

And the love.

! REMINDER !
Tomorrow is Giving up Friday. I give you full on permission to wear your sweatpants all day. And hey, you say don't own sweatpants? Well show up in anything that says "I've given up"

Damien Looks super boss today. Come in and see for yourself. Dude and I are just chillin' to The Animals right now. He just confessed the me his long lost dream of joining the circus when he was "like" 7. Well the circus or The Animals... either one.
Wow dude, that's heavy. Thoughts? Comments?
Come on in and let it all out.

C- Colombia Tres Santos is on press right now. It's slammin'. Have a press for here, or wait the "like" 4mins and take one to go.

O- Oh! If you haven't seen the awesome quilts hanging up on our walls today is your last day. What comes next?

F- French Press. Did i mention the French Press...

F- Fresh Cider. Just like powdered cider but Fresh and not made from powder. At 3 monkeys a barrel you can't go wrong.
E- Ethiopia Yirgacheffe is still the feature latte of the moment. Get it before it's gone.

(steve Urk) E (l)- was the best character from Family Matters. Fact. The grandmother comes in a close second.

-Alice "I ain't no band leader" Berg

MATTHEW TAYLOR & THE BLUSTERY DAY

At four am the wind shook our hero awake and one thought was on his mind: "The Mercury sign! I hope it doesn't smash through our front window!"

Sure enough it hadn't smashed any windows, but across the street was a different story. The "?" sign that hung so loyally from its pole and chain was now swinging freely, smashing windows and lights in its wake. "Traitor!" cried Matt. The ? retaliated with a swooping lunge at the beer light shattering it in an explosion of sparks and glass. Just as it made another swoop towards Matt the police showed up to quell this roaring beast. Police tape at the ready the officer made a move to stifle the ?. He succeeded in getting some tape round the monster, but it lashed out again forcing Matt and the officer to roll away else it shatter them too.

After backing up his cruiser the officer pounced again this time tethering the sign to the wall where it whimpered as it tried to break free of the stranglehold the police tape had on it. Moments later the fire department arrived to unchain the mighty beast. They cut it down and put it in the alley away from where it could do any more harm.

As the firemen were packing up their ladder and getting ready to move onto the next sign Matt had an idea, "Say fellas....while you're here, I noticed that our sign is hanging on by a mere thread and I fear a similar situation brewing. You wouldn't perhaps want to slay this dragon in return for a cuppa joe would ya?"

And that's how Matt defeated the Mercury Espresso Bar sign.

Oh, and Neil was electrocuted. But he survived.

The end.

Do you remember the good old days of Theme?
I do, and frankly I miss them.
So here is what I'm proposing...
Giving up Friday!
I double dog dare you to come in on Friday in your sweat pants. Because when you've left the house in sweat pants it means you've given up hence the name "Giving Up Friday".

In other news...
Toronto Life came in this morning and took some wicked shots of the Merc in action. Look for some shots of our very own Ben "French for Brown Water" Bruneau and Alice "My mom came from Germany when she was five" Berg. Bonus: The Matt/Doug dynamic duo appears secretly!

Yeap, it's a glamorous life for us at the Merc now that the bright lights are upon us, but that doesn't mean we're not still the punk rock counterculture dirt hole we've always been! Now I'm gonna go drink a 26er of cheap rye and throw some sludge at a dude in a biker jacket.

Oh, and one more thing...
If you have noticed that Adrian hasn't been around and wondered to yourself "did they fire that son of a gun? or has he escaped to Mexico..." you can put your mind at ease. The reason for his absence is music related. He was recording some new tracks with his band.
If you haven't heard Barons and Lengthy you haven't heard music. Go to
www.myspace.com/baronsandlengthy
and download (FOR FREE) their new tracks. Go... Go Now!

-The Berg and Dirt
(maybe the new name for a punk band avec Ben and myself)

It's the freakin' weekend baby I'm about to have me some fun.

Well no, but I will have a nice cup of Ethiopia Yirgacheffe. We did buy them goats so it's only fair that we get to enjoy their coffee as well. You may have heard this story before but goats and Ethiopia have huge significance when it comes to the origins of coffee. Long ago, before the birth of a certain bearded magician, when humanity was nothing more than a bunch of vagrants moping around with goats that were probably as clever as they were, a discovery was made. Not by our forefathers (or mothers) but by our bleating companions. They showed up at the farm after a night out, one fateful day, all agitated and strung-out for some odd reason. Now were talking about Ethiopia here not Columbia so the more obvious answer is not in question (plus we're talking about a time way before brick cellphones and Saved By the Bell, come on people keep up with me) so the farmers wondered what was going down? After a little deductive thinking the farmers decided to follow these party animals into the forest one night, hoping to get a cut of the action (like I said, we weren't too bright back then) and low and behold, these goats were getting down with the berries of the coffee tree.
As for drying, roasting and brewing this mystic concoction I have really no idea. I guess at one point our lovely farmers had to 'one up' our furry, fiendish, friends and decided to add fire to the mix. Way to go. I suspect if goats had opposable thumbs we'd tell a different story, one involving goats on the logo of everyone's favorite corporate conglomerate, not some stupid squiggly lined drawing of a...what IS that anyway?

INTERIOR, DAY-We open on an espresso bar in a trendy part of town. Two baristas are talking shop.

Neil- Hey, you bloggin'?

Alice-No, I'm Alice.

Neil-Ha ha. Hmmmm. I'm hungry, I feel like a sandwich.

Alice-Well you don't look like one.

(They both laugh hysterically)

Neil-You know it's days like this that I wish would never end. Loopy Fridays.

Alice-Rhymes with LIE-days.

Neil-Yeah, ha ha, or PIE-days.

Alice-Fridays are great.....they're like when you come to the end of a really long tunnel, and then the other side is a huge open field and all you get to do is relax on this big green lawn of a weekend......yeah, that's Friday for ya.

Neil-Wow, you just metaphorically metamorphosised my mind.

Alice-That's what great coffee will do to you.

(At this moment a regular customer who has been listening the entire time interjects)

Customer-I do believe that is a simile.

Alice-Yeah, well, that's what great coffee will do to you. It makes you smarter.

(Roll credits)

If there's time to be on the internet there's time to blog. It's the age old saying that predates the dinosaurs. We all know it, we can't unknow it, hence here's another foray into the world of the blogosphere, or as some have called it the deepinsphere, not to be confused with Bergosphere or even Bergonomics. (Both having to do with the Berg of the Alice persuasion).



Got any weekend plans? Cause we're busy drinking Ethiopia Harrar. Ha! You thought we were gonna ask you out on a date. Square. Well we might have, if we didn't have a sweet cup of that rich chocolaty goodness with a side of blueberry to hold our hand and have a candlelit dinner with. Sound sweet and romantic? It is. Don't take our word for it, come in and pick up one of these sweet numbers for yourself. That's right you too can have a hot date this weekend without the benefit of being asked out by one of us smokin' baristas.

So.....see you Saturday night round about eight?

Sick of going to the mercury blog and NOT finding a new post?
Me too!
So I have taken it upon myself to fill you in on what you've missed while we haven't blogged.
Ben- Working hard at school on his dry point etching, Ben has been consuming lots and lots of coffee. You can feel his vibrations from a full 2 city blocks away. WHIRRRRRRRR
Neil- He went to Guelph and hung out at the new hip spot. I can't recall the name... but I'm told its the new hip spot.
Amber- She is off in NYC!!! BRB? ROFLCOPTER!
Alex- He worked a morning once! 6 in the AM! As if! His pants are way tight-- he probably gained 5 pounds, fatty fatty fat fat. Put away the pie, Alex!
Damien- He got a girlfriend and now he's too cool for us. Sorry, ladies.
Berg- Still Bergin' off. Also, was in the car, sneezed, had no kleenex, and had to suck all the snot back up her nose. As glorious as it was gross.
Adrian- Is an expert jackhammer hammerjacker. You can feel his vibrations from a full 2 city blocks away. WHIRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Matt- Dude is slammin'.
Doug- "Shaddap! I can't hear myself hammering!"
James- Had a baby. Well, four months ago. If you didn't send a card, it's too late to do so now without looking like a jerk.

Also, we all became Civil War reenactors:

You need to get more hobbies. Here's a start: in February we'll be hosting an evening of coffee appreciation here at the Merc. Come and watch Black Gold, a documentary detailing the way the coffee industry works, to the disadvantage of the growers. Then, learn about ways that you can help change the way the industry works through your conscious consumption and the direct trade phenomenon, and try some coffees from the region studied in the film paid for equitably.

Everyone knows someone like this:You make some coffee. Feeling generous, you offer some to them.

"What kind of coffee is it?" they ask."Because I only drink 100% Colombian."


As if that's the one distinguishing factor between a good coffee and a bad. Yeah, everyone knows at least one person like this. And I'm sure all of you out there in cyber-net-inter-web-land, reading our Mercury blog, know better than them, and feel confident in your (assuredly excellent) taste in coffee. But haven't we all felt a little sorry for them? Don't we all wish that we could... help them? Help them help themselves?

The answer is nigh: the Tres Santos La Planada microlot, a direct trade single origin bean from Colombia, brought to us by Intelligentsia. You may have had Tres Santos before, but you've not had this, as La Planada is the top few hundred pounds of these stellar beans' entire harvest-- the cream of the crop. And it's 100% Colombian, because it all comes from one place, is one varietal, and is roasted by one company. (Take that, 100% Colombian geeks of the world). Not only that, it's been voted the best-grown coffee from the Tres Santos co-operatives for the past three years. So spread the word, and show them the light: come by and have a press, or buy a half pound as a gift (to yourself or another). It's out of this world.

I was having a delicious press of Intelligentsia's Kenya Mathareini Auction lot this evening when those two wicked-cool dudes-- you know, the one with the toque, and the other, with the hair-- came in and got coffee and a ginger cookie. I was like, what? Ginger cookies? Who'd want to put ginger in a cookie? Am I right or what?

Anyway, crazy as it seemed, they were totally into the cookies-and-coffee combination. And they were pretty wicked cool. I thought to myself, "If two dudes this cool could eat a ginger cookie with their coffee, I bet someone normal like me could do it too!" So I did. It was tasty! Thanks for opening up my horizons!

So as the day has grown short for the winter, so have our hours-- a weeeeee little bit. From here until further notice, we will be closing an hour earlier-- 8 o'clock-- daily. (Opening times remain unchanged!) What does this mean for you? It means you have an extra hour every day that you don't have to be here! I know you all love it here so much, but we needed to get you out into the world a bit more. If you're put by 8, then you still have the whole evening ahead of you to go out for dinner, have a shindig, hit the clubs, and so forth, you crazy party people! Oh, don't worry about us! We like to stay at home with the cats. You're young, go have fun!

Well 'holy moley' bros, because we've got El Salvador's unstoppable Monterey Estate featured this week, and if you like clean brightness and mellow earthiness, than 'this Bud' is Mos Def-initely for you.

Moving right along, okay, we are pleased to present the visual stylings of artist Valerie Page, whose outstanding quilts are keeping our walls as warms as our lattes are keeping our bellies. But that's not what they're for- oh no- these quilts are Art Quilts, and they're designed to please your eyes instead of your skin. If you don't think that last sentence was entirely lucid, then I guess you gotta come to Mercury and check it all out, eh?

In other Mercury related news, Obama won the Iowa democratic convention, and Hilldog came in at a whoppingly-bad 3rd place. Then again, that doesn't have anything to do with Mercury.

Finally, I'd like to use my present control of your attention to convey to you that our store hours are gonna be changing. "When's that gonna take effect, Damo?" Well my curious compadre, as of this coming Monday the 7th, the ol' Mercinator is gonna be shutting down at 8 pm. You see, in light of new labour legislation, the basement gnomes whose constant excer-cycling normally powers our espresso machine will be limited to 12 hour shifts.

I lied when I wrote 'finally' at the beginning of that last paragraph, because here's one more: thanks to everyone who contributed to our Goat Fund (either directly or through latte purchase), because the whole project was a Flying Rainbow success. When we count the dough we'll see how many we get.....

STAY TUNED.......

Aaaaaannd, we're back!

Sorry we left you alone for so long. The "holidays" is always hectic and as a result we get neglectful. Don't that sound familiar?

Hope your New Years was exciting and filled with joy. Mine was.

Food for thought: This year, individuals that will be of age to vote will have been born in 1990. Do you remember 1990? I do. Vividly. Is that unsettling or what?

The lone rager will be with you tonight. It's rather cold out so he expects a quiet night with Tom Waits. And no, there isn't a typo in this paragraph.

Pick out the false statement in this entry and you'll win a complimentary feature Ethiopia Harrar latte from me.

That's all for now, I may be back later to double up.

Futures

a

Feature latte anyone? Yeah you do (fact)! It's Ethiopia Harrar... Not only is it highly regarded by pirates (aarrr), but the merc staff give it a thumbs up! Don't take my word for it - have a latte today.
I'm keen on Beans!
Kenya (Mathareini Auction Lot) - Intense, black currant, sweet, pink grapefruit, chocolate, savory.
Flecha Roja (Direct Trade Costa Rica) - Red fruit, caramel, crisp, clean, sweet
El Diablo (Dark Roast Direct Trade) Bold, crisp, black cherry, fruity, floral, smoky

Then we've got all the old favourites like black cat, kid- o, espresso, decaf swp, mad hatter, and extra butter...
So if you need beans... we've got 'em!

*Reminder that the goat fund is still going strong. It will be up until the 1st, so come on in, have a coffee, and make a donation. Think about it...you get to buy a goat... but you don't have to keep it. You don't have to feed it. You get a goat and all the work is done for you! awesome... everyone wins!

It is three nights since Christmas morn' and not a creature is drinking coffee, not even a mouse. -"Girls say we gotta gotta gotta get home."
-"Well I was just about to go get drunk."
-"Yes you do that Willie, but I need a new song! Something about a shoe, a good ole' shoe." said the man in the yellow hat.
-"Don't these kids today know how to twinkle? All you gots to do is take two steps in the right direction and you're dancing" replied Willy with a smile.
-"Aww shucks, I got cottonmouth in my eyes and they lied about this whole spring chicken."
-Now don't get side-tracked! That's all scenery, stick to what you can prove in court.
-"But I'm a fine looking man, I ain't ever had a woman walk out on me before" blubbered the man in the yellow hat.
-"Ha! that's one duck that dog don't hunt! laughed Willy.
And just then a passing stranger burst upon the scene saying: "Are you Frankie Lee? The gambler? Who's father is deceased?"
-"No" replied the man in the yellow hat. "You must have be confused with someone else. We're just sitting here with Shotgun Willie drinking twilight tea, enjoying the new year air."

"This is going to save my life," a sleepy-eyed Mercury regular was heard to remark, as he gazed queasily into the crema atop his americano.

"We save lives every day," came Alice Berg's uncreative reply.

Well, today it was literally true: a distressed bluebottle housefly was caught wallowing about in the Used Spoon Water, and after it was brought to my, Damien Elmore James Zielinski's, attention, by a concerned passerby, the Brave Little Man was promptly rescued from the scum, and given a dry piece of paper towel to dry off his wings and legs.

That was 10 minutes ago, and as we speak the Little Trooper is resting up. A bad scare and a few bumps, but it looks like the little feller is GOING TO BE ALRIGHT.

I'm Damien Zielinski, and this is The News.

Holy Cro-moley! nothing makes you want coffee more than a bike ride in the winter. Don't believe me, ask tofu. moving on....
Get 'em while you can (1/2lbs)

kid-o $9, black cat $9, extra butter $9, mad hatter $8, espresso $8, decaf swp $8, Ethiopia Yirgacheffe $9 (feature latter at the moment $4.75)

El Diablo (dark roast)- Bold, crisp, black cherry, fruity/floral, smoky
If you want a bold brew this is your lucky day. $9
Flor Azul Nicaragua- Cocoa, sweet fruit, nuts, balanced, light molasses, hint of spice
If you tried the Los Delirios and love it, this is it's BFF (also a Nicaragua). $9.50
El Cuervo Guatemala- Sugar cane, red fruit, milk chocolate, bold, invigorating, clean
Just the right way to wake you up from a winter slumber. $9.50
El Gallo (breakfast blend)- sweet, spice, fruity, smooth, rich, caramel, clean
If it's a plate of bacon & eggs or soy milk & a wheat free muffin, this is a great cup to start off your day. $9
Celebration Blend- sweet, red currant, caramel, crisp, molasses, cinnamon
Tastes like a celebration... blend. It's like warm clothes out of the dryer.
It's a great balanced and clean cup. It will warm you up and leave a splendid taste in your mouth. $9

Things We Have
-We have Lactose Free Milk right now! sorry for all of the times we run out, but if you come in soon we will be MORE THAN HAPPY to make you a drink sans Lactose.
- Cider... and it can be yours for $3. It's awesome if you're one of the many that can't have caffeine after noon (my heart goes out to you really and truly it does).
- Alex and Alice keeping you company all night long. Springsteen playing, shots are pouring, and the cafe is peaceful. I dare you to come in here and shake things up. Triple Dog Dare you!!!

what? wait.. what? WHAT!!! I can't hear you... you're breaking up! you'll have to come in and tell me in person.
over and out
Alice "GT's" Berg
featuring Alex "lets talk bikes" Tran

MMmmm, apples. On a wet day like today the coldness just goes right into the bones. Let us warm you up with a nice fresh mug of hot apple cider. We won't offend you with that powdered stuff- only the real deal from your friends at Mercury.

With any luck, the rain will mean milder conditions for the next little while. Uh, no, that won't mean iced drinks are coming back, but who knows what this crazy weather will bring?

Damien Sez:
In other news,
have you seen our NEW curtains? I already blogged about how we got curtains, but now we have NEW ones! I'm tellin' ya, you GOTTA see 'em. Two layers of double-lined velvety goodness that wash over you like a shower of warm juiciness every time you go in and out- unbeatable. Heck, I thought the other curtains were nice, but these ones are a couple of real dandies. Yep, I guess you could say they do for your body what our cappuccinos do for your face.
Editorial note: I call this paragraph of the blog you just finished reading 'Curtains 2.0: The Remix'. It's all about our new double-lined velvet curtains, and how I really like 'em.

p.s. Real Talk - R. Kelly. CHeck it out.

Alex and Damien

________________________________
Hey Alex I like your sweater!
________________________________
It's not a sweater alice... I'm not wearing clothes
________________________________

Word on the street.

If you like these two handsome sheep you should stop by and check out the ones on Alice shirt. No I'm not talking about her "sweater cows" but the wonderful patterns on her actual wool sweater! It's my favorite Berg garment. On a day like today I love seeing people in their colourful, crazy sweaters. Warm sweaters are very comforting on a day like today and also very necessary, kind of like cappuccino, or a latte. Perhaps a hot apple cider is your cashmere? Or a press of Los Delirios is your cardigan?

Show me yours and I'll show you mine. Zing-zang zoo zoo.

Adrian and I are having a delightful afternoon just pullin' shots, staring into each other's eyes, thinking about lollipops and iced cream. Darling.

Intelligentsia has arrived!
Here's the scoop

El Cuervo- Guatemala
flavour: Sugar cane, red fruit, milk chocolate
Acidity: Bold, round, invigoratring
Finish: Chocolaty, clean
It's a fine coffee indeed. Great as a press.

El Gallo- Breakfast Blend
Flavour: Sweet, spice, fruity
Acidity: Bright, Lively
Finish: Smooth, rich, caramel, clean
What a way to wake up in the morning!

There will be live music in the Merc this Sunday afternoon. I think it all kicks off around 4. I'll keep you all posted with more details. But really...is there a better way to spend a sunday afternoon... we think not.

If you happen to be walking past, or pop in for a brew, you should check out the Mercular Family on the window. The Merc staff in press form...GT's GT's.

Alright I'm over and out. Neil and Damien are in tonight so come by and hang out. Good times are in store.

-A wall and the Prince (fact.)

Well it's cold outside and it's brisk inhere but my thoughts on the matter are as follows:
a) It is only going to get colder, Fact.
b) If more people come inside Mercury we can use body heat to warm the store.
c) Body heat is a renewable resource. It's also organic. Well how about that!
d) Think about how lovely it would be to snuggle up close with all the Merc staff and regulars... I guess Christmas has come early.

Moving on
New News
WE HAVE GIFT CERTIFICATES. They come in $5 and $10 amounts. Tell all of your friends, or better yet get them one. They'll like you three times more than they did before!

We also have FRESH CIDER!!!no powder for this guy! 9 out of 10 dentists agree, it's awesome (the 10th dentist said it was rad). Try a cup for $3 and see for yourself.

Intelligentisa has not arrived yet but we are expecting the shipment today... so very soon our shelves will be overflowing with marvelous beans in little red bags. However, we still have a variety of delicious beans from Dark City (decaf swp, mad hatter, espresso, and extra butter) you if you are in need of a fix.

Adrian and Ben look beautiful today. That's all I have to say about that.
Off the record, on the QT, and very hush hush
this is your barista Alice saying
Over and out

There's no doubt about it, it was a beautiful morning. I expected a bit of snow, a few centimetres perhaps, but there was a full-on foot of it outside my door when I stepped out. But why stress out? It was obvious no-one would be getting anywhere fast. What a perfect morning to take it easy.

It wasn't too cold out, so I walked around the neighbourhood doing small errands-- picking up some salt, buying a croissant, doing a bit of shoveling-- but nothing strenuous, as the snow was powdery and light. The sun gave us light, warm and diffused, familiar and friendly, there was hardly any traffic, and I began to feel somewhere else, somewhere other than the big city. The south of France, perhaps, the unhurried rhythms of a easy wake-up and a day with no responsibilities, a day to relax and enjoy.

I made up a French press of Nicaraguan Los Delirios for Matt and myself, the course grinds fresh and fragrant with chocolate and spice, and when the time was right, we shared it out and enjoyed its sweet, creamy flavour. With time to spare, the press was just the thing for the moment-- unhurried, uncompromised. What a lovely morning. So come on in and we'll make one up for you, too.

Ben

Well, it's official: we have a curtain at Mercury. The fat Summer lady has sung, and Jack Frost has planted a fork squarely in Fall's backside; the show is over, and Autumn is cooked.

But, I gotta say, it almost seems worth it now that I can walk into Mercury and pass through a veil of fabric which can not help but remind me of the last episode of Twin Peaks, or of the very Birthing Process itself, (the trauma of which I'll probably never fully recover from.)

Anyway, I was just buttering you up like a Prize Sow for the real blog, which starts now:

if you've never been Born Again (have you heard the Good News?), OR, you never saw Twin Peaks, OR, it's cold outside, OR you want to talk to the coolest people in the city of Toronto, OR you want to try the Unstoppable Coffee Craze that continues to rock Leslieville, OR you want to drink some delicious Ontario apple cider steamed to super-perfection, OR you have a Winter's Tan and need to deal with it, OR you like Awesome Music and want it to shoot at your ear holes a little bit, OR you want to show some support for a local pillar of ethical business practice, OR you want to hear the sultry vocal stylings of electro-acoustic phenom Jacqueline Rendell (every other Sunday in the late afternoon), OR you want to internet it up on your laptop, OR if the Human Mouth is your personal favourite orifice for Coffee Drinking, OR if you have the Meaning of Life in your blazer pocket and want to share it, OR if you see No Beauty anywhere in your life and want to understand why we're all in a pretty good situation, OR if you're tired of ignoring people that tell you "Dude, you need to go to Mercury right now because their cappuccinos are indescribably good,"

OR if you want to cross through our brand new fancy curtain,

well, you know what to do, innit?

I just have one question....

What does your shirt say?

Sunday. The lord's day. A day of rest. But not for us! Never! We're here at the crack of dawn, ready to make your day splentacular, or fantabulous, or even magna-doodle. Why just this very morning Ben and I made ourselves a press of Oaxaca and made our own days extradiferous. If you feel like a little something from south of the border down Mexico way then La Perla De Oaxaca is just what the good doctor ordered to spice up your Sunday. Or any day of the week for that matter.

Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Oaxaca, (said in a Fozzie Bear voice) is a blend that will give you the warm "Fozzies" inside. It's got a real chocolate and honey flavour with what Ben calls herb tones, a juicy citrus acidity and a clean finish. Sure to be a big hit round these parts. Come on by and get a cup of the finest coffee Mexico has to offer for the low low price of five dollars (plus tax) per press.

See y'all soon!

-Neil.

That's what Neil looks like when he gets stuck in the rain: Mad, Cold, and about 10 lbs lighter. If this cat were wearing tight red pants.... it'd be Neil for sure.

Muyongwe. Muyongwe? MUYONGWE! That's right, we are going to have Muyongwe, Rwanda's Golden Cup of greatness on press this week. We may not know how to pronounce it, but you can rest assured that we will certainly be able to drink it, and so can you. Pop on in and try out the number one Rwandan coffee that has been described as both elegant and complex, kind of like Alex Tran.

Or, if you are into underdogs as opposed to top dogs, then be sure to experience the sensation that is Kanzu, Rwanda's fourth place Golden Cup. The layers of chocolate wonderfulness run deep in this bombastic bean. With a blackberry (not the electronic device), dried fruit, and caramel body this is bound to be a surefire hit round these parts.

Alex sez:

It's gonna rain!

-Alice "smooches" Berg, Alex "slaps" Tran

MAN it has been busy in here the last few weeks. If you've been jonesing for a blog, that'd be the reason. But we have news since we last spoke: In-coming is this year's Celebration Blend from Intelligentsia!

With a sweet red currant flavour and molasses tones, Celebration has a warm and full mouthfeel, with a touch of cinnamon and spice. Really, it's an ideal coffee any time, but it's only available for the season, so you should come down and try a press! If you like it, we'll soon have it for sale by the half pound. And we still have all your favourite Intelli and Dark City blends, including El Gallo (for a limited time).

French presses, by the way, are becoming quite popular. It's still perhaps the best way to enjoy a coffee, and it'll introduce you to nuances that you never knew your coffee had. We'll be happy to tell you about what you're drinking, give you tasting notes, and teach you to slurp your coffee in a way that would offend your mother. (But seriously, that's how you do it.) We love coffee, and we want you to know exactly why.

And so it is...
On Press- all are 5.oo + tax
El Cuervo Guatemala - This stuff is great! Its got sugar cane, red fruit, and milk chocolate to start, has a bold invigorating acidity and finishes off chocolaty and clean like a kiss from Alex Tran!
New Guinea- This is like the V8 of coffee (if you go for that kinda thing). First it hits you with a smack of lime, and sweet creamy spice, the lively acidity is bright and finishes off with smooth, rich citric fruits. It's a lot like alice at 3am...why? it just is!
Los Delirios Organic Nicaragua- You'll get a whoop of creamy caramel and wild honey, it's acidity is smooth like butter, and finishes you off with all spice, cranberries, and baker's chocolate. Kinda like a blog from Damien... Or maybe just his hair...

Stefan Berg has his linocuts up on our walls ( they're real and they're spectacular). If you have not come into check them out, you don't know what you're missing.
They are all beautifully framed images from his book LET THAT BAD AIR OUT - Buddy Bolden's Last Parade. If you don't get a chance to see them this month (or you love them and want more) you should come to the book Launch! It's on Tuesday December 4th from 6-8pm at David Mirvish Books (596 Markham Street).


On the subject of art and music we have Jacqueline Rendell come in every other Sunday (the 1st and 3rd of every month) to entertain the masses from 2-4pm. She is totally rad. If you haven't heard her... well you just should. She also has an EP called We Are Rich if you like what you hear or want to check her out. She will be here next on November 18- come chill.

over and out from your trusted homefries and the Merc
Alex "ain't got no pan" Tran
and
Alice "Sober?" Berg

Dear Mercury Customers,

This evening around 5pm, Damien and I witnessed a tragic event that I had feared for about a year and a half now. A patron of ours had just left our cafe and was crossing Queen St. at Morse and was struck by a passing car. There had been countless close calls at this particular crosswalk, far more that I'd like to see and I feel that this was inevitable.

My condolences goes out to the family and friends of the man who was struck and with a heavy heart I warn others who are reading this: Don't trust cars to stop at the crosswalks. A couple seconds of waiting or using the intersection at Carlaw would make a world of difference.

Damien sez:

In other news, everything else about today has been beautiful- my latte art is getting better and better, my shots are reaching a new height of consistent greatness, and my service courtesy is at an all time high (I dare you to come into the store and see how nice I am). Generally speaking, I absolutely love working at Mercury. Some high school kids told me they were writing a report about the store for an assignment, and I basically gushed ad nausea about how great every facet of the whole Mercury phenomenon really is. I won't gush too much in this blog entry cause Lord Knows I've already done enough of that, but let me just gush a wee gush:

There's something about this environment that seems to cause people to connect with one another. I've met so many amazing and wonderful people since I started working here, but sometimes I look around to notice that total strangers are striking up conversations spontaneously, as well. Cool people seem to be drawn here like bears to honey, and I'm just fine with it. Why can't all of Toronto be more like Mercury?

In light of the accident we witnessed, such light-hearted musing seems a little bit inappropriate. Perhaps I can contextualize the saccharine sentiment by saying that I feel truly lucky to work where I do, to have the life I have, and to be surrounded by the wonderful people I encounter every day. If you're reading this blog, you're probably one of them! Anyway, let tragedy and harmony both inspire us to treasure whatever it is we've been blessed with and appreciate the moment at hand.

Sunday. Vibe: Chilled Out. Baristas: The Damien and Alex Bean.
We're happy to report that we still have 3 presses of the Esmeralda left. It's only a couple more days from going stale though so if you fancy a press, get on your track bike and scuttle down you coffee hipsters.

On a another (musical) note, the lovely Ms. Jacqueline Rendell muscled out a fantastic live performance amid the flanges of a Sunday afternoon baby caravan. Those young toddlers seemed to appreciate the stylings of this particular ball-o-sunshine, who happened to just release an EP recently. She'll be back for another staggeringly militant set not this up coming Sunday but the one after that. Come out and be charmed.

Closing: 9 pm as usual. Dinner: Jim's Best. Riding: Dirrrrty

love

a

Hallowe'en Poem (a little bit late)

I woke wednesday morning
With a chill and a fright
Knowing what would happen
That very night,
A shiver went through me,
Deep down to my bones,
At the thought of the goblins
And ghouls who would moan
And groan in the darkness
Demanding from me candy--
I had to steel up my nerves,
But what had I handy?
I went down to Mercury
Where they brew liquid courage;
Threw back two shots,
Felt my energy sur-age.
I had a few more
To even it out,
Became braver and stronger
And two times more stout.
Now I could handle
Those ghouls and those ghosts:
Caffeinated, I'd be
Up all night, or almost.


PS. Hacienda la Esmeralda gives you extra-paranormal powers. True! Ask a barista.

It's cold out there HoneyCAt! Come on in and warm up with us.
Neil is giving out Free Hugs Today. Just as and you shall receive.
We have been listening to a lot of Tom Waits today. I feel this trend extending as long as possible. =I'm sure Alex can't only last so long without death metal.
Like a fish out of water, at some point you give in or he dies.

NEW NEWS
On Press!!! $5.00 + tax
Costa Rica Flecha Roja- There is nothing shy about Flecha Roja. This coffee is bursting with red fruit sweetness, citrus acidity, and an underbelly of caramel. Its finish is astoundingly crisp and clean… enough to make your lips smack!

Los Delirios, Organic Nicaragua- Delightfully creamy! Caramel and wild honey provide sweetness while dark chocolate, baking spice and a tinge of fresh cranberries compliment the finish. Well-balanced with a buttery mouthfeel.

Kenya- Kianderi Auction Lot- This is one of those coffees that can leave one speechless with wonder. It all begins with the aroma: intense and enticing. A gorgeous combination of floral and citrus scents provide a preview of what will be found in the cup. As the coffee cools, a classic black currant flavor emerges and resonates all the way through the finish. The sweetness is abundant and omnipresent, greeting one at first sip and trailing off serenely several seconds after swallowing. It all ends with a shadow of sweet currant lingering a few moments before disappearing cleanly and leaving a silly grin of pleasure.

If you missed the Hacienda La Esmeralda Geisha Jaramillo Especial last week you have one more chance to order it from us before you have to wait a whole year. This coffee has been top shelf for 3 years going on and we're bringing it Leslieville one more time. Just check out it's curriculum vitae:

#1 2004 Rainforest Alliance Cupping
#1 2004 SCAP Cupping #1 2005 SCAA & SCAP Cupping
#1 2006 SCAA & SCAP Cupping
#1 2006 Rainforest Alliance Cupping
#1 2007 SCAA & SCAP Cupping
Imagine That!

We'll be selling presses for a mere $25. What what? How dare you call that a "mere" $25? Well if you want me to break it down to you here it goes:

Last year this coffee was going for $50 a pound - green beans. On top of that you lose about 20 % of the gross weight after you roast it. But THIS year it's going for a record $130 a pound. Each press requires about 25 grams of coffee so $25 a press is about the gross price. WE ARE NOT MAKING A PROFIT! Yeah ok, I guess that's pretty cool of you guys. Damn skippy.

It's in homies! What do we have? Well sitting right now in our high-security safe we have one of the best coffees in the world that won the C.O.E. three years in a row! It's the heavy weight champion of the world and he's just chilling, waiting for his big debut in Toronto tomorrow around 2pm. So if you took out a second mortgage to try this once a year King of Commodity coffee, come and get it. Time WILL be working against you. Coffee like this waits for no man/woman. Get off your butt already!
Hacienda La Esmeralda Geisha Jaramillo Especial
"Words fail to properly capture this coffee. From the very beginning it mesmerizes your senses with its intense aromatics of jasmine and coffee blossom. The ethereal nature of this coffee will befuddle and captivate you – making each sip an urge for another. As you taste it, notes of lime, honeysuckle and tangerine undulate atop a crisp, citrus acidity. The potent sweetness transforms into a finish of white grape and jasmine flower. La Esmeralda is a truly unforgettable coffee experience. "

Alex:
Music has always been a predominantly noticeable feature here at Mercury (besides our kick-ass coffee of course) and upon walking into our humble corner you'll find yourself at the nexus of the universe where great espresso and cheesy 80's songs intersect to produce the greatest vibes known to Toronto. We started out with strictly rock 'n roll and have now evolved to encompass everything but classical and jazz. Let me tell you, there are endless possibilities.

Enough of that for now.

Coming in from Chicago on Wednesday will be:

Hacienda La Esmeralda Geisha Jaramillo Especial

"Words fail to properly capture this coffee. From the very beginning it mesmerizes your senses with its intense aromatics of jasmine and coffee blossom. The ethereal nature of this coffee will befuddle and captivate you – making each sip an urge for another. As you taste it, notes of lime, honeysuckle and tangerine undulate atop a crisp, citrus acidity. The potent sweetness transforms into a finish of white grape and jasmine flower. La Esmeralda is a truly unforgettable coffee experience."

There you have it. This was quoted from the Intelligentsia website and I don't think I could've said it better. If you have a moment on Wednesday, stop by... we'll be caffeinated...very caffeinated.

Damien:
In other Mercury-related news, we'll be allowing our customers to get to know a different side of our staff via some oh-so-righteous coffee bean caricatures. In representing each staff member as a personalized coffee bean on our window, resident Art Star Alice Berg has, with the unerring hand of a trained surgeon, cut straight to the heart of each Team Mercury member's soul, producing not only a shockingly accurate physical effigy, but also a disturbingly Real account of the very fibre of our respective beings. Plus, they are rather (to borrow the parlance of the young people these days) 'jokes.' I stand behind them One Billion Percent.

MAN but it got chilly. Mornings are dark and cold these days as we get nearer to winter, and the only way I make it through is with a toque, a sweater or two, and a steady supply of cappuccino. Fortunately, we are now open even earlier during the week-- at 6.30 in the A-M, Monday to Friday. You know, just in case you're one of those poor souls who has had to drag themselves out of bed at an ungodly hour so they can make it in to work at a profoundly blasphemous hour, and have had to cope with profane office coffee because we were still snuggling in bed-- all of us, together, warm and safe-- while you drove by in the pitch black morning drear. Aye, now we join you in companionable misery, five days a week.

Well, I don't. I don't have to open during the week! Bahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

--Ben, the jerk.


I'm a bigger jerk!

--Neil, the bigger jerk.


It's true. I hardly seem a jerk at all, compared with Neil.

--Ben, who really isn't a jerk at all, not like that Neil.

Hey Kids. This is a photograph of Damien and I back in the day. Man was he a fox or what?!?

Here is some more great COFFEE NEWS from Mercury...
We will soon be featuring the Hacienda La Esmeralda Geisha Jaramillo Especial as a press. This will be taking place on the 18th of October. We will be doing this pressing by order only, so email/ call/ or come in and sign up. The pressing will be $25.00 a pot (I know it's a bit on the steep side, But SOOOO worth it!). Here is what Intelligenstia is saying about the Esmeralda:

Words fail to properly capture this coffee. From the very beginning it mesmerizes your senses with its intense aromatics of jasmine and coffee blossom. The ethereal nature of this coffee will befuddle and captivate you – making each sip an urge for another. As you taste it, notes of lime, honeysuckle and tangerine undulate atop a crisp, citrus acidity. The potent sweetness transforms into a finish of white grape and jasmine flower. La Esmeralda is a truly unforgettable coffee experience.

So if you are into unforgettable experiences then you will have to try this one out. I would say it has to be like spending the night with Damien Dancing.

Some more coffee buzz. Our next feature for pressing will be the Las Temopilas, Nicaragua Cup of Excellence: Fourth Place.

From one of the same producers as our Organic Los Delirios, this 4th place Nicaragua Cup of Excellence winning lot is impeccable. The coffee introduces itself to you with an abundant sweetness that indicates just how careful Sr. Canales was in ensuring the selection of fully ripe coffee cherries during harvest. Notes of fresh raspberries and lime blossom on the back of a crisp acidity as it finishes into a clean milk chocolate denouement.

NEW STORE HOURS!!! We will now be open at 6:30am all weekdays. So from Monday- Friday come in extra early for your cup of joe. If you feel so inclined you could drop in and start your conversation off with "Boy it sure is early!"

I'm sure the staff will love you for it.

That's all the news that's fit to print. So have yourself a wonderful evening, and pop in if you feel like it. We love the pop in.

- Damien "looks great eating a apple" Zielinski and Alice "don't mind if you hack a dart, dude" Berg

Haha! Fooled you. You thought you were having the best coffee in Toronto all this time? As if. We've been saving it for ourselves. But we've repented, we've changed our ways: we're ready to tell you everything we know.

We are now offering featured French Press*-prepared coffees for your tasting pleasure. Right now, you can choose between two Latin American single-origin beans: Tres Santos, a Colombian micro-lot, and Los Immortales, from El Salvador. We'll grind your beans fresh to order, and give you the low-down on how long to steep it for, how to taste it, and what wonderful aromas you'll be experiencing. It brings coffee drinking to the next level. But hurry! We're already running low.

*Get it? Huh? French Press! Huh? Huh? Get it?