The bar at Spice Safar (Photo by Renée Suen)
The recession may just be ending, but around King West, there are few signs it ever happened. Buca has just opened, The Roosevelt Room starts up in two weeks, and the Bell Lightbox is rapidly climbing into the sky. And now there are two new locations of Montreal’s Spice Safar to add a dose of the unexpected to the district.
One Spice Safar is located right at King and Brant Streets, but it’s much harder to categorize than neighbouring bars and restaurants. The concept is “boutique-bakery-café-lounge,” although the latter three take up most of the room. House-made viennoiseries ($2–$3), organic Mexican arabica espressos (served with sparkling water and a tiny brownie, $3.50–$4.25) and rooibos red lattes ($3.95) are popular with clients, and plans are already underway to expand the menu to include brunch and high tea.
The bright, spacious interior is done up with wood and velvet, lending the room a luxurious feel far from that of the rustic neighbourhood coffee shop. Of course, that vibe is helped along by the small boutique section that showcases eclectic products that project a youthful and professional sensibility: iPhone ball speakers from Japan ($29), handmade porcelain-and-wood amps from Iowa ($500), Green Technology shoes ($1,500). At dusk, the space becomes a lounge, where DJs blend music ranging from Brazilian to Middle Eastern to Indian and pump it at volumes that are conducive to conversation.
Wilhelm Liebenberg (Photo by Renée Suen)
Founder and CEO Wilhelm Liebenberg tells us Spice Safar’s lifestyle-based business is unique in the city, catering to everyone from the budding socialite to the savviest of shoppers. “It is both affordable and luxurious,” he says, noting that he serves up “guilty pleasures for only 50 cents more than Starbucks.”
His other Safar Lounge location, just a few blocks away on Adelaide Street, strives to be a modern take on the 1920s absinthe bars of Paris and Cairo. The cocktail menu lists several beverage creations (such as the molecular bellini, $12) by mixologist Miguel Aranda (from Manhattan’s Apothéke), as well as an international gamut of small plates from executive chef Matthew Sullivan (previously of The Fat Duck) and decadent desserts prepared by chef Carlo Lazzarino (formerly of Four Seasons Toronto and Colborne Lane). The Adelaide lounge is also home to the iconic Adonis espresso machine by Victoria Arduino, one of the few in commercial use in North America.
Liebenberg admits that the jack-of-all-trades concept can seem confusing to the uninitiated but says, “Everyone who comes in gets it. It’s the emotional journey that everybody’s always wanted but didn’t know existed. We are a lounge, but it’s the all-around visual and emotional experience we try to create.”
Spice Safar, 270 Adelaide St. W. (at John St.) and 510 King St. W. (at Brant St.), 416-340-0444, spicesafar.com.
Spice Safar was a total failure in Montreal. Two locations that closed within a year, and now the same lack of authenticity in Toronto. What a scam!
December 14, 2009 at 12:09 pm | by Gianni TremblaySeems like you might have been involved in the failure “Gianni”.
Quite possibly the people involved in Montreal were the scammers…since coincidentally you have been able to follow the progress of Spice Safar from Montreal all the way to Toronto.
Well guess what…? You’ll have to follow them to the 6 locations opening in the U.S. or so I’ve heard?
Maybe you should spend the energy you do bashing someone else’s success and try to do something constructive for yourself.
January 3, 2010 at 10:47 pm | by The_Truth_IsOnly 1 phone number and no one answers plus the vox box is full up.
January 31, 2010 at 9:33 am | by open or closedFinding it very hard to get any info on hours, since not living in the area, do not want to arrive and find it closed. Would NOT be impressed.
The cappuccinos that we have enjoyed at Spicesafar on King West are by far the best cappuccinos we have encountered anywhere here and in the Old World. There’s apparently a very long story behind this level of excellence — so you simply have to try Spicesafar’s coffees for yourself!
March 20, 2010 at 11:07 am | by Arlene B. QueenP.S. The marzipan croissants are to die for!
awesome post . i like it its so nice…
May 17, 2010 at 5:10 am | by toronto home renovationsive been to both locations and both had their perks. the one on adelaide closed down because apparently they only wanted one spice safar in the city – just barista gossip.
i like the pillows at the king st location. omfg and killer tapas too.
July 10, 2010 at 9:47 am | by pamelaI’ve recently discovered the King West location with my girlfriend and we can’t get enough of the place. They have by far the best coffee in the entire city. The staff are incredibly down to earth and passionate about their cafe. They also have free internet and $4 beer during happy hour, which is why I’m there at least twice a week.
August 4, 2010 at 8:46 pm | by jason_nosajI’m not surprised that this business crashed and burned in Toronto! I know that these con artists have also defaulted on their rent here in Toronto, and that the Landlord is pursuing legal action against them. Sometimes the biggest “talkers” are the most full of Shit, and this would certainly apply to the fraudster Wilhelm Liebenberg !! .. BEWARE!
January 28, 2011 at 9:33 am | by Curtis AllensburyWilhelm Liebenberg has been sued from Miami to Montreal and he’s still running. Everyone knew this wouldn’t work. 4 spicesafars have opened and 4 spicesafars have closed. Can you say bad businessman? Wonder who the next victim will be.
September 8, 2011 at 12:11 am | by Marwanhe even looks slimy!
October 11, 2011 at 5:01 am | by gross