If you’ve noticed a little extra buzz hitting Dundas West over the last few weeks, it might be because of the homemade desserts being served at a new bakery café and wine bar. With just a small sign on the corner, Calmo is unassuming, though it’s not hard to miss the electric energy that’s radiating from the space — which is exactly what founder Jin Paik wanted.
“The main goal was creating someplace where I want to spend time myself and somewhere comfortable to enjoy coffee, catch up with friends and family and just relax over wine,” he says. “It seems like a natural combination for coffee and something freshly baked during the daytime and then a wine glass and a few small plates in the evening.”
When choosing a location for the café, Paik wanted a space with plenty of windows that would connect it to the street. He found just that in the corner building at Dundas Street and Grove Avenue, where natural light gives the shop a warm, welcoming feel that suits its name. Paik had spent plenty of time in Little Portugal before opening the café, and says he and his wife both “fell in love with the neighbourhood.”
“I love the energy on the weekends, with the foot traffic, but also the more relaxed feeling during the weekdays,” he says. “With the welcoming neighbours and friendly restaurants and cafés, we felt like it was a neighbourhood we wanted to be a part of.”
Inside, the bright café has a minimalist look, with mismatched chairs, light wood, an exposed brick wall, eclectic decor and touches of powder blue. The neighbourhood fit is clear, with specialty coffees made using beans from Montreal small-batch roaster Traffic Coffee Co.
“We connected with their approach to exploring different flavours and aromas in coffee,” Paik says. “We’re excited to introduce people to different expressions of coffee.”
Start your day with a coffee and something from the homemade dessert and baking selection, which includes brownies, cookies, brioche, tarts and scones. Some treats are entirely vegan, so there are options for those avoiding dairy and eggs, too.
A standout in the bakery case is the raspberry pie topped with rosemary, available by the slice or for pre-order if you want to bring one home to share. For something savoury, there’s a PB&J scone or a cheddar and bacon version. Paik says the selection of baked goods and desserts will continue to grow as Calmo settles in.
Calmo may be best known as a café and bakery for now, but Paik has plans to extend its hours once the liquor licence comes through. The idea is to make the space somewhere to settle in later in the day, too. The wine list will feature natural bottles, with a smaller, carefully chosen selection rather than hundreds of options. Paik says the goal is to make enjoying a glass of wine more approachable.
With plans to add evening hours and wine service, Calmo is looking to become more than a morning coffee stop. Paik says the response from the neighbourhood so far has made opening here especially rewarding.
“I think this is one of the more welcoming neighbourhoods in Toronto, personally,” says Paik. “You can really feel how much people love this area and take pride in it. The support for local businesses has been really incredible, and I’m very grateful that we got to be part of this community.”