Out & About #379 | Revisiting Finch on Locke

​"If you've seen one, you've seen it all" doesn't accurately apply to cafe visits in my experience, or any eatery in general really. Each trip holds its own significance and results in a different impression - favourable or abhorrent - depending on the quality of goods and services offered, as well as the environment in which they were presented.

A second visit to the former Johnny's Coffee arose from a sudden urge to immerse myself amongst shrubbery while attempting to re-familiarize myself with the concept of effective stresses. Lavender Latte was the five-dollar seasonal special; quite intriguing by name already, this option prompted me to venture beyond my standard requests, launching myself into a realm of caffeinated beverages bearing floral attributes.

​While the barista brewed, I set out to secure a spot on the backyard patio. Honestly, I suppose it was less of a patio and largely an extended platform that overlooked the railway beneath. Umbrellas were swapped for the hanging branches of lofty trees, and wooden booths in place of metal/plastic patio chairs. Some forms of synthetic seating were present, though it was the dark-toned lumber that caught my attention. As calming as the rustic tint was on the eyes, the mold lining its ridges was not. Years of wet, snowy conditions had encouraged the growth of fine green particles from within the innermost layers of the wood; this not only facilitated fermentation in the shaded regions, but slow decomposition had alslo resulted in an unlevel surface.

​The reason behind choosing a table outdoors was to soak in fresh air while labouring away at the designated tasks. But soon, the peaceful neverland I had envisioned turned dismal and counterproductive against my original wishes.
All had still been fine when two business partners chatted away at the far end of the seating area. Thing took a turn for the negative when two impossibly loud ladies decided to engage in obnoxious gossip at the neighbouring table; the cackle of the one seated immediately next to me was absolutely ear-rupturing. Her coffee-sipping acquaintance had lowered her voice at the sight of me pulling a stack of papers from my backpack, though the other continued  projecting her booming chortles for all in the three-meter radius to hear.

​I retrieved my Lavender Latte at this point, and retreated back to the not-so-great outdoors to admire it under natural light. It was on the chillier side than I would have enjoyed, and did not contain any discernible traces of the pale purple flower. Nonetheless, it was caffeinated and stimulating to my tired soul.

​Minutes passed and the area somehow witnessed an influx of bees in my corner. They swarmed about my being, the papers on the table, as well as the (now) lukewarm beverage before me. In conjunction with the incessant cackling of the adjacent table, it became obvious that I would need to set up inside to gain some thinking space.
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Once a table had been secured and electronics had been plugged into their not-so-conveniently-located outlets, I marched up to the cashier once again. Lunch took the form of a Chicken, Pesto, and Provolone Grilled Cheese. The price tag of $6.50 led me to believe that its portion size would be sufficient enough to last two meals. Unfortunately, this was not the case.
Regardless, the contents of the sandwich were satisfying and flavourful. Smothered between two slices of browned, flaxseed-crusted bread was a decent amount of grilled chicken breast strips, a fitting amount of pesto, and an abundance of melted, stringy cheese.

In fear that the sandwich would not be able to last me until mid-afternoon, I picked up a Blondie before heading off. Frozen vegan treats from Dolled Up Desserts had just been placed on the display stand as I was placing my sandwich order. Appearance-wise, they were sweet and indulgent; the reality veered far from though. A mushy, crumbly mess of oil and flour was its true form. Not bearing to merely toss $3.85 of hard-earned funds in the trash, I persevered until my stomach could cope no more.

​Conclusively speaking, Finch on Locke is a respectable place to work and fuel up. Although on the more relaxed side, service in undoubtedly friendly, unlike some spots northeast of the area. Food items are, essentially, a hit or miss, considering my first visit was all-around pleasant. For busy businesspeople, seat yourself inside and bring a lengthy charging cord; for loud customers, please just try to remember the definition of a shared public commons.