Bass Espresso

This is probably one of the very last businesses in the Boundary Street district as you head away from the city. We popped in early when they first opened and have dropped in intermittently since then. Nice to see they have expanded into next door. Their bio is behind their menu and an interesting read. The owner is really a bass player! He experimented roasting beans and eventually took the step to open up this café.
The food options have expanded to cooked food (previously there was only a cabinet of brought-​in food). They have live music at times. There are an assortment of books and instruments to keep you amused. Furnishings are very 2^nd hand/​handmade and decorated interiors — something that matters to me as I want to feel I’m in a home away from home. Your table number is a stuffed toy hot glued to a post. We got the lion in the lederhosen. Yes, really. Come and see their big bass table at least. :)
Please note, they face right onto Boundary Street, so the noise does include a steady stream of cars and the 198 bus which runs every ½ hr. Parking is on street, but the good thing is that due to their location, you will be battling less customers than in the main part of Boundary trying to find a park.
The reason I have not moved this to a 4 or 5 star is that it has a lot of room for development. I found it hard to choose something from the menu (lack of multiple temptations), coffee for two came separately with a delay between them, and also the first one took a while to get there. You order from the counter and get a number. I would describe the service as friendly and laid back.

The Highgate Hill end of Boundary Road is not one I frequent but I made an effort to explore it as I ventured looking for Bass Espresso (which makes me think of Chuck Bass Every.Single.Time. Why?!)
Free Wi-​Fi and ample selection of standard café fare (think muffins, tarts and quiches). Coffee is freshly ground from a Brother Espresso blend and while I sat working on a few emails, I was not once made feel as though I should hurry along. Like most West End establishments that sense of community and a café being a «hub» is ever present.
Their current coffee blend is very sweet to drink and probably not for fans of a dark and strong brew. The quiche I had was a great mid-​morning snack — the perfect size for a bite in between breakfast and a late lunch.
This is going to be one that I keep up my sleeve for the next time I’m in the area.