Block 1912

Block 1912 has just reopened! (May 2016)
I used to go there very often when I was living on Whyte ave. I liked that it was a very informal place to go for coffee, ice cream or some pastries.
Now the place looks more like a pub. They definitely tried to use the space to accommodate more tables.
Unfortunately service is very low. I went there on a Sunday afternoon and spent 20 minutes lining up. At least I bumped into some friends while I was lining up, otherwise I would have probably left. If they bothered doing renovations, I think they should also work on improving the service.

Visited recently and wow, what a crushing disappointment. I had high hopes upon entering as the renovations look good and the place was pretty busy, but alas the experience went downhill from there.
We (my husband, his family, and I) stood in line to order our food for many minutes as something was sorted out at the register. During this time we couldn’t even decide on our meal as the menu text was printed way too small. I kept running out of the line and up to the front to squint at the dish ingredients, while others waited until they were closer to the register to decide.
One thing I did appreciate was the listing of ingredients and dietary restrictions (e.g., gluten, dairy, meat) on the menu or near the item in the case of desserts. (Note: the desserts still looked totally unappetizing, and since the line was so long I don’t know why anyone would wait twice if they were getting food to start.)
Almost everyone in our group ordered the chicken club. It was supposed to come with bacon and tomatoes according to the menu, but none of the sandwiches contained either. The bread looked like it tasted good at one time, but came soggy. The entire sandwich tasted kinda «bleh» — not much flavor. The sandwich also came plated on top of a napkin, but as the bread was soggy, the napkin got wet. The (white) napkin became translucent with moisture and stuck to the bottom of my sandwich — I have to admit I ate part of it by accident. The sandwich was so tasteless I didn’t even notice at first. The change in texture tipped me off and I carefully inspected the napkin to discover a piece was missing. A bit of it was left clinging to the bottom of my sandwich, confirming my hypothesis that the rest was in my mouth.
My husband had the pulled pork, and described it as soggy with inconsistent meat distribution (half of it contained almost no meat and was essentially an onion sandwich). He likened it to street food that one would typically pay less for and obtain without the hour wait. His coffee tasted like styrofoam according to him, even though it was in a paper cup.
At the end of the visit I had to use the washroom. Block 1912 gets points for having gender-​neutral washrooms, but I would have loved a sign that just said «washroom» instead of having to check every unmarked door in the back. I also walked in on someone using the toilet, who stated that the door wouldn’t lock. I used that same room myself, and the lock was indeed broken. Why take so much care to make the front look nice and not replace a freakin’ washroom doorknob?
Overall a nasty experience, my experience here has been worse and worse over the years and Block 1912 just used up their last chance.

Lavender lattes — what else is there to say?
Great in house made sweets and treats.
Service can be hit or miss, but usually very helpful and friendly.

Stopped by for a Sunday afternoon treat while on Whyte Ave. I was surprised at how different the venue looked after the renovations. It now has a more trendy & warm vibe with its chairs, couches, & adorable lighting décor.
I ordered a iced vanilla latte & a Skor Blondie. The Blondie was a bit dry and unsatisfying, but decent.
However, I was disappointed in the service that my friend received. She ordered an iced vanilla latte & tiramisu cake and had to sit down to wait for her cake to be ready. She waited ten minutes then inquired about her order. Then she had to wait another ten minutes. The third time she inquired, they simply plated the cake and gave it to her. No apologies for the wait or error in the order.
Therefore, I was disappointed with the service. If the treats only need a simple plating then it should come out directly when ordered. Might try somewhere else next time.

Excellent European café. Fresh fresh fresh pastries!!! Giant desert portions. Fresh ground espresso. Please do not be a douche and go get the Starbucks garbage on the other side of the street.

It’s…“neat”
Trendy.
Retro.
Plenty of «Hipsters» drinking fancy beverages of all types whilst lounging in a hodge-​podge of missmatched couches and tables. Some chatting. Others lost in their laptops and tablets.
A late dinner on Whyte last night. Aimed for The Next Act Pub… but the wait was too long. Hence, a few steps South and accross 82^nd… we found ourselves at Block 1912.
Small menu.
I’m not entirely sure if they actually have a traditional kitchen. Looks like there’s a fancy oven behind the counter…
Any-​who…
I ordered the Beer baked macaroni & Bratworst, while my wife decided on the Shepards Pie. We also shared an order of the green onion cakes. One fancy coffee for her, and a snapple for me brought the bill to ~$ 45.
Food came fairly quickly.
Mine was piping hot. Her’s had cold spots, but she mixed it up and it worked out. Macaroni was decent. Shepards pie was actually pretty good. Green onion cakes were also tastey.
To cut it short.
It was «cool»
Will we be back…
I doubt it.
But if you live in the area or are after a quint spot for a fancy desert and bevy. It may just be your «cup of tea».

The worst soup I’ve had in a long time; carrot ginger from Block 1912. Salty, salty, salty. Over salted and with what we (my co-​workers and I) assume is either too much cumin or tarragon. The overwhelming saltiness destroyed the flavour of the carrot, and for the life of us three we could not taste any ginger. The little piece of «bread» served with the soup was rock hard and flavourless. Day old bread is obviously the item of choice. We work on Whyte and have recommended this café to customers that come in looking for a lunch spot; we’re not going to be doing that anymore. Too many bad experiences with this café and the staff. Poor customer service, lack of attention to food and hygiene, and a general could-​care-​less attitude make this place a «no» on our lists.

I came here on a Tuesday evening at around 6 pm to meet a friend for a warm bevie before we watched a movie at the Princess. I was really shocked that it was not more busy as only about 4 tables were occupied. For those of you who know this place, know they have tons of seating and room.
I ordered a London Fog $ 4 and found it surprisingly small for what you pay for. I like the ambience in here and this place would be good for a first date as they have numerous couches. They also serve gelato and other desserts but I wasn’t in the mood to have anything sweet after the holiday sugar craze… next time.

Awful experience! The soup was inedible and so was the potato salad. We told the manager and they said they would not refund our money $ 30 for a grilled cheese (ok) 2 coffees and soup and potato salad. They offered us a free $ 3 pastry but when we saw ants on them we declined. So disappointed! Was here 5 years ago and had a wonderful time such a let down.

I have gone to this coffee shop a couple of times with a friend who seems to really like this place.
The sofas they have along one of the walls are comfy but a little dirty.
There is no table service, which is fine except for the fact that food and drink take 5 – 10 min, which means you order, then sit and start a conversation, wait for your name to be screamed across the café, and then stop to go get your food and then come back to start again. You see the issue I am with this place.
The desert options are plenty full. I had the expresso cream brûlée, I did not care for it.
The cappuccino did not offend my palette.

This location is a staple on Whyte Ave. Oft-​frequented by students, it’s a lovely open space with a charming array of mismatched tables and chairs, where you can get gelato, baked treats, coffee, tea, and snacks. They also serve wine and beer, and are open quite late for a café-​style establishment. It’s a nice, laid back place to go with a couple friends for a study session or good conversation.

Looking for a great place to get desert in old strathcona? then this might be your place. Their desert counter is full of amazing options for every taste. They had 2 cheesecake options; the first was a brownie cheesecake which looked awesome, but I opted to go for the raspberry cheesecake because it had a cream cheese icing that looked amazing and a nice thick graham cracker crust.
I was surprised when I got my cake that the cream cheese icing was twice as thick in the middle than on the edge, they had actually lowered the middle of the cake in order to accommodate more icing… WOW. talk about rich! I loved every bite. The price was right too, $ 7 for a massive slice of some of the best cheesecake I’ve ever had in Edmonton. My wife had the pistachio cake, which was also good, but for me the highlight was the cheesecake. We both left cake behind, not because it wasn’t amazing, but rather because the portions were so generous. Can’t wait to go back.

I don’t tolerate mediocrity when it comes to my food. Prepared food is expensive to buy and it had better be worth the price being asked or I have no mercy for the staff or the establishment. I work hard for my dollars and each and every dollar needs to count for something. On that note, my last visit rendered the following opinion from me.
I like the décor and the atmosphere, the location is choice and they hold a great spot on Whyte. I’m not new to hip cafés or hipster servers who are not all present, but I felt like I was interrupting one servers’ conversation by being a customer. I found the drinks were made sloppily, the product itself was mediocre. When I pay premium prices for a barista to make me a beverage, be it tea, hot chocolate or a coffee drink, I expect that they will do it better than I can especially at that price. The hot chocolate spilled outside the cup and the coffee I had was a little weak for a ‘bold blend’.
I ordered pastries that looked good but had no texture and were frankly a little bland, like they were yesterday’s stock. Shame, they looked good but didn’t have the freshness they should have. The one guy there, whoever he is, needs to find another job because he clearly does not want to be there, he’s just collecting a paycheck. I know it sounds harsh but it’s easy to see when someone is apathetic towards basic courtesy and customer service.
The place has great potential but falls terribly short on both service and product quality. They need better staff to uphold the reputation. Don’t hold your breath, visits there are hit and miss for either of those categories. I wouldn’t spend my money there until they fix these problems.

I honestly love coming here, it is a truly a gem on Whyte Avenue. And in Edmonton, too, for that matter! Since I moved here I thought there was a lack of local, unique, comfortable, and fun atmospheres. Block 1912 is definitely all of those things. I love the vibe inside this café, and there are so many chairs, couches, and tables, all unique with an antique feel but somehow it goes together perfectly.
If you get anything upon visiting Block 1912, GET A DESSERT! They are simply amazing. Beautifully decorated, hand crafted, unique creations, I have never had a disappointing dessert. If you can get anything with cheesecake, you will not be disappointed. The homemade gelato is also a must, especially in the summer! They have crafted a lot of flavors and there are so many! Their items are a little on the pricier side, but you are paying for something that a lot of effort has been put into, and the effort definitely pays off.
I’ve been wavering between giving Block 1912 a 3/​5, and a 4/​5, but ultimately went with 3– though I would give a solid 3.5 if possible. The reason behind this is down to one simple thing — The service. If this place relied simply on service, there would be no business. It’s a good thing they have such a great atmosphere, amazing desserts, good food, or homemade gelato. I’ve been here countless times, and I’m really sad to say that I don’t believe I’ve ever had good service. The staff seem unhappy to be there, annoyed to serve you, and are slow and disorganized.
But, please do not let this stop you from coming here! You will miss out on amazing desserts and a great place to meet with friends, family, or even to relax and chill out on your own. I’ve been back time and again, and it remains one of my favorite places on Whyte Avenue.

I’ve been in a few more times since my last review… I did not take them up on their free drink offer, I just can’t be bothered, besides, my problem was not with my drink.
Drink quality is mostly consistently good, same with the food… there’s the odd quirk up, and I wouldn’t say that I’ve ever been blown away by anything, thinking about it the next day… it’s just… good…
I’ve never been a fan of the service, though I do get the occasional good (not amazeballs, like some places) service and never again has it been as bad as that time that I previously reviewed. I do basically go in with the expectation that I’m not going to have good service though, and I don’t really think that’s actually a position that paying customers should be put in.
Bottomline though, they offer an atmosphere that’s hard to come by in Edmonton, so it’s a good place to sit with my kids, or with a friend, to chat. The menu is good enough that I don’t feel ripped off. It’s a-​ok, I’d even say good, over all. I just would not reach so far as to say I’m a fan, or that I’m actually *impressed*.

This place is situated right beside the Dairy Queen on the corner of Whyte Ave. It’s a really neat and trendy café. They have decorative chairs and tables for everyone. The wall is always filled with very unique artwork from local artists. There’s enough room for a group of students or just two people who just want to sit and brainstorm on there next big idea to change there world. I find that a lot of people who don’t know where to go come here and people watch on a busy weekend evening. They just refuse to go to the bar on Whyte Ave.
The display menu on the wall is very organized and you can find what you are looking for.
There display of dessert is very appealing to the eye from a distance, but when you look closer, the dessert is quite dry and flat. I ordered some to try and it wasn’t really fresh and sometimes you can tell that it’s been on display for a very long time. They have a few selections of teas and coffees to choose from. The old times I like to have a bowl of soup or try a salad. I don’t eat the food here, because it’s a little pricey for me and the portion is small.
I like the Gelato the best here. On a hot day after a nice stroll in the evening, I like to come here and indulge in a few scoops of cold delicious sweetness. If I’m with a friend then we always share.
The up and down interior is fun to adventure into and finding that right spot to sit at and having that one of a kind conversation.

This place has remarkably good food and beverage options but the reason I like it so much is almost always the desserts and gelato. When I was younger I almost always stopped here for gelato. More recently I discovered the delicious desserts (and I’m not often one for dessert!) which they bake in house!
The meal options are ample in size and taste like home-​cooked meals. This combined with the eclectic furniture and the mixed crowd are tell-​tale signs of a successful Whyte Avenue business that is well worth a visit! I somehow end up spending more than I expect here usually, but for good reasons, it’s well worth a visit and is a great place to just stop and relax (and even people watch). I’d call it a Whyte Avenue institution and I’d likely not be wrong in that description.

We walked in from the cold because we wanted yummy desserts and hot delicious coffee…
We were greeted by an unfriendly guy behind the counter while we were in awe of the great looking desserts.
He seemed impatient and wanted us to speed up?
My sister choose the cream brulé while I had the walnut tart and a decafe Americano.
The coffee was simply great but my dessert was very rich and sweet. My sisters crème Brulè was awesome not too sweet and the honey covered fruit was just delicious.
After we sat we notice that it wasn’t too busy for a Tuesday night. Then we saw the steady stream of ppl piling in 2 – 3 at a time and the server behind the counter grew frustrated …
I shouldn’t be focusing on him but when I asked for a box because I couldn’t finish my dessert he snapped at me! Told me to «wait!» I wasn’t trying to rush him I understand he was doing something but I caught him when there was no one around and before another small rush. I told him that I’m in no rush and I sat down fast. My sister laughed and told me to take his pic and write grumpy for the caption. No… I wouldn’t do that because that would be rude.
I have been going to Block 1912 since I was in junior high school so I will definitely be back. They have great desserts, beverages and a nice atmosphere to relax in all year round. I think we caught that server having an off day because the service here is usually pretty good.

Checked-​out staff, piss-​warm coffee and pastries to not die for served up in return for far too much coin.
Seriously, we laid down on counter $ 15 of hard-​earned treasure and walked away after one bite and one sip each. That was after the young lady behind counter zapped my coffee in the microwave.
I ordered the black eye albeit dark roast coffee with an espresso shot accompanied by cinnamon and apple scone. The coffee was tepid and micro waving the scone was a very bad idea.
She-​who-​must-​be-​obeyed ordered a chocolate and nut biscotti with an extra hot, low-​fat latte chaser.
Seriously, we walked away after one bite and one sip each. Keep walking.

Nice gelato on a hot summers eve — try the orange creamsicle!
I have stopped by a couple of times and enjoy the atmosphere and the vast selection. The gelato flavours are enormous and there is bound to be one or two that catch your eye. My friend found the mango was a bit sweet, but my orange creamsicle was just right.
Another time I had the three chocolate mousse dessert and was disappointed. It was way too heavy and thick and sweet for my liking, but it could just be me. Someone try it out and let me know what you think?
There are a couple small little patio tables in front of the store that lets you sit, enjoy your dessert and watch the cars go by!