Local Feature: Harlem Underground

Location:

745 Queen St W, Toronto

www.harlemrestaurant.com/underground

With a wall-mural/graffitied glass hallway and red interior walls, Harlem looks like how you'd expect a restaurant in Harlem to look: cultured-chic, friendly and somewhere you'd want to spend a few good hours with friends and wholesome Southern cooking.










Cajun Tempura Fried Okra
$4.95

Of all the fascinating side dishes on the menu ( fried plantains, candied yams, bacon mac n' cheese, collard greens,) we had to try the deep fried okra.  Arriving piping hot, and with plenty enough to go around, it did not disappoint.  Granted, okra is not for everyone...the slimy texture and odd taste is certainly something to acquire.  I, for one, love okra and have had it in many forms, so this was just another lovely treat for me.


Harlem Benny Poached eggs, chili-garlic greens, atop a sausage and grits flap jack along with cheesy hollandaise
$10.95

R who had this dish, was worried that the portion size and the density of a grit flap jack would be too heavy since she'd already eaten breakfast, but the flap jack was light and the eggs perfectly poached.



Mile High Jawny Toast Three egg-dipped thick slices of egg loaf drizzled with maple syrup, crushed pecans and fresh fruit
$10.95

OMG you guys.  Undoubtedly the best FT I've had to date!  THICK, yet fluffy slices of bread and an absolutely mouth-watering, nutty, berry sauce on top.  While splitting this dish with A who ordered the fried chicken and waffles, I ended up with a smorgasbord of salty (fried chicken) and sweet (waffles and french toast) goodness on my plate (usually how I like to eat things - all on one plate) which was wiped clean with the last bite of toast. 


Southern Fried Chicken & Waffle With a Chipolte-corriander-lime maple syrup
$11.95

Speaking of the Fried Chicken and waffles, does four pieces of chicken sound enough to you?! Thank goodness we were sharing!  What portions are these, my friends?  Amazing!  The chipotle-corriander-lime maple syrup was an excellent accompaniment to the waffles (which unfortunately lacked that fresh-out-of-the-waffle-iron heat).



Yam & Yukon Potato Hash Topped with a sunny side up egg cooked with spicy sausage, served with biscuits and greens
$9.95

We all agreed, the potato hash was incredible!  Especially with the spicy sausage.



Veggie Omelette Sweet peppers, onions, mushroom and spinach
$8.95

N who got this dish said even with the cheese it was a tad bland for her taste.

And none of us cared much for the sweet potato biscuits accompanying the omelettes.  They weren't warm or soft enough and had the texture of a scone; fairly dry.  I think with everything else going on in the dish, the side biscuit came cross as rather plain in comparison.  Regardless, I wish it had been better 'cause there's nothing like a hot biscuit!

Still, with any personal requests (ie. cheese in the omlette, collard greens instead of spinach) there were no hesitations to comply, in fact suggestions were made to accommodate dietary concerns, if possible.  Our server, Jen, imparted just the right measure of attentiveness without being intrusive.

Oh, and a shout-out the to the low-ceilinged washrooms, which we figured is the "underground" part of Harlem Underground. We all emerged from it as if we were the (recently rescued) miners. (Yay, miners!) :)

But in all seriousness, HU is such a wonderfully warm and friendly place, I would not hesitate to return. And with a group of seven, the verdict was unanimous: come hungry, and leave content!

NEW: Wanda's Belgian Waffles

Location:

252 Queen St E, Toronto

There's a new location of Wanda's Belgian Waffles right on Queen Street, across from the 2nd Cup.  It's a little kiosk within the Gardenview Grocery.

Perfect leading into fall!

Starving Artist

Location:
584 Lansdowne Ave, Toronto

Cost: $9-10 per breakfast entree

www.starvingartistbar.com

What better way to end (and start) a year than to brunch?

First, there was the 31st.

Upon the suggestion of a friend, our annual xmas reunion, of sorts, took place at Starving Artist, one of the few places open for brunch on New Years Eve (they were very accommodating with our large-ish group, and open at 10am, which was a bonus for our schedule that day).

In a highly residential area, just north of Bloor on Lansdowne, sits the Starving Artist, with all of the ambiance of a Queen West indie bar, it's a non-commission-taking gallery/performance space/restaurant/bar.

Interior

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="340" caption="Waffle Benny $9"][/caption]

The Waffle Benny, wonderfully presented and heartily enjoyed by those who ordered it.

The Hitchhiker [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="340" caption="The Hitchhiker $10"][/caption]0

The Hitchhiker, what I ordered - Scrambled Eggs with Cheddar – 4 Pieces of Caramelized Bacon – 2 Mini Waffles (Upgrade to Waffled Bacon for $2 extra)

Of course I upgraded, but instead they gave me the regular waffles (a mistake I am certainly NOT complaining about because to make up for it they gave me a complimentary side of waffled bacon).

Focusing on the caramelized bacon...

Not only was the regular bacon out of this world, I was very happy with the waffled bacon, as well. Perfect combination of sweet and salty, which is my weakness.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="512" caption="Side of Waffled Bacon $5 – served with Maple Syrup"][/caption]

All the dishes come with salad and fresh fruit

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="512" caption="Chicken Bacon Club $9"][/caption]

Chicken bacon club, with Havarti, Secret Sauce and Cucumbers - possibly not such a hit with my friend C who didn't finish her meal...*okay, she says it was good, but she was just too full from the 3am crepes she'd devoured a few hours earlier!*

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="340" caption="Breakfast Waffle $9"][/caption]

The Breakfast Waffle - two poached eggs, two potato waffles and caramelized bacon, the bacon can be substituted with avacado, was tasty, but likely better with bacon..just my humble opinion.

My Earl Grey cup through Hobography's tilt-shift lens

(Mine was not a very good attempt at using the tilt-shift lens, see far more impressive examples on Hobography's blog)

Cappuccino "Cappuccino $3.50".50

According to my coffee enthusiast friends, their Americanos/espressos/ cappuccinos (supposed specialties of the joint) weren't strong enough. Also, the draft in the back area of the bar, that we all felt, quickly cooled down our hot drinks.

So there you have it.

Dark and drafty, Starving Artist is like a beer...only, waffled.

Definitely worth a try especially if you're near the area.