Location:
323 Kerr Street, Oakville
Cost: Sunday Brunch approx $9 per entree
After all the hoopla and hype over Stoney's; we finally made it for brunch on Sunday and I have to tell you...I am a little bit disappointed.
Okay, so you stand in line, make your order, get a number, pick up your own drinks, seat yourself and your food is brought to you. I get it guys, I get it. But I have to ask why.
Why must you make your own tea/coffee and gingerly navigate your way to a table through the throngs of seated patrons? Perhaps even spilling some hot tea on the way to the outdoor patio? I feel that if I have to make my own tea standing at the milk/sugar counter in a restaurant on a Sunday morning, I might as well have stayed at home and done the same. Likewise, having to clear dirty utensils from the table shouldn't be on my morning list of things to do...at a restaurant. And if you're already getting the food brought to your table; why don't they just take orders at the table?
Also, running out of soy milk/lactose free-milk is not really acceptable when you're only open from 9am to 3pm on Sunday.
Our meals took a very long time to arrive (and we came after the breakfast crowd) that by the time they did arrive our hot drinks were cold and there were no offers made for refills. And while the service is friendly, we still had to call out for clean utensils to our server as she walked away after plunking our plates down (without even a glance) and also requested salt and pepper which was forgotten until we asked a second time. We also had to return to the front counter to remind them about the forgotten banana bread we'd ordered (more on the taste of the banana bread later).
So, before you get your underpants in a knot, let me just say that I don't consider myself a brunch snob although I am somewhat of a French toast connoisseur having cooked variations of it myself since I was, maybe twelve, and with it usually being my sole order at breakfast/brunch places all over, I can confidently say this:
The French Toast at Stoney's is just...okay.
On the positive (or maybe for some, negative) side, it is massive. The presentation is nice and the price is good for that much French toast. The plate was literally stacked with three huge slabs of bread. I say bread because it was literally too thick for the eggy-ness to fully penetrate the bready centre.
I dislike cutting into French toast only to find dry bread staring back at me. Admittedly the coating of brown sugar and cinnamon was tasty, but it wasn't enough coating and the too few fruits (although I did like the surprise of star fruit) on top of the mountainous "slabic" toast and teeny cup of maple syrup on the side was simply unjustly proportioned to the bread. However, I will happily admit that the side of bacon I got was perfection, although it's hard to screw up strips of fried pork.
The frittata was good...I'm hugely into artichokes so that part was great. Ordering egg whites didn't make it any less greasy...(this coming from someone who ordered bacon on the side, I know) and the mixed greens salad might have been better with the dressing on the side, but I suppose we should have ordered it that way.
Lastly, having to brush away the wasps and flies at our table (even before the food came, likely because the table hadn't been cleaned before we sat down) we had to eat quickly when our food finally did arrive. Argh, certainly not very relaxing the way a Sunday brunch should be.
And that home-made banana bread ($2.50) I told you about earlier? Don't do it. Absolutely no banana taste and oily to the core. No nuts even! Possibly the worst banana bread ever (best banana bread is still the one from the road-side stall in Maui).
There you have it guys...Foodhogger's Stoney's experience.
Undoubtedly some people's favourite joint to brunch, but overall, I'm not a fan of the system they have there...too much work involved for a lazy Sunday morning. Perhaps I'd go again for a sandwich or pizza at lunch where their cafeteria system would work. It's a good thing it's in the 'burbs...a place like Stoney's wouldn't survive in the city on that sort of system. Fusaro's in Toronto also has a cafeteria style system, but it's during the week and for lunch...they know better for brunch on the weekend...it's full table service; just how people want to eat on a Sunday, otherwise what's different than cooking up some french toast at home?
By The Way Cafe Round 2
Location:
400 Blor St West, Toronto
Cost: Approx $20
www.bythewaycafe.com
Recently went to BTWC again for a friend's birthday brunch gathering.
The french toast stuffed with apples and brie sat very well with the birthday girl.
(I ordinarily flock towards french toast, but can't do brie and didn't feel like regular french toast that day - *gasp* I know).
Instead, I ordered the omelette with chorizo, jalapenos and onions (minus the cheddar). I still can't believe it comes with a Montreal bagel, too!
I was really glad for the spicy chorizo and jalepenos in the omelette 'cause otherwise it was lacking a bit of something...some herbs? Thyme? Oregano? The other girls who ordered omelettes said the same of their omelettes..that it was missing a little somethin'.
My friend ordered the burrito...which was quite good although again, needed a little hot sauce in my humble opinion.
My veg friend who couldn't eat eggs that day was at a loss of what to order that didn't have eggs in it...waffles would have been a better choice than the baba ganough that she ordered with pita. As an appetizer shared between..many...it would have been great, but as a meal for one it faired well below average and the eggplant tasted a bit burnt or if you'd rather, overly smoked. A definite disappointment.
Something a little more veg friendly for breakfast instead of salad and other more lunchy-type options would be better. Possibly the waffles are the only thing that qualified in this case.
The OJ, on the other hand, was splendid.
And the cheesecake seemed to be a hit amongst the others.
Looks like the baba ganough isn't deflecting the customers at all; BTWC is a much happening place...with a constant stream of patrons flowing in and out. With their lovely, sunny patio and friendly service, it surely is a nice brunch spot in the Annex.
By the Way Cafe
I'm sorry, but this place is just begging for a text message review.
Something like this perhaps?
~
Loc:
400 Blor St W, TO
BTW, i wn 2 dis plc on Blr St W 4 brnch 1 Sat morn aftr yoga cls & ws plsntly surpsd by da cozy atmsphr & frndly srvic. Da scrmbld egs totly hit da spot.
but OMG u guyz Twngns Erl Gry rely sux!
~
Going to BTWC again this Saturday for a friend's birthday breakfast...will post more on that soon.
Zimbel's Cafe
Location:
410 Adelaide Street West
In place of Mosaic, there now is Zimbel's Cafe! It must be hard for them to get everyone's attention being hidden away in such a quiet street as Adelaide especially with Timmy's on the other corner and Le Gourmand and Starbucks dominating the Richmond/Spadina area. However, I think business will pick up 'cause they're really good!
They've done a great job with the interior design - love the Eames furniture - and photography on the walls. They also are a catering company and cater all sorts of events from Weddings to Corporate Lunches to Film Sets and have been in the business since 1981.
(Above photo courtesy of Andrew Zimbel)
The teas are from Language of the Leaf and yummy (pricer than Le Gourmand though but it's loose-leaf and Le G is known to mix up my Earl Grey with Earl Grey Green tea and not have the water hot enough sometimes).
The food is tasty at Zimbel's, as well. From the muffins, croissants and the banana bread (with sunflower and cranberries = excellent!) to their lunch menu (I had the salad with grilled chicken once), it's all very fresh and good.
And the service, although still novice, is getting there.
Great place to try out instead of your usual coffee/tea train destination!
***My friend who recently tasted the "knee buckling" brownie had this to say about it:
"To classify its deliciousness and sugar power, I'd say it was a spectacular punch to the back of the head, kapow!" - Mack Carruthers
Is David's Tea overrated?
David's Tea
Location:
336 Queen Street W, Toronto
Cost: $6.50 for 50g
www.davidstea.com
Beside the well-known Rivoli on Queen St. there is a sliver of a store that looks like it could be an urban bubble tea cafe. It's urban alright, but not bubble tea. The place is called David's Tea and it boasts over 100 varieties of loose-leaf teas.
The first time I walked in, I wasn't greeted by any of the upbeat staff which surprised (and offended) me, although I must admit I sort of liked perusing the shelves of tea cups and pots and eyeing the wall of stainless steel tea canisters labelled 'pu'er', 'earl grey', 'rooibos' without being harrassed.
The next time I went in admittedly intrigued by the tea offerings and expensive fancy tea pots, I was offered a little ceramic shot glass filled with a peach-something-or-other tea. A tiny droplet hung off the side of the cup, which I scooped up and tasted fully expecting some pleasant orchard peach flavour. Instead, I received the bitter taste of dishwashing detergent! It wasn't a taste the peach tea could wash away after either, that's for sure. Once again I left with a bad taste in my mouth, this time, literally.
Then Spring came along and whilst on a break with some coworkers, we were greeted with a $2 special iced tea stand outside the store. We decided to try the almond spring tea (black tea, almond oil, toasted almonds, rooibos, chocolate, caramel, vanilla and coconut). This time, I luckily didn't come close to tasting any utensil cleaning substances, but found that it was a tad too vanilla-y and and also a bit bitter. It needed loads of cane sugar to sweeten it up for me.
Then one day, I finally bought some loose-leaf tea: Earl Grey, Zing Me Tea and Kiss my Lips. The Earl Grey is good - perhaps not as strong as I'd like, but it's reliable. The Zing Me (chinese black tea with ginger bits and lush pieces of peach and apricot) is just fantastic! It claims to induce "an instant feeling of well-being" and I have to say that it truly does! Must be the peaches or the ginger. I've yet to try Kiss my Lips (chinese black tea, vanilla, peppermint, chocolate bits and spicy red peppercorns) but I loved the minty chocolately smell. In fact it looks like potpourri so I'd probably be just as happy putting it in a bowl and air-freshening my work space. **update** The Kiss my Lips was a definite dud. Overly strong minty smell and aftertaste with a muddied hint of chocolate. Definitely not recommended. I'd much rather bite into an Aero mint chocolate bar.
I've also been fascinated by the tea pots at David's Tea, especially the Brewt which I've seen at work firsthand and find completely marvelous, but most of them range from $25 - $75 and $179 for the svelte Eva Solo Tea Maker (!).
I also feel $6.50 is a bit much for only 50g of tea, and if I had more tea experience I'd be better able to voice an opinion, but it does seem to be a popular choice in the area (even coffee houses such as Dark Horse Espresso has started serving it).
Dark Horse Espresso Bar
Location:
215 Spadina Ave., Toronto
Cost: $3.50
I have coffee breath.
That said, a coffee junkie, I am not. Rather, I am content hanging out with the Earl. Earl Grey. In fact, I feel as though it must have been me who single handedly finished all the tea bags at Le Gourmand 'cause they were all out last week.
So, when it comes to coffee, I am a novice. I am familar with...let's see.....Nescafe...Maxwell House...Bru. Give me a 'French press' and I know not what is required of me. Until today, that is.
Dark Horse Espresso Bar really IS an espresso bar. Hardly a tea on the menu. There was English Breakfast and a 'mystery' tea (the friendly cashier explained that it was fruity) but right then I didn't care to explore that unknown territory. Instead, I felt drawn to explore even lesser known territory (for me) and chose the featured coffee on the menu, which was Ethiopian, French pressed.
If you're a coffee drinker, this will all sound awfully tiresome to you but the process of waiting 3 min and then plunging the press was all new to me.
We were told that the Ethiopian coffee would be best tried on its own, without milk or cream, at first, to really appreciate it's sweet flavour. I did, and instantly needed large doses of sugar and lactose-free milk. Then it really was sweet.
It was nice to sit back in the lounge upstairs and gaze upon the many locals who had set up camp (with laptops) at the two large communal wooden tables.
Each of them working furiously away with French presses, large mugs and little plates of delectable treats beside them.
It's only been open for a few weeks, but already DHEB has become a welcome, local hang-out for the espresso addicts in the neighbourhood.
I'll be back there soon myself. Afterall, an unsolved mystery awaits.
** Update ** Went there again last Friday, and they had a wider selection of TEAS (INCLUDING Earl Grey!) - the teas are loose-leaf, from David's Tea (on Queen) and generally good. The EG wasn't the best, but it was nice to have it come in a french press.
New Timmy's!
It's got a great corner; north-east of Spadina/Adelaide.
BRB, gotta go get me some timbits.
Future Bakery & Cafe
Happy Valentimes: Butler's Pantry
Location:
591 Markham St. Mirvish Village, Toronto, ON
Cost: $28 incl tip
www.butlerspantry.ca
How fitting a name for a place that serves everything that could possibly exist in a Pantry! (On a side note: A butler's pantry was commonly used for the storing, cleaning and counting of silver by the butler...).
Whatever the name, this cosy nook in the Annex serves brunch until 4pm.
And forget the Butler, who's the chef? His pantry must be huge! There's such diversity to the 2 page menu, that we're too confused to know what to order. There are a lot of indian inspired dishes which made us question who the chef was. Apparently the owner is from Bangladesh and married to an Egyptian lady and they hired a chef who was working in a palace in Egypt! He must have been well versed in international foods 'cause although the brunch side of the menu is simple...Eggs Bene, French Toast, Omlettes, Scrambled Eggs, Scones....it's the other side that amazes us: Bul go gi, Tandoori penne, Biryani, Seafood Quiche, Jambalaya, Khowsway (a Burmese dish) , Shepherd's Pie, Veggie curry pie, Moroccan Veg Tajine! And the list goes on...with loooooads of vegetarian options included! It's incredible...we wanted to order it all!
We especially wanted to try the Zuchini pancake but learned they were out of it but our server also confided that she enjoys it paired with a beer as a greasy pub meal since it's very similar to potato pancakes (latkes). Worked out well then 'cause I don't like latkes.
We finally decide on the chicken bastilla pie and the french toast.
Another thing to note is that the main dishes (except for a select few) are served with a fresh garden salad and Butler's famous dressing (pictured below).
Also, and as you know by now, a must for me is an Earl Grey tea, which arrives in a lovely ceramic teapot. The loose-leaf bagged ORGANA tea is divine...almost candy-like in its sweetness.
It doesn't take long at all for our food to arrive!
The Butler's French Toast at $7.25 (side of bacon - $1.25) is a steal! Such a humongous portion ; it's ideal for sharing. It comes with two thick slices of bread, a generous helping of fresh fruit and dallops of whipped cream. The toast is not at all soggy even though the maple syrup has already been drizzled on top. It's just the perfect consistancy. A must for anyone who, like me, loves french toast.
The Chicken Bastilla Pie is a popular order and we wanted to try their version of the famous Moroccan dish - which is pastry stuffed with chicken, omlette, cinnamon & almonds. For $10.25, it's a hearty meal for one; which we split into two. It was very tasty, albeit on the salty side. Traditionally the cinnamon appears on the top of the pie along with powdered sugar...but in this case it was incorporated into the filling, which was nice but altogether a bit too "cinnamony".
The salad it came with really balanced out the saltiness of the pie and the "Butler's Famous Dressing" was fantastic!
Looking more like a gravy than a dressing, it had a nice sharp taste to it and paired really nicely with the onions in the salad.
The next time you're strolling around the Annex, keep the Butler's Pantry in mind.
Patisserie La Cigogne
One of my very good friends (with very dependable tastebuds) took us to this charming cafe over the weekend. It's called Patisserie La Cigogne and it opened on Bayview Avenue in June of 2003.
Afternoon Tea
Location:
Langdon Hall, 1 Langdon Drive, Cambridge, ON
Cost: $27.00 per person, plus applicable taxes
The correct definition for Afternoon Tea is:
"a light meal typically eaten between 3pm and 5pm, originating in the UK and consisting of loose tea served in a teapot and accompanied with mini sandwiches, pastries and cakes served in a tiered stand."
That's precisely what we wanted when 'Afternoon Tea with the Ladies" was planned.
After a bit of research was done for tea places in Toronto, I finally discovered that Cambridge's Langdon Hall offered a desirable spread of goodies in a gorgeous setting, and it then became our destination for not only an afternoon of tea but a full day's outing.
After carefully synchronizing our two vehicles to travel together (in light rainfall), eight of us (lovely maidens) arrived early for our 2pm appointed sitting. Langdon Hall offers Afternoon Tea at 2 and 4 o'clock.
Although I had requested for all of us to be seated together, we still found ourselves directed to two tables of four at opposing ends of the room. However, the staff were gracious enough to rearrange the tables and chairs so that we were finally sitting down together.
I imagined sitting at a giant round or rectangular table (for eight) at elbow-level but we were in fact seated in a veranda at tables closer to knee-level instead. Nevertheless, the table settings, decor and natural sun-light (finally) pouring into the room were all distinctly charming and all of us were quite pleased.
The menu at Langdon Halls consists of the "Traditional Afternoon Tea" for $27 (plus tax) and the "Langdon Hall Royal Tea" which begins with a glass of champagne followed by the traditional tea for $49.00 (plus tax). We opted to take the traditional route and the vast selection of teas (English Breakfast, Rose, Pear) kept us engrossed in the menu for quite some time. I picked my all-time favourite, Earl Grey and all the teas (loose-leaf) arrived first; in pretty flowered tea pots (served by a, contrastingly, burly male waiter). The tea, with the honey and sugar cubes provided, couldn't have tasted any better!
Then came the tiers!
First tier: Four each of cucumer/radish curry swirl sandwiches, apple chutney pastries, shrimp puffs and salmon squares/tarts. The curry sandwiches were especially tasty.
Second tier: was a assortment of Madeleines and scones galore! With the Devonshire/clotted cream and jam, these were divine.
Third tier: the lemon cakes, chocolate macaroons, shortbread cookies and blueberry tarts, were all very decadent.
It was all very very tasty and beautifully presented!
After our delicious tea party, we headed off onto the Langdon Hall grounds to take in the sights. The outdoor pool, croquet field and massive vegetable garden were beautifully tended.
Afternoon Tea at Langdon Hall is especially great for girlie get-togethers. Whatever the celebration, the surroundings make the trip to Cambridge worthwhile.
Just Us! Cafe
Update: The Just Us! Cafe in Halifax has just become a penny-free zone! Read more.
Original post: July 27, 2007
Whatever happened to the original Tequila Bookworm locale? Well, it's been replaced with Just Us! Coffee Roasters Co-op - Canada's first Fair Trade coffee roaster believing in "people and the planet before profits". Justly, the cafe only sells products (Coffees, Teas, Sugar and Chocolates) which are 100% certified Fair Trade and Organic. When you walk in, you are reminded of Tequila Bookworm's old layout, only now everything is shiny, brand new and more airy. The square tables in the front are filled with patrons enjoying some java after work, the music is new age, and the staff behind the counter are young, hip...and novice. After learning that their chocolates are created (handcrafted) in their own chocolate factory in the town of Hantsport, in Nova Scotia, I knew I had to give one a try. The Midnight Mint, is a 42g, $2.99 organic, dark, smooth, melt-on-your-fingers slab of chocolately goodness with a hint of peppermint. In other words, 'twas rather delectable. Not only do they have chocolate, coffee, tea and sugar, Just Us! serves salads, sandwiches, soups, martinis and other specialty drinks, not to mention baked goods created in their own bakery. Naturally, I had to try the brownie. The vegan brownie came highly acclaimed over the regular brownie by the girl behind the counter. Oh, were we ever disappointed! Lovely as it was to look at, its spongey texture was more akin to cake than brownie and the taste more suited to those who prefer their desserts on the low end of sweetness (and to those who like ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda). Word on the street is that Just Us! serves the best espresso in town. I, unfortunately, cannot attest to this, for when it comes to coffee, I am most certainly a lightweight, and won't even bother to deny it. I will have to return to Just Us! with my seasoned-espresso-drinker friend to find out how great the coffee really is. Teas, on the other hand, I can appreciate. The lemon honey tea was absolutely delicious...it had a wonderful scent to go with the soft, sweet flavour. The 'chai' was very good...not like some other teas where it's mostly all strong spice. They don't carry lactose-free milk, but they do carry Harmony Organic milks in whole, skim and half & half, with soy behind the counter. I was suprised to see that they serve dairy-free cappuccinos as well (made with soy milk). What's lacking in Just Us! for now is that personality that the aged, lived-in coffee houses have, but I think in a few years it'll be a great joint for those who really do care where their java comes from.
N'awlins: Cafe Du Monde's "BenYAYs"
Locations:
Riverwalk Marketplace, One Poydras, Suite 27, New Orleans
Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 9:30am-6pm
French Market, 800 Decatur Street, New Orleans
Open 24 hours a day, closed 6pm December 24, opens 6am December 26
Cost: $4 for 3 Beignets and a Cafe Au Lait
www.cafedumonde.com/main.html
"What are beg-nets?"
"Ben-yaaaays.."
"Oh. What are they?"
"They're French doughnuts, covered in icing sugar...you MUST try them."
"Will do. Sounds amazing!"
And. They were.
Everyone kept telling us that we'd have to try the beignets while we were in New Orleans, so imagine my excitement when I came across a Cafe Du Monde at the Riverwalk Marketplace! The timing couldn't have been more perfect. It was of course, tea-time!
There was a terrific line-up when we jumped in, but it moved along swiftly and as we got closer to the menu board, we realized the only items you could order were beignets and cafe au laits. And the beignets came in three's (for $1.82) which was perfect as far as I was concerned.
One of the difficult things to avoid while eating these outdoors, as we did, is getting the icing sugar on yourself!
At the Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarter, the atmosphere was much the same...carefree, easygoing staff but an ordering system a bit different from at the Riverwalk. You place your order at your table and the beignets and coffee arrive to you.
The icing sugar behaves the same way no matter where you are....
I fully understand now why they're called "benyays"...I found myself exclaiming "YAAY!" whenever I saw a Cafe Du Monde. And, I know it's touristy but I had to bring back a box of beignet mix and a tin of Cafe Du Monde's original coffee. Needless to say, they've both been opened and the joy has been spread as quickly as the icing sugar on the top.
Japanese Tea Garden, Golden Gate Park, SF
Location:
San Francisco, CA
Garden: Daily 8:30-6:30
Gift shop/tea house: Daily 10:30-4:30
Cost:
Entry free: $4 pp
Tea: less than $10 for two.
Golden Gate park is HUGE. You can tell when you look at those terribly off-scale tourist maps and find that a significant part of it is "Golden Gate Park"....then you realize it's really that big and the map is totally to scale.
I knew I wanted to see the Japanese Tea Garden, imagining it would be like going to a real tea garden, in Japan. I'd like to think those aren't so very touristy.
However, it was beautiful....
with the cherry blossoms and...
lush foliage and vibrant colours but...
...it was crowded. The pathways exploded with noisy children running around freely and the tea house was crammed with people (luckily we got a corner seat overlooking the pond) .
The kimono-clad waitress who served us wore a digital watch on her wrist and walked with the gait of someone who had to catch a bus at 5, instead of the graceful tiny steps my imagination willed. Instead, she brushed me off and hurried away when I asked to take a photograph of her. Okay, so I am a tourist. Possibly the worst kind...grasping my hefty Nikon and clicking noisily at my surroundings while we waited for our tea.
The Oolong (one of the only three on the menu along with Green and Jasmine) was plain but a welcoming thirst-quencher. The 'snacks' were a combination of salty and sweet, some fishy tasting, others eggy and sweet.
Overall, the Tea Garden was not what I imagined it to be, but in retrospect, we were still able to catch a quiet moment in the sun where I put away my camera for a while.