Locations:
Over Easy 208 Bloor Street West, Toronto
www.overeasyrestaurants.com
Coffee Mill 99 Yorkville Ave, Toronto
www.coffeemillrestaurant.com
Our girlie gatherings usually revolve around food; specifically, brunch! What better way to start the day.
This time, our choice brunch location was Over Easy since the plan was to check out the latest addition to the ROM (mainly, The Lee-Chin Crystal addition) after brunch.
I think it's quite safe to say that brunch is easily unscrew-up-able. Am I right?
And while nothing was screwed per se, there was certainly nothing memorable about eating there (except for the company).
I do have one gripe, however.
My tea was lukewarm.
I truly dislike a lukewarm tea which brings to mind A Salmon of Doubt by Douglas Adams where he describesa perfect proper cup of tea.
I've noticed lukewarm tea all over the city - ya know, that "hot" water from that hot water machine just doesn't cut it.
Anyway, here's some of what was eaten.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="512" caption="Eggs and chicken sausage $6.99"][/caption]
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="604" caption="Spanish Omelette $9.99"][/caption]
I must say, the pots that the hot drinks came in were loads of fun!
After a blustery walk from the ROM, all we wanted was a warm hideout and a hot drink to warm up our hands.
Starbucks was full, and the next best idea was the Lettieri but before we made it there, we found The Coffee Mill!
Nestled within the shops at 99 Yorkville is the quaint old (est. 1963!) hideaway for just these types of gatherings. The pastry selection got us all salivating, so a chocolate cake and an apple (or was it rhubarb ?) strudel, it was.
As far as copy coffee shops go, this one has the cosy part down pat.
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.
[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, 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).
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.
(Mine was not a very good attempt at using the tilt-shift lens, see far more impressive examples on Hobography's blog)
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.
Stoney's
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.
Fusaro's Kitchen
Location:
147 Spadina Avenue, Toronto
Cost: $10-15 for lunch
www.fusaros.com
This is a long overdue post; I guess because it's such a frequented lunch spot for me that I simply thought I was having a home-cooked meal at times!
If you don't get there by 11:45am at the latest, be prepared to wait in a long line up that runs out the door!
The pre-made pizzas, sandwiches, quiches etc are all very good - a pizza slice will only set you back a few dollars and is way better than Mama's Pizza. I really like the croissant with chicken, olives and feta (a bit o' cheese never hurt anyone)...although it's a tad salty.
The panini's and pastas are made to order and add $2 for a side salad...
Their daily specials are listed on the fairly new blackboard on the side (Fusaro's has undergone some interior design changes in the last couple of years - going from orange walls with black and white photography to plain blue walls with the menus on blackboards - for a more minimalist look or realistically, more spatially accommodating for the sheer volume of the lunchtime crowd.
I've had many a pasta dish here and I have never had a bad experience.
I have heard from my yoga instructor however, that she gained weight eating the salads here (So, note to self, and to you reader). It's all that dressing - which they actually do put a bit too much of .
I even hosted a birthday brunch here a few years ago (the Evite was aptly titled: "Let's get some f*****ckiin freeeeeench toast" a la 40 year old Virgin).
Someone else got the calabrese, like so:
Salmon & eggs:
Eggs florentin:
Not a lot of people know about the brunch on Saturday, but it's lovely and not at all like the cafeteria-style-lunch-time atmosphere. The food, on the other hand, is just as good :)
Lola's Commissary
Location:
634 Church Street, Toronto
Cost: Approx $25 pp
www.lolascommissary.com
I think seeing "sexy potatoes" on their online menu (although I think it's actually "sexy sweet potatoes" on the menu) is what sold us to eat here. That, and the recommendation from a friend at work whose paintings also hang in the restaurant :)
Our gaggling girlie troupe landed on the (beautiful) Lola patio for brunch this past Sunday and never before have we been able to so freely enjoy a brunch in such a large group (8). Mil"dread"'s wouldn't seat us, other brunch places don't take brunch reservations but at Lola's Commissary (open 6 weeks, now), it's not a problem.
We took a while perusing the unique menu and daily specials which were such a mix of dishes that we had to take another few minutes to decide.
In the meantime we got some drinks...
The service is friendly and accommodating. The food is fancy brunch fare (a tad pricey but tasty to boot) and gorgeously presented!
As usual I got the (straight up - challah bread dipped in egg custard) french toast due to my loctose-intolerancy and not being able to stomach the cheesecake french toast. I also got a side of fresh fruit ($6) and a side of sexy potatoes to share around ($6).
The other items ordered were as follows.
Multigrain waffles with a side of berries, dense and filling...
The egg white frittata (goat cheese, mushrooms, spinach and hemp pesto)
Eggs Lola: poached eggs, ancho chicken, torillas, avocado, creme fraiche
Lobster and goat cheese omlette
Roasted trout with quinoa and tabouli
Beef hash brunch feature
Therese DeGrace (executive chef) came out to greet us which was super. She's wonderfully warm and took the time to chat with us, which was really pleasant and so uncommon in the city!
The interior of Lola's is sort of industrial chic with brick, wood, high ceilings and tall windows.
The paintings in the dining hall lend a certain mellow sweetness to the vibe with the upstairs catering to more of a loungey atmosphere with funky retro seats and laminated fantastical art on the walls.
Even the washrooms are spa-like and immaculate, with artwork adorning almost every surface (including a wall outside the restaurant).
The complimentary Nutella Cheesecake dessert was delish and perfect split eight ways.
Lola's is a definite must-try in the Bay/Bloor area - the patio alone will make you want to spend your whole afternoon there. We certainly did! And unlike so many other places in the city, our patronage was welcome! We're already planning our return!
Wanda's Belgian Waffles
Location:
331 Yonge Street, Toronto
I love that this is called a cafe, yet there's barely enough standing room for two! Meant to be more of a street vendor (order through the window) this little 'cafe' serves up the best waffles I've ever had from the street! Forget morning breakfasts and brunches, you can pick up a tasty hot waffle after a horrible dinner at Salad King and be totally content.
Run by a father and son team:
I've read some complaints about the sanitary conditions of the joint (not washing hands after taking money) but when we went and as you can see in the pics, gloves were worn throughout.
Sure it's a bit messy and gooey if you order the ice-cream and strawberries on top, or if you wait a bit too long to eat it (like in our case but still damn tasty!):
I'd say it's a marvellous way to grab a fun treat split between friends!
Product: Godiva Hazelnut Chocolate Spread
Nutella what?
My BIL brought us this incredible Godiva Hazelnut Chocolate Spread from Portugal....it's am.az.ing. I'm currently munching on a slice of toast slathered with the stuff (and a bit of mango jam!) and it's sinfully divine.
Mildred’s Temple Kitchen
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.
Zoe's Bakery Cafe
Location:
548 King Street West, Toronto
Cost: $8.50 average
www.zoesbakerycafe.ca
A great girls get-together should revolve around (I think) good food and drink....if those two components aren't there, it's almost as if one of your girlfriends is washing her hair.
Our plan was to meet at Zoe's for lunch and despite the TTC strike everyone was able to make it out (mostly thanks to my considerate friend and her fancy new wheels).
Zoe's is on King street near Brant; it's hard to miss the giant black signage on the front and side of the cafe.
During the summer climate bright red umbrellas line the sidewalk in front of the cafe, under which enthusiastic patrons munch on enormous gourmet sandwiches and hearty salads.
Being slightly lower than ground level, the interior of Zoe's is dimly lit although there is enough light streaming in through the many windows to make you feel warm and cosy. For a quick bite during the week there are round tables and high chairs in the front room and for longer, leisurely lunches there is additional seating to the right of the counter. Further down the hallway is a giant conference room (not pictured) for lunch meetings as well.
If you're not one to break out in goosebumps at the slight bite of something cold, you'll enjoy biting into the sandwiches at Zoe's. I, for one, prefer my sandwiches toasted. I like toasty bread slices, melting cheese, warm grilled chicken----you get my drift.
Alas, I failed to reveal this to our server when we placed out order, so what I ended up with was a cold Cajun chicken sandwich.
CAJUN CHICKEN sandwich
house-made mango chutney, pea sprouts, citrus aioli & mixed greens on 10-grain
Don't get me wrong, it was quite tasty. The mango chutney was an especially great addition to the sandwich. If only it were hot. But, why didn't you just ask to get it toasted, you ask? Great question! Thanks for asking. I think my problem wasn't just the bread not being toasted...everything was cold. It would have had to have been microwaved (mmm....microwaved bread....) and that didn't seem much more appealing. At least we had warm chicken quesadillas!
CHICKEN QUESADILLAS
filled with Cajun chicken, julienne bell peppers, red onions & cheddar
This was a hit with all of us. I think mainly because it was served hot and the cheddar had melted into a gooey mass over the chicken, pepper and onions.
AVOCADO sandwich
tomatoes, shaved granny smith apples, pesto aioli & mixed greens on 10-grain
There were no complaints from my friend who ordered this although I wouldn't be likely to order it next time as it's very close to what I made myself for lunch yesterday (but toasted, thank you very much).
CHICKEN WRAP
Cajun chicken, roasted peppers, cheddar, pesto aioli, shaved fresh apple & mixed greens
I preferred this over the cuban chicken sandwich...somehow wraps are easier to eat cold than giant sandwiches. Or maybe that's just me?
GRILLED PORTABELLO MUSHROOM sandwich
julienne roasted peppers, herbed chèvre, tomato pesto & mixed greens on 10-grain
My vegetarian friend seemed to enjoy this immensely....and 'roasted' makes me think it was warmer than my sandwich...
Zoe's has Illy coffees, a variety of teas and fresh juices (Good ol' OJ pictured here...in a bottle....which turned out to be great, actually).
For a Saturday, I expected there to be more of a lunch crowd, however the few patrons who trickled in for a sit down lunch had fully emptied out by 3pm. Our server also proved to be quite absent-minded leaving me to trek back and forth with requests for cutlery, water and finally, after she'd disappeared altogether, the bill.
Jules Bistro & Cafe
Location:
147 Spadina Avenue, Toronto
Cost: $20 for a main
[Interior: Jules]
Hi. Do you have a take-out menu?
Sure, here you go.
Thanks.
...
..
Hi there...we'll get the grilled salmon with ratatouille, salad and fries.
Will you have it for here or to go?
We'd like to take it to go, but we may eat outside on your patio.
No sorry, we don't allow that. You can eat in or take it to go but not take it to go and sit in.
Oh. So we can eat here and then pack it to go?
No.
Uh. [pause, look at each other....] Okaaaay, we'll change our order from take out to eat in then.
No, it's too late, the prices are different if you want to do that and I've already put the order in.
{But, we haven't even paid yet!}
Fine. We'll just take it to go.
..
.
...
..
.
[At the park]
Mmm.....not too bad....
Yeah. Too expensive for what it is, though...fries, salad, the smallest portion of ratatouille and that chef just fried the salmon in butter, I saw him.
Oh yeah? Tasty fries...although...they're kind of like McDonald's fries hahaha!
Yeah! I know! But Mcdonald's fries are like, two bucks!
Yeah....mm...so this is ratatouille? I'm not impressed...definitely doesn't look like in the movie!
I know. And the salad is drenched through...way too much dressing...why do they always do that?
I don't know...we should get it on the side, next time.
Nah...I don't think I'll ever go back there.
Me either.
***
Such was our experience at Jules, the fancy-schmancy place on on Spadina (north of Richmond and RIGHT BESIDE FUSARO'S!).
Two completely different eateries.
Fusaro's Kitchen always has a lunch line-up that goes out the door and practically down the street, has consistently friendly service and delicious (albeit high fat) foods...whereas Jules rarely has more than two tables filled, has terribly rude (and potentially racist) service and mediocre dishes!
The BEST thing on their take-out menu was the dish we ordered for $20...and that's not saying much at all! And they don't have such an impressive wine selection either!
Not to forget one price for eating in and another for eating out! Seriously, do they even want customers?
BUT, to each his own as they say. If you feel like eating pretentious French cuisine in a highly pompous environment, by all means, Jules is your venue. Knock yourself out! You'll need to before seeing your bill!
Il Fornaio, San Jose, CA
Location:
302 South Market St.
San Jose, CA
Cost: less than $30 for two
www.ilfornaio.com
Redemption, baby!
Il Fornaio was easily the best breakfast we had on our trip. After barely eating the day before we were ecstatic over the prospect of breakfast!
The Hotel Montgomery's desk clerk suggested we breakfast at Il Fornaio which was literally down the street, so we decided to give it a try.
We found it situated inside The Saint Claire, a gorgeous 1920s boutique hotel.
The enormity of the restaurant is not fully conveyed through these two measly photographs. With high ceilings, buttery walls and toast-coloured seating (okay, that may just be my stomach talking) Il Fornaio had a superb ambiance for breakfast and all things edible.
FILONE CON RIPIENO PICCANTE $8.95
Filone bread stuffed with eggs, sausage, bell peppers, onion, tomatoes and Tabasco topped with cheese (in my case, cheese on the side). With a glass of Arancia (Orange juice) $3.50
The Babelfish translation for this dish is: "TRADITION WITH FILLING PICCANTE" (anyone?)...whatever, it was delicious and it's something I plan on creating myself one of these days!
UOVA PIACERE $5.95
Two eggs (we chose egg whites only) , any style, grilled potatoes and onions; toasted filone bread.
Yes, "EGGS APPEAL TO" appealed to me very much, thank you Babelfish.
Beautiful china like this was filled with coffee and my usual, Earl Grey tea.
Overall Il Foranio gets huge props for its lovely ambiance, friendly service, great prices and tasty dishes! In fact, we would have gotten some pastries from there too but we'd heard that Bijan Bakery & Cafe boasted an enormous array of delectable treats, so we decided to head over there instead.