Download - brunchguide Apr09 2011
8/7/2019 brunchguide Apr09 2011
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30 april 7-13 2011 NOW
East sidE BonjourBrioche812QueenE,at Degrassi,416-406-1250,bonjourbrioche.com. Showupearly– 9:15am,say–ifyouexpectto snagaseatatmasterbakerH enriFeassonand partnerLoriFeasson’slong-runningParisianpatisseriewithoutwaitingin alengthylineup. Better yet,go Tuesday. Best: beautifullysmokedsalmonandchive-dressed scrambledeggsovercrisp potatorosti dollopedwith caviarandcreamedhorseradish, sidedwith house-bakedbaquette; CroqueMadamsandwichesofham andGruyèreon house-bakedbriochetoppedwithfriedeggs;todrink,icedlatte.SaturdayandSunday8amto4 pm.Cashonly. $ Rating:nnnzFrankly1118QueenE,atCaroline,647-350-1611,franklyeatery.com. Doesthe Leslievillestripreallyneedanother brunchspot?It mostdefinitelydoeswhenthecardisthisunique,thesoundtrack–T.Rex,RoxyMusic,theSmiths– thisartfullycuratedandtheservicesocharming.Shamethereareonly18seats.Best: Indo-inspiredmainslike gobiparantha,thickwholewheat crepesstuffed withaldentecauliflowersided withsour creamraita,spicy house-madesausageand corian-derchutney;corn tortillaspiledwith tan-doori-stylepulled pork,perfectly scrambledfree-rangeeggs androasted tomatosalsalashedwithavocado cream. Saturdayand Sunday9 amto4 pm.Unlicensed. $$ Rating:nnnGloBeBistro 124Danforth, atBroadview, 416-466-2000,globebistro.com. SeeGlobeEarth,page38.ladyMarMalade 898QueenE,at Logan,647-351-7645,lady-marmalade.ca. Forgettheweekend!Hardtobelieve,but regularspatientlystandin lineeverydayoftheweekforatableatthishec-tic(readex tremelynoisy)BC-based break-fastcafé. Best: savourywafflesstuffed withspinachandaged whitecheddarin lemonyItalian-styletomatosauce dressedwithrashersof bacon;open-facedBLT-style Ben-nyswith free-runpoachedeggs, bacon,roastedtomato, redonion, chipotlemayo,homefries andhouse organicgreens. Satur-day,SundayandholidayMondays8amto3 pm.Unlicensed.Cash only.$$ Rating: nnnMelanie’s1870Danforth, atAlbright, 416-422-1870,melaniesbistro.ca. Fullhouses everySatur-dayand Sundaymorningattest thatthere’snothinglikethis pleasantstorefrontcafé formiles.Shame thecruise-ship-slash-hotel-buffet-qualitygrub– anchovy-freeCaesarsalads,wimpysalsas –doesn’t matchthewelcomingandattentives ervice. Best: pan-friedNewfie-style potato’n’ codcakes withpoachedeggs indilled hollandaisesidedwithscoopsofgrilledhomefries,fruitsalad
andmultigraintoast;candied pecan-andcornflake-crustedFrenchtoastwith caramel-izedpeaches andcrème anglaise. Saturday andSunday10amto3pm. $$ Rating:nnn ztaBle17 782QueenE,at Boulton,416-519-1851,table17.ca. Ashabby-chicFrenchcountryroom– paper-toppedtrestle tables,ricketychandeliers,pitchforksgalore– affableser-viceandshortEurocartedrawthelocalgen-try. Best: slow-poachedNeapolitan-styleeggsin Italian-styletomatosauce overthick-lysliced ciabatta;Spanishpotato frittatasid-edwith cherrytomatosalsa andorganichousegreens;todrink,$5Caesarsandmi-mosas. Sunday10:30amto2:30pm. $$ Rat-ing: nnnz
MorE East sidE auldsPot347Danforth,atHampton,416-406-4688,auldspot.ca. Neighbourhoodpubwithmade-from-scratchmenu.Also: 633College,atGrace, 416-645-0285. SaturdayandSun-day11amto2pm. $$ zedwardlevesque’skitchen1290QueenE,atHastings,416-465-3600,edwardlevesque.ca. Leslievillepioneerchef’seco-friendlycardfeaturesorganic veggiesgrownonhis ownfarm. Warning:no stroll-ers! SaturdayandSunday9amto3 pm,holi-dayMondays10amto 3pm. $$joyBistro 884QueenE,at Booth,416-465-8855,joyb-istro.com. Venerableresto-loungerightonJimmySimpsonPark. Saturdayand Sunday8amto4 pm,holidayMondays9 amto4 pm. $$ zlaliBela 1405Danforth,atMonarchPark,416-645-0486,lalibelaethiopianrestau rant.com. Ethi-opianbreakfastplatters offoul, fitfitand fir-firsevendaysa week.Also:869BloorW,atRoxton,416-535-6615. Dailyfrom10am. $onlycaFé972Danforth, atDonlands, 416-463-7849,theonlycafe.com. Thisragtagsaloon servesupheapin’cowboy breakfaststo asound-trackof60s and70srock. SaturdayandSun-day10amto3 pm. $zlePaPillonon thePark 1001Eastern, atWoodfield, 416-649-1001,
lepapillonpark.com. Frenchcrepes andquicheona rooftopdeck overlookingAsh-bridgesBay. SaturdayandSunday11amto5 pm.Reservationsaccepted. $$$ zProhiBition696QueenE,at Broadview,416-406-2669. Riversidegastropuband oysterbar. Saturday,SundayandholidayMondays10amto3 pm.Reservationsaccepted. $$
WEst sidE Beast 96Tecumseth, atWhitaker, 647-352-6000,thebeastrestaurant.com. Oncethe crampedside-streetstorefront hometo SusurLee’slegendaryLotus,Ex-JKWB vetsScott andRachelleVivian’sneighbourhoodbistro(beast-ro?)goesthe snout-to-tailroute. Best:naturallyraisedBeastburgers withmayo,peameal,agedQuebec cheddarandfriedfree-rangeegg, sidedwith houseorganicgreensin roastedjalapeñovinaigretteand“tatertots”;gnocchi poutinedressed withwildboar andcrème anglaise;todrink,sparklingapplecider inchampagneflutes;French-pressedcoffee withdigitaltimers.Sunday10am to3pm. $$ Rating:nnnzBloordalePantry 1285BloorW,atLansdowne,416-530-2999,thebloordalepantry.com. Despiteitssome-whatchi-chihandle,Rose Guarnieriandex-Bodegaandthe Fifthsous AnthonyMenna’swest-sideluncheonettesticks toits dinerroots,its vintagedinerdecor andjukeboxsoundtrackintact,whileupdating theclas-sicswith localingredientsand expertplat-ing. Best: eggsBenny onhouse-bakeds coneslayeredwithNorwegiansmoked salmon,sid-
edwith organicgreensand potato-onionhash;pumpkinspice pancakesfinishedwithmaplewhipped cream,slicedba-nanasandfresh berries;to drink,fresh-pressedcranberryapple cider. Saturday andSunday10am to3pm. $$ Rating: nnnBrad’s 325Roncesvalles, atGrenadier, 416-533-2723,bradstakeouteatery.com. Sinceitslaunchthreeyears ago,BradKrawchuk’slaid-backbeaneryhas broughtdowntownstyletoPierogiRow.Snagatableinthesunnybackroomifyoucan. Best: shred-dedbrisketwithpoachedeggs;spicySpanishchorizo’n’potato frittata;porto-bellomushroom omelettesthick withra-pini,oven-driedtomato andcrumbledchèvre;allabove sidedwith Fred’smulti-graintoastand eithercrispycubed homefriesororganicgreensinred wineDijondressing;on theside, parsley-freckledpo-tatorosti. SaturdayandSunday10am to3 pm. $ Rating: nnn
ñcowBell 1564QueenW,atSorauren,416-
849-1095,cowbellrestaurant.ca. Vegetar-iansbeware!Mark CutraraandKarinCul-liton’ssophisticatedParkdalebistro haslittleforyouhere.Instead,thosewholikeasideofmeatwiththeirmeatmaincoursewillfind muchto love,includinginformedservice anda relaxedearlymor-ningvibe. Best: tostart, house-bakedbuttermilkbiscuits;to follow,sweetlypulledporkEggsBennytoppedwithdeep-friedducks’eggsandsidedwithsautéedsouthern-stylecollardgreens;corned beef hashlayeredwith awhisky-lacedome-lette;bakedeggsinbakedpotatoskinswithnutty FrereJacquescheese, Savoycabbagecoleslawonthe side;to drink,beermosas. Saturday10amto2 pm,Sun-day10amto3pm. $$$ Rating:nnnnn z
ñ delux 92Ossington,atHumbert,416-537-
0134,deluxrestaurant.ca. Seepage32.easy 1645QueenW,atRoncesvalles,416-537-4893,easybreakfast.ca. PlasteredwithEasyRider posters,Peter Morrison’sal-waysbusyall-day bruncheonetteattractsanartycrowdforitseclecticmixofTex-Mexmorningclassics. Don’tdo queues?ThenheadaroundthecornertotheEasyExpressintheoldKingStreetDinerweek-
endsfrom11amto3 pm.Best:
HuevosDivorciados,twoeggs toppedwith bothredandgreensalsasandsidedwithre-friedbeans,guacamole,home friesandtoastedbaguettes spreadwithhome-madeanchochilijam; miniBelgianwaf-flestopped withstrawberrycompote,blueberrycoulisand whippedcream;jum-boBloody Caesars. Daily9 amto5 pm. $$ Rating: nnn
ñ e.l.ruddy1371DundasW,at Rusholme,647-
351-0423. HelenaKosikova’scozy20-s eatcaféonthehipDundasWeststripspot-lightsashort all-daycardthat’s oftenglu-ten-freeas wellas vegan,andalwaysmadefromscratchandlowinsodium.Best: massivespelt Belgianwafflesthesizeofovenmittsdolledupwithmaplesyrup,whippedcream andstewed straw-berries;Huevos Yelapawitheithert woeggsor garlickybakedtofu plusrefriedbeans,toasted cornbreadandin-yer-facesalsa;tot akehome,wild blueberrysconesandquinoachocolatechip cookies. Satur-dayandSunday9amto4 pm.Unlicensed.Cashonly. $ Rating:nnnnGayley’s1424DundasW,atGladstone,416-538-3443. Thisbrick-linedcasualcafé fittedoutwith mouldedplywood Eames-stylechairs,afew pewsand bare-toppedtablesisa west-sidesecret. Rarelytoocrowded,
therelaxedroomalwayshasstacksof newspaperstoread, andits competentkitchenwhipsup arespectable all-daybreakfastforonly $6.95.Bonus:kid-friendly.Warning:kid-friendly. Best: blue-berryor chocolatepancakessidedwithfreshfruitor bacon;fruitcrepes with
Taking iT To The exTreme!Now that the Hoof Café has dished up its last sucklin g pig eggs Benny, the title for Hogtown’s most
over-the-top weekend breakfast has been up for grabs. We’ve diligently strapped on the feed bag to
find the best of the bunch. Psychic brunch, metal brunch, vegan brunch. UK soccer, CoronationStreet and brunch every day of the week. Bar rier-free and all-you-can-eat. Who’s open holidayMondays? Reservations? Stuff yourself silly NOW!
BRUNCHtoronto’s best
over 100 reviewsBy STEVEN DAVEY
DELUX’sDUckconfitpicaDiLLohash• page32 BrUnCh CrUnCh
RESERVATIONS:RestaurantsdoNOTtakereservationsunless noted.
LICENSED:Restaurantsare licensedforalcohol unlessnoted.
CASH:Restaurantstake credit/debitcardsunless noted.
$ Averagemainunder $10$$ Averagemain$10to$13$$$ Averagemainover $13
BARRIER-FREE( ):Restaurantshaveatleastoneentrywherethereareno steps,tables arereasonablyspacedand washroomsarelocatedonthesamefloor,althoughnotne-cessarilyequipped withassistance.
Ñ Critics’Picknnn Sunnysideup • nnnn Perfectlypoached• nnnnn Eggs-traordinary
z Patio
Don’tgethimwrong. MattyMathesonlikesbreakfast.He’sjustnotthatfondof friedeggs.
“I’lleat theyolks, butthat’sabout it,”saysthetattooedParts& Labourchef.“Icallthem God’snaturalhollan-daise.”
Thathasn’tstoppedhim fromploppingtwoofthethings–sunny-sideupyet!– ontopof theParkdalesupper-club’sname-sakeSunday-morningpancakes.They’re joinedbya cubeof searedPerthCountyporkbellyconfit,a veritablemoatofdicedtrottersin a
extrBruN
PARTS & 1566Q ueenFuller,416-5Sunday11am
Reservaaccep
partsandlab$$$
rating:
THe P&L BReak
whippedcream;from thekiddie card,PigsInBlanketsand mini-pancakes. Saturday7 amto6 pm,SundayandholidayMondays7amto4pm. $ Rating:nnn
ñ Goedeten188Ossington,atDundasW,416-
533-3213,goedeten.ca. TheBelgianwaf-flesatJohanMaesandTanyaReid’sLePe-titDejeuneronKingEast(seepage35)haveprovenso popular,thecoupleopenedthis west-sidecaféexclusivelyde -votedtothem. Best: made-to-orderBel-
gianwafflessimply dressedwith confec-tioners’sugarordressedtothenineswithmaplesyrup,candied strawberriesandhouse-madewildblueberry, Belgianchoc-olateor gingerbreadicecream;superbtwice-cookedBelgianfrites toppedpou-tine-stylewith Bolognesesauceand
squeakyPasqualeBrTuesdaytoSaturday10amto4 pm.Unlinnnnnhadley’s940College,at Doverhadleys.ca. Situatedsportsbar,EricHadlefriendly,unpretentiouparticularlyatbrunchU.S.’cuemeetsits peRemedy,apairofdee
slatheredwithhollandandgentlypulledporbeansandtartAsianspuddingoverleeks,pandsmokedEmmentGoddesssalad. Sund$$ Rating: nnn M
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juneharloweFoods 1627Dupont,at DundasW,416-848-1984,juneharlowefoods.ca. Thislaid-backupperJunctionTrianglecafé-slash-catering-outfitmightbea bitoutofthewayformost,butforthosewholiveinthisbrunch-starvednabe it’sa godsend.Best: grilledpeamealbacon eggsBennyinlight,lemonyhollandaisesided withbothfruitandCaesar salads;the CountryCot-tagebreakfast,t wofried orscrambledeggspaired withfried tomatoes,pepperyhomefries andmultigraintoast;houseburgersdressed withBrieand avocadoandsided withfreshlycut fries. Sunday11amto3pm. $ Rating:nnnzlahacienda 640QueenW,at Palmerston,416-703-3377,lahacienda.ca. Establishedin85, thislong-runningcow-punkcaféis oneof thelastremainingoriginalQueenWest restos.Prettymucheverything’sasit wasbackintheday: mismatched50skitchen furni-ture,theCrampsontheboombox,andthatfamiliarMexican-via-Californiacard.Best: EggsDiablo,apinto’n’blackbeancasseroletopped withtwo runnyfriedeggsand meltedmozzarella,sided with
house-bakedcornbread;a cheesyhashof homefries,eggsandspicySegoviasaus-age;house-finishedcroissantFrench toastwithbourbon-soakedapples andbananasinraspberry coulis;Margaritasbythe litre.SaturdayandSunday11am to4pm. $ Rating:nnnz
ñ liBertyBelleBistro 133Jefferson,atKingW,647-352-
3553,libertybellebistro.com. Nottobeconfusedwiththe nearbyLiberty Bistro,ex-LeSelect chefAidanPascoe’s postcard-perfectFrenchcaféontheedgeofthewarehousedistrictis ascomfortableas an
oldpairofslippers.Buttastier! Best: tostart,baked-to-order croissants;mainslikeCrepeQuebecoise stuffedwith West-phalianham,scrambledfree-range Men-noniteeggsandagedGruyéreinmaplesyrup,sided withorganicgreens andgrease-freepotatorosti; meatyhouseburgersofveal,lambandporksidedwithfabulouslycrispfrites;house-baked cin-namonFrenchtoast insticky pecansauce.SaturdayandSunday11amto4pm. $$ Rating:nnnnzliveBlueGrassBrunch@thedakota tavern 249Ossington,atDundasW,416-850-4579,thedakotatavern.com. Thiswest-sidebasementsaloonmaybebetterknownasa rootsylivemusicvenue,buteverySundaymorningit’shometooneof therockin’-estbrunches intown. For$14(kidsin RamonesT-shirts$7), thehappen-inghonky-tonkdishes upsubstantialall- you-can-eatplattersat communaltablesagainstabackdrop oflive bluegrass. Best:tostart, orangeandgrapefruitjuices;goodcoffee-shop joe;obligatoryfruit salad;perfectlyfluffy scrambledeggs; un-usuallymeatybacon;crisply griddledhomefries; unlimitedstackso’ flapjacks
withmaplesyrup. Sunday11am to3pm. $$$ Rating:nnnMildred’steMPlekitchen85Hanna,atSnooker,416-588-5695,templekitchen.com. DonnaDooherandKevinGallagher’spopularMildredPiercerematerializesas achic space-agesupperclub.Whilethe roomnow oozessophisti-cation,its no-reservationspolicyand line-upsremain. Best: blackcurrantsconesandbuttermilkbiscuitswith whippedbutterandpeppery plumcompote; oldfavour-iteslike HuevosMonty,a bakedtortillasandwichstuffedwith refriedblackbeans
andcheddartoppedwithapairofrunnysunny-side-upeggs,mild house-madesal-sa,creamyguacamoleand crèmefraîche;Veda’sChoice,a Clafouticroissantlayeredwithpoachedeggs, smokedsalmon andBéarnaise. Saturday,Sundayand holiday Mondays10amto 3pm. $$$ Rating:nnn z
ñ Parts&laBour1566QueenW,atFuller,416-588-
7750,partsandlabour.ca. Seepage31.
ñ savinGGrace 907DundasW,atBellwoods,416-
703-7368. Becauseitonlyseats20,Mon-icaMiller’sminimallyappointed caféisbedlamonweekends.Showupearly,oraddyournametothe listandwaitoutsideonthebenchwitheveryoneelse. Best:corncakeswith chili-firedmangochutneyandgreens dressedwith sun-driedto-matovinaigrette;chalk-boardspecialslike frittatawithfresh corn,butternutsquashandGouda,orpiz-za-stylephyllot artslay-eredwith springaspara-gus,newpotatoandsun-driedtomato. Satur-dayandSunday10amto3
pm,MondaytoFriday9amto3pm. $ Rating: nnnnz
ñ school70Fraser,at Liberty,
416-588-0005,sbcto.com. FormerXacutti chefBradMooregoesbacktoschool,inthiscaseasmartall-daybreakfastspotinLibertyVil-lage.Warning:monumentallineupsafter11am. Best: tostart,sourlemonormaple-syrup-infusedsconesandcardamombiscuits;cheddar
biscuitspiled withrunnyfried eggs,pep-peryJackandbackbacon;GooeyFourCheeseSoufflé platedin acast-ironskilletwithhousegreensandwhite’n’sweetpo-tatohomefries;todrink,strongIllycoffee.Saturday,Sundayand someholidayMon-days9:30amto4pm. $$ Rating:nnnn zswan 892QueenW,atCrawford,416-532-0452. Longbeforeitwasa shoppingmall,QueenWestwasastripof retrofittedluncheonetteslikeDamianHeath andcrew’sendearinglyquirkydiner.Un-touchedsincethe40s,theroom’stheper-fectsettingforgrubasold-schoolasthedecor. Best: tostart,halfagrapefruitwithbrownsugar;continuewith Hangtown
Fry,asmokedOysterBoyoysterfrittatacoupledwithcrisphomefriesandhome-madeseven-graintoast; theinevitableeggsBenedictunusuallytopped withspinachandmildlysmoked troutor spicycapicolla. Sat-urday,SundayandholidayMondays10amto3:30pm. $$ Rating:nnntinto89Roncesv alles,at Marion,416-530-5885,tinto.ca. Partcoffeehouse,partactivistartgallery,thisairy two-storyspace featuresall-daySouthAmerican-inspiredwraps andSt.John’s Bakerydesserts. Best: tobegin,toastedwhole wheatorganicEnglishmuf-finsspread withhouse-maderaspberry jamandorganiccream cheese;grilledBurrito alTrotestuffed withmashedsweet potato,blackbeansand cheddar;tortillade patatas(akaSpanishomelette)with potatoandeggspan-broiled withorganiccanolaoil,
sidedwith house-madesalsa,terrifichots auceororganicketchup. SaturdayandSun-day11amto6pm. $$ Rating:nnn
ñ Zocalo1426BloorW,atSter-
ling,647-342-1567,zocalobi-stro.com. Whateveryoudo,
don’tcall itbrunch.Instead,thisidiosyncraticJunctionTrianglekitchenserves whatitreferstoas“broken-breadsandwiches.”Translation:massivedeconstructedveg-
gie-friendlysandwich’n’saladcomboscomposed oflocallysourcedingredients. Best:shareableplattersof FrenchCanadianmeatloafwith roast-edpotatoandgarlicconfitsal-ad;apricot’n’ porksausagespoachedinhouse-made cider
overwarmsplit peasand balsamiconionmarmalade,allservedwiththreetypesofStJohnBakerysour-doughsanda messo’ organicarugula,redradish,slivereddaikonand babyplum tomatoesin redwinevinaigrette;strawberrybreadpudding. Saturday,SundayandsomeholidayMondays10amto4 pm. $$ Rating:nnnnn
MorE WEst sidE aGora 3015DundasW,atHighPark,416-761-9991,sites.google.com/site/agoracafe2. Fairtradejoeinbio-degradablecups,a short,mostly organiccardandMom’sdesserts makeCiaraBracken-Roche’seco-con-ciousJunctioncaféadeliciousmixofoldandnew.Saturday10amto2 pm.Unlicensed. $Barone924QueenW,atShaw,416-535-1655,bar-one.com. Nowintoits seconddecade, Aldoand MarcelloBarone’sstylishItaliantrat putsa contemporaryspinoncomfort foodclassics. SaturdayandSunday9amto4pm.Reservationsacceptedbefore11am. $$zBeet2945DundasW,atPacific,416-916-2368,thebeet.ca. Eco-mindedcaféintheJunctionwithamostlyor-ganicandregionallyproduced menu. Saturdayand Sunday10am to4pm. $ zcadillaclounGe1296Queen W,at Grove,416-536-7717,cadilla-clounge.com. Thishard-rockin’saloonin gloriouslyungentrifiedParkdalefeaturesvegetarian-friendlydisheslikehuevos rancherosalongsidecardiackillerslikethe FatElvisFavourite. SaturdayandSunday 10:30amto 3:30pm. $zclinton’s693BloorW,atClinton,416-535-9541. Rock’n’ rollbreakfastssevendaysaweekanda$40 PsychicBrunchthethird Sundayofthe month. Daily11am to5pm. $zcZehoski678QueenW,atTecumseth,416-366-6787,cze-hoski.com. Sprawlingresto-barin formerbutchershop. SaturdayandSunday11amto3 pm. $$zdrake 1150Queen W,at Beaconsfield,416-531-5042,thedrakehotel.ca. Thoughdowntown’sfavouritefunplexcanbeazoo bynight,middaynoshesinitsfancy-pantsdiningroom andmore casualcurbsidecafémoveatasomewhatlessfrenziedpace. Satur-day,SundayandholidayMondays10amto4 pm.Res-ervationsaccepted. $$$ zFootBallFactory164Bathurst,atRichmondW,416-368-4625,the-footballfactory.ca. LiveUKsoccerviasatelliteon13HDTVs.Saturdayand Sundayfrom7 am.Reservationsaccepted. $$FreshByjuiceForliFe894QueenW,atCrawford,416-913-2720,freshres-taurants.ca. RuthTalBrown’sveggie havendrawsahealth-consciouscrowd. Also:336 BloorW,at
Spadina,416-531-2635;147 Spadina,atQueen, 416-599-4442. SaturdayandSunday10:30amto3 pm.$$ zGladstonehotel1214QueenW,atDufferin,416-531-4635,glad-
Thoughher Cuban-Frenchbis-tro’sbeen packedvirtuallyeverynightof theweeksinceitlaunchedseveralseasons back,CorrinaMozo’sDelux onlystart-edservingbrunchlastJune.
TheSunday-morningspreadgetsofftoa bangwithbaked-to-orderbuttermilkdoughnutsdunkedindulcede lechechantillyandbaskets
ofcrunchyconchfritters(both$5).Butthereal
staroftheshowisherCubanpica-dillohash($12),aterrificmixof Que-becconfi t,duck-fat-friedspuds andsweetredpepperslacedwithcapers,greenolives andraisins.She finishestheplatewithreal- dealMorosyCris-tianosblack beans’n’rice, smashedplantaintostonesand twosunny-side-upeggs.
“It’ssomething alittle different,”laughsthe
Montreal-bornchef. stevendavey
toronto’s best BRUNCH
extremeBruNch
DELUX92 Ossington,atHumbert,
416- 537- 0134,Sunday10:30 amto 3pm,
deluxrestaurant.ca.$$
rating: NNNNN
DUCk CoNfiT PiCaDiLLo HasH
œ continued from page 31
continued onpage 34 œ
DowNLoaD iT Now!noW’s f st u t pp – 2,000 f T.o.’s
b st st u ts t y u f t ps nowtoronto.com/apps
HauteLeasidepatisserie - LaPatisserieCigogne(seepage40)isabouttolaunchasecondoutletontheeastsideinthenow- defunctCasadiGiorgiopizzeriaat DanforthandMonarch Park.Thenewcaféshouldopeninmid- Mayandwillfeatureanidenticalmenuaswellasa chiccurbsidepatio.
Downin Riverside,LeRossignol (686QueenEast,at Broadview,416- 461-9663,lerossignolb-istro.com)beginsweekend brunchservice oncepatioseasonkicksin.The20- seatbackyardgrottodoubles theslammed bistro’scapacity.
Afewblockseast,TheRoy (894Queen East,atLogan,416- 465-3331,theroy.ca)hasalwaysbeena favouritewithCoronationStreet fans,
especiallysincea week’sworthofepisodesgetshownback-to- backevery Sunday.Tocele-bratethe UKsoap opera’s50thanniversary,theLeslievillelocalhasjustaddedBetty’sLan-cashirelambhotpot($10.95)totheBrit- cen-triclineup.
Kensingtonindiedance barthe Boat (158Augusta,atDundas, 416-593- 9218,theboat-restaurant.com)has itsf irst RetroHangoverBrunch Sunday(April10)from11am.Expectmixedgrills,aDIYomelettestationandShirleyTemplemimosasservedtoa soundtrackof 50s,60sand70srock.
Overin themeat-packingdistrict, AntonPotvin ’sNiagaraStreetCafé (169Niagara,atWellington,416-703- 4222,niagarastreetcafe.com)bucksthetrendandhasstoppeddoingbrunch.Seems thenumbers justweren’tthere.Samesitchat Debu’sNouvelleIndianCuisine (552Mount Pleasant,atBelsize, 416-
927-9340,debusaha.com),which nowno long-eroffersitsstellar$20multi- courseprixfixebrunch,throughit’s stillavailableMondaythroughSaturdayatlunch. sd
coronationstrEEt
corrinaMozo
BRUNCHDisH
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stonehotel.com. ThisvenerableVictorianpileishomenotonlytosomeofdown-town’smost progressiveprogramming–art installations,lifedrawingclasses,karaoke–butalsotooneof thewestside’sloveliest period-perfectcafés. Satur-day,SundayandholidayMondays8amto4pm. $lakeview1132DundasW,atOssington,416-850-8886,thelakeviewrestauran t.ca. Artdecodineropen24/7intheheartofOz. Daily roundthe clock. $$zlittleFish3080DundasW,atQuebec,416-604-3474. FormerOkayOkay ownerCareyWesenbergtakeson theJunction. Satur-dayandSunday9amto4 pm.Unlicensed. $$lulacaFe@ lulalounGe 1585DundasW,atBrock,416-588-0307,lula.ca. Thissmall cantinainthe popular
Latinconcert cluboffers a$25 all-you-can-eatbuffet followedbys alsalessons!Sundayat11 amand1 pm. $$$Poorjohn’scaFé1610QueenW,atCallender,647-435-2688. Low-profileneighbourhoodspotcomescomplete withGoodwillcastoffsandan Indo-inspiredmenu.French toastwithchai-poachedpears, anyone? Sunday 10amto3pm. $zPraGueFineFood eMPoriuM 638QueenW,atPalmerston,416-504-5787,theprague.ca. Despitethenewname,thislandmark OldWorlddeli stickstorib-stickingmitteleuropean specialtieslikeslow-roastedduck withdoughydumplingsdousedin gravyandsweetshreddedcabbage. Saturday7:30amto6 pm,Sunday10amto 5pm. $$sunriseGrill& crePe417Roncesvalles,atHowardPk,416-561-
pm. $ Rating: nnnnn
ñ Frank@theaGo 317DundasW,atMcCaul,416-979-
6688,ago.net/frank. There’sno questionthatToronto-bornsuperstar architectFrankGehrycan createanimpressive fa-cade.Buthisworkinthegallery’ssadlyanodynediningroom, evenwithits recentrenovation,suggestshehasno ideahowarestaurantspaceshouldoperate. Luckily,executivechefAnne Yarymowichandcrew’selegantlyplated cartetakes uptheslack. Best: basketsof croissants,painauxraisins,painauchocolat andblackcurrantsconesspread withcrèmefraîche andhouse-madepreserves; chèvresouffléswithcaramelizedshallots,Riesling-poachedquinceand shavedfennelslaw;smokedOntariotrout withscrambledeggson house-bakedbrioche. Saturday andSunday11am to3pm.Reservationsaccepted. $$$ Rating:nnnnFressen478QueenW,atDenison,416-504-5127,herbivore.to. Sisterof Kensington’sUrbanHerbivore,StephenGardner’scompara-tivelyluxuriousresto usesvegan ingredi-entsto dramaticeffect. Best: sweetpo-tatoandcornfrittersoverceleryrootslawsidedwith nippysalsa,smooth guaca-mole,refried beansand house-bakedor-ganicmultigrainbread;wheat-freespelt,barleyandberry-infused pancakestoppedwithstewed seasonalfruitand organicmaplesyrup;western tofuomelettesstuffedwithbellpeppersandgluten“ham”;tapas combosof marinatedfavabeanfoule,tabouleh andspicy jicama-mangosalad. SaturdayandSunday10amto3 pm.Reservationsaccepted. $$ Rating:nnn
ñ GileadcaFé& Bistro 4GileadPl,atKingE, 647-288-0680,
jamiekennedy.ca. OrganicguruJamieKennedyregroupsat thislow-keyCork-
townbeanery.Has thegroundbreakingchefeverbeensoontrack? Best: basketsofhouse-baked pastries– flakycroissants,savouryscones,buttery brioche– spreadwithcrème fraîcheandstrawberryjam;smokedOntariowhitefish overRed Fifepancakes,withpickled redonion andsourcreamoverorganic greens;chef’sflawlessfriteswith friedeggs, artisanalsausageandIndo ketchup;bacon-lacedrostitoppedwith super-cheesyscrambledeggs;to drink,house-distilledaguafresca.Sunday10am to3pm. $$$ Rating:nnnnnzlePetitdejeuner 191KingE,atGeorge,416-703-1560,petitdejeuner.ca. Anunassumingeast-sidestorefront outfittedwith sparklynaugahydeboothsandp erpetuallineupsweekends,JohanMaes’s ridiculouslypopularcaféfeatures afirst-rate breakfastcardthatreflects hisBelgianroots. Best:sixtypesofwaffles,bothsweetandsav-oury;croquemonsieur, broiledchallahlay-eredwith ham,melted GruyèreandDijon-nippedbéchamel;Toast Champignon,toastedbagels piledwith grilled’shrooms,bacon,onionand arunnypoached egg,sidedwithrostiandpickledveggiesoverapplejulienne;to drink,hot house-madeapplecider. Saturday9amto 3pm,Sunday 10amto3 pm,MondaytoFriday8amto 5 pm. $$ Rating:nnn
ñ leselect432WellingtonW,atSpadina,416-
596-6405,leselec t.ca. Thoughitlostitshangingbreadbasketswhenitleftitsori-ginalQueenWest storefront,muchof Jean-JacquesQuinsacandFrederic Geis-weller’svenerablebrasserie’soriginalfla-vour– zinc-coveredbar,art nouveaupost-ers,gas-burningfireplace– remainsintact. Best: saladsof friséewith lardonsandavocadoin sweetsherry vinaigrette;
toronto’s best BRUNCH
continued onpage 36 œ
Theunequivocalqueen of rawcuisine, JenniferItal-iano hascomealongwaysincesheopeneda tinyvegetariantakeawayintheAnnexalmost10
yearsago.Sincethen, she’smovedintofarfancierdigsafewdoorsdown,branchedout intowhole-sale–herlineof Liveveg-giechipsandcrackersiscarriedinmorethan40localstores,includingWholeFoodsandNoah’s–andshe’scomeup withHogtown’sfirstraw veganbrunch.
Herrecipeforuncookedcrepes–createdwiththehelpofex- Fressenchef SarahMacDonald –is puregenius.Ifyoudidn’tknowthatevery-thinginvolvedhadneverseenanoven
ora stovetop,you’dswear youwereeatingsomeim-possiblyrichdessertatafive-starresort.
Live’spreservative-andgluten-freetakeon
crepesstartswithflap- jacksconfiguredfromadehydratedpuréeof ba-nanas,dates,apples andfair-tradecocoa.They’refilledwith ablackberry-cashewcream,house-
mademulti- berryjam andmarshmal-lowfluffmadewithwhippedcoconutmilk.Plate withalmond-walnutbis-cotti,cranberry-apricotmarmaladeandatossof ediblenasturtiums($15)andwatchjawsdrop.Iseverythingreallyorganic?
“Ourcustomerswouldkillusif itweren’t,”quipsItaliano. stevendavey
extremeBruNch
LIVEORGANICFOODBAR,
264Dupont,atSpadina,416- 515
2002,Saturday andSunday11am to 3pm.
Reservations acceptedforgroups ofsixormore.
livefoodbar.com.$$ z
rating: NNNNN
Raw vegaNCHoCoLaTe CRePes
5766,sunrisegrill.ca. All-daybreakfastsacrossfrom theRevue. Daily7 amto4 pm.$zwheatsheaF 667KingW,atBathurst,416-504-9912. Toronto’soldestbar –established in1849–jumps onthe brunchbandwagon. Satur-day,SundayandholidayMondays11amto4 pm.Reservationsaccepted. $z
doWntoWn
ñ Bellevue 61ABellevue,atNassau,647-340-
8224. QuirkyKensingtonMarketcafé withanall-daybrunch’n’ lunchcardfrom ex-ArlequinandJoso’s chefJoseph Senisi.Whileservicecanbequick,thetinykitch-encan understandablylag,particularilyatpeakfeedingtimes. Best: tostart,choco-late,bananaandjalapeño smoothies–thinkmelted Fudgsicles;theUnusual,aplatterof diner-styleeggs, GraceMeats’sausage,wholewheat toast,pickledbeets,stewed berriesand kimchi;grilledflanksteakandeggssidedwithsautéedapples,potato DauphinoiseandTexan’sbiscuits;the Squirrel,anomega-3-richsandwichofcanned sardines,peanutbut-ter,Vietnamesehot sauceandaged whitecheddaronr yesided withCuban-styleblackbeans,salsa andavocado. TuesdaytoSunday10am to4pm. $$ Rating:nnnnz
ñ BlackMetalBrunch@ GraFFiti’s170Baldwin,atKensington,416-
506-6699,graffitisbarandgrill.com. Relocatedfrom PlanetKensington,LindaDawson’s(ex-SouthernAccent,BellairCafé)punkrock spreadcomes withkick-asssides ofRammstein. Best: specialslikemini-cheeseburgersongrilled garliccala-bresetoppedwithpoachedeggsandlem-onyhollandaiseandsided withorganicgreensina berryvinaigretteandfriedsweetpotato “homies.” Sunday11am to5
œ continued from page 33
S T E V E N D A V E Y
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toronto’s best BRUNCH
Zane Caplansky was having dim sum one
recent morning when he had an epiphany.“I’ve always wanted pancakes on ourmenu, but French toast is so done, especial-ly stuffed,” says the likeable mensch behinddowntown’s favourite deli. “Then it hit me– the Leaning Tower of Caplansky’s!”
cream cheese (“not the s
del’s on Baldwin, but clblueberry jam (“I’m a bDouse them in real m
crappy stuff”) and give tfectioner’s sugar before several fat-free rashers o
extremeBruNch
CAPLANSKY’S356 College, at Brunswick, 416-500-3852,
Sunday to Tuesday 10am to 10 pm, Wednesday to Saturday 10 am
THe LeaNiNg ToweR of CaPLaNsky’s
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hothousecafe.com. Close to the St. Law-rence Market, this extremely busy restooffers an $18.95 all-you-can-eat spreadaccompanied by live jazz. Sunday 9:30 amto 3 pm. $$$ zkarine’s 109 McCaul, at Dundas W, 416-591-0863,karines.ca. All-day breakfast spot in theVillage by the Grange food court with lotsof veggie options – from the owner of theoriginal Maggie’s on College. Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm. Unlicensed. $MarBen 488 Wellington W, at Portland, 416-979-1990, marbenrestaurant.com. Locavoresalads and grills in a converted ware-house. Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 3 pm. Reservations accepted. $$ zMill street Brew PuB 55 Mill, at Trinity, 416-681-0338, mill-streetbrewpub.ca. House microbrews andBennys in the historic Distillery District.Saturday, Sunday and holiday Mondays
10:30 am to 3 pm. $$ zoriGinal Motorcycle caFe 225 Queen W, at Simcoe, 416-599-6200,originalmotorcycleburgers.com. Bennysand burgers close to the opera house. Sat-urday and Sunday 10 am to 3 pm. $$Paese 333 King W, at Peter, 416-599-6585,paeseristorante.com. The motto: “In-spired by Italy, made in Canada.” Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 3:30 pm. Reserva-tions accepted. $$queen & Beaver PuBlic house 35 Elm, at Yonge, 647-347-2712, queenan-dbeaverpub.ca. Satellite soccer from theUK in a Victorian gastropub. Saturday and
Sunday 9 am (or earlier) to 3 pm. Reserva-tions accepted. $$zsenator 249 Victoria, at Yonge-Dundas Sq, 416-364-7517, thesenator.com. While little of
the art deco diner’s decor has changedsince it opened in 1928, its grub is a con-siderable step up from the average greasyspoon’s. Saturday and Sunday 8 am to 2:30 pm. $$shanGhai cowGirl 538 Queen W, at Bathurst, 416-203-6623,shanghaicowgirl.com. This Bovine SexClub sibling specializes in retro greasy-spoon grub updated with soul food twists.Daily 10:30 am to 4 pm. $$zsneaky dee’s 431 College, at Bathurst, 416-603-3090,sneaky-dees.com. Dirt-cheap Bennies in astudent-friendly Tex-Mex cantina. Satur-day and Sunday 9 am to 4 pm, holiday Mondays 10 am to 4 pm. $ z
MidtoWn ñ aunties and uncles
74 Lippincott, at College, 416-324-1375. Named for a song by the Jam, Rus-sell Nicholls’s neo-mod hole in the wallcaters to a budget-conscious crowd thatappreciates value as much as style. Best:Breakfast Pockets, Micalense onion focac-cia stuffed with scrambled eggs, peamealbacon, cheddar cheese, tomato and cara-melized onion and sided with smashedsweet potato home fries; croque mon-sieur served with dill ’n’ Dijon potato salador organic greens; breakfast tacos of scrambled egg, house-made chorizo, pintobeans and cheddar dolloped with sourcream; Belgian waffles with maple syrupwhile they last. Daily 9 am to 3 pm except holidays and long weekends May throughOctober. Unlicensed. Cash only. $$ Rating:nnnnz
ñcaPlansky’s 356 College, at Brunswick, 416-500-3852, caplansky.com. See page 36.
ñ c5 100 Queen’s Pk, at Bloor, 416-586-
7928, rom.on.ca. Located at the pinnacle
of the ROM’s new Crystal addition, this
swanky supperclub spotlights chef TeddyCorrado’s snout-to-tail carte as well asfabulous rooftop views facing the down-town skyline and points west. Bonus: aseparate five-course bacon menu! Best:lobster omelettes on house-baked Englishmuffins garnished with pork loin peamealbacon, Gruyère and wilted rapini, sidedwith cucumber celery slaw; unusuallylight pancakes stuffed with cherry-wood-smoked bacon and finished with p eachcompote, candied walnuts, maple chan-tilly and foie gras torchons; sticky toffeepudding with cognac prune purée andblue cheese ice cream. Sunday 11:30 am to2:30 am. Reservations accepted. $$$ Rating: nnnnn
ñ dt Bistro 154 Harbord, at Brunswick, 416-
916-8155, desserttrends.ca. No longerDessert Trends, chef Don Duong’s re-branded breezy café in an Annex Victorian
still knocks out a stellar midday spread.Show up early or... well, you know the drill!Best: skillets of baked duck eggs, spicychorizo and spuds garnished with sliveredscallion and sided with house organicgreens with nut brittle in a lemon vinai-grette; house-baked ’n’ grilled briochedraped dramatically with smoked salmonover lemon-dill scrambled eggs; massivecoconut waffles stuffed with lemon curdand blueberry coulis; pancakes laced withdouble-smoked bacon and carmelized on-ion; extravagant desserts. Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm. $$$ Rating: nnnnFree tiMes caFe 320 College, at Robert , 416-967-1078,freetimescafe.com. One of the last hippieholdout’s in town, Judy Perly’s cozy b ean-
ery’s first-rate Jewish-grandmother-styleall-you-can-eat (and eat and eat and eat)spread goes for all of $19.95. Bonus: liveklezmer bands! Best: Urbain bagels spreadwith cream cheese; plump ricotta-stuffed
blintzes sided wapple sauce andcorrect latkes afish; perfectly loaded with swbeet and herrinseed cake. Sun12 half-price, inaccepted. $$$ Rñ Gallery
7 Hart Ho416-978-2445.the restaurant i– once a privatbound to wow, stonework, Micoat-of-arms chseasonally shifthe cake. Best:with house-masourced mains whitefish over ad in Berkshiremade lamb mer
cider sauce oveto finish, Hart Hcrème brûlée.ervations requiGloBe earth 1055 Yonge, at 9890, globeeartside’s Globe Biis a celebrationtimes obsessiveent on chef Kevwith a culinarytion: 124 Danfo466-2000. BesDanishes, croispeppery strawbkie, a runny egmade baked beworth sucklingsausage; the Sw
toronto’s best BRUNCHœ continued from page 36 BonjoUr BriochE
( ee ev ew, ge 30)
E T H A N E I S E N B E R G
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40 april 7-13 2011 NOW
sixkinds ofpork includingdouble-smokedbacon,maplecracklingand Quebecoiscre-tonand“lotsoftoast,nosalad.” Saturday andSunday11amto5pm (Yonge).Sunday 11amto2 pm(Danforth).Reservationsac-cepted. $$$ Rating:nnn z
ñ liveorGanicFood Bar 264Dupont,atSpadina,416-515-
2002,livefoodbar.com. Seepage34.lola’scoMMissary634Church,atHayden,416-966-3991,lolascommissary.com. Althoughitchangedhandslast fall,littleelse aboutthisramblingVictorianhas changed:samemenu,same80ssoundtrackandsameeasy-goingscene. Best: eggychallahFrenchtoasts tuffedwith orangeandvan-illacheesecake(!)f inishedwithcrushedapplepie,maplesyrupanddustingsof confectioner’ssugar;Eggs Lola,runnypoachedeggs overshredded anchochick-enand softtortillas dressedwith Mexicansheep’smilkcrème fraîche,slicedripe avo-cadoand Italiantomato-basilfresca,sidedwith“sexy” roastedsweet potatoes. Sat-urdayandSunday10amto 3pm.Reserva-tionsaccepted. $$ Rating:nnnztatiBistro 124Harbord, atMajor, 416-962-8284,tatibistro.com. Ex-TeatrochefLaurentBrionkeeps ittraditionallyFrenchin oneofthesouthAnnexrestorow’sloveliestrooms.Strong coffee,a gorgeousrooftopdeckunder aspreadingchestnut comesummerand ol’Misery GutsMorrisseymoaningonthestereomakeitoneofthebusiest,too. Best: tostart, house-bakedpainauchocolat straightfromthe oven;Tatiturnovers,puff pastryvol auventssaucedwithbacon, mushroomsandGru- yère;frisée saladwithchunky baconalar-dons,blue cheeseand anexceptionallypoachedegg; housecharcuterieplatterwithcornichons. Sunday11am to3pm. $$ Rating: nnnz
wish3CharlesE,atYonge,416-935-0240,wishintoronto.com. BrieflyBlackSkirt,RendaAbdo’swhitewashedSouth Beach-styleresto-lounge returnsto itsoriginalmandate.Betteryet, she’soverhauledthekitchenandlowered prices,too. Best: tostart,grilled grapefruitwithraw sugar;mainslikeeggsCharlotte,apairofexpert-lypoachedeggsinParmesanandleekfon-dueoversmokedsalmononwholewheatAceBakerymuffins, sidedwith organicgreensin redwine vinaigrette;grilledNu-tellasandwiches;to finish,Callebautchoc-olatebrowniesstraight fromthe ovendol-lopedwith realwhippedcream. Saturday
andSunday10amto4pm. Reservationsaccepted. $$$ Rating:nnn z
MorE MidtoWn caroline’s554Parliament, atAmelia, 416-927-1593,carolinesdiningroom.com. Theone-timeBigMamma’sBoy returnswithnew own-ersand asimilarhealth-consciousroster.Sunday11am to3pm. $$zFannychadwick’s268Howland,atDupont,416-944-1606,fannychadwicks.com. Reclaimednorth
Annexdinerwith ex-SusurandGeorgechefis alreadypacking’emin. Saturday andSunday10amto4pm. $$FlyinGBeaver488Parliament, atCarlton, 647-347-6567,theflyingbeaver.ca. BigMamma’sBoy andSlackAlice’sHeatherMackenzieand comicMaggieCasselalauncha pub-slash-caba-retintheoldParadiseBarandGrill. Sun-day10amto4 pm.Reservationsaccepted. $$l’esPressoBar Mercurio 321BloorW,atStGeorge,416-585-2233,barmercurio.com. Thestreamlinedoff-shootofBarMercurioacrossthestreetoffersstudent-friendlybreakfasts onthegroundfloorofUof T’sWoodsworthCol-lege. SaturdayandSunday10amto4 pm.Reservationsaccepted. $$ zlocal44Dundonald, atYonge, 416-915-0113,local4relaxstation.com. Thisunpreten-tiousspotjustoffYongefeaturesafirst-ratepeople-watchingpatio outfront andacasualcard ofcomfort foodclassics. Sat-urdayandSunday11:30to4pm.Reserva-tionsaccepted. $$zone 116Yorkville, atHazelton, 416-961-9600,onehazelton.com. MarkMcEwan,theFoodTVstarandpowerhousebehindFab-ricca,North44andBymark,bringshisun-paralleledpolishto Yorkville’sHazeltonHotel. SaturdayandSunday10amto4:30 pm.Reservationsaccepted. $$$ zstoutirishPuB 221Carlton, atParliament, 647-344-7676,stoutirishpub.ca. NewCabbagetownwateringholein theold BrassTaps. Satur-dayandSunday11amto2:30pm. $$universalGrill 1071Shaw,atDupont,416-588-5928,universalgrill.ca. Thisreconfigureddinermightseemlikeit’sinthemiddleofno-where,butoncefounditwillfeeljustlike
home– onefurnishedwith venetianblinds,woodenb oothsand tropicalplants,mind. SaturdayandSunday10:30amto2:30pm. $$z
UptoWn BooMBreakFast174EglintonW,atLascelles,416-485-3447,boombreakfast.com. Homeoftheall-daybrekkie,this modishdinerhas thebuzzof afranticFran’s. Waitinginline?Haveafreemuffin!Also:1036StClairW,atGlenholme,416-657-3447,808 College,atOssington,416-534-3447. Best: huevos-rancheros-stylewholewheatwrapsstuffedwith salsa-fiedscrambledeggs,refriedbeans, guacamoleandsour cream;Bennystopped withsmoked salmonandlemonyhollandaise;lassi-likeyogurtfruitsmoothies. Daily7 amto4 pm(Eglinton,St Clair),6amto 4pm(College).$ Rating:nnnFrida 999EglintonW,at GlenCedar,416-787-2221,fridarestaurant.ca. takingits inspir-ationfrom MexicanartistFrida Kahlo,thisdecidedlymodishcantina– redvelvetbanquettes,bare blacklaqueredtables,coolhalogenlight fixturesoverhead– isnotonly sombrero-free,but JoseHadad’supscalecardeschews allTex-Mexclichésaswell. Best: thehonouraryFrida YDiegoomelettestuffedwithredandgreenpep-persandsaucedwithbothsalsaverdeandsalsaroja,sided withrefriedblack beansandcrumbledqueso fresca;shreddedchickenbreastin spicypibil saucewrappedinsofttacostoppedwithpickledredonion. Sunday10:30amto2 pm.Res-ervationsaccepted. $$$ Rating:nnnPatisserielaciGoGne1626Bayview, atMan or,416-487-1234. ThierrySchmitt’s Parisianpatisseriespe-cializesinclassicFrench pastries– croque-mbouche,anyone?–aswellasa short
cardof all-daysandwichesandegg dishes.Best: tarteflambée, anAlsatiantake onpizzatopped withslicedonion, baconandcheesybéchamel;eggy quicheProvençalewithchèvre,Roma tomato,basiland ham,sidedwithhousegreensandtartcitrusvinaigrette. SaturdayandSunday11amto3pm. Unlicensed.$ Rating:nnn z
ñ stockyardssMokehouse&larder
699StClairW,atChristie,416-658-9666,thestockyards.ca. TomDavis’ssouthernU.S.-stylebarbecueshackisa zooatthebestoftimesandevenmoresocomeweekendmornings.Limited counterseat-ingmeansthat groupslargerthan twomightbe morecomfortable somewhereelse. Best: warmbuttermilkbiscuitsspreadwithhouse-made blackberryjam;EggsTommy,house-cured Cajunsausage,shrimpandpoached thendeep-fried eggsoverbiscuitsin hollandaisesided with oven-bakedhomefries inporchetta jus;pastramihashwith chive-lacedsourcreamandmoreofthoseterrificdeep-friedeggs;shirredeggswithsmokedlar-dons,collardgreens andaged cheddar;sugar-dusteddulcede lechebeignets. Par-tialmenuSaturday9 amto3 pm,full menuSunday9 amto3 pm.Unlicensed. $$ Rating:nnnn
MorE UptoWn ProP 770StClairW,atArlington,416-792-3313. Olive&L emon’sGiancarloCarne-valeandMarlene Simonebringdown-townbrunchto theCorso Italia. Sunday11amto3pm. $$scallywaGs 11StClairW,at Yonge,416-922-3737,scallywags.net. EnglishPremierLeaguefootball,rugby,cricket,MLS soccerand
hurling–thekindwithcabers– inasprawlingsportsbar. Teamstrip manda-tory. SaturdayandSundayasearlyas7 amto3pm dependingonthegame. $zsiMPleBistro619Mt Pleasant,416-4 83-8933,simplebistro.com. Frenchomelettes andcrepesfromex-JOVandtheFifthchefMa-sayukiTamaru. SaturdayandSunday 11amto3pm. $$$unitedBakersdairy 506LawrenceW,atBathurst,416-789-0519. Old-schoolSpadinadeli renownedforitsblintzes,latkesandloxnowrelocat-edin LawrencePlaza. SaturdayandSun-day7amto 9pm,MondaytoThursday7 amto10pm,Friday7amto 8:30pm.Un-licensed.$ 3
saveWHAT:WeihenstephanerHefeweissbierRating: nnnWHERE:Freising, GermanyWHY:Mysourcestellmethatin Bavaria,wheatbeerishappily consumedatbreakfast.Butreally, doesanybodydo breakfastanymore?Maybesome supple-mentsandasmoothie,butbreakfast?No,we’re allaboutbrunch.Weihenste-phanerisalmost1,000 yearsold(I kidyounot)anddeliversthe finefoam,snowyheadandcloveandbananaflavoursone ex-pectsfromthisstyle.Agreatwaytostartthemid-dleoftheday.PRICE:500 ml/$3.05 AVAILABILITY:Atselectedliquorstores (product#75291)
toronto’s best BRUNCHœ continued from page 38
BrUnChCrUnChRESERVATIONS:RestaurantsdoNOT
takereservationsunlessnoted.LICENSED:Restaurantsarelicensed
foralcoholunlessnoted.CASH:Restaurantstakecredit/debit
cardsunlessnoted.$ Averagemainunder$10
$$ Averagemain$10to$13$$$ Averagemainover$13
BARRIER-FREE( ):Restaurantshaveatleast oneentrywhere thereareno steps,tablesarereasonablyspacedandwashroomsarelocatedonthesame floor,althoughnotne-cessarilyequippedwithassistance.
Ñ Critics’Picknnn Sunnysideup• nnnn Perfectlypoached• nnnnn Eggs-traordinary
z Patio
stockyarDschEfrachELpELLEtt
( ee ev ew, ge41)
Ñ = Critics’Pick nnnnn = Liquid gold nnnn = Intoxicannn = Cheers nn = Drinkable n = Under the bridge
dr n up... at bruA weekly look at what’s on LCBO shelves
D A V I D L A U R E N C E