Tag Archives: Bistro / Cafe / Light Food / Bakery

Hello Toast (Now called Toast on Queen- Nov 2005)

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Now called Toast on Queen- Nov 2005
993 Queen Street East
phone number: 416-778-7299

I had feared a long wait to get into Hello Toast at 12:30 on a Saturday, but after 10 minutes we found ourselves a half couch/half seat table in the back room. The decor was quite interesting, with toasters jutting out of the wall above the door leading to the kitchen and artwork placed outside the window on the exterior wall of the adjacent building. Looking around, I noticed many people sipping on Bloody Caesars. My friends were quick to inform me that this is the drink of choice for hangovers.

I, as well as the majority of my crew ordered the omelette of the day. This consisted of caramalized onions, aspagarus, mushrooms, smoked salmon, melted goat cheese, and sweet chili sauce. It also came with potatos and side salad with a raspberry vinagrette. The omelette arrived on my plate oozing at the seams with creamy goat cheese. I was expecting it to be a bit spicy due to the chili sauce but instead it was very sweet from the combiniation of the cheese and chili. Delicious. The potatos were quite standard and it was nice to balance the meal with the salad.

Unfortunately, my brunch cohort’s omelette was missing goat cheese and another member of our party asked the waitress for a plate of goat cheese to compensate! This slightly embarassing situation didn’t mar what was an overall tasty meal (at least for me anyways).

http://www.torontounderground.com/food_drink/local/brunch.html

http://www.martiniboys.com/pages/reviews/hellotoast.htm

Only Cafe, The

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972 Danforth Ave.
phone number: 416-463-7843

Only Cafe is a cozy, neighbourhood bar/cafe just east of Pape on the Danforth. With a completely relaxed, non-trendy yet retro atmosphere, it is a perfect place to get away from the typical chichipoopoo brunch spots of Queen and College west.

On initial impressions, the crowd is mixed with older and younger people from the neighbourhood congregating for some delicious and cheap food. The walls are covered in different paintings most noticeably from Van Gogh and there are all sorts of chuchkas placed around the bar including a Bart Simpson doll and a Louis Armstrong figurine head.

The menu is varied enough if not completely atypical from your regular down home breakfast joint. There is your all-stuffed omellete as well as breakfast burritos and a variety of different waffle dishes. I decided to test out what seemed like the main dish on the menu; the Belgian Waffles smothered in fruit. Although the waffles were a little mushy the amount of fruit, including strawberries, kiwi, grapes, orange, pears, and apples more than satisfied me. And when my entire meal (including a sausage and coffee) came to $10 after tax and tip I was more than happy.

If you are looking for a non-trendy and non-pretentious place with simple, good food and very reasonable prices and are willing to travel a little outside downtown, this is the place to go.

http://207.136.67.23/an/taste/cafe-bar.htm

Lakeview Lunch

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1132 Dundas Street West
phone number: 416-530-0871

After having visited a bunch of the trendier brunch places in recent weeks, Lakeview Lunch went in a bit of different direction. A typical 50’s style diner with booths and old movie posters lining the walls, I half expected personal jukeboxes at our eating station reminiscent of good old Lime Rickeys.

The menu was large serving an all day breakfast ranging from your typical eggs,toast and home fries to across the globe omelettes like the “Tel Aviv” or the “Athens”. The good thing about the breakfasts was that they came with baked beans, a personal favourite addition to any breakfast. The lunch menu was also quite large and we debated getting a cappacino milkshake.

I ended up settling for the Lox Eggs Benedict which was your typical eggs benedict with hollandaise on an english muffin with some lox. Nothing special and the lox weren’t that tasty. The homefries were flat and soft but not too bad. My friend chose a sandwhich off the lunch menu consisting of avacado, cheese, and some fancy mayo served on a huge bed of fries. He said it was delicious and from the bite I had I would have to agree.

For other reviews on Lakeview Lunch check out:

http://www.toronto-underground.com/index.html?/food_drink/local/fusion.html

http://www.martiniboys.com/pages/reviews/lakeview.htm

Saving Grace

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907 Dundas Street West
*new phone number (July 2005)*: 416 703-7368
old phone number: 416-899-9186

Saving Grace ranks up as the best brunch place I have eaten in Toronto and it all boils down to one item on the menu. No matter what one says about decor, ambience and wait time (not that there is a problem with any of that here), the most important factor in a restaurant is still the food. Saving Grace kicks ass in this respect.

The menu item I am refering to is the toasted raisin bread sandwich with avacado, old white cheddar cheese, lettuce, and rosemary mayonaisse. To be honest, I was not even the one to order this delectable treat (I lost again), but my brunch compadre was fortunate enough to make the correct choice. One bite of his sandwich sent me over the edge. Since that time, I have tried, with varying degrees of success to imitate this fine specimen of food; however, nothing I do comes close to wonders that are this sandwich.

Other notes on Saving Grace would be the amusing waiter who kept refering to me and my friend as “babe” throughout the meal. I liked this touch. The closeness of the tables provides a very residential touch to the smallish room, and allows you to check out the orgasmic expressions of all who taste “The Sandwich”.

Other reviews on Saving Grace:

http://www.toronto-underground.com/index.html?/food_drink/local/cafes.html

http://www.eye.net/eye/issue/issue_05.11.00/foodanddrink/food.html

Bonjour Brioche

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 812 Queen St. East   Toronto, ON
416 406-1250

Having risen early (6:30 a.m. on a Sunday!) for an “all-staff meeting” for work, I was rarin’ to eat some good brunch by 10 a.m. Bonjour Brioche did not dissapoint. Located just west of Hello Toast on Queen St., Bonjour Brioche has a slightly upscale menu and also serves as bakery, with baguettes and ‘brioches’ (sweet buns with a different something inside). After waiting about 20 minutes we were seated in the shade on the patio, which is on the side of the restaurant. Scanning the menu, I was recommended the scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and topped with caviar. However, upon further inspection I went with the ‘Tart of the Day’ which consisted of roasted garlic, mushroom and asiago cheese. I’m not sure how a tart differs from a quiche as they seem very similar, but this one was rich and tasty. Brigette also tried a tart but her’s had spinach, ricotta and olives inside. Her’s was milder tasting but also delicious. Marina had the omelette of the day which consisted of smoked salmon and creme fraiche, while Mark (not Polger) had the french toast which was incredibly rich and sweet (maybe too much so). Everyone came away fully satisfied.

http://www.toronto-underground.com/index.html?/food_drink/local/brunch.html
http://www.martiniboys.com/pages/reviews/bonjourbri.htm

Cafe Demetre

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 400 Danforth Av
(416) 778-6654

188 Eglinton Ave East
(416) 485-4610 

3280 Dufferin Street
(416) 789-CAFE (2233)

2962 Bloor Street West
(416) 234-CAFE (2233)

If you are looking for a trendy hotspot for desserts (cakes, pies), home made ice cream, sundaes, granitas, gourmet coffee, ice cream floats, come to Cafe Demetre. This place is a chain and it located in many neighbourhoods in Toronto and outside the GTA. Expect to see people who dress up for dessert. Prices are not cheap but portions are huge and made for the gluten in you. There are few healthy selections.

I usually order the yogourt in a tall glass with seasonal fruit and granola or the fruit grannitas which are pureed fruit,and crushed ice. Service is kind of slow (it’s very busy) but staff are friendly and accomodating.  The decor is bright and colourful and filled with Disney paraphernalia.

It has an almost child-like quality to the decor, fun, colourful, funky chairs, almost 1950’s diner style dessert hangout. Many cake varieties with huge “take home” portions that leave people full. A great place to take someone on a date but the place can get noisy and rowdy on a Saturday night. Expect lineups on the weekend, even during the winter.

Sunset Grill

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2006 Queen E
(416) 690-9985

2313 Yonge Street
(416) 482-4229‎

1422 Dundas Street West
(416) 532-1571‎

1602 Danforth Avenue (near Coxwell)
(416) 466-0648‎

1 Richmond Street West
(416) 861-0514‎

2200 Bloor St W
(416) 763-1444‎

I went to this diner with my friends on an early Sunday morning. Be warned, go early because the lineups start after 11:00am. They serve breakfast all day long but breakfast specials end at 11:00am. The place is non-pretentious, noisy, has that “greasy spoon” feel and has a large menu of classic breakfast food. The only problem is that there is very little selection for the vegetarian person. The only vegetarian breakfast items are fruit salad and yogourt and cereal, all served a la carte. I ordered the fruit salad with an order of yogourt. The portions were decent and I was satisifed. The second time I visitid Sunset Grill, I had the frittata, a yummy egg white omelete with mushroom, onion, and green pepper. It was not greasy, and light and fluffy and very fresh.

My friends had typical breakfast fare: eggs, bacon, and toast with coffee. The tables are close together and the place is very noisy. The place is bright and seats many tables. There are no bells and whistles, no super cheery waitresses, just good, honest, fast, reliable service. The prices are cheap (<$10) and the food is flavourful. I would not go back because I could not eat very much but it is definitely a hit with my carnivore friends. They only accept cash. 😦

Mocha Mocha

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Mocha Mocha
489 Danforth Ave.
(416) 778-7896

I went here with my parents one lazy Saturday morning and enjoyed a fresh fruit crepe with some coffee. The place is small and trendy, tables are close together, and food is colourful, trendy presentation, and kind of expensive.

I usually order the fresh fruit crepe with yogourt ($6.99). The crepe was thin and non-greasy and had some nice fruit and strawberry syrup. I ordered some table syrup but was given a tiny portion, only by request. (They do not give out syrup unless you ask- yes, they’re stingy).

Mocha Mocha serves up light meals, mostly fancy designer salads and sandwiches and some hot meals. Some salads include the wamr brown rice salad with a variety of beans and grains and veggies ($7.35), salad nicoise, Mediterranean salad, avocado salad plate, chicken, tuna, or smoked salmon salad, and a regular house mixed salad. All salads are from $6.95-$8.90

Hot meals include a vegetable strudelt , vegetarian lasagna, chicken enchilladas, bean burrito platter, and the East African cicken stew. Hot meals are all $7.95-$9.95. Sandwiches include the typical and trendy house club, vegetarian club (both $6.99), BLT traditional and BLT with avocado ($5.99 and $6.75), mixed veggies in a pita ($6.50). Other sandwiches include the chicken salad ($5.50), tuna salad ($5.50), egg salad ($4.35), and black forest ham and swiss cheese sandwich ($5.75). Bagels and cream cheese are also served ($2.50). Add lox to it for $6.99.

When I visit Mocha Mocha I always order the spicy chick pea guacamole pita sandwich ($6.50) -a deliciously spicy purree of chick peas and guacamole with mixed vegetables, in a thin pita wrap. I have also ordered the vegetable mozzarella crepe ($8.95) a pizza-like crepe with cheese, tomatoc sauce, eggplant, green and red pepper, zucchini, and green onions, wrapped up in a thin crepe. YUMMY. They also have a variety of fruit crepes (topped with ice cream , frozen yogourt, or whipped cream) , and a ham and cheese and avocado crepe ($6.99-$8.95).

Some of my friends have ordered the vegetarian lasagna ($8.50) which they say is excellent and finish to the last little bits of cheese. The vegetarian bean burrito platter is excellent and filling. ($9.95) as well as the vegetable strudel with salad ($6.99). Mocha Mocha also serves a variety of specialty coffees, desserts, pies, cakes, squares, cookies, brownies, and fruit plates.

All day breakfast is served. Most breakfast items include scrambled eggs and organic toast ($4.75) add bacon ($5.99), add sausage ($6.50), scrambled eggs and lox ($8.99), vegetable omelete ($6.50), Belgian waffle with fruit and frozen yogourt ($6.50), fruit bowl ($3.75), lastly toast or bagle ($1.75).

The setup is as follows: patrons order their food in this cafeteria style cafe and wait for their meals to be served. The food is light, very colourful, fresh, and salads are colourful, funky and trendy. Let me repeat myself: portions are small. Vegetables are cut in funky shapes and most of the food is colourful, healthy, and delicious. My parents ordered the traditional eggs and bacon (for breakfast) and they enjoyed their food, but complained of the small portions. The large plates deceived them, they say. [small portions alert]

The service was quick and the staff were generally friendly. According to Wendy, staff traditionally do not deal well with customer complaints. There is a nice terrace for people watching in the summer. The only drawback is the tables are places closed together so this is not a place for a first date. If you want light food, creative salads and sandwiches and a touch of trend, then Mocha Mocha is for you. Always packed. Accepts all cards.

Beacher Cafe, The

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2162 Queen E
(416) 699-3874

A major disappointment! From what we thought it would be, we thought it was some deep jazz cafe with lots of cool, diverse dishes, with some funkiness. When we got inside we found spacious tables, a beautiful outdoor terrace, all resting on top of a hill in the eastern tip of the Beaches. The artwork is stunning and it resembles a gallery where customers can purchase the art if they so desire. The food is BLAH! Really nothing special, and there is nothing vegetarian at all. I had a pathetic vegetable and rice stiry fry that lacked flavour. The plates were nice but that’s it. The staff are friendly but nothing spectacular. The ambiance is nice, it had me wanting to come back. My food was warm and the stir fry sauce was plain soy sauce, how boring. I was hungry after that meal, so I was very disappointed. I really had high expectations for this place. It is a great neighbourhood place and they have lovely art on the walls (for sale too) but the food is BLAH.

Red room

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444 Spadina Ave.
(416) 929-9964

Part of the same three restaurants of Green Room, and Java, Red Room was once a tea shop and restaurant that served alcohol, but now it’s a bar that serves food and tea. Inside this gorgeous restaurant at Spadina and College, you will find many tables and booths with gorgeous dim lighting and cherry wood interior, luxurious in design, detailed moldings, and antique woodwork. The whole decor or the Red room distracts the visitor from the low quality food it serves up.

There is a reason the food is so cheap. Although the restaurant appears very high class, it’s actually a bar that serves pub type food. The only different part is that this pub type food is Asian in its influence (the cooks and owners are Asian) and most of the selections are light and healthy Asian dishes from Pad Thai to Singapore Noodles to Vegetable Stir Fry to traditional Hamburger and French Fries to Fish and Chips.

Portions are decent but quality is very low. I’ve gone to Red Room over one hundred times since late 2000 and the tofu is always overfried or stale, the food is bland and lacks any exciting flavours, and you cannot make food requests because the cooks do not understand any English. The atmosphere is funky, with many of
U. of T. students, an array of herbal teas, an impressive bar with a large selection of beers, liquors, wine, and other alcoholic beverages. The key is to only purchase food and avoid alcohol. The waiter may frown at you but four people can eat for $20.00 and that is difficult to achieve in Toronto. Expect a lot of noise and a lot of smoke- afterall it’s a bar. Anyone under 19 is not allowed