Saving Grease & Forgetting Graces

When I moved to Toronto Dundas West was a desolate strip, with a few Portuguese bakeries, but few noteworthy restaurants. One of the few saving graces for the brunch inclined on a Sunday stroll was the salivation inducing Saving Grace. For the last ten years Saving Grace has been fostering line-ups so long that a waitlist needed to be implemented.

I vividly remember my first brunch experience there. Polenta waffles, served with a sweet and zesty lime sour cream and a pomegranate coulis. As far as brunch goes, I would definitely put myself down as a savory savourer– I typically find pancakes too flat, and waffles too cloying. But these waffles were perfect. Five years ago everything about Saving Grace seemed perfect—from the eclectic details such as the vintage collection of sugar spoons and salt & pepper shakers, to the small dining space that fostered an intimate environment and amplified the exotic aromas of India that mingled o so well with the smell of freshly fried eggs and bacon.

click to enlarge

I will not criticize a restaurant for their wait; popularity should never result in condemnation. I will, however, say that after a lengthy wait good service would remedy any ill feelings resulting from low blood sugar. Though the room was small the single server seemed incapable of effectively managing her tables. Coffee cups longed to be filled, and her attentions were very divided. Poor, overextended service has been a long-standing problem at Saving Grace. For a venue that is nearly constantly packed to the gills, it is about time that they step up their service. A customer should not feel as though asking for condiments or a refill is a burden.

Now maybe I’ve become jaded, or maybe just spoiled, but on my last visit to Saving Grace I felt as though they had lost their spark. Perhaps Saving Grace’s popularity has led to a bit of culinary laziness on their part. It seemed to me that Saving Grace was lacking grace and serving up grease.

The French toast with a coconut-walnut praline (9$) was tasty if a forkful managed to combine the dish’s different elements, but it was nothing to mmmm at. The presentation was lack luster; in fact, I would go as far as to say the presentation was unappetizing. The dish lacked colour and looked as though the chef poured some granola on some slices of well-greased baguette.

I would like to say that the under delivery on the French toast special was a one off, but their standard French toast with caramelized onions, apples, and emmental cheese was also lacking luster (8.75$). It had all the right ingredients, but failed in the delivery. The bread was under egged and over greased. The caramelized onions were more sautéed than caramelized, and the apple slices were undercooked and too thickly sliced. With a few tweaks this dish could have been fantastic.

The Rajistani eggs (9$) are a great Saving Grace classic that combines Indian flavours with a brunch classic: scrambled eggs. The scrambled eggs are served with spicy red onions, chickpea masala, and a spicy paratha (a flat bread similar to a chapatti). Similar to the coconut French toast, this dish finds its own when you manage to take a bite that combines all the flavours of the dish together. I would not recommend this the Rajistani eggs for a stomach that’s ailing from a hangover.

Ultimately, a decent brunch with innovative combinations inspired from unusual sources. A long wait. Poor service. Good ambience.

SERVICE 2½/5
AMBIANCE 4/5
PRESENTATION 3/5
TASTE 3½/5
PRICE $$
HOURS Monday to Friday  9:00am – 3:00pm. Closed Wednesdays.
Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00am – 3:00pm.
LOCATION, LOCATION 907 Dundas Street West

 

 

Miss Cora’s Not Missing a Beat

A healthy hearty lunch for five dollars has become nearly myth in Toronto. Now, imagine a place where you could not only get lunch for five dollars, but lunch with a sweet mouthful of dessert and fifty cents change left over for… Well, ok, fifty cents won’t get you far these days. So, let’s recap—I am promising you lunch, desert, and a phone call for the sum total of five dollars. But where is this mythic provider of reasonably priced lunch foods and other goodies? Right in the heart of Kensington Market.

Miss Cora’s Kitchen settled into the heart of Kensington three years ago and have found themselves comfortably at home in the market. Cora’s soul warming food focuses on organic ingredients sourced from the market. A note to the waist wise: it’s healthy because it’s wholesome, not because it’s particularly diet friendly. If I only had one word to describe the effervescent proprietor it would be: epicurean.  Miss Cora’s philosophy is that food is about striking a balance between nourishing the body and nourishing the senses and the soul. Ultimately, according to Cora, it’s “about knowing that what you are eating was made using fresh ingredients, by a real person with love” and deriving pleasure from the experience.

Miss Cora’s Kitchen’s primary focus is catering, but when not feeding office meetings and wedding parties they’ll gladly prepare a few mouthwatering bites for those strolling through the market. Their daily offerings run the gamut from sickeningly sweet to salty and savory.

On the savory front Cora offers a daily soup, a handful sandwiches (5$), and an eclectic array of pizzas(3$), and if you come at the right times, hot mains like homemade pasta with marinara sauce (5$) or Mahogany Beef Stew. The sandwich bread leaves something to be desired, but their fillings steal the show.

The BRIE.L.T, is simple, but delicious. With a healthy serving of brie cheese, accompanied by spinach, a touch of mayo, and ripe roma tomatoes; it’ll satisfy even the loudest of lunchtime stomach growls. The pizzas are unorthodox, made on whole-wheat Persian barberi flatbread (and the tomato sauce is, of course, homemade, and fantastic).

Pizza toppings change to reflect what’s available in season and available in the market. It’s hard to guess what Cora’s next pizza creation will be, but past pizzas have included: chicken breast, with grilled artichoke, and mozzarella; goat cheese, sundried tomato, and baby zucchini; BBQ roast chicken, roasted bell pepper, and basil; steak, blue cheese, and onions.

On the sweet side Cora offers a butter tart your grandmother wishes she could make; flakey, buttery, crusts, filled with a caramel that is neither too runny nor too viscous. This may be butter tart perfection. There is a price to pay for perfection, and it isn’t cheap—2.50$ for these seraphic tarts.

Cora’s was deigned best cupcakes in Toronto by blogto.com. While their cup cakes are good, they’re fairly expensive for a less than euphoric experience. Their mini-cupcakes can often be a little dry, from sitting in the fridge, and lacking in flavour. Their vanilla has a bland cake-bottom and an over vanilla-ed frosting, while their chocolate cupcakes are lacking that ‘wow factor’. Their vegan coconut and their pink velvet cupcakes, however, are dense and absolutely delicious!

1 slice of gourmet pizza with toppings piled high 3$+ 1 mini pink velvet cupcake 1.50$ + 1 phone call = 5$ lunch

Miss Cora’s Kitchen is focused on catering more so than it is its takeaway nibbles, so don’t be too distraught when they run out of sandwiches or other treats, or if something isn’t crafted on the spot for you, there’ll always be tomorrow to sate that sweet tooth.

SERVICE 5/5 — Cora goes the extra mile to make you feel like a welcome friend, instead of a guest, in her kitchen.
AMBIANCE 3½/5 — It’s small, with little sitting room. Three stools to be exact. But the atmosphere is cozy, with butcher’s block counters, warm lighting, and fresh flowers. The kitchen takes up three quarters of the space, but it’s always fun to take a peek at how the magic’s made.
PRESENTATION 3½/5
TASTE 4/5
PRICE ¢
HOURS Monday-Sunday 12-6
LOCATION, LOCATION 69 Kensington Street

Aunties & Uncles

Some restaurants are pros at handling a deluge of customer’s; Aunties and Uncle’s, however, shines brightest during slow weekdays. The small space and open kitchen are often overwhelmed by stumbling undergrads seeking to assuage their hangovers. The wait staff get overwhelmed, the kitchen becomes chaotic, and the patrons grumble and moan about wait times that exceed the half hour mark. But, come on a lazy Thursday for lunch, and you can expect a piping cup of joe that rarely runs dry (2$, Reunion Island), some friendly banter with your sports enthusiast server, and well prepared and plated food.

Yves drinks a cup of Reunion Island coffee. Grown in Madagascar, roasted in Toronto, brewed at AU.

The decore is quaint, but a bit affected—it channels small town Ontario circa the 1950s with its airplane wall paper, outdate maps, long stopped coca cola wall clock, and pastel coloured Formica furniture. AU is homey not because it is particularly comfortable, but because it reminds you of what you think your grandmother’s kitchen would have been like.

Their set menu is ample and diverse with savory, sweet, and vegetarian options. And they are very flexible about sides; choose between challah bread, hash browns, Dijon potato salad, and mixed greens. Their potato salad is possibly the best in Toronto. Made with coarsely cut red skined potatoes, Dijon, fresh dill, and secret spices, this side is sinfully creamy, but it’s actually mayonnaise free and, surprisingly, vegan.

While the menu at Unties and Uncles is excellent for those watching their wallet (nothing over 8.75$), it’s not great for those watching their waists. Almost everything on the menu is heavy, buttery, and eggy. This may be why so many hangovers have been cured at AU. They are channeling that old diner vibe, so, grease should be a given, and on a cold winter day there’s nothing like a full belly to keep you motoring.

Three mains that will fill your belly

The breakfast tacos without chorizo. A poor decision.

The Breakfast Pocket (8.75$) is a patron favourite. The Breakfast Pocket is served on a warm onion bun, and thus is more of a breakfast sandwich than a pocket, but semantics aside, it’s delicious. Full of fluffy eggs, perfectly seared peameal, accented with caramelized onions, cheddar, and a hint of mayo, this sandwich/pocket is sure to fight off any hangover and all hunger pangs.

The Breakfast Tacos (8.75$) are satisfying, but my first mouthful failed to transport me to Mexican warmth. Despite the delicious cilantro sour cream, these tacos lack one key ingredient: salsa. Without ruffage the tacos are heavy, and their only real saving grace is the in house made chorizo and authentic Mexican tortillas. On my last visit to AU I decided to substitute the chorizo for mushrooms, big mistake. It’s the perfectly spiced chorizo that’s holding this dish together.

The Grilled Brie served with disappointing and underwhelming hash browns. The lesson: go for the amazing potato salad. Always.

If you are looking to forgo eggs, try the Grilled Brie (8.25$) served with pear chutney on challah toast. The natural light sweetness of the challah bread provides a great counterpoint to savory Brie. The Brie AU uses tends to be on the mild side  and does not overwhelm the delicate pear chutney. However, the walnuts can, and often do, overwhelm the sandwich. Walnuts have a high tannin level in their skins when compared to other nuts, that when unblanched can inundate the palate with bitterness. The bitterness could be balanced by a more flavourful pear chutney, or by blanching the walnuts, or by chopping them more finely, thereby sacrificing aesthetics. All together a good, and satisfying sandwich, but with a few small kitchen tweaks, this could be an awe inspiring, dream worthy, sandwich.

The meal was leisurely, the portions satisfying, and the service was good. The total for two people came to just over 21$. Ultimately, it wasn’t an out of body gastronomic experience, but it hit the spot, and as far as value for your buck goes, AU vying for first.

Full for 10$, I can handle that.

SERVICE 3.5/5
AMBIANCE 3.5/5
PRESENTATION 3.5/5
TASTE 3.5/5
PRICE $
HOURS Monday – Sunday 9 am – 3 pm
LOCATION, LOCATION 74 Lippincott Street (just north of College)

NOTEWORTHY

• Cash only
• Homemade ketchup with undertones of cinnamon and deliciousness
• Belgian waffles that strike a balance between a crispy outside, and a soft doughy inside.

25$ Day for 2: December Edition

It’s Saturday morning, but that’s no excuse to sleep the day away. Just because it isn’t summer anymore doesn’t mean that the city isn’t bustling away because you can’t kick off that cover. So, kick it off and kick-start this kick ass day date!

Things To Pack

• Tupperware
• Thermos
• Skates (If you have them, if you don’t I suggest investing in some to reinforce your Canadian identity. Also, they make impromptu free fun much easier and cheaper.)
• A Swiss army knife
• 1 canvas shopping bag or backpack

The Toronto Christmas Market has modeled itself on Old World European markets like the one held annually in Prague.

Start your day, and month, off the right way by heading to the Distillery District. The Distillery District is fun most any time, but from December 3 – December 12 there will be a traditional European inspired Christmas market taking place along its cobbled streets. The Toronto Christmas Market will be filled to the brim with sweets, treats, and live music.

Take a ride on the Ferris wheel, browse for Christmas ornaments, or decompress in one of the many beer and mulled wine gardens. Every day of the Christmas Market has a different event schedule. Expect entertainment to range from brass ensembles to folk dancing. Before you leave it’s time to hit the Soma Chocolate Factory. Fill your thermos with spicy Mayan hot chocolate and tuck it away for later.

Depending on whether you’re a Looky Lou or a Purchasing Pamela your spending will vary for this portion of the day. I would estimate that you will spend approximately 10$, but all spending, like time, is relative.

Looking down on the market from the top of the Ferris wheel

Now that you’re ruddy with Christmas spirit it’s time to head westward to the St. Lawrence Market. Don’t waste money on the TTC, it’s only a ten minute walk.

On Saturday’s the St. Lawrence Market is bustling. But, relax into the atmosphere and enjoy yourself, crowds are part of the experience. There are two markets at the St. Lawrence: North and South. The North Market offers a weekly famer’s market that’s open from 5am to approximately 4pm on Saturdays. Go to the North Market for produce, fresh pasta, fresh bread, eggs, and specialty meats. The South Market offers a variety of restaurants in the basement, as well as meat, fish, and cheese on its ground floor. The South Market is open Tuesday through Saturday.

Before buying dinner ingredients it’s time to fulfill your mid-afternoon stomach cravings by grazing on free tidbits. Both the North and South Markets offer shoppers delightful mouthfuls of this and that to entice and seduce their palates. Fill up on everything from wine, to cheese, to strudel that rivals your grandmother’s, and all for free. My favourite complimentary amuse-bouche provider is without a doubt Anton Kozlik’s Canadian Mustard. At Koslik’s enjoy freshly seared peal meal bacon dipped into one of their scrumptious Canadian made mustards. It’s really hard not to walk away with a bottle of this artisan mustard. While 8$ seems steep, this mustard is worth it. It transforms the sandwich experience. Recommended: balsamic + Fig & dates and Italian mustard.

The South market bustles with busy shoppers.

Now that you’ve cased the joint, it’s time to decided on supper. You can gather ingredients for a gourmet salad or sandwich, or hit up the amazing Polish restaurant in the South basement for wallet friendly perogies and cabbage rolls. The total for dinner should be approximately 10$. If you go back to the North Market at around 4pm the farmers are just about giving unsold goodies away. Go there for hyper-reduced bread and baked goods.

It’s time for the final leg of our magical December day date. Again, forget the TTC because the Harbourfront Centre is only a 15 minute walk from the St. Lawrence.

The Natrel Rink isn’t gargantuan, but admission is free, and skate rentals are affordable at 7$ a pair, and the view over Lake Ontario is second to none.  Saturday nights are DJ nights, so enjoy some retro classics and boogie down hand in hand, around and around.

The drink of the gods is an excellent and, needless to say, delicious way to close the night.

Now that your ankles are sore and you’ve fallen at least once, it’s time for super. Hobble on over, skates still on, to one of the benches that looks over Lake Ontario and dig into your affordable feast.

It’s time to end this date with some spicy Mayan hot chocolate and maybe a final slow skate for two.

Itinerary:

• 10:00 wakeup, wash, and eat breakfast
• 11:30 time to head out!
• 12:00 Christmas Market opens
• 15:00 Don’t forget the hot chocolate!
• 15:3o St. Lawrence Market Graze-a-thon
• 17:30 Harbourfront Skating
• 19: 00 Dinner time overlooking Lake Ontario
• 19:30 Warm up with hot chocolate
• 20:00 One last skate

LOCATION LOCATION:

• Distillery District: Mill Street & Trinity Street
• St. Lawrence Market: Front Street East & Lower Jarvis Street
• Harbourfront Centre: 235 Queens Quay West

 

Try some mulled wine or roasted chestnuts, and then stroll down the cobble stone streets until you find a cosy fire pit to warm-up by

 

 

The father, the sun, and the Holy Oak

Bloordale's a diverse neighborhood with tons of hidden gems.

You may be familiar with Parkdale, but have you heard of Bloordale? Bloordale stretches from Lansdowne to Dufferin across Bloor Street, and is the epitome of the multicultural cocktail that is Toronto. Unlike other neighborhoods that have been dominated by a single cultural influence, Bloordale is a true mix of new Canadians from across the globe. In this small stretch you’ll find Italians, Latin Americans, Sri Lankans, West Indians, Chinese, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis, many of whom speak a native language other than English.

Bloordale has been historically neglected by young Torontonians because of its lack of trendy shops, cafes, and accessible grocery stores. Even the cheap rental rates weren’t enough to attract and keep young residents sated. But, fear not, over the past five years this neighborhood has gentrified, and not in the over saturated Ossington kind of way. One of the founding cornerstones that catalyzed the renaissance of Bloordale was the arrival of the Holy Oak Cafe to the neighborhood.

Click to enlarge photo

There’s something special about the Holy Oak that sets it apart from all those other trendy latte slingers. Sure, some places on Queen can paint a Klimt with foam, but the Holy Oak is more than just a run of the mill coffee house. It’s your grandma’s kitchen, it’s your work place, it’s a place for discussion, and a place to scream “JENGA!” all at once.

The Holy Oak is a café by day, a bar by night, and a light fare restaurant all times in between. The room is small, with about 10 mix and match vintage kitchen tables, a working stand up piano, and a glorious bay window that lets in enough sunshine to fight off those impending winter blues. Hanging houseplants and colorful wall art help to reinforce the comfortable, pretentious free, atmosphere. It’s also family friendly, so don’t be surprised when you see tots hanging out on a sun drenched Sunday playing with the complimentary toys.

Freshly baked goodies fog up their glass displays.

They offer Intelligentsia coffee (1.50$ espresso, 2$ americanos, and pricey, but delicious lattes at 3.75$– specialty lattes at 4$), a healthy selection Tealish teas (2-3$), Quebecois draft beer, and a small, but filling menu of edibles. The daily soup never disappoints, the portion is a healthy size and it comes with scrumptious rye bread, definitely worth the 6$. Other menu staples include stuffed naan, stuffed with your choice of curry chicken or vegetables for 5$, and various grilled cheeses (4.50$+). On weekends they offer simple brunch fare; the menu changes weekly, but you can expect eggs any style, bennies, french toast, & omelets, made with a focus on organic, locally sourced, ingredients.  Beware on weekends because tables can be scarce, so arrive early or be prepared to wait.

holy oak, batman!

The Holy Oak also has a plethora of board games, wonderful live music performances that are scattered throughout the day and night, and excellent hours. They’re open everyday of the week, save Monday, from early morning to the witching hour or later.

Because the Holy Oak straddles the line between café and bar the atmosphere on a Saturday night is somehow more civilized than your typical booze focused bar. There are the university students discussing Hegel in a corner, the friends catching up over beer by the window, the internet suffers answering e-mails and sipping chai, while the party of five argues over whether slang is Scrabble approved.

SERVICE 4.5/5
AMBIANCE 4/5
PRESENTATION 3.5/5
TASTE 3.5/5
PRICE $
HOURS Mon 8am- 7pm, Tue 8am- 12am, Wed & Thurs & Fri  8am – 2am, Sat 9am- 2am, Sun 9am – 12am
LOCATION, LOCATION 1241 Bloor Street West (at Emerson)

NOTEWORTHY

• Tuesday Night Local Prix Fixe. For 25-27$ you get a fantastic meal that focuses on what is seasonal, locally produced, and organic. The meal includes an appetizer, main course, dessert, and cheese plate, and there are always two options: carnivore or vegetarian. If you are interested in learning more about the Holy Oak prix fixe click here.
• Wednesday: board game night. Great atmosphere, but don’t fret, games are always available to those who want to play.

The Avro Arrow Points to Queen E.

not an avro arrow, but close

Leslieville is a neighborhood renowned for its independent cafes and vintage furniture shops, but has yet to become a nightlife destination. Between the Blue Moon and Swirl there seems to be a dearth of middle range bars east of Broadview; it’s either Pabst Blue Ribbon or please make a reservation. Queen Street East’s new addition, the Avro, is sure to spice up the strip, offering customers quality drinks at midrange prices in a trendy setting.

Named after the delta-winged interceptor aircraft, designed and built by Avro Aircraft Limited in Malton, Ontario, The Avro pays nostalgic homage to its dated name in spades. The Avro was decorated with recycled pieces found, rehabilitated, and repurposed by owners Rachel Conduit and Bruce Dawson. The mismatched chairs, retro light fixtures, and eclectic wall hangings give the space a kitschy, yet homey atmosphere. There’s even bearded cowboy mannequin who’s always willing to offer lonely bar patrons some company.

the avro during day time

While the Avro is cheap compared to some of the established Leslieville night life, it’s not necessarily the thriftiest alcohol option available to a tight wallet on a Friday night. Their most cost savvy option is Labatt 50 for 4.50$, other bottles on offer weigh in at 5.25$, and tall cans and draft at 6.25$. But, if you take advantage of 4$ Shot Mondays or Cheap Pint Fridays (wear plaid and save 1$ on draft) you can still feel like you’re living large on a small budget. They also welcome you to bring your own food, and will even provide you with a plate if you ask nicely.

Rachel is a long-time Leslieville resident and is a familiar face to many, as she was a veteran bartender at The Comrade, a premium beer lounge a few stores down. Rachel decided to open the Avro when she noticed that Leslieville’s population was growing younger, and no one was catering to the captive market. Comrade owners Nikki Andriet and Dean Fletcher are sad to lose Rachel, but she leaves with their full blessing and support.

the avro with wall projection

From Live Music Tuesdays to Bring Your Own Vinyl Sundays the Avro is sure to attract attention and a loyal following.

AMBIANCE 4/5
SERVICE 4/5
PRICE $-$$
HOURS open daily from 7pm to 2am.
LOCATION, LOCATION 750B Queen Street East
NOTEWORTHY BYOVS (Bring Your Own Vinyl Sundays)

[Originally written for a Toronto Life internship application.]

Bonjour Brioche

Unfinished wood floors, a Provencal palette of yellow and blue, and the aroma of freshly baked bread culminates into a meal length vacation to St. Tropez. Bonjour Brioche is cozy when half full, but becomes claustrophobic at capacity. During peak hours expect line-ups and a lapse in service quality that is compensated for by the quality of the food. Perennial favourites include the decadent baked French toast, marbled with cinnamon and caramelized sugar, served with fresh fruit and maple syrup (8.50$); quiche Lorraine that’s light, yet creamy, and served with salad in basil vinaigrette and a portion of dream worthy baguette (8.75$); perfectly succulent scrambled eggs served on a potato rosti are adorned by a modest portion of smoked salmon and caviar, and garnished with horseradish and chives (10.00$). Drip coffee is unending, but often watery, lukewarm, and hard to flag down.

Brunch mains are all under 10$, and unaccompanied sandwiches hover around 7$. While the sandwiches on the fixed menu are cheap, I often find they’re underdressed, i.e. just roast beef and brie– I demand vegetables in my sandwich, even if it’s just a few tomatoes and a sprinkling of salad greens. But, if spartan sandwiches are your thing, you may just fall in love with their Jambon Buerre sandwich: prosciutto with butter on a baguette for 6.50$. Also at 7$ is their fantastic, and figure friendly, homemade granola served with yoghurt and a fresh fruit salad.

If you are on a tight budget I would suggest staying to the fixed menu, as daily specials are typically more expensive at around 15$. Through experience, I have also found that the daily specials can be hit or miss, although the daily sandwich is almost always safe bet.

SERVICE 2½/5 — service on weekends is significantly worse than on weekdays. It’s not unheard of to sit down and be professionally ignored for  a quarter hour. This, however, has only happened to me once. On off-peak hours the service can be acceptable, but never astounding.
AMBIANCE 4/5
PRESENTATION 4/5
TASTE 5/5
PRICE $-$$
HOURS Tuesday to Sunday 8 am to 4 pm
LOCATION, LOCATION 812 Queen Street East
NOTEWORTHY No reservations and cash ONLY, no plastic

[Originally written for Toronto Life internship application.]

Idealic

Ideal's patio

Over the past 10 years Toronto and Montreal have diverged down two different micro paths. While Montreal has been busy becoming a secret beer Mecca, Toronto has been quietly stoking a roaring roasting fire. One of my favourite Toronto micro-roasters is Ideal Coffee. With a focus on sustainability, both environmental and social, Ideal offers its costumers luscious, guilt free, coffee at competitive prices.

photo taken by joe r. with a panasonic gf1, 20mm pancake lens.

Ideal Coffee has three locations across the city, from east to west: Leslieville, Kensington, and Ossington.  Their Kensington location is my favourite, although the communal ambience and lack of traditional café seating isn’t for everyone. Expect a stranger to strike up a conversation with you— especially during the spring and summer months as the patio buzzes with a vibrancy that will rival most bars. While the Ideal can be a good place to read for pleasure, don’t come expecting to get work done— indoor space is limited, there’s no wi-fi, and plugging in your laptop is a fault pas. Mind you, if you’re looking to unwind during a leisurely afternoon Kensington wander this is the place for you.

Drop by on Saturday and watch them roast your beans right before your eyes.

A pound of fresh roasted whole bean coffee will run you 14$ (tax in), but wait that’s not all—with every pound you buy you get a free mug of fresh steaming drip to bring on your way, or to enjoy on the patio. Yes, I know that S-bucks coffee typically hovers around 12 a pound, but that’s tax out, and you don’t get a fresh mug of drip to sate you.  Not to mention S-bucks doesn’t offer you local Harmony Organic milk, soymilk, or almond milk. A cup of drip is 2$, as is tea, and a latte will run you 3.75$, with a cappuccino closing it at 3.50$. Baked goods range in price, but hover between 2-4$. If you’re penny pinching the 2$ drip can’t be beat.

When I used to frequent Ideal regularly I described it as the perfect bordello of a café, but since partnering up with the Fresh Coffee Network Ideal has under gone a much-needed face-lift. This shift is probably for the best, as cluttered and dingy appeals to a very particular type of person, and that person is usually under twenty. The partnership between Ideal and the FCN has affected more than just the decor— Ideal’s beans have always been carefully selected based on quality and sustainability, but until last year the café was still using Styrofoam take-away cups. The shift to biodegradable Greenshift cups only adds to Ideal’s allure.

Whole Bean recommendation: Prince of Darkness (just saying the name makes you want to cackle manically).

 

 

 

 

SERVICE 4/5 — typically, down to earth, friendly baristas.
AMBIANCE 3½/5
PRESENTATION 3½/5 — they might not draw Mona Lisa in your foam, but they’ll pull a good espresso.
TASTE 5/5
PRICE ¢
LOCATION, LOCATION 84 Nassau Street

Not So Pour Boy

If you are feeling strapped for cash, but not willing to venture of to the periphery of Toronto to imbibe at moderate prices, think Pour Boy for the poor boy. Located at Manning and Bloor, the Pour Boy Pub is a snug, two story, bar that offers Greenroom reminiscent fare, and prices well below the Bloor average.

The bar is hard to miss, decorated with a giant mural of Hendrix and Dylan; it brings some great colour to the Bloor landscape. Inside, the decor is hippie grandmother’s dining room meets new age Buddhist.

The servers are very friendly and attentive, when they can be, but when this place reaches capacity it can be difficult to wave down a server, regardless of the full bar on each floor. The issue I had with their ambience was the music— while the music was a fun mix of well, and not so well known oldies, it was painfully loud depending on the track.

Their daily beer special, Pour Boy Choice, will run you less than 12$ a pitcher, 4 $ a pint (typically something like Pabst or Amsterdam).  Their other beer selections will run you 13.25$ a pitcher. The selection isn’t prolific, typical Ontario beer fare, but they do have Blanche de Chambly and Sapporo on tap for those feeling adventurous.

Pour Boy’s food is also incredibly affordable, with healthy portioned mains averaging 7$. Whatever cuisine whets your appetite Pour Boy has something to sate it—from pan Asian standards, to polish perogies, with salads, sandwiches and burgers in between.  Their Pad Thai was possibly one of the best I’ve tasted in Toronto in recent years. Their salads aren’t whelming, and their sandwiches are easily recreated at home, but if you stick to bar standards (anything with cheese and/or fried), and the pan Asian dishes, you’ll really feel like you’re living gourmet on a dime.

SERVICE 4/5
AMBIENCE 3/5
PRESENTATION 3/5
TASTE 3½/5
PRICE $
HOURS 10:30 am- 2 am, kitchen open late
LOCATION, LOCATION 666 Manning Street
NOTEWORTHY

• EVENTS
• Sunday Afternoon: 4pm – 8pm – Open Mic
• Sunday Evenings: 9pm – 2am – DJ UpBeatz (Hip Hop, Funk, Soul and House)
• Monday Nights: 8pm – Quiz Night

Lil’ Bacci: a lil’ lacking

Lil’ Bacci was one of my favourite pizza places in Toronto. Bacci is still a great east end option; one of the few establishments that is both family and date friendly. However, it seems that this once great pizza haunt is on a downhill trajectory.

The restaurant is small, but not claustrophobic, the service is attentive, and the prices are moderate. Dinner for two will run you about 45$. What made Bacci affordable on a student budget was to avoid the wine, split a pizza (14-16$), and if you we’re really hungry, pair your half pizza with an appetizer or salad.

Unfortunately, the establishment’s manager ran off with a few thousand dollars, resulting in a huge staff turn over, from servers to chefs.  It seems their great dough recipe was lost in the shuffle. What was once one of the best thin crust pizza restaurants in Toronto, now serves mediocre artisan pizza. On my most recent visit the pizza’s consistency was appalling; on the outside it was dry and crunchy, while the inner parts of the pizza were undercooked resulting in flaccid pizza slices.

I ordered the Bufala pizza (a simple pizza: tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, and basil), and found it under-sauced and over-cheesed.  I would of preferred shredded basil on the pizza, rather than whole leaf, that would have made for better flavour distribution.

Lil’ Bacci has never been amazing when they stray from their pizza forte. The lemon spinach gnocci was possibly the worst dish on their menu, but under new management it has been replaced by three traditional Italian pasta dishes, spaghetti and meatballs, gnocchi in tomato sauce with buffalo mozzarella, and fusili Primavera (around 17$ a plate). 17$ a plate for pasta seem exorbitant to me. Especially since pasta is one of the most cost and time effective dishes you can make.

I will, however, recommend Lil’ Bacci on the quality of their ingridients. Their Prosciutto was lean, with just a hint of fat, and had the perfect balance of dryness and wetness. It tasted like it was loving cured by an Italian nono. Bacci also has the best home preserved chilies in Toronto.

I recommend skipping dinner here, but keep an open mind regarding lunch. Lil’ Bacci has an excellent lunch special. You choose any soup or salad and pair it with any panino, pasta or pizza for 10$. They shrink the pizzas for this lunch special, but for 10$ you really can’t ask for more.

The bottom line: go there for the lunch special, enjoy the ambience, but don’t expect rave-worthy pizza.

SERVICE 3.5/5
AMBIANCE 4/5
PRESENTATION 3/5
TASTE 2.5/5
PRICE $$/$
HOURS Seven days a week 11:30 am- 10 pm
LOCATION, LOCATION 892 Queen Street East