Niagara St. Cafe

While I am away, I've asked Denise to help me keep the updates coming. As she's busy with her job, I've put together a short info list to fill out, so in the next while, reviews will be brief....

*note: for now all images are ripped from the net and not actually related to the restaurant, but chosen to reflect the food as closely as possible

Ordered:
1. Omelette with green onion, basil pesto and goat cheese
2. Brisket sandwich with onions

Verdict: so yummy! SO GOOD!!!

Niagara Street Cafe

Address: 169 Niagara (at Wellington) Near King St. & Bathurst

Phone: 416-703-4222

Website: www.niagarastreetcafe.com

Hours:
Wed, Thurs 6pm-10pm
Fri & Sat 6pm-10:30pm
Sunday 10:30am -3pm (brunch), 6-10pm

Le Petit Dejeuner

"What's it called?"
"Le petit dejeuner, you know, French for breakfast."
"I don't know how to say breakfast in French after 7 years of study?!"

After several more aimless conversation snippets between 4 separate groups, an hour past our appointed meet time, we all finally managed to make it to Le Petit for some hopefully not so little breakfast.

At about 1pm, there was at least a half hour wait for our group of 6, but by the time we all assembled, much closer to 2pm, we only waited for about 5 minutes. I'd expected pastels and Impressionist prints, but the setting was more like your average bar (they do have live jazz in the eve) - think wood scheme and brass. They were obviously still busy so by the time we'd already given and received our drink orders (coffee in mugs, and very fresh grapefruit juice), our request for more menus (we'd only been given 2) was met, but ultimately moot because we were ready to order.

We were very excited however by the menu despite its simplicity. Denise (this place being one of her picks of course - Sat brunch options are more limited) enthused that we had to get an order of the Belgium waffles. Sure, why not? I decided on Eggs Florentine with a side of smoked salmon and would share the waffles and Chantilly cream with Jenny; who ordered the poached egg and sauteed mushrooms (veg option) over a bagel half. Denise and Jamie both opted for the smoked salmon omelet; Pablo, the "Hungry Gal" breakfast - your standard eggs, toast, and meat; Lisa, a three cheese omelet.

Denise got the last order of smoked salmon! So, Jamie and I switched to the Eggs Florentine, and I added a side of mushrooms with bacon instead. Pablo followed the "fey" menu suggestion to "guy" up his order - except the server clarified that it wasn't really done - with a side of organic sausage. It wasn't clear on the menu if Jenny's order came with the rosti potatos, so she added that (we were all really hungry gals!).

The verdict? My eggs were perfect! Beautifully poached texture, just the right seasoning, salt, cream, whisper of tang hollandaise, nicely wilted spinach no grease a top crisply golden muffins. Everyone was well satisfied with their orders, except Lisa, who was just satisfied; as the melange a trois was more disjointed flavors than a harmonious melding. And there were a few problems. Pablo didn't get his sausages (two pallid links split opened and browned in the middle) until we were all finished our meals, nor Jenny her rosti (but the chipper server took it back no big deal). Denise and Lisa thought their rosti were a bit charred. They were just shredded up pucks to me. Also, meh, was the garnish-like slaw, shreds of apple and pickle doused in thousand island.
The waffles were great though! Very light, crisp exterior - eat'em while they're still warm - and nicer with the cream (silky, buttery, and sweet) than just syrup.

The servers were attentive and cheery despite being a bit harried.

If I ever want a perfect benny, I know exactly where to go.

Le Petit Dejeuner

Address: 191 King St. E. (at Jarvis St.)

Phone: 416-703-1560

website: www.lepetitdejeuner.ca

Epicure Revisited

Everyone deserves a second chance.

We returned to Epicure and although I was hankering for my usual - Lisa pointedly reminded me that I didn't fare so well the last time. Good thing. I decided that a nice juicy burger would be an apt substitute.

There are fancy topping combos for your choice of patty: beef, soy veggie, and grain veggie. I wanted a big hunk of meat and that I got, cooked well-done as ordered, and served "The Italian Style" with asiago, pesto-mayo, and spinach, as well as your tyical lettuce, tomato, onion (red, nice), and pickle. As with breakfast, you have a choice of potato, or salad, or half-half. The caesar is ok, it needs a good spiking of some more garlic or lemon juice. The mixed house greens comes with a creamy tarragon dressing which has even less flavour than the mayonnaise. However, the fact that they bring you a small jar of mayonnaise to splat as I wish on my plate. I don't know who I picked up this habit from, but now I just can't have fries without; although, the fresh cut thin fries are so crisply pliant and tasty brown, they are perfectly delish on their own.

Lisa usually stands by the egg white omelet which has never failed her yet. Pablo got a soy burger "Toronto" style (which is just plus cheddar) on a first visit, but much preferred the grain version. I think its just because he ordered that one "Italian". Not to impressed by the other fixings options, I opted to try out the "Swiss" and it did not disappoint. Mounds of meaty portabello chunks and swiss cheese made the 6 ounce whopper even more difficult to bite into, but an enjoyable challenge at that. Again the patty was a bit dry, but here is where that mayo comes in handy.

It is officially a regular spot - just the place to go when you want a hearty portion of consistently satisfying meals.

International Brunch

Other Denise and Jason reading this blog, there's just me. However, I'm hoping that Dee will take over the reins while I'm off the Europe. And I'd like to add more info, such as locations (duh!), price ranges, and photos! So, watch out for that, as well, random food-scapades while I'm abroad.

Happy eating!

M stands for Musa!

Two weeks ago, we knew we were going for brunch and the onus lay on me to pick. I knew Denise would have some good suggestions, but I also knew that Lisa was wary of them. It was one of those days when we all had to get exactly what we wanted. So, it suddenly occurred to me, well, I have Kris' number, why don't I just ask him what and where that place was?

Musa!

I had come across it, but the only description was that it was a Mediterranean place, hence the confusion. When we arrived, the place was busy, but there were clearly empty tables, and only one couple waiting ahead of us. We both waited a ridiculously long time for a table as it seemed each staff member had a pre-assigned role and would stick to it no matter what, and no one had been named host. However, it was slowly revealed through accidental eavesdropping that some of the staff were hungover, hence the laissez-faire attitude, so I had to give them that. Finally, the girl with the cool belt took care of us.

We all gleefully didn't know which goody to pick. I tried for a benny, but was informed that they were out (ps. it was only 2pm). Two of us settled on the lumberjack - 2 eggs, toast, meat, challah french toast, and potatoes. Lisa chose the fruit plate, which comes with egg and meat, but if you go veggie you get potatoes and no eggs. It was figured out to get meat on the side for the carnivorous faction of the group, and potatoes on the side.

Denise went with the bubble and squeak, basically fancy scrambled eggs - your choice of cheese (asiago is so the new parmigiano-reggiano), and other flare. The cajun potatoes were extra kicky, but otherwise no surprises. Although we had seriously contemplated the sarnies, they would have to wait for another visit. As we scarfed down the wares, I realized they must have rotating artists on display as the current paintings were very different from the last mashup of photos and pieces. Denise noted that Musa reminded her of Uncles and Aunties, but less disorderly and haphazard.

Despite the slightly off service, I totally dig this place and it's so top 5 - so thanks, Kris. Word.

Musa

Address: 847 Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON

Phone: 416-368-8484