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re: jaime s
Update. We ended up at Bar One because it's close to where my son works and that's where we picked him up. Service was friendly and we didn't have to wait too long - which was good. I had the Mexican-ish brunch dish (can't remember the name) which was eggs scrambled with chorizo and served with whipped goat cheese and some kind of quasi-spicy pepper salsa and a couple of tortillas. It was tasty, but the chorizo was a bit overcooked, making it into crunchy chunks mixed into the egg. Husband and Son had something with roast beef, poached eggs and spicy hollandaise. They devoured theirs so I never tasted it. Everything was hot and we were served pretty promptly. Coffee was ok too. No attitude, surprisingly. I'd go back.
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One of my favorites is 'Luna cafe'. I don't think they have a sign or anything. It's two short blocks north of Queen on Dovercourt rd. It's a very nice antiquated building on the corner, and their brunches are quite nice. It's never very packed, nor is it overly trendy. Just decent brunch, nice atmosphere and well-made espresso. Hope it helps.
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Thanks for those suggestions. I think we may do either the Dakota (my son's favourite bar) or the Gladstone. Not sure I'm up for bluegrass with my brunch, but it could be fun.
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deelicious
Oct 28, 2008 08:00 PM
The Gladstone is perfect. Fresh and delicious baked goods as well. Top quality. Casual and well priced.
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I live closer to Bathurst than to Ossington so my casual brunch spots in the area reflect that. There are several good options. My choices would be (in no particular order):
Swan on Queen near Clinton is tasty but no good if there are more than 4 of you as most of the seating is at booths that can't seat more than 4.
A bit further west on Queen near Manning - Squirly's is a very casual, cheap, reliable place. Not a typical Chowhound destination, a bit (but not excessively) grungy, but a decent, inexpensive, neighbourhood place.
Fresh (Queen at Shaw, next to Swan) is not the most comfortable, the patrons are young and covered in Lululemon, and it is vegetarian so no bacon with your eggs but the food is good, especially brunch. I like it but have trouble convincing El Presidente to brunch without bacon.If you can venture up to Dundas and a few blocks (really, not far) east of Ossington, there's Musa at Euclid. I like their grilled fruit and egg plate and have had good brunch experiences there.
Amazing Grace (Dundas around Bellwoods) has yummy food but is very popular, small and can be too much of a wait so don't bother if you don't want to fight crowds.
The Palmerston (on Palmerston at Dundas, north side) is more of an Italian cafe - not trendy in the West Queen West way, clean, good food - would meet your criteria though I can't remember if it is a typical brunch menu.
Very trendy and popular but fun are the bluegrass brunches at the Dakota - on Ossington a couple doors north of College. Family style eating - they bring big plates of whatever is on the menu that day for the whole table. I think it's about $12 a person. Lots of small children and young, hipster parents. Not excessively grungy but not excessively clean, either. Go early or you'll be fighting crowds.
Skip the Drake - OK food but too pricey, too trendy, and too popular. Though it is good if you just want to grab a muffin and coffee in the coffee shop.
And, finally, I have noticed the Lakeview Lunch on Dundas at Ossington is being cleaned up and was about to re-open. Has anyone been by recently? Heard anything? If it is open, it might meet your criteria and in a great, retro, diner atmosphere.›1 Reply -
gregclow
Oct 27, 2008 08:51 AM
Levack Block, on Ossington a couple of blocks north of Queen, might do the trick:
http://marcuselson.com/levackblock/Br...
Google "Levack Block brunch" for reviews, there are a couple out there on the intarwebs.
