Iliana & Sergey's Palette: brunch

"Why are you outside?" was the board welcoming us from the outside of Niche, on a Sunday morning. Just a few min back we researched a place in the area open for 9am breakfast and here we were!

APPEARANCE

deep coloured, new stylish label

Black awning, stamped wordmark, grey door - tres chic.

Inside grey and white walls. The right wall was black cabinet-like, along it - high chairs and small wooden tables. Across was the bar area with a light-hearted guy behind it. As we looked at their hanging menus we asked if their brunch is on. He handed us the menus and asked us to take
a seat.

We sat on one of the shorter tables near the back, again wooden, made out of thich planks, with matching wooden chairs.

NOSE

fruity - cassis, herbal sense

He gave us glasses or water. Cheri asked for a coffee, while I questioned their teas. He knew their long list of choices, I picked a camomile-lime one.

We were the first ones in. We looked through the 7 choices of dishes with the numerous sides. Without much thinking I went for their Niche Benedict, and cheri for their Smoked Salmon on a Bagel.

SWIRL

spicy hints

My loose-leaf tea came in an adorably packaged bag floating like a barrel. As we waited we heard a bit of music from kitchen. A few people joined us on the tables around. I was entertained looking at the handmade "Niche" 3D black serif type standing on the shelf in front of me. Underneath were branded boxes and coffee - a pretty solid brand. Cheri was distracted by the green tape on the sides still left from their painting on the grey wall behind me. I totally assumed its part of their design.

PALATE

supple tannins rounded out with ripe fruit and light smokiness

Our meals arrived pretty quickly. They both came with a slice of orange and some sliced granny smith apple; both topped with plenty of arugula. To be honest, I was expecting more from my benedict. The hollandaise had a great texture but was a bit on the plain side, it was missing that herb or spice or something to make it special. Or was this perhaps part of the grand plan? stalling for another part? The pouched eggs were a bit runny (they way I love them), the peameal bacon was good and ahh.. here is the attention seeker - it is all served on one of their homemade cornbreads. It brought in a sweeter taste and a more moist texture to my meal. Not my favourite, but unique.

Cheri's Smoked Salon on a Bagel was topped with cream cheese, capers, red onion and in case I didn't mention - arugula! Typical and yummy.

We didn't take long. Our waiter came by to check on us, came around with extra coffee and asked if I'd like
my water.

FINISH

juicy mouthfeel, red berry notes

Overall, a peaceful atmosphere. Happily surprised by the variety of dishes, when the place looks like another version of Starbucks. I would definitely be back for their Poached BLT, Deep Fried French Toast or perhaps their numerous desserts.

overall, a new world Cabernet Sauvignon (chilled)

31.3.12

Le Petit Dejeuner

http://petitdejeuner.ca/

Our celebratory breakfast at 10am after picking up mon cheri's adorable Mini Knighsbridge, turned out to be on a gloomy March morning.

APPEARANCE
light, unimpressive, confused
This tiny place is not one you'd find unless you are looking. It has black front facade (like every other place)and a random wooden plank at the top - replacing the old red painted front. There is a not-too-memorable logo just on the window and a Stiegl sign hanging above the entrance.. really challenging the hierarchy. This tiny place is squeezed between a Gabby's and a brick building with some construction at the front.

NOSE
lacking voice, true to the terroir

As we entered a lady quickly waved that we don't come in the second door. She poked her head out and said it'll be a 10min wait. It was more like 15-20 but we were the first in line so, we were hopeful.
We were sat at a relatively wet table with wet menus.. just smudged with water.
So this place is a narrow space between those two buildings. The brick facade from one building is just left as a wall inside with photo frames hang off of it, while the other one is a mix of wall and plastic wood.

SWIRL
crisp, apple aroma, a bit of chemical
We quickly ordered teas and coffee followed by our main course. I tried their signature Toast Champignon with a Poached Egg. I was telling Cheri to try their Apple and Brie Panino, which he was a bit sceptical about but the dijon mustard sold him. We ordered his dad their Eggs Benny with peameal bacon.
Cheri's dad went to the washroom and return saying that if it was Russia, this place would be long gone - sued by the health inspection. I went for a tour down to wash my hands and it was rather smelly and wet in this basement.

PALATE
unexpected, medium-bodied,
with a light spicy twist
The food arrived. My Toast Champignon with Poached Egg consisted of a bagel in half topped with chopped mushrooms, pieces of bacon sauteed in a mix of herbs (probably herbs de province). Underneath was a potato rosti (like a grated hash brown) and there was a side of apple slices, pickle slices and mustard - odd but very nice. Of course my pouched egg was there too..a bit out of place - right on top. It was tasty, apart from the fact that the chef dropped the salt shaker while sautéing the mushrooms. Next, cheri's Panino was great. The toasts were burned (I had no problem with that) and inside were apple slices, melted brie and a beautiful spicy dijon mustard. He said a tad of honey would have been perfect - a valid point. I did not try his dad's Eggs Benny but I have to say it was tiny and did not look like anything special. I kind of felt bad for ordering it for him..

FINISH

a pleasant, inspiring aftertaste
Overall, I would say someone in the back really knows how to create surprising but pleasant combinations. The restaurant part of the place needs some work though.

overall.. a surprising Riesling, unfortunately bottle sick.

20.2.12

Sadie's Diner

http://www.myspace.com/sadiesdiner

A vegan diner, rated at one of the top 10 in Toronto seemed like a good cure of my hangover.

APPEARANCE
fresh, bright
This this one colourful, happy corner house. Blight blue siding and red highlights really lifted my mood. Inside, a yellow room with small ornaments everywhere.

NOSE
peach and citrus notes - crisp
The waitress mumbled something, which I interpreted as seat yourself down, but as I kept walking she grew some confidence and asked: "For two?" We sat down near the front, on one of the many cyan tables and red sofa-booths. We were facing a tall, solid, metal kitchen counter - probably the least attractive part of the restaurant.

SWIRL
light toasty oak, sulfites
The waitress was odd, she seemed almost scared to talk to us and occasionally she would just go away without answering or listening. Better off was the time when we'd make eye contact and she would not come over. Soon enough another girl with thick framed glasses and a white wig took over our table. As cheri pointed out, people seemed on the artistic hippie side. The menu was interesting, with a few mexican dishes. We decided to go with their all-day breakfast: Huevos Rancheros and French Toasts with veggie bacon. I also took a Mango Smoothie to add to my three choices of liquids to drink, figured I need the hydration plus it did say a juice bar at the front.

PALATE
light-bodied, clean, tart
My mango smoothy with banana base unfortunately took almost as long as the food to make it to our table. It is was very thick and took some work coming up the straw but quite yummy once it made there. The Huevos Rancheros did not really feel like breakfast - plain eggs over crunchy corn tortillas with lettuce, a bit of cheese and salsa on top. There was also a side of guacamole (probably the best part of this dish). The company of ketchup and hot sauce to the dish was for granted - may be the wake-up part of the breakfast. This dish proved difficult to eat, as the big tortillas were messy to lift up and bite as well as too crunchy to cut with a fork and a knife. This resulted in an urgent consumption.. not my cut of tea. The French Toasts came with this very pink fat-free-looking bacon, which tasted like paper and smelled like perfume (the texture was almost real, though.) The toasts were probably wonder bread, well soaked in egg. To be honest they were on the plain side as well and I would've reasoned its due to the fact that the dish comes with meat, but the icing sugar on top was then out of place and not to mention the stingy maple syrup which came along with the dish. As much as I sound very bitter, my expectations were not high, the interior was entertaining and I was happy to be eating after my
eventful night.

FINISH
under developed, with potential
The initial plan was to get those buckwheat waffles or pancakes in the end but I gave up and cheri didn't feel like deserting by himself. I have to add on my way to the washrooms they have a neat toy collection behind glass and the washrooms themselves are sure odd narrow rooms with a wall by the toilet, but no door.

a young, unique Chardonnay-Semillon lacking in depth

30.12.11

Elgin Street Diner

http://www.elginstreetdiner.com/

Determined to follow our intuition while wandering around Ottawa, we had to find a breakfast place. On our way through the Rideau Mall, we randomly decided to ask the cashier at Starbucks to recommend a place close by (20min walking range) and so….

APPEARANCE
light lemon-peach
We got to Elgin Street Diner. Big windows up front, lots of neon signs - a bit low looking. We entered and the host instantly greeted us. As if a secret, he whispered that if we wait a few min we can get a booth. And so we did.

NOSE
lychee, melon, crisp
This place had a very easy-going vibe, dark-green booths, brick walls (for once left real as is, no hideous paint), big front windows. On the walls photographs on one side and chalkboard illustrations over the kitchen counter on the other. Those illustrations really made it for me - unique and artistic feel.
The host, our waiter as well as people around had a flamboyant feel. We were probably the only male-female couple but we were not given any looks so we were more than happy to start warming our tummies.

SWIRL
mineral and honey notes
The menu was mimicking a cork-board pin-up style. Not well designed - the cork texture made it feel awfully dull but definitely overall crafty, easy-going and fun.

PALATE
lean, some sweetness, fruity
We started with fresh-squeezed Orange and Grapefruit juices, pulp and all. Then followed up with a Breakfast Wrap and a Grilled Vegetable benedict. Both came with home fries and both were home-made greasy and delicious, even with my sick palette on.

FINISH
dry, refreshing
Overall, a sweet place, open 24/7. What else would one want?

overall.. an easy gewurztraminer

18.12.11

Aunties and Uncles

auntiesanduncles.ca

This is the top BlogTO brunch place.. and I love going through that list on a lazy weekend morning..

APPEARANCE
dry, pale
The outside feels pale and cold, no big sign, cuz a flat wall with siding, windows and doors but..

NOSE
light textured, floral

Once you step in this place feels like you are walking in a kid's room - bright, colourful, fun, decorated. The walls - imperfect and childlike - with airplane wallpaper coming off. Quite a few people were inside, enjoying the many illustrations and posters around (I'd say 60s style). The tables had a diner feel and I can swear the second floor was someone's house.. but I think I saw customers went up.

SWIRL
hint of red berries
The laminated off-white paper menu with script typeface surrounded by red frames seemed clashing at first, but overall have their own the mom-and-pop charm. The bar area was right by in the corner, for all to see, and as for the kitchen window in the wall, it felt so fun to play with cloth-clipping the orders on a wire.

PALATE
well balanced, surprising
Mon chéri and moi had the Breakfast Pocket and the Croque Monsieur, warm and filling. They both came with sides, we went for their homemade potatoes (a lovely dijon potato salad) as well as a house salad side. The only problem, which might be my complete hallucination, is a bunch of small white hairs.. but lets just say, I was not fully awake.

FINISH
sweet, unique, begging for more exploration
There was a line-up by the time we were leaving. Visited the tiny washroom downstairs, which definitely makes you feel like you are in someone's house. Overall, loved the place. Was a bit of a bummer that they only accept cash, but conveniently across the street is a bank.

overall.. an easy-going rosé