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| - Opened Dec 2014.
Hipster through and through. Besides Ideal Coffee, it's the only hipster place on Yonge St between Lawrence Ave and the 401.
SERVICE
Informative about local/made-from-scratch ingredients, but not preachy or overly pretentious like many similar concepts.
FOOD/DRINK
As the name suggests, it's made "from scratch." They make their own bread, but I think the hens would be upset if I suggested they made their own eggs. ;)
They are pretty much a breakfast, lunch and brunch place but they have a VERY limited sandwich, cheese board, and beer/wine menu for the evening.
There are only about 4 each wines (2 local, 2 European) and beers. Not spectacular wines, but they're fine for the food served and new restaurant that focuses on AM fare. LOVE wine can be ordered by the ounce! Beers are not your average run of the mill which is great for their menu approach; these match the vibe more.
The Fat Daddy skillet pancake with mixed-in pear pieces is AMAZING in name and taste. Never had anything like it. They must whip egg whites into it because it souffles a bit ---- so it's really puffy but definitely not a pop over. It was made better because they provide real maple syrup (which it almost doesn't need since it's so tasty).
They have a Red Fife bread that tastes "healthy." They also have a baguette. The breads are good, don't get me wrong. But I think they need a softer bread that gives more for their sandwiches (more like a roll) since the baguette cut my mouth to shreds. The sliced baguette is great for the cheese board or with the jams/spreads, but neither were good for sopping up runny egg yolks. I fully appreciate that it's a major effort for a kitchen to make bread from scratch, but I think their menu would benefit in a big way from a third bread type as they get established.
My dinner guest liked the bacon that is cured in house, but I prefer a more traditional briny tasting, thick cut bacon whereas this tasted more meaty like well-done dark pork meat.
The bread pudding was made to order, so it can take a while. I'm not a fan, preferring a dense, heavy custard version (sliceable from a loaf pan) with some raisins and cinnamon. This was a fairly plain custard. Still, it was comfort food, and it was a treat to have it fresh out of the oven.
They were great about topping up coffee. Nice to be able to enjoy some local apple cider for breakfast for a change.
I adore the REAL FOOD kids menu, but I don't think the ambiance will appeal to kids under 5 that have to be over stimulated by iPads all the time (it's not Rainforest Cafe). However, it is a fairly forgiving atmosphere.
AMBIANCE, SEATING & GROUPS
Narrow space with open concept kitchen in the back.
An entire wall is dedicated to a chalkboard menu that's hard to read when seated next to it, which is more than 3/4 of the seating. Not to worry; they had a printed menu, too. However, those sitting next to the chalkboard get the best view of the 2 TV screens above the 4 or 5-seat bar.
I believe there were only 4-seater tables; they might be able to turn them to accommodate groups, but I think it will be rather challenging for guests or servers to get by.
Dim evening lighting is offset by the big screen TVs. No romantic ambiance, but a good place to unwind.
ACCESSIBILITY
Washrooms are downstairs like most area Yonge St restaurants. A small step up then a sharp bank to the right before entering left into the restaurant; this will likely pose challenges to wheel chairs, strollers or walkers. The chairs pull away from tables to accommodate wheelchairs though. I do not recall arms on chairs.
PROBLEM PARKING
BE WARNED: At Loblaw grocery next door, they have a security guard who does nothing but ticket or tow those who park there and walk over to these businesses on Yonge; signage cautions you not to do this in fact.
This is the place where Yonge STREET (major street) and Yonge BLVD intersect.
Extremely challenging to get parking here. Only 2 street parking spots on that short block, but several full blocks of metered street parking south of Glen Echo Rd; no rush hour parking on Yonge St. PLEASE don't steal those 2 spots in front since many elderly really need them for Smith Pharmacy! There is no parking the first block or so on immediate side streets (Glen Echo, Teddington, Yonge Blvd). Southbound Yonge Street parking is restricted from turning onto Glen Echo nearly all day except Sundays. Green P parking is waaaaay down the steep hill behind Miller Tavern or 5 blocks south.
OVERALL
I'll definitely go back. It's refreshing to have something different in the neighbourhood finally. Strong potential to be 4+ stars. I think they are working out kinks of being a new business and having a skeleton crew, though. It is endearing to see them be so dedicated and earnest. I hope the low foot traffic and limited parking options will not be a deterrent for customers since it is the best food concept I have seen at this addre
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