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| - I came for breakfast/brunch with a group. I knew this place as a fixture along Laurier, with steady traffic from the metro station and from the yoga studio upstairs.
We had heard that there had recently been a change in ownership here, and they appear to be working out some kinks. My sunny side-up eggs were overcooked: while the yolks oozed a little, they didn't run. Burned-black toast seemed to be an issue. One of my friends' breakfasts came with all four pieces of toast burned completely black on one side. This seems like pretty basic stuff for breakfast service. (Puzzlingly, burning was a problem for everyone who ordered multigrain toast but the baguette and bagel options came out just fine.)
The coffee is par for the course, or better, at a good diner or breakfast place. I drained my cup pretty fast, as I am wont to do at brunch, and went back for more; the staff somewhat sheepishly informed me that there were no free refills, and that I would have to pay. At least it was only $1.95 and there were only three people in line in front of me. I returned to my table to share the "no free refills" news with my friends, and just a few minutes later, a woman did the same the next table over in the same disappointed tone.
The atmosphere remains the same as I had seen it from the sidewalk for years before visiting: convivial and welcoming, even if not spilling out onto patio tables as it does in the summer months. I found the prices very reasonable and the food (above issues aside) to be satisfying and well-portioned, if not enormous. I will definitely return but I may drink a coffee on the way first, and I will definitely hope for more edible toast.
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