Sparrow has been my favourite place in Mile End to get a cocktail for the last five years. But recently, I've come to realize that it is also a great place to grab dinner. The dinner menu is short but sweet, with the polish of a fancier resto while keeping most prices under $20. My companion ploughed through a plate of pork roast, South Asian-inflected potatoes, greens, and cilantro garnish simply because it was some of the tastiest pork either of us had had in a long time. The serving was generous enough for me to sneak a few bites in and get some not-so-generous looks from across the table. While I might still opt for Nouveau Palais' burger if forced to choose, Sparrow's was exactly what I wanted -- eggy roll, priced in the low teens, good fries and that telltale grease drip that tells you they're doing it right. Every time I have been, there has been at least one attractive, substantial vegetarian option that leads with vegetable protein like lentils (a harder standard to meet in the neighbourhood than you might think).
So next time you are brunching or sipping a drink here, have a look at the dinner menu too. (But in moderation, because I still want to be able to get a table.)