Who'd knew there is a place like this in this part of the city? Who'd knew a place like this in this part of town would be busy enough that scoring a reservation is a must?
A humble vegan restaurant where water is provided with charcoal so it cleans as you drink (I sound like a tagline for a gasoline chain there lol), as well as free popcorn to keep waiting mouths busy... well, who'd knew they care so much about you feeling good and clean?
I had a brunch meal that consisted of the brunch club sandwich ($17), and also shashuka, an off-the-menu special of the day. The latter was banging tomatoes delicious, and I'm still baffled at how anyone can create a mock vegan-suitable egg with a runny yolk. The sandwich meal was decent, with tofu for eggs and tempeh 'bacon' being the protein substitutes. You have a choice of salad or home fries, the latter making for an overall very filling meal.
There's certainly attention to detail and colours with the dishes, but more so the attention to the vegan, fair trade, organic food philosophy Doug McNish and co. stands for. It's pricey for that matter, but I'm sure you will leave feeling full and good, regardless of whether or not you are a vegan or buy into the clean eating diet or whatever.
The Public Kitchen is the only vegan restaurant for miles, by the looks of it, based on my looking around Yelp for somewhere to eat near that big-fancy-mall-on-a-subway-line (no, not Lawrence Square, which is right up the road). Heck, it's one of a few dining options in the immediate neighbourhood. But they do also sell ready made meals, condiments and such if that's all you need.
{TTC: a short walk around the corner from Glencairn station. Also some parking in the back of the plaza.}