Brunchin: Beast

Spotted: Papua New Guinea
Method: French Press
Where: Beast Restaurant - 96 Teucumseh
Roaster: Toi and Moi
Located: Montreal. QC

French Press to share is always a good bet when brunching with best friends.

To add to the experience, a Maple-Bacon Doughnut. Mmmmmm.
O Canada. Eh?!

Verdict: pleasantly smooth, nice body, spicy notes.
Overall: as Saveur article goes... It paired well. The richness and fats in the treat picked up the spicy, balanced chocolate/ pear notes in the PNG.

Donut and Coffee pairing

Saveur Magazine has this article about Donuts and Coffee.... (full text)

Just drooling with the combinations of the two quintessential food and drink pairing... almost like milk and cookies.

M^4: NYcC this past weekend

M^4: Coffee's notable news... 


Coffee Common busted onto the seen for a 4 day pop-up experience in Chelsea this past weekend. Read up and experience the ride with smdlr, through the vivid photos and amazing write-up, I felt as if I got a "fly on the wall" view of the event.

Bamboo Tampers... whoa

In case you missed it "Shit Barista Say..." (youtube) Thanks Sprudge



In response to what I made for Sunday Brunch:

Apple smoked Chardonnay Chicken Sausages, caramelized onions, organic Rye, velvety soft scrambled eggs and slices of ripe avocado..... super yummy! (not in photo DH Americano) Gluten-Free!

Sunday being lazy, or indulging in brunch

As I've mentioned before, I really enjoy breakfast. Well brunch is actually my best meal of I'm a tardy waking up... But the combinations are endless.

Been focusing on some external projects and making delicious food experiments.

Makings of great adventure.... I'll post up the end result after the magic of cooking finishes

Food for Thought:

Future Bakery
Address: 483 Bloor Street West

Neighbourhood: Annex
website, @twitter, Tel: (416) 922-5875

The Goods:
Its' Future Bakery, THE institution of any undergraduate degree at UofT. The local spot to get your three meals. All-day breakfast, cheap drinks, and specials that keep you coming back for more than just the coffee.
One of the few spot to have late night coffee, quick service and plentiful tables (well, if it's not busy)


The coffee: Organic Sumatra.
Verdict: Decent, but go for the environment and treats.

Food for Thought: Blake House

Blake House
Address: 449 Jarvis Street
Neighbourhood: Downtown/the Village
website, @twitter, Tel: (416) 975-1867

Nestled on the historic street of Jarvis, steps away from Yonge Street and the Village, shines one of the longest historic building first established 1891. Designed by Knox & Elliot, housed the second Premier of Ontario the Honourable Edward Blake. (For my American friends - it's equivalent to Governors)
With a Front Patio, and ample choices for Brunch I was glad to get back to my old stomping grounds.

Food for Thought: OK^2

OK^2 Diner
Address: 1039 Queen Street East
Neighbourhood: Leslieville
website, @twitter, Tel:(416) 461-2988

My trusted brunch-mate called me up on a Saturday mid-morning craving for food. Already having been up for a couple of hours, completed my daily exercise and brewed a fresh cup of coffee I happily agreed to meet up.
Driving through Leslieville was easy picking for a brunch place, as the neighbourhood has evolved into the brunch mecca this side of the Don River.

Food for Thought: Mitzi's Cafe and Gallery

Mitiz's Cafe and Gallery
Address: 100 Sorauren Avenue

Neighbourhood: Roncesvalles
website, @twitter, Tel: (416) 588-1234

Brunch staple for the neighbourhood is definitely Mitizi's. Having two location quite close to each other talks volume about their following - not really a cult, but a fav spot to hit that brunch craving. Snagging a spot is harder than lining up for Harry Potter 7.2 tickets - and you'll know by the size of the line that starts outside the door.
The patio - opened in warmer weather - sure can fit a few, but the inside is where magic happens.

Food for thought: Hibiscus

Hibiscus
Address: 238 Augusta Avenue

Neighbourhood: Kensington Market

website, @twitter, Tel: 416-364-6183

Seriously.... it's not only vegans and gluten-free seekers that come to Hibiscus in the market, everyone enjoys the wholesome freshly prepared dishes that come from the back of the kitchen.
In my travels around the city - Hibiscus throws down the best value for quality dishes. Personally, I have a good handful of close friends who swear by this cafe - mainly vegans, but it's not to say it's only for "vegans". Not only is it animal-cruelty free, but it's tapping into that new market to combat the gluten allergies - it's running rampant.
(talking about coffee after the break)

Food for Thought: Drake Hotel

Drake Hotel
Address: 1150 Queen Street West
Neighbourhood: West Queen West
website, @thedrakehotel, Tel: (416) 531-5042

The Drake hotel is a hotbed for culture, arts and entertainment. With ample spaces to entertain guests, lounge to musical acts and wine and dine at all hours; it might be one of THE places to check in Toronto. Queen West'r apparently love to sleep-in, and they love their brunch. Why wouldn't Chef Anthony and "the Drake"culinary team create a Brunch menu fitting to satisfy our internationally inclined and locally focused approach to comfort food.

Hungry Sundays and a 30 minute drive over the bridge greets us with a heavy presence of "cool" - hipsters included.

The Basics:
Beans: Drake Hotel blend
Composition: 
Roasters: Fresh Coffee Network
Located: Toronto, ON

Machine and Grinder were not visible from our seating area - and the server was uncertain, and didn't come back with an answer.

Verdict: hints of cherry with cocoa and dashes of cinnamon. Earthy/herbal tones round out the mouthfeel. After the 3rd sip, flavours become flat. That's alright.
Brewed coffee: smelled like burnt tires - a heavy body. needed additives to spruce up the mix.

FOOD: Lumberjack! 3 Eggs - O/E, Crispy bacon, pancakes. Thanks Drake for filling me up. Wish I gotten a photo of the chicken and waffles (southern style) but Drake does food right.

Missing out on Brunch: Go and visit their smoke house next to the general store. Drake is taking up the block and killing it wherever they go. Will we see something in the East end? probably not. That's why we travel.

Food for Thought: Gayley's Cafe

Gayley's Cafe
Address:1424 College Street West
Neighbourhood: Little Portugal
website, @twitter, Tel: (416) 538-3443

Visiting the West is usually a task that I often enjoy - part of the exploration of food, friends and good times. Part of the food for thought will chronicle the joys of espresso through establishment more recognized as restaurants.

Continuing down this road is Gayley's. Neighbourhood charmer that fits about 8 small tables - but comfortable enough to enjoy your meal. Nice bay window to view passer-bys and take in the sunlight. A counter full of goodness in baked format, and a wall with 10 different coffee beans available for purchase.
Freshly prepared meals is what drives their menu.

Food for Thought: Bar Centrale

Terroni's Bar Centrale
Address: 1095 Yonge Street
Neighbourhood: Rosedale/Summerhill
website, @terrioni, 416-504-1992

Terroni is an Italian restaurant, focusing on quality dishes. They have several restaurants/ bars under their umbrella with 5 locations in Toronto and 1 in LA it's a mini chain in our books.
This newest location, is where you want to go for small plates recommended for sharing - similar to tapas style. Not only has the brand embodied some Italian-Canadian nuances, but inside the atmosphere feels like a train station hangout spot. Which is a good thing, as it's located in the neighbourhood of the historic Summerhill Station. It's philosophy is creating a space where the focus is on the enjoyment of flavours - whether it be in food, drink or company. This is a location where, the more the merrier. Make no mistake - they don't take reservations, but you can get a table if you show up at the right time.(more after the jump)

Food for thought: Corner House

Corner House
Address: 134 Davenport Rd.
Neighbourhood: Upper Annex

Having a great meal at restaurants in Toronto - is not easy, but there are plentiful locations to appease the most high-nosed customer. During my tenure in Toronto, there is a striking commonality amongst fine dining experiences - the coffee isn't really good. Either it's been brewed in an urn since the start of service, OR it's overextracted to the point where my face puckers up and I stop after 2 sips. Unsure whether the first sip was me, but then confirmed like someone striking me in the head with a dodge ball.

Case in Point: Corner House.
Amazing French food, with care and excellent execution. From their apps, mains and even their desserts - quite lush.

Coffee: 
Machine: Faema E16
Beans: Segafredo
Verdict: le sigh.
How can this change?
Proper training of baristas, and a great coffee program.
Amazingly crafted food, prepared with care should translate to how they finish off their meal - with excellence.
Is it really hard for the food industry to give a little bit more attention to this area. I'm quick to NOT order coffee after a meal, because 9 out of 10 times the coffee is so bad, I rather not spoil my fine dining experience with a bitter cup.
If restaurants are to serve coffee, please serve some better tasting, better prepared drinks. I'm really not asking for too much - but maybe a little more effort.

I can only name a handful of locations which I would get an after meal coffee...(more to come) but this shouldn't have to be a decision to deter patrons away from desserts and coffee.

Here's a push for better coffee programs/ and coffee preparation.

Hump day questions: Do you drink coffee after a great meal?

NY: Clinton St. Baking Company

EASTER SUNDAY!
BUNNIES, CHURCH, DAY OF BRUNCH??

FOOD for Thought: 

Clinton St. Baking Company
Address: 4 Clinton Street (south of Houston)
Neighbourhood: Lower East Side
Tel: 646-602-6263
website

Having been rooted in Toronto for a while - I've noticed that there is quite the brunch culture. Many will line-up at the TOP locations for hours to be seated for an eventual dining experience. This was no different in NYC. Taking advice from good friend MS of Mesmer Mantra a trip to the EAST village was worth the trek to experience hearty morning ritual to fuel the body, and to infuse all of your clothes with that  AMAZING brunch smell.