Toronto brunch

Consider this an ever-evolving post to fulfill your most pressing brunch needs.  Last-visited dates for each location will be in brackets.  And while I have eaten brunch outside of the Queen West/Annex/downtown core area, you may notice that none of those places appear below.  That's because none of them are good enough to be listed (except for Globe Bistro - and the photo above is actually from Wish). Frankly, after Hoof Cafe closed, brunch died a little for me, look at the dates below and see how long ago it's been since I went for brunch! (updated January 7, 2012)

OVERALL FAVOURITES

Hart House Gallery Grill [11-2009]

With the demise of Hoof Cafe, Gallery Grill takes the top spot for me, even though I rarely go. It's been consistent for like, over a decade, so I figure it's pretty reliable. Upscale, atmospheric, good service, an interesting menu that changes weekly, reasonable prices, plus they take reservations. I don't think there's actually anything I don't like about Gallery Grill.

SECOND TIER

Not in a bad way; these are places which I actually quite liked but don't consider favourites.  Because if every place was my favourite then that's pretty much the same as having no opinion, which would render all this totally useless.

1.  Marben [3-2011] - This is actually maybe my favourite rendition of eggs benny.  On Wellington, reservations accepted, big enough to hold a group.

2.  Beast [08-2011] - An interesting mix of brunch items, Sam James-approved coffee and tasty desserts with a great patio. Teeny space on Tecumseth. Not sure if reservations are accepted.
3. Porchetta and Co. [10-2011] - Porchetta breakfast sannich! You know you want it. Dundas west of Bathurst. About 4 seats.

CHEAPIES

1.  Java House [3-2011] on Queen or Red Room on Spadina - So cheap. Umm like $6 after tax and tip for bacon, eggs, toast (excellent thick delicious toast), home fries and fruit or salad. And never a line. The food is basically the same at both places. These places haven't changed for like, 5 years, they're pretty reliable.

2.  Roaming around Kensington Market [um, all the time?]. So many options, so little time! I like to start with a Spudagel from My Market Bakery (tell them you want it heated) and roam from there. Salsa's also makes a good stop (for taquitos) as do the various Latin grocery stores (for pupusas). I also find it hard to say no to a Patty King double.

GROUP DINING

Ugh, large groups (like, I dunno, 10+ people?) are the bane of my dining existence. It's hard to find a really excellent place to suit the varied tastes and wallets of a large group. Try one of the hotels, they all serve brunch (I've heard that the Four Seasons Studio Cafe is actually good for brunch, but have never been myself). Or maybe try Oliver and Bonacini, I know Canteen offers brunch - O&B places all seem to serve inoffesive food, occasionally good food, which is moderately (instead of excessively) overpriced. If you're looking at a group of maybe 6-8 people, maybe Marben [3-2011], Gallery Grill [11-2009], or Globe Bistro [11-2009]. Or if you're looking at a big group and are awesome, you could call Beast [08-2011] and arrange to reserve the entire restaurant. My recommendation for this category is actually to not have a giant group brunch.

SPECIAL OCCASION

Like mother's day.

1.  Hart House Gallery Grill [11-2009] - If you want this for mother's day, book early. Like, right now. Whatever day you're reading this, book now.

2.  King Edward Hotel [05-2010] - It's totally expensive, but it's a fancy hotel buffet, what do you expect? I was surprised and impressed that the eggs in the eggs benny sitting out on the hot plate were actually still properly runny.

FYI, Frank at the AGO and C5 at the ROM also serve brunch. Frank [3-2010] was acceptably good but I'm not rushing back. With Christmas and New Year's coming up, I'd stick to the hotels if you're looking for brunch on either day - to find any other places that are open would require some digging.

NOT A SUNDAY

1.  Marben [3-2011] - Monday brunch.

2.  Karine's [8-2010] - All day breakfast, every day I think.

Java House [3-2011], Red Room, and Daybreak [10-2009] serve all-day breakfast.  So does Sadie's Diner [8-2010].

VEGETARIAN/VEGAN

1.  Hibiscus [lots of times in 2011] - The salads here are so good that I get cravings for them. Hibiscus doesn't actually leap to mind for me when I think "brunch" but their hours (11-6) are such that it's a bit difficult to get there for other meals. Instead of "brunch," when I think of Hibiscus, I think "I want to eat here all the time." Kensington Market.

2.  Karine's [8-2010] - It's in the Village by the Grange foodcourt and seems lame until you eat the food, then you realize it's not lame.

You may be wondering whether someone who would be in the running for the position of "Princess of Pork" (if such a wonderous position existed) can be trusted to select vegetarian/vegan brunch options. However, I've been to Sadie's Diner, Fressen and Urban Herbivore at brunch and to Fresh for dinner and none of them come close to the deliciousness of the above two. And just an FYI, if anyone wants a gluten-free option, Kensington Cornerstone has a fully gluten-free menu.