Insomnia (dinner)

I have to apologize upfront that I"m disappointed (although warned) that my new Blackberry Curve 8520 has a crappy camera that in dark lighting can't seem to distinguish colours.
Oh well.

On the eve of st. Patricks, I didn't want to spend the evening crowding with frat boys on Bloor Street in a sweaty bar filled with green beer and green t-shirts. I'd rather have a nice meal and do that in the streets.

Insomnia has been around for a while I know, and they also serve brunch.

The place is small, but cozy. We saw two seats in the front and it wasn't too close to our neighbours but cozy.

I got a burger ($9) with brie ($2) and mushrooms ($1) and it comes with fries and salad with garlic aioli . I wanted to diet and eat healthy, but I can't resist aioli. I also put it in my burger.
I was mess eating that 8oz tho. All the fillings and condiments sputing everywhere. I needed 2 napkins to keep me looking like a fool, which I probably already did.

Alexey got an appetizer size mussels. And it was huge! Perfect for just for him. In a spinach wine sauce, it was tasty.

would come back again.

Frangipane Patisserie

I've seen this place on my drive home everyday, and thought it might be worth a try. After parking in the LCBO lot across the street, I darted over to Frangipane.

The smells were wonderful, and their displays full of cakes and chocolates and tarts. I heard they were famous for their tarts so thought I would give it try. A medium size goes for about $17, but small is about $7. So I decided to get 2 small ones of different flavours (sour cherry and port&pear).

I took them home and took small slivers of peices to eat. It lasted me a week eating in moderation that way, and they stayed fresh. Keep them in the fridge.
The sour cherry wasn't as sour, but it was sweet with a little kick. The pear you can taste every little pear and port flavour.

Insomnia (Brunch)

Went to Insomnia for dinner and happened on the fact that they also serve brunch!

Bloor and Bathrust

Menu here: http://insomniacafe.com/brunchmenu.pdf

to note:

Heaven on Earth $10.5

Wild berries, cream cheese and honey sandwiched between lightly tanned french toast, dusted with powdered sugar, served with a side of pure canadian maple syrup

PANCAKES $10

Our signature pancakes are oven baked and take a minimum of 30 minutes,
therefore consider an item from “On the lighter side” as an appetizer while you
wait or may we suggest them as a fabulous dessert!

Berry Pancakes
Fluffy pancakes with mixed berries served with a side of pure canadian maple syrup

Chocolate Banana Pancakes
Fluffy pancakes with chocolate chunks and bananas served with a side of pure canadian maple syrup

Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
Fluffy pancakes with green apple slices and cinnamon served with a side of pure canadian maple syrup

They also have  really good selection of eggs benedicts, including:

Eggs Isabelle $10
Two poached eggs with house made hollandaise, fresh tomatoes and avocado spread, served with homefries and baby greens

Who wants to come with me and share a french toast and panackes?!!!

Southern Accent

I've been wanting to this quaint little place beside Honest Ed's for a while. back 3 years ago, Alexey and I bought some spicy bbq sauce from the Hot and Spicy Festival from Southern Accent. I looked up the place, and especially since Cluck, Grunt and Low closed down, I was looking for a place where we can have slow cooked southern food.

I've been in the area before, and this small multileveled house, all lit up with lights, has so much character. I would love to come here again in the summer.

We got there, and the hostess took us up thru the winding staircases and narrow hallways up to a room which housed about 15 people. All lit up and decorated for Mardi Gras, it was colourful and festive. We sat in an intimate corner, with a curtain hanging up overhead. It was quite romantic.

The server was friendly and talkative.

They have an in-house pyschic (which you have to book before hand). It was $30 for one reading.
It was interesting, and I'm always skeptical about these things. She told me some things that I would like to hear, who knows if it will be true. But it was fun.

The food itself, was good, but I can't say it was spectacular. I'd come again, maybe in the summer. I would imagine their winter/summer licious menu would be good.

Unfortunately, all the lighting in there was red/orange, so my pictures were all red !!

We got the Spicy Cajun Calamari for an appetizer. It was really good. Big plate, we took some home. and super awesome on the 2nd day!

I got the Braised Beef. It was tender and the mashed potatoes were good.

Alexey got the blackened spicy chicken.  A little dry, but good, it came with some dipping yogurt.

The dessert, we got the bread pudding. YUM.

Bodega

One of the only more classier restaurants on Baldwin, although I do like Bocca as well, Bodega typically serves really good french food, esp for lunch and dinner, but on this Valentine's Day, Alexey surprised me by going here for Brunch!

I didn't even know they had brunch. It was quite good. Quiet at 11:30am, but being inside the house, wooden floor and fireplace made it really romantic. 

We started with the Foie Gras. Thought we'd splurge on Vday. It was super filling and super yummy. Their house speciality they said.

I forgot to bring my camera, and I'm impressed with the Iphone photos, given the proper lighting. 

The menu selection included some omlettes, salads, pancakes, french toast and eggs benedict. I can't resist not ordering the eggs benny.

 Plenty of home made hollendaise. Eggs perfectly cooked on top of peameal and on a croissant (i love when they do that).

On the side wasn't potato, it was radish, which was a healthy change. 

But I really disliked the bak choy that was on the side. And it was kinda dirty (i know it won't kill me, but if I see it, it upsets me). 

I don't get my a regaulr green salad wouldn't do.

Alexey got the pancakes. and THEY were the "best pancakes I've ever had"

They don't look like much, but these blueberry filled pancakes were moist, and not dry, and filled with sweet goodness. And the super french cream and maple syrup were awesome. 

Splendido

http://splendido.ca

Harbord Street

One of the top restaurants in Toronto (2008)

Open table reservations available

The Harbord Room - $$

http://dine.to/profile_features.php?feature=website&id=5175

Brunch Sat and Sun

Open til 2am

93 HARBORD - $$$

middle eastern/north african foods

Lamb + Fig, very yum
Lamb Shank was more tender
Bismanti Seafood Rice is worth trying

Warm Chocolate pecan pie

good for: groups, small groups, parents