Despite this being a return visit, I still get entranced
with Cluny Bistro’s dining room. It’s charming, elegant, intricate and
beautiful … so French that Carrie Bradshaw would certainly approve. If only the
restaurant were opened earlier, what a perfect place it would have been to host
my bridal shower. Brides of today, take note.
At first, I was a little worried if Cluny was a serious
brunch establishment - our waitress was unsure whether they carried English
Breakfast. Yet, one sip of the flavourful Tea Squared brew ($4) eased away any
fears and I was ready for food.
Their weekend brunch menu includes French favourites (onion
soup), traditional breakfast offerings (omelets), and then there’s classics
with a twist. The pork banh mi benedict
($19.75) seemed out of place at a bistro, yet the promise of roasted porchetta and ultra-thin frites were too hard to resist.
Something about the combination of roasted pork, crispy
crackling, pickled vegetables and well toasted sourdough bread … the aroma is
hard to describe and incredible. The runny poached eggs went nicely with the ample
chunks of porchetta, although I found
the pickled vegetables were best eaten on their own. The thick slice of grilled
sourdough soaked in all the delicious juices, but required a utensil sharper
than a bread knife to cut through.
Cluny’s adjoining boulangerie
is fantastic and after having a taste of the freshly baked breads during
brunch, we had to stop into the bakery for things to go. Get the roasted garlic
focaccia ($3.50), it’s not overly oily but still has a lovely sponginess; the liberal
sprinkling of salt and sweet cloves of garlic topping the focaccia meant I didn’t
even need butter. Brunch and groceries all procured in one spot, what an
efficient start the day.
How To Find Them
Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 35 Tank House Lane
Address: 35 Tank House Lane
Website: http://clunybistro.com/
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Gastro World's Grading System
- Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
- 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
- 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
- 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
- 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
- 10 - absolute perfection!
Is That It? I Want More!
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