saving grace

I'm going to let you in on a little secret.  While I have come to terms with the fact that dining in Toronto almost always involves a wait or a line (or a combination of both), it still annoys me to the very core of my being.  In fact, for the most part, I tend to avoid situations where my desire for instant gratification will be denied (or at least get around them by dining at unfashionable/inconvenient hours on slower days).  Most of the time, this works pretty well.  Such was the case at Saving Grace, a well-known brunch restaurant on Dundas West.  I'd heard great reviews of their food, but had been warned that weekends bring ridiculous waiting times.  When a mid-week brunch date was arranged, I knew that it was now or never.

The restaurant itself is small and low-key.  I was surprised at the mix of clientele; there was even a family with three young children (who were extremely well-behaved) sitting a table over from us.  Ordering was a bit of a chore because everything sounded so good (although we both chose the "Espressado" smoothie without hesitation: avocado and espresso? Yes please!).  Our meals were both delicious, but my (unfortunately) conservative order of poached eggs (served on an english muffin, with tomato, arugula, avocado, and emmental) was a mistake as Pat's picadillo (tostada, turkey sausage, onion, garlic, tomato, cumin, apples, cabbage, and cilantro) was the clear winner of the two.  But really - mid-week brunch with one of my oldest friends?  No complaints here.