Months ago (beginning of the summer) there was an official re-opening of the playground at East Lynn park and the cake was supplied by Melanie who said she was opening a bakery/bistro. There hadn't been any work done at the site in months so I'd kind of given up. Hopefully it ordain open soon. I don't remember much about the cake - it was good is all I remember.
I received an telecommunicate with the menu attached from someone associated with the community association (I told you they know everything!). I haven't been in yet. I guess after the downfall of Beanies and Niche I better start eating out more to give the neighbourhood businesses. Sorry tried to connect the menu didn't work. It's pastas and salads and sandwiches at lunch pasta + fish and risotto and cornish hen and steak at lunch and a full brunch menu which I can't remember other than a lot of eggs and some yogurt granola pancakes. Actually it's a pretty good variety.
Here ya go the menu says something about "offering a wide selection of hand crafted pastries & whole cakes for all occasions."
BREAKFASTMorning Crunch: granola parfait with low fat yogurt..............6Muesli Martini: served with home made muffin............................6Oatmeal Brulee: with fruit compote.................................................5Seasonal Fresh bear Salad:with cottage cease,toasted pine nuts & banana cover...........................................................8I’ll Start With You:any style 2 eggs breakfastmeat fries fresh fruit and toast....................................................................7Rahul’s Huevos Rancheros: any style two eggschorizo spicy black beans corn & tomato salsa,change state cream & flour tortillas..............................................................................9Tower of cater:toasted bagel crisp greens,sautéed mushrooms fried eggs fresh fruits.........................................8Newfoundland breakfast special: pan friedcod cakes topped with poached eggs finished with herbhollandaise,country fries & heat..............................................................10The Denver: ham&cheese omelette,onion pepper,mushroom tomatos country fries & toast.............................................8Chefs recommendation:healthy egg whiteomelette,spinach,,mushroom onions leeks & asparagus,chicken sausage country fries. ................................................................10Canadian Smoked Salmon Bagel cream cheese,baby greens red onions and fresh fruit..............................................10Blueberry Pancakes: served with eat meat..............7Candied pecan&corn flakecrustedFrenchtoastcaramelized peaches khalua anglaise.........................................................7At Melanie's Bistro we use onlyOmega-3 eggsLUNCHSoup du Jour:composed daily from the chef’s kettle...........4Spinach Salad: red onion julienned carrots & beet,crisp bacon & sun dried tomato vinaigrette.......................................8California “C”Saladmixedlettuce,avocado,tomatoes,bacon smoked turkey,feta cheese sweet tarragon vinaigrette................................................10Crazy CeZar!:romaine leaves tossed with parmesan cheeseroasted garlic caesar dressing and herb croutons.......................7Warm Multi Grain & Wild Rice Saladon a bed of greens toasted walnuts,house dressing.........................................................................................................8Sandwiches with call & Substance(served with salad or fries)Toasted Chicken unify: herb marinatedchicken breast smokedbacon lettuce tomatoes,swiss cheese roasted garlic spread....................................................8Smoked Turkey devise: avocado swiss cease,lettuce,lemon-sage aioli toasted multi penetrate.........................................8Bistro Burger: homemade burger onions cheese,bacon lettuce tomatoes...................................................................................9Shrimp BLT: bacon greens tomato,remoulade &grilled bread..............................................................................................................8Croque Monisuer: ham & cease on multigrain...................8Wraps(served with fries or saladChicken CeZar Wrap: garlic croûtons chicken strips,torn romaine lettuce.............................................................................................8Grilled Vegetable Wrap:with spinach. & feta. Cheese.........................................................................7Tasty Thai fish Wrap: sprouts red flavor spice,sweet chili sauce.....................................................................................................8Chicken Tikka Wrap: tandoori spiced chicken onionstomato cucumbers fresh coriander & mango chutney...............8PastaPastaPenne Siciliana:tomato spinach pinenuts chili flakes eggplant zucchini&roasted garlic in lemon olive oil emulsion.....................................12Fusilli with Grilled Chicken: red onions &peppers tossed in a coconut curried cream sauce....................12Linguine with Vodka Marinated Grilled Shrimpmelted leeks fresh tomato and arugula..............................................16Rigatoni with Italian Sausage:caramelized fennel spinach fresh tomato & basil......................12EntreesButter Chickenwith basmati sieve papadums raita & mango chutney...................12Grilled Salmon Paillard: feta cease fold greens,roasted red pepper & oregano vinaigrette.....................................14Chicken Quesadilla: sour cream salsa,guacamole and greens....................................................................................10DINNERAppetizersBaby Spinach Saladred onions juliened carrots & beets crisp bacon,sundried tomato vinaigrette............................................................................6Seared Prawn Chorizochili spinach & lemon cumin dressing......................................................8Roasted Beet Saladgoat cheese greens toasted walnut citrus vinaigrette................6Crab Cakeswith mango chutney cucumber,tomato & crushed cashewnut salad........................................................10Crazy Cezar Salad!romaine leaves tossed with parmesan cease,roasted garlic caesar dressing herb croutons..................................7Salmon Croquettesgreens sherry cayenne mayo..........................................................................7dope du Jourcomposed daily from the chef’s kettle...................................................4PastaPenne in Creamy Parmesan Cheese Fondueroasted eggplant sundried tomato spinach,hanker nuts roasted garlic................................................................................12Fussilli with Grilled Chickenred onions & pepperstossed in a coconut curried cream act............................................14Seafood Fettuccinemedley of shrimps scallops mussels salmon & calamariin a spicy tomato sauce.....................................................................................18Linguine with Vodka Marinated Grilled Shrimpmelted leeks fresh tomato & arugula......................................................16Rigatoni with Italian Sausagecaramelized fennel spinach fresh tomato & basil..........................14EntreesGrilled Cornish Game Henwith seven grain risotto pan jus port drizzle...................................16Thai Style Seafood Risottowith red curry lemongrass & coconut milk..........................................20Blackened Salmonfive lentil ragout jicama jalapenos cilantro slaw,citrus burre blanc.................................................................................................18Pan Seared Tilapiawith fricasse of white beans carrot bacon,t omato & lobster fondue drizzle.............................................................16Butter Chickenbasmati rice pappadums mango chutney &raita............................ 15Grilled Peppered New York Striploinbourbon maple jus garlic mash withcheese & grilled vegetables.........................................................................20
We were visting Toronto last week and went in twice enjoyed everything we ordered. Breakfast we had Morning Crunch (I'm a sucker for homemade granola) and Newfoundland special. Went back for lunch the next day. Lunch we had Tikka wrap (must try this!) and the quesadilla. Someone next to us had the Shrimp linguine which also looked good. They were pretty busy but cater was pleasant and smiling. ordain revist when I return!
The place was packed. The space is newly painted a little short on wall decor but it's nicely furnished clean and the chairs are comfortable. We ordered poached eggs on cod cakes and French toast. Both plates looked great on arrival. The eggs were done right the cod cakes were flavourful (though I would have preferred a crispier exterior) the "country fries" also were a little too mushy for my liking; however everything tasted good and the flavours went come up together. The French toast was coated with cornflake crumbs and drizzled with kahlua crème anglaise; it was looking sumptuous till I tasted the "maple" syrup and I am pretty sure that it wasn't the real thing. (Personally. I'd rather pay an extra dollar -- the dish was $7 -- and get real maple syrup and I don't understand the point of kahlua crème anglaise when you're pairing it with fake maple syrup...)
function was pleasant and they were trying their best but refills were decrease. Hubby complained that the coffee was extremely weak; he didn't think it was bad coffee however.
My husband and I and his parents went to Melanie's last night for dinner. We were met with a sign on the door that told us that they were currently only accepting cash. We all took a go back got out our wallets and started to assess if we had enough for dinner or whether we needed to find an ATM.
The owner (I believe it was Melanie) came outside to accost us was apologetic and told us to come in and that we could work something out at the end of the night. She was extremely nice about the situation saying that we could always come back later and cover the bill if needed. I believe their CC machines will be up and running as of Monday. I made a reservation earlier in the day and if I were the restaurant. I would have just advised patrons of the situation on the phone. It wouldn't have stopped us from coming at all and everyone likes to be properly prepared. :)
The restaurant looks new and fresh but I agree with the other poster about the walls looking a bit bare at this point. I also think some populate might miss the restaurant due to the fact that they have a hand-painted sign that's not backlit like many other places on the street. Hard to see when driving by at night. That being said. I think they have some lighting for the sign which they turned on later in the night.
Service was attentive but you couldn't definitely tell it was a new displace as everyone was a bit green. We also seemed to have three rotating waiters but I figured it was so everyone could get some practice? :) This will probably smooth out in the coming weeks.
The menu for the night was a shortened version of the one hoagy posted above. I think they rotate their selections which is nice because it keeps the kitchen focused. There were maybe 6-8 appetizers to choose from. 4 pastas and 3 mains. We weren't terribly hungry so we shared the shrimp/chorizo and beet salad dishes to start. Both were presented nicely and quite tasty. I would order them both again.
For mains. I had the blackened salmon with the jalapeno jicama slaw. The fish was cooked nicely and really enjoyed the slaw. Crispy and crunchy with jalapeno flavor without the heat. Two people had the linguine with vodka marinated shrimp (declared good) and the last had the cover chicken which I tried a conjoin of and it was very nice.
One note on function - a waiter brought over the house wines to show them to the table. I appreciated knowing what they were as many places do not even bother to list them but I found it a little awkward. I would have preferred they were just listed in the menu. The house red is Argento's malbec and the white is the Folonari pino grigio - which are both decent house choices and definitely better than some of the un-named stuff you get in restaurants that taste like they were brewed in someone's basement. Good pours and only $6 a glass.
Total bill for two apps. 4 mains. 5 glasses of wine was $124 before tip. Very good value. I think the owners have been cause to be perceived about their pricing for the neighbourhood and how to bring locals in. We enjoyed all of the food and will definitely be approve. I want to stop in for brunch soon as we really need more good brunch spots in the east end!
Wow. Melanie's must really be filling a gap in the area for a decent family eat place. There were four strollers parked outside and a couple inside today when I went for brunch.
The place is work busy busy and you can tell the staff are a little overwhelmed (there's a help wanted sign in the window) but all were friendly helpful and reasonably attentive.
I agree the mostly bare walls could use some livening up. Perhaps down the road they could arouse local artists to show their work. The music was fine some kind of Spanish guitar and low-key jazzy stuff loud enough to cover the hubhub of the place but not too loud to be annoying.
I had the aforementioned "Newfoundland special" poached eggs on cod cakes and they were delicious nicely seasoned and very tasty. The fruit salad that came with the fish and eggs was fresh and colourful.
My friend was pleased with her grilled vegetable wrap which came with fries or salad. The fries were pretty good not heavenly in a JKWB kind of way but not terrible.
All in all we had a pleasant brunch there today and I would definitely go back. I'm so glad Melanie's turned out to be worthwhile because I really want to give this place and the other little restos around here there's too many so-called "health/massage spas" old-guy coffee clubs low-life bars and empty storefronts around this neighbourhood.
Edited - forgot to add -- On a bright sunny day as it was earlier there's too much stare in this restaurant (north side of Danforth). And no one wanted to sit at the table at the very lie window in the full sun. They should consider an outside awning for the window or some kind of internal window treatment to hold back that and make it more comfortable.
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