Wilder Food

Homemade Quinoa Chocolate Chip Cookie in the top right

Cafe: Wilder Food
Address: 382 Keele St.
Phone: 416-901-2960
Operating Hours: Mon-Sun 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Website: www.wilderfood.ca

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Menu

Drinks - Soy/Almond/Lactose-Free Options?: Yes to all

- Also has homemade cashew milk available

- Coffee beans from Propeller Coffee

- Chai is made from scratch

- Organic tumeric and matcha latte available

Food - Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten-Free Options?: Yes to all

- Menu items are wheat-free and refined sugar-free

- Everything is locally sourced

- Spelt flour is used

- Golden Milk available

Cashew Milk Flat White, $4.50

Turkey Brie Open-Faced, $11

Dragonfruit Acai Smoothie Bowl, $9/$10

Review

Wilder Food is a quaint cafe located in the Junction, tucked in the north-west corner of Keele and Dundas West. Spacious and cozy, Wilder Food offers a lovely array of breakfast and brunch items. If you bring friends or family, they have a selected assortment of games you can enjoy yourself with. I went through a couple of fun rounds with Exploding Kittens!

I got to try some of Wilder's menu items, including one of the specials which was the Turkey Brie Open-Faced, which was absolutely to die for! I'm not sure how often they would have this dish on special, but I highly recommend it if you see it on the menu. I also got to try the Dragonfruit Acai Smoothie Bowl, which I would like to describe as "summertime in a bowl". It's super refreshing, packed with healthy goodness and perfect after a good workout or when summer finally rolls around. The Cashew Milk Flat White was very rich and creamy. I don't drink flat whites normally so I can't really compare but I didn't mind it's thick texture at all!

If you live in The Junction or in a nearby area, I definitely recommend coming to Wilder Food for brunch. It's an underrated cafe with loads of Instagrammable and delicious plates for everyone to enjoy! Cause if these photos do not convince you, I don't know what will.

Old School

Restaurant: Old School
Address: 800 Dundas St. W
Phone: 416-815-8790
Operating Hours: Mon-Tues 9 AM - 3 PM, Wed 9 AM -11 PM, Thurs-Sat 9 AM - 2 AM, Sun 9 AM - 11 PM
Website: www.oldschoolyyz.com

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Menu

Left clockwise: Blueberry Hill Pancakes, $16; Old School Greens, $9; Chicken and Waffles, $18

Review

My Order: Chicken and Waffles, $18

Old School is a chic brunch and dinner spot on Dundas West. From cool graphics on their chalk board-styled wall to the large windows, Old School invites couples and small families alike to dine at this spacious restaurant.

I ordered their Chicken and Waffles, which was a bit more pricey than what I would usually pay at $18, but I was craving some at the time. The dish wasn't so bad, but I think at that price point, it definitely should have been much more memorable. I also got to sample their popular Blueberry Hill Pancakes from my friend's plate and I definitely recommend it for anyone who plans on having brunch here! So the food can be good, depending on the dish you order.

I love the atmosphere of Old School, especially during the day. It's a lovely restaurant to have a day date at or hang out with friends for a relaxed environment. The space has a very Instagrammable aesthetic, so you can definitely get a cool pic here or two!

Ricarda's - Summerlicious 2017 Edition

Restaurant: Ricarda's

Address: 134 Peter St. 

Phone: 416-304-9134

Operating Hours: Mon-Wed 7 AM - 10 PM, Thurs-Fri 7 AM - 10:30 PM, Sat 9 AM - 10:30 PM, Sun 11 AM - 3 PM

Website: www.ricardas.com

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Summerlicious 2017 Menu

Ricarda's Quiche

Pan-Seared Red Snapper

Tiramisu

Review

This past summer, I tried Ricarda's for the first time for Summerlicious. The lunch menu was $23 plus taxes for their three-course meal. I had the Ricarda's Quiche, Pan-Seared Red Snapper, and Tiramisu. I enjoyed my Summerlicious meal thoroughly, and after looking at Ricarda's regular menu, this was quite a steal! The three course meal was not overly filling and hit that sweet spot of contentment. The restaurant's atmosphere is lovely, perfect for a weekend brunch or an evening dinner date. I definitely recommend checking out Ricarda's if you are looking for a slightly higher-end restaurant downtown for a date or other special occasion. If you find that it's out of your budget, definitely try it for Winterlicious or Summerlicious! 

Saving Grace

Restaurant: Saving Grace
Address: 907 Dundas St. W
Phone: 416-703-7368
Operating Hours: Mon-Fri 9 AM - 2:30 PM, Sat-Sun 10 AM - 2:30 PM
Website: N/A

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Menu

My Review

My cousin and I finally went to Saving Grace, a popular brunch place in Trinity Bellwoods. The place was packed when we arrived on a Saturday morning. I put my name down on a clipboard list of everyone who was waiting in line. We ended up waiting for around 75 minutes in order to get in. It was probably the longest I've ever waited for brunch.

Despite the long wait, the food and price was worth it. There's a standard menu and a chalkboard of their daily specials. I went for one of the specials of the day, which was the frittata. For only $12, I had a hearty brunch. I was satisfied and happy to have finally found a brunch place that was reasonably priced with a good amount of food.

If you live in Trinity Bellwoods, I highly recommend you go to Saving Grace if you haven't yet. It's a very quaint and small place (thus the long line ups) that's perfect for breakfast/brunch any day when you want to be by yourself or with a friend. I do not recommend coming in with more than 3 other friends due to the space.

St-Viateur Bagel & Café Mont-Royal

Cafe: St-Viateur Bagel & Café Mont-Royal
Address: 1127 Mont-Royal E.
Phone: 514-528-6361
Store Hours: Mon-Sun 6 AM - 10 PM
Website: www.stviateurbagel.com

Wi-Fi?: No
Study Appropriate?: No
Stamp Cards?: N/A

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Review

Drink of Choice: Mokafrappa, $4.50

I went to this Montreal cafe in May of 2012. Unfortunately as you can see, this is another incomplete review. Either way, the Mokafrappa was delicious so definitely try it out if you get the chance. I probably won't be returning to this cafe any time soon.

Cacao 70

Cafe: Cacao 70
Address: 2087 Ste-Catherine Ouest
Phone: 514-933-1688
Store Hours: Mon-Sun 11 AM - 10:30 PM
Website: www.cacao70.ca

Wi-Fi?: Yes
Study Appropriate?: No
Stamp Cards?: No

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Menu

View menu here: www.cacao70.ca/newmenueng.jpg & www.cacao70.ca/menueng.pdf

The House Special (I think, I don't remember), $12

Meat Lover Omelet, $12.50

Review

Although yes, this is the Toronto Cafe Blog, I think it's nice to have a little variety here and there. As well, this is a filler review since I don't have as much content to post compared to my upcoming reviews.

My boyfriend and I visited my cousin in Montreal three weeks ago. We got to try a popular chocolate dessert cafe/restaurant called Cacao 70. They offered a limited selection of coffee drinks but I wasn't there for the coffee. Since it was brunch time, I was desperate to have some content into my stomach. I didn't want to order dessert because I had nothing in the morning and didn't want to be filled up on sugar. So I ordered one of their savoury crepes, The House Special (I think, I'm basing it off their online menu since I forgot to record it). It came with fruit appetizers that you could dip in chocolate before the main entree came. I definitely enjoyed the food! It was not crazily mind-blowing and unique, but it definitely gave me a fill and I was definitely content.

I really liked the atmosphere and their chocolate-themed restaurant. You could also buy chocolate to take back with you if you wish. I didn't buy any only because they were a bit pricey for a bag.

If I was to come back to Montreal (which I obviously am), I would definitely try their dessert crepes. Even if you hate chocolate (like my boyfriend), there is definitely something there for everyone.