Cardinal Rule

By Annabelle Goodman –

I don’t know this area at all. I was on my way to visit a friend at St Joseph’s Hospital. At dinner the previous evening one of my guests remarked that his daughter owned a restaurant at Queen and Roncesvalles. I didn’t know the name or number but decided to play detective. The name appealed to me and the menu looked great. I was pleased to learn that 2 young women operate this ‘funky’ place that the web calls  a ‘new joint’. It just opened in April. The web also labels it a ‘designer diner’. I like the fact that the food will appeal to all diners including vegetarians and vegans. The menu is creative. Brunch seems to be a big seller on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am- 4:00 pm. They have even been featured on You Gotta Eat Here, a food Network program.

How exciting for me to discover this little gem. Unfortunately it was not my friend’s daughter’s restaurant.

It was lunchtime but I had not eaten. I was thrilled with the Classic Breakfast.($9.00) 3 eggs of any style are offered with sausages and bacon. I declined the meat. Two crusty potato latkes are included as well as good quality whole wheat bread. I was so pleased to hear the server state to a client that they don’t serve white bread. Hurray! The eggs were creamy and perfectly prepared. I thanked the chef for the excellent eggs. She told me that egg preparations and especially omelettes are the last item on the cooking school agenda because they are actually difficult to prepare to perfection. This young chef has it right.

The Vegetable Pannini  ($8.00) is prepared with sweet red peppers, Portobello mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, pecan crusted goat cheese layered with pesto and served on my favorite black olive ciabetta. Doesn’t it make your mouth water?

I am coming back for the grilled Cheese Sandwich served on multi grain. Oka, mozzarella and old cheddar are the ingredients.($7.00)

The Maki N’ Cheese was featured on the Food Network. Imagine cheesy macaroni pasta rolled sushi style around tasty ingredients, breaded with panko crumbs and fried.($8.00) I wonder if I asked nicely if the chef would tell me how it is done. How creative!

The Mushroom Pappardelle is prepared with wild mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and papardelle pasta with a sage garlic sauce.($12.00)

I found this creative gem by mistake. That made it all the better.