Haute Leaside patisserie – La Patisserie Cigogne (see page 40) is about to launch a second outlet on the east side in the now-defunct Casa di Giorgio pizzeria at Danforth and Monarch Park. The new café should open in mid-May and will feature an identical menu as well as a chic curbside patio.
Down in Riverside, Le Rossignol (686 Queen East, at Broadview, 416-461-9663, lerossignolbistro.com) begins weekend brunch service once patio season kicks in. The 20-seat backyard grotto doubles the slammed bistro’s capacity.
A few blocks east, The Roy (894 Queen East, at Logan, 416-465-3331, theroy.ca) has always been a favourite with Coronation Street fans, especially since a week’s worth of episodes get shown back-to-back every Sunday. To celebrate the UK soap opera’s 50th anniversary, the Leslieville local has just added Betty’s Lancashire lamb hot pot ($10.95) to the Brit-centric lineup.
Kensington indie dance bar the Boat (158 Augusta, at Dundas, 416-593-9218, theboatrestaurant.com) has its first Retro Hangover Brunch Sunday (April 10) from 11 am. Expect mixed grills, a DIY omelette station and Shirley Temple mimosas served to a soundtrack of 50s, 60s and 70s rock.
Over in the meat-packing district, Anton Potvin’s Niagara Street Café (169 Niagara, at Wellington, 416-703-4222, niagarastreetcafe.com) bucks the trend and has stopped doing brunch. Seems the numbers just weren’t there. Same sitch at Debu’s Nouvelle Indian Cuisine (552 Mount Pleasant, at Belsize, 416-927-9340, debusaha.com), which now no longer offers its stellar $20 multi-course prix fixe brunch, through it’s still available Monday through Saturday at lunch.
