Brunching options this long weekend

I have always had a weakness with weekend brunches. Much more relaxed than middle of the week dinners, it tends to be more my style. If you are in a lookout for brunching options for the weekend but are not too keen about long lineups, I have suggestions where you can find the alternate or this weekend.

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1. Scratch Kitchen
Last Saturday, I met up with an old friend, Yana. I have blogged about her moving to Australia once before and she is now back for a quick visit. Her parents live close by me and it made sense to just grab brunch at North York. Wanting a more Canadian menu, I found Scratch kitchen just a little bit north of Yonge and Lawrence. I was a little bit concerned of walking in by 10AM but I was pleasantly surprised that there was no wait and we had a very good space. I came knowing what I liked. Taking the advice of other brunchers before me, I opted for their Fat Daddy Pancakes that looked so good in pictures. I always loved the buttery crisp edges on my pancake and their skillet-grilled pancake sounded like it would do the job. My friend Yana went for the Caprese and Eggs, a dish with tomatoes, basil, olive oil, bocconcini with poached eggs.

While waiting, Yana and I caught up with each other’s day-to-day and of course the conversation was entered mostly on photography. It was something that we would always bond with and it is a topic that I don’t think we can ever exhaust. It was comforting to know that we can just pick up the conversation where we left it and it didn’t require any effort at all. When the coffee and the food arrived, it was definitely a good accompaniment. The skillet-grilled pancakes was just as I envisioned it, the whole pancake was crusty on the outside and soft on the inside with the right amount of sweetness that would encourage you to finish the whole plate. It was really a delight. Yana’s option was just as filling, the freshness of the tomatoes and the bonccocini. It was indeed a good brunching option. This comes recommended this long weekend.

2. Vero Trattoria
When last Sunday came, I didn’t feel like spending it indoors as I was trying to relish what remained of the summer. I opted to head to Leaside, just south of Bayview and Eglinton to enjoy the neighbourhood’s charming retail area. It seemed to me as the perfect Sunday, with no agenda and most importantly with nothing urgent to worry about, it was a day to just loiter, going in and out of small shops in a picturesque neighbourhood. I had no idea where to eat and I came across Vero Trattoria. They had just opened and the most perfect patio table was still up for grabs. It had my name written all over it. Going through their menu, I opted for the Vero Breakfast that came with eggs, smoked bacon, Italian braised beans, grilled tomato and arugula. I was quite happy with their good coffee as I waited, just watching people pass me by. When breakfast arrived, it was just what I needed. I should mention that their braised beans was awesome! Tender and sweet with the fresh taste of tomatoes, I literally finished it to the last bean.

3. Make bacon-egg cups at home
And if you are not willing to give up snoozing until late, I have a quick fix that you can make at home. To pair with your toast and make it a little bit fancy, try this recipe, bacon-egg cups.

In a muffin pan, spray with non-stick oil and wrap bacon on the edges of each muffin pan. Break 1 fresh egg and place in the middle of the bacon and bake at 350C for 15 minutes. Increase the temperature at 500C for an additional 5 minutes to crisp up bacon. Take from bacon cup from muffin pan and sprinkle bacon-egg cup with parmesan cheese and top with a leaf of basil. Pair this with a bowl of fresh strawberries and buttered toast. I guarantee this breakfast is satisfying just as much as it is aesthetically pleasing. Tried and tested in my own kitchen.

I hope this post gives you some ideas for this last long weekend of the summer. Relish it like I do :)