Mitzi's Cafe

100 Sorauren Avenue, Toronto, Ontario                                                   RATING: Good

"Neighbourhood Delight"

This restaurant sits smack dab in the middle of a vibrant bedroom community in upper Parkdale. Built into the main floor of an old house, the huge front windows let in a lot of light and the surrounding trees gives it a homey yet still urban atmosphere. We arrived shortly after their 9 am opening which was fortunate because it filled to capacity quickly, including the eight or so tables on their covered patio. Clearly their baked goods were well sought after because I watched a steady stream of customers arriving for take-out  muffins, bagels and pastries. The table beside us ordered the french toast with banana and whipped cream which had me shamelessly ogling. 

Within seconds of being seated we were served delicious bottomless coffees and left to peruse the chalkboard menu. I didn’t want anything elaborate because I’m watching my calories so I chose a basic Mitzy’s breakfast consisting of poached eggs, bacon and rye toast. The meal came with a side of mini-potatoes that were tossed in a dark sauce which I can’t comment on because I didn’t try it. A complete no-no for a food blogger but I just plum forgot about my duty to try everything on my plate. The poached eggs were served in a tiny bowl set in the middle of the plate. They were perfectly cooked because the yolk was soft and runny, although they didn’t ask my preference so it’s a good thing I like them cooked that way. The only downside to a runny poached egg served in a bowl, is the likelihood that they were cooked in a pot of boiling water with vinegar added to keep the white attached to the yolk. You guessed it, runny yolk and vinegar is not appetizing but I come across this unfortunate combination fairly frequently.  Mitzy, please I beg of you, invest in a proper egg poacher because not everyone likes eggs that taste like vinegar.  

The bacon was well cooked and delicious, and the rye bread was either homemade or purchased fresh from a local bakery. It was finger smacking good to the last crumb.  My breakfast mate ordered the same meal as me, except her eggs were in an omelette. They must have used 8 eggs in her dish because it could have fed three people. She barely got half way through before requesting a doggy bag. It seemed like there was a teenage boy behind the grill who was anticipating his own breakfast, but I will quote my husband and say "never complain about there being too much food".  Fair enough.

We sat for 2 hours and watched as a line formed and then disappeared. Never were we encouraged to hurry up and finish so they could seat someone else. 

My breakfast came to just shy of $14 for a basic bacon and egg breakfast with coffee (the latter is separate).  That’s not cheap, but the quality of the food is good and the atmosphere is pleasant. 

I would definitely give this establishment my repeat business.

Restaurant website:  http://www.mitziscafe.com/