Don Ellis | Last Updated: April 27,2009 10:39:27 am
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 nter this little-bitty establishment on any morning or afternoon and you'll find artists, lawyers, accountants, hairdressers, cops, and carpenters grazing on sandwiches, omelettes, eggs Benedict and apple pancakes - this is where the salt of the earth fill up on home-style fare. The dishes aren't dripping with fake butter, the eggs come up just the way you ordered them, and the hot home-style soup could pretty much save your life on a wintry Monday.
Formerly inhabited by XXX Diner - for a few days - this storefront spot is a warm, relaxing retreat, painted the very earth tones and exposed brick walls that were designed to be XXX. Not much changed, not even the furniture and it never really matters, as not many had a chance to see it in that likeness.
This friendly breakfast and lunch spot is still a refreshingly non-corporate (read not Starbucks) operation. Owners Tonya Reid and Johan Maes decided they wanted to open a restaurant that was back-to-basics and totally hands-on. To that end, Reid works the counter and tables and Maes prepares all the food. And they are ever-present, meeting guests at the door and visiting tables to make sure everyone is being taken care of.
The space is warm and bright with light brick walls, light wood tables and retro banquettes, and a small breakfast counter with stools. Although a few spirited touches of rustic roadside decor adorn the walls, the overall aesthetic is that of, well, a dilapidated little shanty. But don’t let that put you off. Early morning visitors are greeted with fresh coffee and a selection of pastries - choices typically include scones, muffins and cookies.
The lunch menu changes daily, based on demand and availability of fresh ingredients. Choices include the toasted salmon salad sandwich, an apple and cheddar sandwich, traditional breakfast fare - eggs Benedict, and what they call the “Hungry Gal’s Breakfast”. All sandwiches are served with a daily house-made soup - perhaps cream of mushroom or split pea. Most everything is made from scratch and the duo uses organic ingredients when possible.
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 AT A GLANCE
Le Petit Dejeuner
191 King Street East, Toronto, ON
416-703-1560
Cafe
Downtown
Venue:
Cafe
Hours:
Tue. to Fri.: 8:00am - 4:00pm Sat.: 9:00am - 3:00pm & Sun. 10:00am - 3:00pm
Price Range:
$$ (Affordable)
Payment:
Cash
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THE BUZZ
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IN THE AREA
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12 Reader Reviews | I read about this place and thought that it would be a good place to try. I am surprised and quite shocked, because I was under the impression that Torontonians had higher expectations and great taste buds. Because of the fact that this place is a walking distance to St-Lawrence, I was hoping to find fresh bread, not the "wonder bread" kind that we were given. I was also expecting to get yummy bacon, like double smoked bacon, instead I got some dry Maple leaf one. The coffee was just awful. The service was ok, nothing to make me want to go back. It is just too bad...
1. Bella Caramela's Review :: October 14, 2008 Bella Caramela's Rating: 1 Stars |
After being so excited about spending time with friends over brunch it quickly turned into one of the worst experiences I have ever encounted at a restaurant.
All this place cares about is turning over tables as fast as they can. The staff are far from friendly and just down right rude!
If you are looking to spend some quality time with people over breakfast/brunch this is NOT the place. Please do not waste your time, go to other establisments that are grateful for your business.
I was shocked at my experience...this is why I'm writing this.
Go to Joy Bistro for a wonderful breakfast with superb service!
2. Gen's Review :: June 09, 2008 Gen's Rating: 1 Stars |
My wife and I visited Toronto this past weekend, and based on some internet research we decided to try Le Petite Dejeuner for breakfast. All I can say is that it was one of the BEST breakfast experiences we have ever had!
First of all, the woman who was our server was extremely pleasant, and when she found out it was our first time at this restaurant she filled us in on the best dishes, and boy was she right!
We had the french toast, which was unreal! The bread is baked fresh, and we were told that they have no toasters in the restaurant, everything is toasted on a grill, which added to the experience. And the syrup was unbelievable as well, true maple syrup, not some store bought bottle.
We also ordered an eggs benny, which was reeeeeally good. And for both dishes, the presentation was exceptional.
This meal was one of the highlights of the trip, and I would recommend Le Petite Dejeuner (especially the home-made French toast!) to anyone looking for a great breakfast!
3. Anonymous's Review :: May 27, 2008 |
My wife and I visited Toronto this past weekend, and based on some internet research we decided to try Le Petite Dejeuner for breakfast. All I can say is that it was one of the BEST breakfast experiences we have ever had!
First of all, the woman who was our server was extremely pleasant, and when she found out it was our first time at this restaurant she filled us in on the best dishes, and boy was she right!
We had the french toast, which was unreal! The bread is baked fresh, and we were told that they have no toasters in the restaurant, everything is toasted on a grill, which added to the experience. And the syrup was unbelievable as well, true maple syrup, not some store bought bottle.
We also ordered an eggs benny, which was reeeeeally good. And for both dishes, the presentation was exceptional.
This meal was one of the highlights of the trip, and I would recommend Le Petite Dejeuner (especially the home-made French toast!) to anyone looking for a great breakfast!
4. Larry Goldstein's Review :: May 27, 2008 Larry Goldstein's Rating: 4 Stars |
I was part of an group that had been organized well in advance. The menu had been chosen and we had had to submit our requests in advance. They only had 2 servers with a full house...needless to say we waited a long time for everything. The food was very good and well presented however there was no bread on the table..no water..our meals came without the potatoes we were told in writing in advance that we would be getting..and when they served the wine it was less than half a glass...oh another thing we had been advised that coffee and tea would be included but there had been an error we were told so if we wanted any from these overworked girls it would be extra! Needless to say I will not be returning nor recommending this restaurant.
5. Anonymous's Review :: April 27, 2007 |
I was part of an group that had been organized well in advance. The menu had been chosen and we had had to submit our requests in advance. They only had 2 servers with a full house...needless to say we waited a long time for everything. The food was very good and well presented however there was no bread on the table..no water..our meals came without the potatoes we were told in writing in advance that we would be getting..and when they served the wine it was less than half a glass...oh another thing we had been advised that coffee and tea would be included but there had been an error we were told so if we wanted any from these overworked girls it would be extra! Needless to say I will not be returning nor recommending this restaurant.
6. Laurelie Campeau's Review :: April 27, 2007 Laurelie Campeau's Rating: 2 Stars |
I weas interested to read the latest review of Le Petit Dejeuner as I had almost the exact same experience there last summer. In fact, I posted a review on chowhound about what happened, and for some strange reason it was edited out by the next morning! Anyway...I had been to Le Petit many times for brunch on a Sunday and always enjoyed the buzz and the food. Even the waiting wasn't so bad. However, on this particular Sunday, I was the first of my party of three to arrive, so dutifully told the server I needed a table for three. I'll start by saying, I was never informed that if all three were not present when a table became available, we wouldn't be seated. That was never mentioned, and the server who was checking in with me regularly as to when a table would be available, had ample opportunity to let me know. The second of our party arrived after I had been waiting about 15 minutes, and then after another 10 or so minutes, a table became available. I knew our third would be arriving within minutes as I had just talked with him on the phone, however, he wasn't physically in the restaurant when the table became available. We were told we would have to keep waiting, and another server (not the one who had been checking in with me) whisked a trio from further back in the line ahead of us. Now, if we had been informed of "the rules" from the get-go, I could have understood the other server's actions, but given that I had been told I would have the first table for three that came available, the end result just wasn't right. In fact, the server who refused me the table was downright rude. I have not been back to this place since then, and really have made a point of telling friends about my experience. The food, at brunch at least, isn't quite what it was when Le Petit first opened, and with the wonderful Toba just down the street (where two weeks later, we were waiting for a third person to arrive, and were very happily seated anyway), there's really no reason for me to patronize Le Petit anymore. Hope this doesn't get edited out like my previous attempt to tell this story!
7. Anonymous's Review :: April 24, 2007 |
I weas interested to read the latest review of Le Petit Dejeuner as I had almost the exact same experience there last summer. In fact, I posted a review on chowhound about what happened, and for some strange reason it was edited out by the next morning! Anyway...I had been to Le Petit many times for brunch on a Sunday and always enjoyed the buzz and the food. Even the waiting wasn't so bad. However, on this particular Sunday, I was the first of my party of three to arrive, so dutifully told the server I needed a table for three. I'll start by saying, I was never informed that if all three were not present when a table became available, we wouldn't be seated. That was never mentioned, and the server who was checking in with me regularly as to when a table would be available, had ample opportunity to let me know. The second of our party arrived after I had been waiting about 15 minutes, and then after another 10 or so minutes, a table became available. I knew our third would be arriving within minutes as I had just talked with him on the phone, however, he wasn't physically in the restaurant when the table became available. We were told we would have to keep waiting, and another server (not the one who had been checking in with me) whisked a trio from further back in the line ahead of us. Now, if we had been informed of "the rules" from the get-go, I could have understood the other server's actions, but given that I had been told I would have the first table for three that came available, the end result just wasn't right. In fact, the server who refused me the table was downright rude. I have not been back to this place since then, and really have made a point of telling friends about my experience. The food, at brunch at least, isn't quite what it was when Le Petit first opened, and with the wonderful Toba just down the street (where two weeks later, we were waiting for a third person to arrive, and were very happily seated anyway), there's really no reason for me to patronize Le Petit anymore. Hope this doesn't get edited out like my previous attempt to tell this story!
8. Gianmarco Segato's Review :: April 23, 2007 Gianmarco Segato's Rating: 1 Stars |
After reading so many great reviews on this restaurant I decided to take a couple of people visiting from out of town for breakfast on Sunday. Three of us waited in line while the forth looked for parking. We were not allowed to be seated until our fourth person was with us, so needless to say we waited another 20 minutes for a table. We ordered and the food arrived and it was very good although once our food was dropped off we weren't asked if we wanted more coffee or anything else for that matter. We had to go up to the bar and ask for ketchup and again afterwards for coffee and water.
While I agree the food was quite good I wouldn't go back again based on the service alone.
9. Anonymous's Review :: March 26, 2007 |
After reading so many great reviews on this restaurant I decided to take a couple of people visiting from out of town for breakfast on Sunday. Three of us waited in line while the forth looked for parking. We were not allowed to be seated until our fourth person was with us, so needless to say we waited another 20 minutes for a table. We ordered and the food arrived and it was very good although once our food was dropped off we weren't asked if we wanted more coffee or anything else for that matter. We had to go up to the bar and ask for ketchup and again afterwards for coffee and water.
While I agree the food was quite good I wouldn't go back again based on the service alone.
10. JL's Review :: March 26, 2007 JL's Rating: 3 Stars |
Best eggs bennie in town - the hollandaise is light, lemony and flavourful! Apple slaw is signature accompaniment and very refreshing. Other food - ie - dinner equally delicious - homemade, fresh ingredients, Belgian-inspired cuisine which is eminently suitable for the cold Toronto fall-winter months. Very good value for money and pleasantly relaxing atmosphere.
11. AP's Review :: March 12, 2006 AP's Rating: 3 Stars |
We visit Le Petit Dejeneur pretty frequently for brunch--the apple slaw is unique and their eggs are always done well.
That being said, the service is poor at the best of times. Last Sunday, we were provided menus, but no one took our order for almost 20 minutes. We were sitting right in front of the bar, and three servers/hosts were milling about, chatting even, but no one stopped by to check if we were ready to order. When we did catch someone's eye, she said "somebody" would be over to help us. When "somebody" caught our eye, he pointed to another server, who didn't come by our table for another few minutes.
Similarly, on another visit, our order went in but took 30 minutes to come back out. The server apologized for "forgetting" about us, even though she walked by our empty table 6-7 times.
Clearly, we like the food, because we go so often, but my patience is wearing thin. Is the service bad because they're busy, or because they're too cool?
12. RKA's Review :: February 07, 2006 RKA's Rating: 2 Stars |
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191 King Street East, Toronto, ON |
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