Location:

812 Queen Street East, Toronto

Hours: Tues to Fri: 8 -5
Sat: 8-4
Sun: 8 - 3

Cost: an average dish is about $8 (and it's CASH only)

This is the view you're guaranteed to get when you're lined up outside Bonjour Brioche on a busy Saturday or Sunday morning for breakfast/brunch. Yes. It gets that packed. Somehow that and the curt service doesn't seem to put off patrons who show up every weekend for a bit of breakfast or a quick take-away baguette or tart. I know I haven't been put off. In fact, if you're lucky enough to score a seat in this crowded establishment and shrug off the no-nonsense behaviour of the wait-staff, you'll find yourself eating (and eating well) in one of the best breakfast nooks in the city.



Croque Madame: toasted brioche layered with ham and gruyère and topped with a fried egg



Croissants: chocolate, almond and custard....all were very good and not overly buttery or eggy tasting.



Freshly squeezed orange juice, a nicoise salad, a sandwich of some form (I don't remember which kind my friend ordered) and scrambled eggs with smoked salmon (topped with chives, creamy horseradish and caviar).



Cheesy quiche with a mixed greens salad and a toasted and buttered baguette.

Next time I'll have to try the french toast which seemed to be on most people's plates! It's hard not to notice when their meal could practically be mine when seated so close!

So, if you don't mind being tightly packed into the small (and warm) space, Bonjour Brioche is well worth a visit. Speaking of which, It seems the last two times I've been has been in April of '06 and '07....I'd say it's about time for another visit.