Saving Grace
907 Dundas Street West
416-703-7368
Brunch for two with all taxes, tip, coffee and a muffin: $40

The first time I went to Saving Grace, I was sceptical of it’s ability to charm me. It felt overly trendy with its minimalist birch tables and spherical Ikea lights, and too pricey - as a fairly new Toronto brunch-goer, I thought paying ten bucks for a plate of eggs was ridiculous. But I should have known by the line-up to get in and the jam-packed tables inside that there was a good thing going on. Despite the wait, there’s rarely any other brunch spot these days that I feel like hauling ass to on a Saturday afternoon.

Occupying a small space on the increasingly-gentrified strip of Dundas West of Bathurst, Saving Grace’s sparse interior has grown on me. There’s interesting art hanging on the white walls and an old, busted up mirror above the door. Cups, saucers and plates are mismatched, as are the chairs. The service is friendly and the music good - a mix of indie rock (The New Pornographers) and classics (Bob Dylan). The menu plays second fiddle to the specials listed on the large hanging chalkboard. Although regular menu items are delicious - including corn cakes with mango salsa (these can be ordered individually for $2.75) and a sandwich of avocado, tomato, lettuce and rosemary mayo on toasted raisin bread - Saving Grace outdoes itself with its egg specials (”Eggs of the Moment”). On the weekends, there are several eggy specials to choose from - scramble, fritatta, omelette, poached - as well as a tartine, waffles, and a sandwich.

Never one for a sweet brekky, I always go for an egg dish at Saving Grace. I’ve had some fabulous combos - scrambled eggs with black beans and guacamole on corn tostadas, poached eggs with smoked salmon, goat’s cheese crostadas and greens - and my latest choice is no exception. My scramble ($10.50) comes with oven-dried tomatoes, broccoli, and leeks, plus a generous load of provolone which is perfectly melted in. The eggs, like always, are remarkably fluffy - I can never get mine to turn out quite as good. They’re sided with roasted potato wedges - just a tad too chewy - and a slice of thick buttered sourdough toast. My brunch companion goes for the omelette ($10.50), which is wrapped in a tortilla with refried beans and topped with pomegranate-studded guacamole and sour cream. Coffee ($1.50), although not included in the entree price, garners free refills. The Earl Grey tea I order comes in a small china teapot, with a tea strainer that doesn’t fit the top. It’s nice and fresh, but impossible to pour without spilling. Saving Grace also offers freshly squeezed juice, iced coffee (”espressado”) and an avocado shake.

Although my eggs leave me stuffed (as always), I grab one of the fabulous-looking muffins ($3) to go. It’s delicious, and tastes like cinnamon-infused banana bread with a crumbly oat and brown sugar topping. The snack, filled with its organic ingredients and bursting with flavour, reminds me of what Saving Grace is all about: trendy to a tee, but not about to skimp on quality or taste.