Brunch at Fire on the East Side

Tucked away from the hustle, bustle and grit of Yonge Street, Fire on the East Side does truly feel like 'your neighbourhood restaurant.' Over the years, they've won over the neighbourhood by their creative menus (brunch & dinner), good food, and a great patio - so great in fact people still enjoy it well into the fall months (it's heated).

A warning about the brunch menu, there are so many appetizing sounding things on it, you will no doubt have a tough time deciding what to order. On this particular brunch excursion, the following two dishes were ordered - the toad in the hole - an over easy egg baked into brioche bread with mixed greens, cucumber, avocado salsa, feta, and the breakfast poutine - a poached egg on top of home fries, pulled pork, monterey jack, and chipotle hollandaise (both $11). Word had travelled that Fire had a breakfast poutine and I needed to try it, ASAP. When it was put down in front of me, it looked incredible, but I was a bit frightened for one main reason - it also looked terribly unhealthy. Katie tried to justify my worries - 'the egg is good for you, the pork is protein, the cheese and fries aren't terrible,' but it didn't help. However this sort of thing has never stopped me before, so for the sake of this blog and you, the followers (including big shout out to Kate and Brendan), I obviously ate it. And it was really good. The pork was incredibly juicy, the sauce was incredibly rich and the cheese incredibly gooey - all mixing together with the egg and fries for a ridiculous combination. I would recommend this more for a hangover cure, not when you're completely sober, because you'll feel too guilty.

A few side notes - they bring out banana bread before you order, cute. You have to use the washrooms downstairs in Fly nightclub, not cute. The restaurant should have its own washrooms! The service has always been great.