Quick hit: Art Square Cafe

Artsqaure cafe

During a weekend trip to toronto, i was able to check out this little cafe across from the AGO for brunch with fellow blogger Lindsay of threehundredsixtysixdays.com. (look at that, i'm already part of the blogger community with blogger friends doing stuff to blog about!) Upon entering it, one could feel that the designer had put in sometime in and the investors had put in some money. The front half is a sleek looking gallery featuring a number of different photographers with a cafe in the 2nd half specializing in crepes and chocolate truffles, with a strong Turkish influence.

The menu is intriguing and somewhat exciting, with a couple odd pairings, especially on the savoury side; (chocolate and chicken, blue cheese and shrimp).

Both of us decided to go with the Canadian breakfast crepe, 2 sunny side eggs with 2 strips of chicken bacon on a crepe filled with mozzarella and a side of home made jam. linds opted for the soy latte, me a 2nd cup of coffee since i had finished the one i ordered while i waited for linds to arrive.

Food itself was quality, it was the finer points of service that they need to work on. The edges were rough, but you could tell they were trying hard so instead of it being frustrating, there was a certain cuteness to it. plus since we both lean more to the benefit of the doubt and weren't in a rush, we let things slide.

there were little things that was off, like adding a 2nd milk container to the table for coffee when the first one was far from finished (they do warm the milk though) or serving a latte that was on the wrong side of boiling, which is things that one could let slide. On the other hand, when we are the only 2 people in the place, order the same food at the same time, it's expected to arrive at the table at the same time. Unfortunately that didn't happen. It feels like if they ever get more then 3 orders at a time, they'd be smoked.

Strong menu and decor, with the errors in service something that could be easily improved, i suggest checkin' it out.

3 squiggs out of 5

Guest Blog Comments from Lindsay of threehundredsixtysixdays.com

During Date Month (31 Day 31 Dates - check it out on the blog), I look at everywhere through the filter of "would I bring a date to this place?". The food was enjoyable and they were trying really hard, but I agree with everything Robin said. The fine details were missing that could make the experience great. That being said, the relaxed atmosphere made it easy to chat and therefore I say that yes, I would bring a date here, as long as I wasn't in a rush!