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603 Yonge Street, Toronto ON 416-920-6288 www.brownstonebistro.ca Map Approx $30 per person Local Food? some local ingredients Local Wine/Beer? very small selection |
Lunch, Dinner Mon to Sun: 11am to 11pm |
Amidst all the frenzy of maximizing efficiency and saving time in the name of convenience, one-stop fast food shops are thriving, as expected. It’s getting harder to dedicate one’s time to the simple sensation of having a restaurant meal, cooked for you by someone who takes pleasure in the art of culinary invention..
But sometimes, stopping to smell the roses is exactly the kind of therapy that’s needed during a busy week. Brownstone restaurant is a one such rose, popular for its lazy Sunday brunches and its outdoor patio, both of which encourage languid behaviour. The brick exterior leads into a large, cozy room, with enough space for a large group to sit comfortably, yet it has an intimate atmosphere that lets you forget your busy surroundings. To the left, after entering, is another, beautifully furnished dining room, reserved for private engagements. I’ve seen it several times through the front window, always wondering what it was for. I recently found out, when I was given a brief tour of the restaurant.
The menu is wildly varied, and creatively presented – they offer everything from sandwiches to fish to steak to pizza and pasta. The salads offer choices such as the Warm Goat Cheese Salad ($6.50), or the Chicken Kebab Salad ($8). Appetizers include Tomato & Onion Bruschetta ($5.50), Vegetable Spring Rolls ($5), and Crab & Artichoke Dip ($7). The pizzas are really tasty; try the Pizza Primavera or the Pizza Arrabiata ($11). From the Grill, there’s New York Cut Steak with spicy fries & sautéed mushrooms ($13), Chicken Breast with garlic mashed potatoes in rosé sauce ($13), or Tiger Shrimp & Chicken Kebabs served over steamed rice with teriyaki glazed vegetables & spicy mango salsa ($13).
The sandwiches are huge, and very filling – choose from the Grilled Chicken Baguette ($8), the Veal Foccacia ($8), or the Chicken Quesadilla ($8.50), among other choices. Lastly, there’s the pasta, and some choices are the Frutti Di Mare Pasta ($12), the Fusilli Al Olio ($10), and the Penne Arrabiata ($11).
In the tradition of maximizing culinary enjoyment, Brownstone’s service is also very relaxed. The waiters are around, but here, no one feels pressed for time. If you’re with a large group, allow extra time for lunch. Drinks are almost always a medium for salvation, and Brownstone doesn’t disappoint. If you’re not pressed for time, enjoy your drink with their excellent brownies or any of their other desserts.
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