Pigeon Cafe Toronto
Pigeon Cafe is the first Toronto location of the popular brand hailing from Montreal. Known for their brunch menu and tree inside, the restaurant offers a dizzying amount of brunch to dinner options.
Originally an espresso bar, the story of Pigeon began as a small coffee shop next to Concordia University. Fast forward to today and they're now a successful chain with this location being its fourth.
They offer "coffee to cocktails" daily making this a great spot for meetings, dates and brunch that happen at random times of the day.
The space is bright during the day with large arched mirrors on the walls, creating an expansive effect and moody and romantic evening from the twinkling lights of the tree.
The theme of a bistro can be seen in the choice of chairs both inside and outside.
Owners Jonathan Dresner and Arie Dimant tapped Rishika Bhansali fromNadegeto lead the kitchen and build a brand new menu that would include Toronto specific items.
In a nod to Dresner's heritage, the menu has Challah, Matzah Ball Soup, and plenty of Lox options. Overall, the menu offers a wide range of flavours and influences from American to French and Middle Eastern.
Bhansali has created a Croissant French Toast ($20) that's filled with crème anglaise and fried golden. Finished with mascarpone and macerated vodka berries it's a fun item, especially when cutting it open.
All the shakshukas come with a challah and this Halloumi & Labneh ($20) one features roasted red peppers, tahini, mint and pomegranate.
It's not a brunch without pancakes and these are the Pigeon's Famous Blueberry Pancakes ($20) found in all their Montreal locations. A classic buttermilk served with a generous pour of maple syrup.
The Smoked Salmon Avo Toast ($21) comes on Blackbird sourdough and features an interesting lemon Hollandaise that's poured over the poached egg from a mousse can.
Out of all the breakfast items, the Crème Fraiche Scrambled Eggs with Kaluha Caviar ($32) were a standout. These are unforgettable super soft, melt-in-your-mouth eggs.
The same scramble can be found in the Breakfast Sandwich ($17) that comes with chives and cheese on a challah bun.
If you're a lox fan, there's a Smoked Salmon Tower ($40) for you. All the fixings like whipped ricotta, cream cheese, pickled fennel and shallots, and capers come with a plate of bagels.
Sip on a simple latte ($4.50) or an Aperol Spritz ($15) if you're feeling boozy.
A great mocktail to try if you like sour notes is The Rosey ($11). Sweet strawberry is punched with lime and a fragrant rosemary sprig.
Transitioning to the dinner menu, we have the House Charcuterie Board ($35) composing of brie, Gorgonzola, pastrami, prosciutto, Calabrese, grainy mustard, grapes and hot honey. All the cheese is from theCheese Boutique.
Pair it with a glass of the City Bird ($17), a white rum and Campari mixture with pineapple and lime.
A classic Pigeon Espresso Martini ($18) uses espresso made from in-house beans, vodka, and Kahlua to offer a dark bitter experience.
If you're in the mood for something warm, try the French Onion Soup ($14). A brioche lays waiting beneath the gooey layers of mozzarella.
The Pigeon Salad ($17) is a Montreal favourite, a mix of radicchio, romaine, dates, corn and feta tossed in a champagne vinaigrette.
甜菜汉堡(21美元)是一个超级软帕蒂with a fresh mint cilantro sauce- choose from a side of fries or salad.
My personal favourite was the Red Ceviche ($21) reminiscent of Spanish summers. Chunky prawn and squid in a tangy tomato sauce can be scooped up with house chips.
All the pasta is fromFamiglia Baldassarreand the Truffle Cacio e Pepe ($27) uses a wide Calamarata shape to hold the heap of truffle shavings.
Shrimp Scampi Tagliatelle ($30) is a standard dish, with lemon, Parmesan and parsley.
The Chilean Sea Bass ($42) was a surprising dish, a perfectly seared buttery fillet on a sweet mess of tomato, olive, caper reduction makes a great summer dish.
The Steak au Poivre ($45) was a AAA filet mignon cooked to a perfect medium-rare served on a peppercorn whisky sauce and frites.
Finish the meal with Bhansali's personal favourite Decadent Chocolate Cake ($15). It's a dense cake layered with ganache and topped with feuilletine pieces and berries. Chocolate lovers only.
Dimant and Dresner hope to fit into the area, offering a "casual fun dining spot during the day and a sexy elevated experience at night for the neighbourhood."
Pigeon Cafe is located at 337 King St. West.
Fareen Karim
