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| Whitlocks Sunday Brunch |
“You mean ‘Life’s a
Beach’,” I corrected her, stressing the singular.
“No, I mean THE BEACHES,” she returned—rather forcefully, I
thought. “Come on, you’ll see,” she added and grabbed the ignition crystal to
my ToulouseMobile. She dropped it in my paw. “Let’s go!”
I guess she was feeling peckish too. I grabbed my beret and
sunglasses.
Never argue with a hungry woman.
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| Serving Sunday Brunch at Whitlocks |
The drive down Toronto’s Queen Street is itself a
sight-seeing trip. This commercial street runs east-west through many ethnic neighbourhoods,
reflecting international influences of funk and glam with old and new
architecture and original niche-style shops and cafes. We headed east on Queen through
Leslieville then eventually into ‘The Beaches’. Where I had a little epiphany.
Ah…. THE BEACHES… meow…
The Beaches is, in fact, a bohemian-style neighbourhood in
Toronto’s East end. Dominated by tree-lined streets and turn of the Century
Victorian/Edwardian houses turned into cafes and shops, The Beaches is a
popular destination for locals and tourists like me. It gets its name from the
expansive sandy beaches that line Lake Ontario just south of Queen Street.
Nina directed us to Whitlocks Restaurant on the south side
of the street, just across from a very inviting pub-style bistro called Lion on
the Beach (I took note for another time).
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| Patio of Whitlocks |
Whitlocks invited with its side patio dining and original historical
turn of the century storefront. Wood-framed windows opened up Italian-style to
the breeze, providing indoor-eating with an intimate link to the outdoors. One
set of windows had been converted into a buffet-style serving area for an
elaborate brunch. Two chefs prepared savory custom omelets to a bevy of
customers milling on the street and holding out their plates in anticipation.
We entered and seated ourselves in the outdoor patio beneath
the blue and white awning, where Jose our friendly and attentive waiter took
our order. He directed us through the restaurant to where the buffet spread out
all the way to the front. There, we stepped back onto the street to order our
custom omelets from Kunam and Suthan through the window. Kunam was pretty handy
with the pan as he flipped his freshly made omelet into the air for a customer with
the panache of a seasoned chef (I think he was showing off in front of us)…
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| Kunam and Suthan serving hot Brunch |
Whitlocks serves its Sunday Harvest Brunch Buffet between 9
and 3 pm. For $20 you get all you can eat (kids half price), which includes a
rich variety of delicious savories, meats, egg dishes and sweets that vary from
week to week. Today Whitlocks offered: shepherd’s pie, eggs Benedict and eggs
Florentine, custom omelet, roast beef, mussels, mixed vegetable rice, sausage,
pancakes, tasty home fries, and renowned waffles, complete with fruit sauces
and real whipped cream. And that was just the beginning! They also served Greek
salad, chick pea salad, potato salad, coleslaw, fresh fruit, aromatic
fresh-baked brownies, banana bread, and oh-so-exquisite tiramisu. Juice and
coffee were included. The food was tastefully
cooked to perfection. And it filled my little belly to perfection too!
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| Kunum showing us the art of omelet-flipping |
Sitting in the patio, I leaned back and drank the richly
brewed coffee over my Tiramisu and watched the trees rustle in the invigorating
wind. Within a few minutes, it began to rain. A typical Toronto thunderstorm
was brewing. The rain swiftly turned into a deluge and pelted down hard,
pounding the awning and umbrellas like a drum roll. The wind gusted and the
rain decided to fall sideways, soaking patrons who laughed gleefully—we were in
The Beaches, after all! Jose ushered us inside out of the misbehaving rain. Nina
giggled and pointed to one young couple, who were crawling inside through the
open window, plates of food precariously balanced in their outstretched hands.
We rescued our desserts and settled inside with a view of
the refreshing downpour, and glad to be dry. The wood and brick walls and funky
1960’s lamps of Whitlock’s high ceilings provides a relaxed and cozy atmosphere
inviting friendly chats over coffee or a main meal.
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| Whitlocks interior |
The building remains close to its original form when Philip Whitelocks,
a clergyman from England, constructed it in 1891. The clergyman ran a grocery
store and post office in the front and a Baptist church in the back. In 1925 it
became the first Black Diamond Cheese Factory. Then in 1985 it grew a “Famous
Nose” and ten years later it drew the attention of Dimitri Panayiotou, son of
master chef Yianni, of the late King Farouk. The current owner, Radha from Sri
Lanka, is also Whitlock’s main chef (“The Peoples Chef”), cooking up a storm of
wonderful international dishes to an equally international clientele. During
the short time that I was there, I recognized French, German and Italian, among
more exotic languages spoken among the patrons. Whitlock’s serves quality food and
drink with an international menu of soups, appetizers and main dishes, complete
with friendly service and a relaxed cosmopolitan atmosphere, conducive to
lingering.
I was reminded of Ramsis Café on the World in Louisville, KY,
another bistro-style restaurant that showcases international cuisine of
impeccable quality.
Whitlocks: go for the brunch; linger for the dinner.
Contact: 1961 Queen Street East, The Beaches (Toronto);
647-260-0604
