I've had better brunch. The toast is great and their jam is quite special. Mocha is to die for. But, one of our egg benedict came out cold. The flavor was not worth the wait. read more

The Senator - The good plate - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

I had the Huevos Rancheros or something like that and it was pretty decent. When my waitress asked me how I wanted my eggs done, I said poached? And she said no problem. I was impressed. The poached egg was perfect, except I caught a bit of egg shell. The corizo sausage was good but not spicy enough for my taste. The corn bread was good but not sweet enough but that is ok. The beans were cooled perfectly but lacked seasoning. So I asked for tobasco sauce but it never came. I also had earls grey tea and I opeded the teapot head requesting more hot water to be filled and it wasn't till I finished my breakfast thay another waitress walked by asking if I wanted more water and I said yes. This place has a nice decor with homy feel and I can tell the food is well prepared in general but wasn't outstanding overall. I think what is popular is the senator special which is basically full farmers breakfast with tea under $8. read more

The Senator - Huevos R - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

What a shame! My last meal in Toronto (after being here for 10 days) I chose specifically to come back for a 5th time to The Senator. The service was not the best, was told to choose my own seat whilst the handsome dude greeting me carried on stamping paper cups. The person who approached the table where I sat, looked like a homeless guy from the street with the charisma of a baked bean. The friendliest person by far was one if the pot wash guys, smiling and saying excuse me as he passed everyone, even wished a lady who he inadvertently tapped, 'a great day'... Hmmmm emotional intelligence apart, the management needs to rethink it's customer facing personnel... And thinking back, the last visit, the lady server was far from what you would expect from such a highly rated place. SORRY Senator, you need to book up your ideas as your customer facing staff are letting you down, or your hiring process... Either way, its your call... Remember my money, and that of potential customers will spend just about anywhere! read more

I want to start off first by letting everyone know that this review is only based off of the 2 dishes my husband and I had for breakfast and not the service. The gals who took care of us were very sweet and polite and didn't even know that we weren't feeling the food. I saw that the heuevos breakfast was a popular choice , I don't eat sausage links but will eat chorizo served in this very popular breakfast dish (pretty much every where it is offered, everywhere I go) so when the plate came to the table and I saw a giant ball park Frank hot dog looking sausage starring and me I wasn't too thrilled, along side some lonely looking back beans and a few slices of beefsteak tomato and a few slices of avocado and some eggs I knew I had made the wrong choice. I decided to give the sausage a go.....bad idea. It tasted like ground up rubber and did not taste like the parts of an animal that should be eaten. That one bite repeated on my poor stomach for hrs after. Husband ordered a traditional breakfast, not too shabby but absolutely nothing to write home about. Honestly , the best part of the meals was the sourdough bread that came with my husband's meal. The good news is that thankfully it wasn't my last meal (which is always a fear after I have a bad meal) Who knows the restaurant could have some other great dishes but I would skip breakfast the next time I go. read more

First let me say, the people that work here are sooooo nice! And they are very good looking. Not like supermodel, but like normal very human good looking and you want to hang around with them for the afternoon. Like they are friends of the people on "Friends" Anyway... The food is very good. Perfect latte Didn't know what to order it all looked good so I got the Senator and was not disappointed. Get the challah bread. Yum. I might come back for the bacon alone. Mmmm Next time gotta try pancakes. The guy next to me is wolfing his down and the girl he's with keeps eating it off his plate, looks like there might have a fight over them... read more

The Senator - The Senator and a Latte. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Make sure the Flux Capaator has 1.22 Gigawatts because you are about to travel through time. You have to come here. Just come. It is a Toronto staple. FULL bar. So full... Fun staff. Very hip. Breakfast, lunch or dinner. Smack in the heart of downtown. Grab a bite then spend all your money at The Eaton Centre. Go shopping! Fancy stores around here... You deserve it. Great pre-theater bite before Elgin or Mirvish (beautiful theaters) show. Look how cultural we are! Senator has great coffee too. Possibly hippest restaurant in TO. Just come. K thanks. read more

The atmosphere inside is nice though you can feel a little lack of air when you sit the farthest from the entrance. The food is not bad though the desert was too sweet. We liked the waiter a lot as he was very friendly and helpful and knowledgeable about menu. read more

Went there on a weekday late morning and tables were about 3/4 filled. I ordered their open face omelette which was mediocre and the home fries were too oily. This place is good for a one time visit to experience eating in an old school diner. The price for the senator omelette is also on a high side. read more

The Senator - Senator Omelette - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Went here on a whim, was downtown with time to kill. Place is more packed than I would expect on a Monday morning, but still clearly well-patroned, which makes me glad I did not do this during a busy time :) Staff was super friendly, and they had fun banter which each other. Had a big traditional breakfast, eggs, toast, beans, pancake, etc... The pancake was really fluffy, and I know the place says osmething about producing their own jam or maple syrup or something, but those two things were super flavourful and probably the highlight of my whole experience. I had an apple butter? jam, and I don't even like jam in general but I very much enjoyed the flavour when lightly placed on my toast. The decor is very in line with your classic diner decor (this one very much celebrating how it has existed since 1948) but it's a very well put together establishment. It's pricy than a lot of other traditional diner fare, but it's very good diner fare. read more

The food has generous size and great taste! I ordered the senator burger, and boy was it huge for me. It's 9.95 without extra toppings. My friend got fish and chips. The fried fish had this nice layer of crunchiness and soft interior. Overall we see satisfied with the dining experience. The restaurant itself is very classy. The seats are a bit small because the whole restaurant is very narrow and long. The servers are very friendly and efficient too. I would love to visit this place again. read more

The Senator - Fish and chips (black cod) with home fries and cole slaw - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

I found this place on Yelp! A group of us were looking for a good place for breakfast, and Yelp led us there. This was a great place, and I liked the local atmosphere. The food was great. I had the Senator Breakfast. My colleagues were also very satisfied. Warning, though. The house made hot sauce is made with scotch bonnet. A little goes a long way. read more

Quick weekend trip to Toronto and this place had the best pancakes! I ordered the ones with banana in them. The pancakes were crispy on the outside and super soft on the inside. Also ordered the French toast and Mac and cheese. Mac and cheese had 6 different cheeses it was good but to watery/milky for my taste. The service was great, the wait time wasn't too bad and building has a historic value to it. read more

The Senator - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

Great spot for brunch! The place itself is not the biggest and we waited about 15-20 minutes, but throughout the wait, the waitress kept checking back with us to make sure we're comfortable. Now, the food. First of all, their pancakes, amazing! (You can order them as a side). Their portion size is pretty good, so you are getting a bang for your buck. Their food also taste amazing, you can't really go wrong with anything that you order... Love this place, great service, great good, and fairly priced! Will definitely be back to try more of their menu :) read more

The Senator - Chai latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

Sweet brunch spot upstairs!! There was only one waitress so service was a little bit slow. But the food was absolutely yummy and came in great portion. Super full after we finished them! read more

The Senator - Yummmmm! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

Went for breakfast at the diner and was led upstairs to the new space and were promised the same menu but the items were completely different. The upstairs menu had 5-6 mains, with a list of baked goods. Tried the following: 1. Soft scrambled with ham and avocado - nothing special. Can order a similar meal at any other diner. 2. Croque madam - again, nothing special, especially for $20. You literally get a small ham and cheese sandwich with a side of pickles. 3. Jalapeño corn bread - dry and could not taste any jalapeños. Was very odd that they drizzled sweet syrup over it. Giving 3 stars because the breakfast downstairs is good. Don't be misled by the hostess when you come in. Upstairs was underwhelming and especially irritating when the staff was trying to convince people to go upstairs with the pretence of having the same menu. read more

We had a nice Sat dinner during a four day trip to Toronto. After reading Yelp reviews, I called around 5 pm to make a reservation and was told they don't schedule reservations after 7:30, just come in and there should no trouble getting a table, which turned out to be true. The restaurant is near the Mirvish theater and it gets busy before shows so it would be a good idea to call about the need for a reservation. The vibe is upscale old school charming diner. They have a full bar, although I don't think that's advertised on their web site. The staff are very friendly and appear to get along well. I had the vegetable curry after the server said the chef is Indian. It was pretty good but not as good as what I'd get from a decent Indian restaurant...but I wasn't at a decent Indian restaurant! It was a tad pricey at $24 but I would definitely go back to try more dishes. Hubby had the mussels and received a huge portion that would have fed 2-3 folks. He liked it. The chef was kind enough to prepare the youngest an off menu grilled cheese and fries since that's what she was craving. #1 had the lemon garlic chicken and said it was good. One of the servers let the kiddos pick candy from the candy case and gave us the last piece of coconut cream pie in the glass pie dish. The servers probably sized us up as generous tourists and chatted with us about what we had been doing since arriving in Toronto. Dining out is always more enjoyable when the restaurant staff appear to like each other and their jobs. Kudos to the staff for making us feel at home! read more

Great little brunch spot for a Sunday afternoon. Be prepared to wait a minute but it is well worth it. Reasonably priced dishes and great quality. Service was quick and efficient. Will be back for sure. read more

The Senator - Bacon eggs benny - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

My table had two burgers during the morning rush hour. I felt like the burgers themselves were a tad too undercooked, as it was so bloody. It also wasn't that great a patty too and it paled in comparison to even the fast food burger establishment's. But the entire restaurant itself was...old, but wasn't entirely cleaned properly, as i could see some crumbs fall between the cushions. The prices for the food was also exceptionally really high (21$ for a burger and fries at a diner?). I would give this place another chance as I see the establishment as a specialized breakfast/brunch and rating them on a burger meal isn't exactly fair. Service: 4/5 Food: 3/5 Price: 2/5 Overall: 2.5/5 read more

Good stuff. Five star diner for sure. Kids loved the pancakes. I love my omelette. Service was friendly and great.

I had an amazing work lunch in the private dining room upstairs. Let me tell you it's more than burgers and pankcakes. The food was very well done and the serine was outstanding. We had oysters, lamb and fresh honey comb. The wine selection was French and VQA from Ontario. I was thoroughly impressed. read more

See all

Classic / delicious "diner type" restaurant. The environment, has stated above, is like a diner. Light music was playing in the background, made for a inviting atmosphere. The server was friendly and knowledgeable of the menu and made recommendations. The food was excellent, especially the buttermilk pancakes. Also - the espresso was surprisingly good. It's a little pricey for a diner, you are in downtown Tor. Overall, great place and I'd recommend it. read more

The customer service was AMAZING. They were so sweet and happy early In the morning. Definitely recommend the benedicts! read more

See all

I was extremely disappointed by this highly rated restaurant. If a brunch place cannot get their $18 pancake and hash browns right, I really have no kind words to say! One star for location and one star for getting grilled cheese right! read more

Eggs benny was to die for! That biscuit though!!! Delish! And the smoked salmon was fab! Loved every bite! It's pricy but it's worth it! And great atmosphere! read more

The Senator - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

This place is ALWAYS incredible. GREAT service, 1950s interior, this place is so neat it gives me the chills to be inside! A place with real character from bygone era! The pancakes are to DIE FOR, buttermilk, Caramel and Banana, really ALL the pancakes! They come with REAL maple syrup and plenty of melted sweet butter. And you MUST try the fantastic eggs Benedict - this is some grade A food. read more

The Senator - Classic Eggs Benedict! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

I went and had breakfast there I had bacon and eggs with coffee My friend had the eggs Benedict with tea Total with tip $51 Expensive for breakfast however I will say this: It was high quality ingredients. It's not - greasy spoon. It was delicious! read more

Went in on a busy Sunday, wait-time wasn't bad, was told about 30mins, got a table within 10-15mins, which is great. Ordered "The Classic" for brunch. I would say that for the price of $18, the portions were somewhat small (only 2 eggs). The potatoes were okay, nothing too special. I also find that charging $8 for an extra side of breakfast sausages is somewhat excessive. I was excited to try their "housemade preserves" which is their freshly in-house made jam, however sadly did not enjoy the flavour... Overall, I find that pricing is a bit too high for underwhelming portions and food, and for that reason likely won't be going back. I would say however, that their maple baked beans was delicious! And the service was wonderful! read more

Been meaning to go for a while; pleasantly surprised. Beef and barley soup ad blt is A OK with me! read more

The Senator - BLT and beef barley soup - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

The senator is an amazing restaurant right by Yonge-Dundas square! It's very busy. I stopped in for dinner rather early (around 4:30) and had was told we could only be there an hour because the restaurant was fully booked in the evening. I think there was a show at the Ed mirvish so that's not surprising. All of the food was amazing!! The staff was kind and very friendly. He prom chop is delicious. read more

I had high expectations on my first visit to the Senator and unfortunately, my expectations remain unmet. We arrived at about 11:45 and there was a line at the door already. I've never been here so I had no idea it was so small. My colleague had suggested we get there early and I was glad we did. We were seated not long after and were able to check out the menu. Definitely not suitable for groups. Sadly, what I wanted wasn't available at lunch time (off the breakfast menu) so I ended up with a grilled cheese and my friend and I split an order of fries. She got the grain bowl and a mushroom soup. The food came pretty quickly and the grilled cheese was good, if nothing special. Lots of REAL cheese, nicely toasted. Came with a side of forgettable coleslaw that I tried to get into a few times but ended up left on the plate. The fries were good but were either under cooked or had been sitting around for a while because they certainly weren't crisp and hot out of the fryer. I got a coke as my drink and when they delivered a bottle of coke, old school bottle, my friend commented how neat it was. Well... if I'd known it was gonna cost me $3 for one bottle of pop, I would have had water. When the bill came, I was SHOCKED that our modest lunch had cost us almost $45! My friend had soup, the grain bowl and a coffee and we split fries, I had the grilled cheese and a bottle of pop. I was really surprised to see that a side of fries cost $4.50. What??? Potatoes cost NOTHING. My friend had commented her coffee tasted terrible (and that she would normally have had three cups of theirs because she likes it so much) and they took it off the bill. We would have been over $50 if that had been on our bill. The Senator is an institution... and I have no idea why. Maybe I need to try some more dishes but this is not the epitome of diner food that I came expecting. The menu was actually surprisingly small, most of the lunch/dinner page is all drinks/specialty coffee. The restaurant itself is small, small enough that it would be a deterrent to me coming back with anyone. I work at Ryerson and went with a colleague. If we'd wanted to talk about anything work-related, would have had plenty of eavesdroppers. I felt like the people at the next table were on top of us and some of the other patrons were disruptively noisy simply because of how close we were to each other. I also felt like this place was just too hustle bustle for me - with how small it was, I felt like that amplified the busy atmosophere. My friend was super excited to hear that the Senator was doing Vegan Fridays, as she'd been told the last time she was there, but today they weren't doing it because they "didn't have time". You really shouldn't advertise something like that, that caters to a set of folks with specific dietary needs, unless you're going to come through reliably. On the way out, my friend was raving about their cookies so she bought us two, one to split and one to take home to my hubby. Nothing special and certainly not worth the $7 for two cookies that she paid (no tax). I was looking forward to a soft delicious cookie and its basically just crumbly and sad. Disappointing at best, I won't even bother finishing my half of the half cookie, its going in the garbage. Overall, a disappointing visit to a Toronto institution. I have no plans to go back and try anything else; if I want a good, tasty, filling, affordable lunch, there are TONS of other places nearby where you won't have to wait for a teeny booth and overpriced food. Frankly, if you want greasy spoon diner food, go down the road to Frans. I'm always happy with the food I get there, the portions are generous and the price is right for what you're getting. read more

I wish I had known about this place sooner. The food and service here is amazing. HOT TIP - Call for a reservation. This place gets full in a hurry. I was lucky to get in without a reservation. read more

The brunch was as good as we remember and expected, the service warm and fast. The challah alone would have been worth the trip. The place was squeaky clean! read more

Thank God for the Senator. As foodies we lurch from trend to trend, our consciences flowering and withering with the seasons. In summer and fall, we pig out on local and sustainable food. By winter, we realize that we live in Canada, and the only local food is ice, which will keep our drinks fresh but otherwise provide cold comfort. We flit around the globe and flirt with regional cuisines, debating the authenticity of our city's reproductions despite never setting foot outside the continent. It's fun, but occasionally demanding. Sometimes you just want a good burger, salad or mildly greasy breakfast, and that's what the Senator delivers; quickly, and with a smile. The Senator's breakfast is legendary. Basic food groups are all represented; protein, carbs, bacon, more bacon, and other stuff that I don't care about. A request for burnt bacon results in properly crispy curlicues that shatter on contact with my fork, splintering into perfectly over-easy eggs, through which I drag slices of challah toast. Good homefried potatoes, Baked beans and token fruit garnish make up the rest of the plate. It's nothing I couldn't make at home, but tastes so much better because all I had to do was roll out of bed and choose the right direction on the subway. The lunch/dinner menu sticks to reliable favourites. Grilled cheese arrives on more challah; sunny orange melting into dense egg bread, which in turn is fried to a golden crisp. It comes with salad or fries. Both are good, but you didn't come here for salad, did you? If you did, you're better off with a roaring garlic Caesar, or the Cobb, which with it's combination of iceberg, tomato, bacon, blue cheese, chicken and avocado, may just be nature's most perfect food. An appetizer wedge salad riffs on many of the same flavours. in summer, the travel-hearty lettuce is a subtle rebuke to effete local baby organic kissy kissy shmoopypants mesclun blends. Yes, I just questioned the manhood of salad greens. A Monte Cristo sandwich is surprisingly light, while the club features in-house roasted, slightly overcooked chicken, and more of that fabulous bacon with fresh tomatoes on more challah. Burgers are just damn beefy good. To write more would do an injustice to this noble former cow. Fish and chips covers a massive plate. Cole slaw is puckeringly sour, but a good contrast to beer batter and lovely thin fries. The fish itself is fresh; two pieces make for a massive dinner. Macaroni and cheese is never as good as homemade, but not for want of trying. The full-of-stuff version is a rare departure from the menu's penchant for classics. While bacon, mushrooms and caramelized onions do wonders for burgers, they make my inner five year old-you know, the one who would pay more than ten bucks for a plate of noodles in cheese sauce-weep. Stick to the basic version. Get a salad on the side so you can say you ate your vegetables. Coffee varies from dishwater to delicious, depending on who mans the pot. Unsweetened iced tea (a rarity in Toronto) renders it unnecessary. A pity that they charge for it by the glass. I yearn for a better refill policy. Desserts vary, including fresh fruit pies in season. I'm sure they're delicious, but I rarely finish my main plate, much less order more. You can't go wrong here. Simple food, served in a room steeped in diner history, by a family that once literally anchored Toronto's downtown. Let the neighbourhood change; whether surrounded by crumbling hotels and peeler bars, or hidden by futuristic condos and mega malls, I'll take the Senator just as it is. read more

The best eggs and bacon I've had, hands down. And coming from someone who considers brunch a hobby, that's saying a lot. We sure are lucky in Toronto to have a diner of this calibre and with such a storied history. Stepping in the door you feel like you've stepped back in time, from the neon sign outside, to the brown booths and rounded tablets, to the old coca cola machine, and right down to the old-timey cash register. The owners have really kept the spot feeling like what you'd imagine a pre-WWII diner would be like, when people took their time enjoying a meal and each other's company. The most important part - the food. I was really impressed not only that they had diary-free alternatives for coffee, but they even had more than 1 option (Soy OR almond - your choice!). I was actually able to have a coffee with my brunch (take a note, Fran's). I also have no idea how they scrambled my eggs without milk and had them come out creamy, fluffy and the perfect temperature. The bacon was perfectly crisp. The baked beans were a great touch, and loved the onion thrown into the homefries. Just so, down home, good. Also loved that we were left to linger and not pushed out the door. Even after we paid, our waitress came around with more coffee. Such a lovely spot, my new go to for sure. Keep on doing your thing, Senator. read more

My granny likes this place, I like it and kids like it. What's not to like? This is an authentic diner with loads of Toronto history. It's close to my workplace and I have recently been prompted to go more often by the lovely event I experienced the other week. The food is of higher quality than you would expect from a typical diner- you won't be eating defrosted and microwaved day-old cherry pie or anything. The charm of this place goes beyond just the history and friendly staff. The food is good. They have recently partnered with local food companies for their organic milk and their coffee. It's great and I basically morph into Twin Peaks' Agent Cooper when I'm drinking it. "This is, excuse me, a DAMN fine cup of coffee." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxwcQ1dapw8 "Daaamn good coffee and hot!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EsqvYBeyws ...Okay moving on, their eggs and salmon are extra fresh; they use Crumbrae's meat for their burgers, kobe beef for their hot dogs etc. This is quality comfort food in a damn fine setting. read more

So we started our first day in Toronto with a bit of Yelping and a slice of home in this cozy little diner. My wife and I love to frequent a little diner just around the corner form our home, and enjoy that simple, home cooked and cared for feel that they have. The Senator didn't disappoint. Across a few streets from the Eaaton Center, this little gem was less Crowded than I expected on a Saturday morning. The cozy booths, the wood and simple decor, made this place seem very unassuming and welcoming. We were seated instantly, which was great, and provided with two deliciously piping hot cups of coffee, which was wonderful. A bit of a coffee snob, it was a pleasant medium roast that was quite delicious. Liz ordered the Senator Special which includes two eggs, two pieces of bacon, home fries and challa toast...the toast came with delicious fresh raspberry jam...wonderful! The platter did come with pork beans, which was a pleasantly different planting, but appreciated by my protein hungry and pregnant wife. I decided on the huevos rancheros which were awesome. The avocado, fresh salsa and delicious black brand were rich textures against the eggs over medium and corn bread. Normally a sweet corn bread fan, this was more on the savory side which was welcome against the cumin and sweet favors of the beans. It was wonderful. No rush to shove us our, we were able to finish our breakfast, our conversation, and get on our way back to our hotel...just in time to consult Yelp on our lunch and dinner plans! read more

I am a sucker for history! Plus psychology, anthropology, archaeology, astronomy, sociology, palaeontology, pathology, and of course, gastronomy... OKAY... so I digress, the point is: I like the fact The Senator is Toronto's oldest diner and because of it, I really, really, R-E-A-L-L-Y wanted to like it. Alas, this locale, sans it's picturesque history is nothing more than average. I took someone here a few weeks ago, and granted the place is cute in that 1960's kinda decour but her Eggs Benedict were, well, atrocious. The recipe was just badly executed and it tasted salty and sour. The Hollandaise if it could be called that was sub par at best. She is really too nice a person (don't know why) to send it back and so we shared some of my French Toasts which unfortunately were so sweet that I am still waiting for the Type 2 Diabetes to hit me like a Mack truck...you know, any day now. Their egg dishes are average at best. Sure they are not bad but I had the same quality at Jonny G's or The Coach House but for 40% less. I attended a Yelp event here a few days ago and again, the decour is very good. I find it charming and spot on but not enough to loose your head over. However the food, although well intentioned was still just okay. Their crab cakes tasted a bit better than store bought and as far as their Mac and Cheese, my companion said she could easily make better. Sliders were good but not exceptional. So all in all, the restaurant suffers specially when you pick up a menu and compare their prices to the competition. Oh Senator, I appreciate they open silly-early in the morning, you know, for a real breakfast however in the end, the major factor is the food and why come here when you will get the same quality at multiple other places less than a 15 minute walk for less? Okay, maybe those other places may not have opened in 1929... but I can live with that. At least, I will really enjoy my eggs Benny then. read more

When you're trapped at Yonge/Dundas and want breakfast food that is a little more authentic than say, Fran's or Eggspectations, tuck into this hidden little joint just east of YD-Square and you'll find Toronto's oldest restaurant. Yes, that's right, Toronto's Oldest Restaurant, circa 1860. The space looks like it has barely changed since then - the booths are cramped and slightly uncomfortable, but it's all part of the experience! It's like a step back in time. Really, the only thing that jolts you back into the 21st century are the cool tatted-up kids that happen to be serving you. Everything about the breakfast is good - bacon is extra crispy, eggs done right, coffee that is "amazing" (so I've heard) - but what really sets this place apart from the rest, other than its beautiful atmosphere, is their seriously mean Challah toast. Really, after a bite of this slightly sweet bread, I wonder why the heck other breakfast joints don't jump on this. With a spread of their delicious berry compote and mmmm.... you won't see any reject pieces of toast left to be taken away. You pay at the front of the bar on your way out the door, and BAM, it's like a time jump back into the present ('Holey Moley! Is that a giant 40 foot Gerard Butler on top of the Adidas store?!?!') - but it sure is good to know that a little escapism from the madness of downtown is right there waiting for you, Challah toast in hand. read more

I have lived so close to the Senator for years and years, but never been. Place feels like diners that you'd find in Times Square - same level of food, service, decor and an easy location to many tourist attractions that downtown Toronto has to offer. Walked in on a Sunday for brunch just before 2 pm; no wait for a booth but the place was full. Noise level was extremely high, and I rarely notice these things. Service felt amateurish but I'm sure they weren't. Milk for my coffee came with chunks floating in it...I sent it back, but a while later our waitress came back and explained it was organic, 4% milk and that's why the appearance was chunky. Maybe, but I'm not sure why if someone wants milk, they'd want homo milk - might as well get cream (which is what I ended up using). Omelette was lacking in fluffiness and "chili sauce" on the side tasted too sweet and didn't compliment the meal well. Liked the side peameal bacon and sausage ($3 extra each). Challah toast was good too, but wouldn't have minded some jam to accompany. Liked that they had ketchup on the table already. Bathrooms were dismal. read more

Gotta say, my expectations were a bit higher than what I got but I still had a good time. I went in for lunch one day and it was surprisingly busy for sit down place on a weekday. Our waiter was a super-friendly, super-cool, uber-hipster dude who one likes immediately. They have some really interestingly shaped booths; I like the feel of this place. But it goes a little down from there; my burger came without the advertised caramelized onions and corn relish, two main reasons why I ordered it in the first place. However the server was very apologetic and it was brought out right away after I asked. I tried the chilli as well which was deliciously nice and a bit spicy. Lukewarm, though. Maybe it's because the burger takes 20 minutes to be cooked? The bottomless coffee cups were never refilled, but the water was. I don't know, I'm confused, I wanted a bit more! Everyone was really nice and you get liquorice or Hershey's kisses when you pay the bill up front! Nevertheless, I did enjoy my meal and would still come back in hopes of an even better experience. read more