lunch!... I was around the Eaton centre for lunch, and really didn't feel like anything from their new Urban Eatery food court, where line ups and crowds are still the norm. I didn't have much time and I had previously read about the newly opened "Bannock" at Queen and Bay (right across from Nathan Phillips Square/ Eaton Centre south entrance). Bannock is part of the Oliver & Bonacini line of restaurants in Toronto, specializing in "Canadian Comfort Food" and offers a dine-in area and a separate Take-Out Cafe (they call it a grab and go counter) + Coffee Shop, perfect for a quick lunch. I tried one of their artisan sandwiches: Smoke Salmon and Egg Salad on a Croissant ($8 taxes included). They took my order and the guy made the sandwich for me fast! under a minute! The sandwich was small, expensive, but all the ingredients including the croissant and salmon were very fresh tasting. They even had some kind of dill flavoured mayo or sauce that made the sandwich flavourful yet light. The Grab and Go counter is open monday to friday (7.30 am- 10 pm), saturday (8 am - 10 pm), and sunday (8 am- 6 pm). In terms of take out, they also offers soups, salads, breakfast wraps, stews and even some dine-in menu items (Bannock Grab and Go Menu -Menu items may vary).
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Side Note: I definitely plan to try out their dine-in menu! Just taking a peek at their menu and reading yelp reviews, I noticed they have a Smoked Duck Poutine Pizza! and also Bannocks (some type of traditional scottish/native/Canadian flat bread). Definitely need to try and report back.
Bannock
401 Bay St
Toronto, ON M5H 2Y4
(416) 861-6996
mmm... Waffles! A friend of mine came into Toronto, so we met up downtown. Around the Dundas Square area you could already smell the sweet aromas of waffles coming to this place. As we walked past Dundas and up Yonge, we discovered the root of the sweet waffle smell, which came from this new little shop called "Wanda's Belgian Waffles Cafe" across from the Pickle Barrel. By little, i mean this place is actually a closet or a hole in the wall, theres only enough space for two people to stand inside and it is takeout only. By Cafe, I think it just meant that there was coffee lol. So as you can see on the menu, they serve a bunch of different waffles and also some sandwiches, which I did not see any of. As for the waffles, they are not the same type that they pour the batter into (like Richtree/Marche where I use to work). Wanda's uses prepared dough that the guy just puts onto the waffle maker. The waffles were less fluffy, heavier and a little more crisp. Afterward, you can choose different toppings, such as fruit, maple syrup, chocolate, whip cream, cinnamon and vanilla. The waffles are tasty, BUT they are very small and very expensive. I can see this place doing alright in the summer as it has prime location at Yonge and Dundas, and its much warmer to eat outside during the summer.
Quick Notes: Around the area, lots of people were talking about the great smell coming from this place and there was a little line up. There were 3 people working in this place, all with barely enough room to move and one guy handing out flyers outside the place. They definitely seemed really stressed/busy with a little mix up of orders as well, which I'm sure they will improve on considering they seem new. I got a chocolate covered waffle ($3.99 +tax) and my friend got a Wanda special or something which was the waffle with strawberries, chocolate and whipped cream ($5.99 +tax). We also tried a mango nectar that they had (around $2). They are located the East side of Yonge, just North of Dundas, across from Pickle Barrel. The waffles were pretty good but just too small and mad expensive. I could have gone to the Harvey's at Eaton Centre for like 5 Angus burgers for this price.lolol
lunch!... I was around the Eaton centre for lunch, and really didn't feel like anything from their new Urban Eatery food court, where line ups and crowds are still the norm. I didn't have much time and I had previously read about the newly opened "Bannock" at Queen and Bay (right across from Nathan Phillips Square/ Eaton Centre south entrance). Bannock is part of the Oliver & Bonacini line of restaurants in Toronto, specializing in "Canadian Comfort Food" and offers a dine-in area and a separate Take-Out Cafe (they call it a grab and go counter) + Coffee Shop, perfect for a quick lunch. I tried one of their artisan sandwiches: Smoke Salmon and Egg Salad on a Croissant ($8 taxes included). They took my order and the guy made the sandwich for me fast! under a minute! The sandwich was small, expensive, but all the ingredients including the croissant and salmon were very fresh tasting. They even had some kind of dill flavoured mayo or sauce that made the sandwich flavourful yet light. The Grab and Go counter is open monday to friday (7.30 am- 10 pm), saturday (8 am - 10 pm), and sunday (8 am- 6 pm). In terms of take out, they also offers soups, salads, breakfast wraps, stews and even some dine-in menu items (Bannock Grab and Go Menu -Menu items may vary).
