Everything You Need to Know About Brunch at Saving Grace

I’d only heard positive things about the weekend brunch at Saving Grace (907 Dundas St. West), plus the tiny restaurant got top billing on the Toronto Brunch Map. I did however receive cautionary warnings about the hour-long wait for a table, but managed to thwart such inconveniences on my first visit. In an effort to make your trip to Saving Grace as enjoyable as possible (especially since they don’t have a website), I humbly offer these seven tidbits.

1) Good Food Trumps Sleeping In
Eight people were already lined up when I arrived on Saturday morning at 9:45 a.m., 15 minutes before the restaurant even opens. The space only fits about 24 people and by the time 10 a.m. rolled around the group had ballooned to more than 30 people. When you’re hungry and tired, I can’t imagine anything worse than arriving just before the door opens and still having to wait the length of an entire meal. It’s gonna hurt on a weekend morning, but I suggest arriving 15-20 minutes before 10 a.m. to guarantee you’ll be in that first seating.

2) Look for the Clipboard
If morning time isn’t your friend and 9:45 a.m. is out of the question, whenever you arrive walk inside and look immediately to your left for the clipboard hanging on the wall. Have a server put your name on the list and be prepared to wait. It seems most people went across the street for a pre-brunch coffee.

3) Bring Two Quarters with your Outside Drink
This is the restaurant’s policy and it’s stated clearly on the menu. Coffee and beverages are likely where brunch establishments make a large chunk of their profit so it’s not an outrageous request. Either chug that drink outside or bring an extra fiddy cents with you.

4) Check the Specials Board
The first thing everyone around me did after they grabbed a seat was crane their necks to read the daily specials on the mounted chalkboard. On this morning there were eight specials, from waffles and pancakes to baked eggs and a pear, ham and arugula quesadilla. The regular menu has three different sandwiches, yogurt and savoury or sweet french toast.

5) Get the French Toast
I don’t normally condone getting an appetizer at breakfast time, but there was a reason my pal Lindsay included an asterisk and special note about Saving Grace’s French Toast with Caramelized Bananas ($5 for 2 pieces, $9 for 3 pieces) on the Toronto Brunch Map. The crispy baguette toast and the soft banana slices drizzled with maple syrup make this a must-order dish. It’s a mix of textures bound by the common thread of sweetness and you’ll be wistfully thinking about this plate for at least four days after.

6) Your Meal will be Good
Saving Grace is rammed week after week and people wait 60+ minutes for a table because the food is excellent. My best friend Madonna and I shared two specials, the first was their twist on eggs benedict, the Poached Eggs ($11.75) with peameal bacon, tomato chutney and arugula on english muffins and topped with avocado crema. This definitely tasted and felt healthier than the traditional hollandaise-drenched mess and the tomato chutney added its own distinct flavour punch. The Frittata ($11.75) was a pleasant surprise, enveloping sweet potato, corn and gouda in the substantial serving.

7) There Really is a Grace
I originally assumed the restaurant was named Saving Grace because it’s a stones throw from the intersection of Dundas St. West and Grace St. Our server explained Grace is also the owner’s middle name. Based on the line-ups, great food and terrific word-of-mouth, I can’t imagine that anyone involved with this restaurant needs saving. Except maybe the poor souls who can’t get a table.

Saving Grace / 907 Dundas St. West, Toronto
416 703 7368 / Weekdays 9am-3pm, Weekends 10am-3pm. (Closed Tues & Wed in February)