Four Seasons Tea

I'm going to start by saying that the Four Seasons is my new favourite tea place. The ladies had all been here before but it was my first time and I will definitely be going back.

When I arrived, we were all seated around the tiny table right at the entrance to the Lobby Bar. This was probably the only thing I didn't like about the Four Seasons: that you can see the driveway from this tiny little table. But it was cozy and we're not *that* classy. As usual, Dining Queen was late (!) so the waiter started us off with a round of iced blackcurrent juice (this is Ribena, for all you connoisseurs of fruit juices) and little shot glasses filled with whipped cream and strawberries. God, so yummy!

I phoned ahead about my egg-allergy and they were very good about it. Not only did them substitute out the egg salad with an extra cucumber sandwich, but they served them to me on a separate plate. Now, this was not at all necessary - it's a digestive, not anaphylactic, allergy - but I was grateful all the same.

The scones were wonderful, although we had to request more Devon cream a couple of times (yes, we're pigs) and the petits-fours looked lovely. I have stopped eating these though. It's bad enough that I'm awake most of the night without having to deal with egg-induced catatonia in the early afternoon.

I had the organic Assam tea (no Darjeeling, strangely enough) and it was perfect. I have come to the conclusion that you can tell the best tea places because the waiter is Indian. Perhaps I should find me an Indian man and train him to serve me tea every weekend...

http://www.fourseasons.com/toronto/dining/lobby_bar.html
(Sticker shock warning: the cost of afternoon tea is not listed, with good reason!)

Tequila Bookworm

This place won't be around much longer but I figured I might as well write about it anyway. It's current location (moved recently, I believe) is on the north side of Queen Street West, between Spadina and Bathurst, across from the burned out hole in the ground that was the huge fire of last winter.

Now, Tequila Bookworm is cute, eclectic, eccentric, comfortable. Please don't go there if you have a stick up your butt. I have eaten there once before and decided to repeat my usual brunch standby: smoked salmon and a bagel. I don't know where they get their salmon but wow is it ever good. It's plump and fresh and pink and tasty. And not overpriced like Eggspectations (although I will continue to eat there, I guess). The Montreal bagel was a treat too, not overtoasted and the cream cheese was perfectly chilled. Plus, my plate wasn't smothered with red onions and capers; they came in a tidy little pile, looking like sophisticated, understated garnish. Seriously, really good salmon.

I have to confess though, the service... well, like I said, don't go there if you're uptight. Our waiter forgot my coffee and had to be reminded. And my water glass had a short, dark (straight!) hair on the rim and smelled overwhemingly of bleach. In their defense, the other waiter brought me a very clean glass of water with a straw and lemon wedge when I asked for a new glass of water because the old one smelled "bleachy". Also, loads of plugs for laptops. Some in unexpected places!

Lola's Commissary, 634 Church Street

Last Sunday, before heading to the One of A Kind Show, I had brunch with some friends at Lola's Commissary at Church just south of Bloor (Hayden). It was my first time so I decided to check out the brunch menu ahead of time to make sure there were at least a couple of options for me. I phoned to ask whether the multigrain waffles were egg-free (they aren't) and talked to the owner/chef, Therese.

Since I phoned ahead, she suggested vegan French toast. Now, I haven't had French toast in maybe 20 years and I really miss it. When she said that she could do it, I was so thrilled and excited that she had agreed to accommodate my allergy. Therese said she had a background in nutrition so I figured that she must know what she's talking about.

Turns out, she does. Absolutely. She made the French toast with vanilla and tofu and served it with a compote of strawberries, rhubarb and beets (okay, not crazy about those) and bananas. The toast was amazing, not too sweet and very much like the French toast I remember. Except, perhaps less sweet than my mother used to make - this is a good thing! The compote was tangy and the bananas balanced it all out perfectly. And, if you love coffee, the decaf soy latte was so good I almost had another. It was definitely a brunch to remember!

I would love to phone her and talk to her some more about vegan breakfast foods. Perhaps she has some other tasty treats up her sleeve?

http://www.lolascommissary.com/