A Taste Of Things To Come by Erskine Villa

As a knock-out pop up, there was no doubt that Erskine Villa would be here to stay. Serving up the most inventive brunch menu this side of King Street, this café is bold without being weird… for the sake of being weird. Take for instance the Autumn Congee ($17.50), which isn’t your standard rice porridge, but one made with slow cooked salmon, puffed wild rice and crunchy granola. Or there's the Coffee Rubbed Black Angus Skirt Steak ($22.50) served on a deep-fried waffle, with bacon, onion sauce, and a fried egg. I can’t decide if this is the perfect hangover cure, or if the Poutine ($17) should be offered the job? With fries, housemade black pudding, curry sauce, cheese, and a 63 degree egg, it’s a sophisticated but hearty twist on the Canadian classic. Of course if you call it brunch, it's never too early for a Young Henry’s or a Blood y Mary ($17). The Erko version is made with Bombay Sapphire, and is sweet and spicy enough to jolt you back to life. If not, there's ...read more