Like The Boy Who Cried Wolf, trust dissipates after being repeatedly betrayed. Similarly, it wouldn't be unwarranted to lose all hope in restaurant-prepared brunch items if every visit ultimately resulted in disappointment, discomfort, and a significantly lighter wallet. Waiting in line defies all rules of efficiency and logic, and causes the overall experience to plummet even with minor hiccups. Parking, travel time, and quality of service are additional factors of concern that can denature brunch as a relaxing mid-morning meal to be an intense planning headache (hence why matters had been taken into my own hands come Mother's Day).
When I brought up the suggestion of brunch for the first time in a while, I was once again confronted with the pain of the planning process. I was reluctant to choose a destination for such fare, as the fear of burning another hole in my wallet for lacklustre food and mediocre service remained.
When I brought up the suggestion of brunch for the first time in a while, I was once again confronted with the pain of the planning process. I was reluctant to choose a destination for such fare, as the fear of burning another hole in my wallet for lacklustre food and mediocre service remained.
The menu from Kravingz was presented to me: it contained the essentials at reasonable prices, and the restaurant wasn't too far from home either. Downtown eateries would involve the careful review of weekend transit schedules, a minimum amount of walking, and then waiting endlessly for a table. The Clarkson restaurant was driver-friendly - during off-peak hours anyway - and possessed a private parking lot. Situated just slightly east of Mickey's Pizza on Lakeshore Road, the storefront would have been easy to miss if we had merely been passing by.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we did not arrive until after noon, which prompted the meal to extend into the early afternoon hours. Seating was ample for a restaurant of its size, albeit a bit compact. Small group tables lined the perimeter, while one party table and three 2-person tables could be found near the window. A few bar seats were present as well.
A small waiting area could be found immediately in front of the accessway, and presumably used to handle substantial influx of customers during weekend prime periods. Only two other parties were seated at our time of arrival though, so we were able to select our desired table without wasting even a split second.
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During our stay, a single waitress circulated the floor, taking orders and cleaning tables while attending to guest requests. She paused briefly at our table to answer menu-related questions before swiftly shifting to the adjacent table of bitter-looking ladies. To her knowledge, The Polski Benedict and Chicken n' Waffles assumed positions of the top two picks.
When inquired about the spiciness level of the bacon and jalapeno waffle, she candidly confessed that she hadn't tasted the item firsthand and therefore could not comment. At this point, the option of having the questionable peppers on the side was offered to me, so I accepted with much glee. We settled for the bestsellers, as first-timers and all.
When inquired about the spiciness level of the bacon and jalapeno waffle, she candidly confessed that she hadn't tasted the item firsthand and therefore could not comment. At this point, the option of having the questionable peppers on the side was offered to me, so I accepted with much glee. We settled for the bestsellers, as first-timers and all.
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The menu was straightforward and included proper usage of font styles, widths, and colour. A separate drink menu stood pressed within a metal (metal-coated plastic?) stand on our table, next to a display of their social media accounts. (Side: their Wi-Fi network was not functioning.) Both were laminated and boasted exposed edges, evidently frayed from constant reuse. Neither of the lists were particularly immaculate - grease stains were prominent - but then again, the remainder of the dining environment was on the less hygeinic side to begin with. A few rampant flies hovered by us as conversation took place; dust could also be seen settling in the corners.
The bathrooms, which were located at the foot of a flight of creaky wooden stairs, were on the smaller side and retained little to no decorative elements. Standard commercial-grade pink soap found its way near the faucets, much to the displeasure of my already parched hands.
The bathrooms, which were located at the foot of a flight of creaky wooden stairs, were on the smaller side and retained little to no decorative elements. Standard commercial-grade pink soap found its way near the faucets, much to the displeasure of my already parched hands.
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Germaphobic woes aside, the arrival of our drinks and dishes was worth celebrating. A Regular Coffee and Freshly Squeezed Grapefruit Juice were ordered. The former included refills and disposable milk/cream containers; I was informed that the brew was decent and met the desired heat demand. My own juice was tart and refreshing, though lacked the textured pulp I would have loved to devour. The waitress confirmed that neither the Orange nor Grapefruit Juice contained any added sugar, for which I'll simply take her word.
Entrees made their way over soon after. The Polski Benedict appeared to be a rather limited portion for its associated price tag, but nonetheless appealing in terms of presentation. Two mounds of potato placki were substituted for the conventional English muffin; vodka-cured salmon was requested as opposed to the very Canadian peameal bacon. A few pieces of mixed greens, a gentle dollop of Hollandaise, and several strings of microgreens completed the dish.
As a foreword, Eggs Benedict is rarely my go-to dish, primarily since it ranks low in terms of culinary difficulty. (Elevated versions are obviously exceptions.) However, a forkful of the dish left me reconsidering my once ingrained opinions. The exemption of an English muffin base annihilated all traces of soggy staleness, and its place was crispy satisfaction in the form of seasoned potato shreds. Its edges were slightly burnt, yielding a crunchy first bite, and its warm interior, in sharp contrast, was soft and comforting. The salmon strips were flavourful without being sodium-laden, though the consensus was that a smoky aftertaste would have further heightened its profile.
Not to be overlooked were the poached eggs, which donned a Hollandaise sauce of thinner viscosity than most establishments. This reduced thickness lent a vinegar-infused creaminess to the dish without the satiating aftereffects of consumption. The casing of the eggs was paper thin, and a consistent stream of runny yolk flowed magically from within following the quick slice of a knife.
I do not believe I've ever tasted a better Eggs Benedict, and that is quite a hefty statement from a pancake- and waffle-lover.
Not to be overlooked were the poached eggs, which donned a Hollandaise sauce of thinner viscosity than most establishments. This reduced thickness lent a vinegar-infused creaminess to the dish without the satiating aftereffects of consumption. The casing of the eggs was paper thin, and a consistent stream of runny yolk flowed magically from within following the quick slice of a knife.
I do not believe I've ever tasted a better Eggs Benedict, and that is quite a hefty statement from a pancake- and waffle-lover.
The Chicken n' Waffles was a trendy dish combining subtly sweet waffles and crispy fried chicken. The plate comprised of the same delicate strands of microgreens, but further elevated hue diversity by means of coleslaws and purple pickled vegetables (radishes?). At each corner was a teaspoon-sized amount of creamy dressing; it exhibited hints of mayonnaise, but also underlying notes of tartness. Regardless, it was delicious on both the waffles and chicken.
In contrast to the microscopic portion of poulet at The Dirty Bird, Kravingz satisfied the desire for crunch with a gigantic serving of drumsticks. The coating tasted of a no-frills salt-and-pepper blend, although a lack of seasonings was nowhere to be seen. Likely deep-fried twice for guaranteed results, the chicken offered unlimited texture on the outside and just-cooked, plump flesh at the interior. Coleslaw was another great element of the dish, as it not only served as a mild palette cleanser but a gentle reminder that vegetables were also being consumed in conjunction with the indulgent feast.
In contrast to the microscopic portion of poulet at The Dirty Bird, Kravingz satisfied the desire for crunch with a gigantic serving of drumsticks. The coating tasted of a no-frills salt-and-pepper blend, although a lack of seasonings was nowhere to be seen. Likely deep-fried twice for guaranteed results, the chicken offered unlimited texture on the outside and just-cooked, plump flesh at the interior. Coleslaw was another great element of the dish, as it not only served as a mild palette cleanser but a gentle reminder that vegetables were also being consumed in conjunction with the indulgent feast.
Bacon was indiscernible in the waffle, however given the complex blend of flavours presented, I'm not complaining. A small pot of maple syrup was also provided, so there was never an absence of taste. The waffles were softer than I would have enjoyed, but they retained their grip-like shape nonetheless - my assumption is that cornstarch played a crucial role in the batter.
Service was exceptional for our stay, and quite speedy as well. The waitress never failed to attend to our many requests with patience and a welcoming smile.
Next time you find yourself contemplating a refreshing new brunch spot in the Clarkson area (or just along Lakeshore in general), keep Kravingz in mind. The selection is great, prices reasonable, and food quality stellar. Tables could also be arranged to fit larger parties, ensuring a suitable venue for families of varying sizes. Washrooms are not exactly accessible, but keep in mind that the eatery isn't colossal either.
My recommendation is to arrive early, since the self-proclaimed cultural eatery only operates until 4 PM!
My recommendation is to arrive early, since the self-proclaimed cultural eatery only operates until 4 PM!
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