Brunch at Lady Marmalade - My Personal Review

 

*photo from eyeweekly.com

So as some of you may know, I checked out a breakfast/brunch joint on Queen East called Lady Marmalade (see website:  http://ladymarmalade.ca).  It was recommended by a neighborhood local who advised the crowd was hip, the food was plenty and the quality was high.  This would be the same gent who acquainted me to the fine and luxurious grinds of LuCaffe coffee.

He was really really bang-on about this place.

The Crowd:
Weekdays tend to be the film industry workers who come from the many studios in and around that area.
Weekends, I'm told, are more the neighborhood locals.  I went on a Sunday at 11am and there was a line up outside the store in -12 C weather!!!   So I ended up going to Pho Tien Thanh that day - AGAIN!  Ugh...I was the day before with friends...Overall, I found the wait staff very down-to-earth and friendly (said "thank you" and "sorry"), but one was forgetful and we had to ask another waitperson for followup.  Creative-artzy types...what do you expect.  There was no attitude, however, and they were sincere in wanting to serve you well.

The Ambiance/Decor:
Do you guys remember the dining room set you probably had to eat off of when you were small?
Very American retro styling - Brady Bunch, if you will...well, the entire joint is decorated with such tables and chairs from that era.  The thing is, nothing matches.  The tables and chairs are all a mismatch.  And you know what?  It actually works in that environment.

The Food:

Above average and well executed.
If you like eggs benedict - they call it "Bennies" - this is definitely the place for you.
The hollandaise sauce was light yet rich and flavourful. 

We also had the Afternoon Poutine (comes with chicken) with miso gravy...this was truly delectable.  Rich and salty, but man, does it ever hit the spot.  Filling as hell too!

Although they offer the plain, pedestrian, classic breakfast, it would be a shame for you to order this here.  If you do so, there is no point in going here;  you might as well have gone to any other diner - probably one closer to your place.

The Coffee:

The coffee, for a diner, was good. 
It's not weak, quite the opposite, actually.  Very bold/strong.
So strong in fact, that I stopped at one cup.  Usually at Cora's I'm drinking coffee non-stop.  The coffee is bottomless with a meal.

So, if you feel up for a drive to Leslieville, and you can wake up early on the weekend, I suggest Lady Marmalade.  Warning:  Get there EARLY.  Don't wait in line.  I'd suggest getting there for 10am when it opens.  11am is too late as there is a line up out the door.