Dating S.O.S

The Hot House Cafe was the 2005 winner of Where Toronto’s Most Memorable Meal Award for Best Breakfast/Brunch, and with good reason.

Their award-winning Sunday buffet features made-to-order omelettes, exquisite salads, decadent entrees, and traditional breakfast fare. If you still have room after your second (or third) helping, you can’t leave without at least one trip to the dessert buffet. I always have the Belgian waffles with whipped cream and strawberries.

And it’s not just their brunch that will have you returning again and again. You’ll love the great atmosphere, friendly servers, and extensive a la carte menu.

Here are some of my lunch and dinner favourites:

Appetizer: Baked Goat Cheese with Nicoise Olive Tapenade, served with warm flat bread

Salad: Grilled Tiger Shrimp and Mango Salad: marinated in Ginger, Soya, Mirin, Sesame Oil, Lime & Cilantro with Fresh Mango on a bed of Tossed Greens and Soba Noodles, with Julienne of Peppers, Cucumber, Carrots and Scallions in Tropical Fruit and Sesame Dressing

Pasta: Wild Boar Papardelle: Wild Boar simmered in a rich Pommodoro Sauce served on bed of Papardelle (Okay, I admit I’ve never actually tried it, but it does sound interesting, doesn’t it?) Plus, all the pasta dishes are served with Freshly Baked Warm Sourdough Bread - yumm!

Main Dish: Grilled New Zealand Rack of Lamb: French cut Rack of Lamb marinated with Olive Oil, Rosemary & Tarragon, grilled perfectly & napped with a Porcini, Pancetta, Plum Tomato & Dijon Sauce

Stir Fry: Jambalaya: with Jumbo Tiger Shrimp, Blackened Chicken Breast, Spicy Italian Sausage, Bell Peppers, Red Onion, Chile Peppers and Herbed Tomato served on a Rice Pilaf

Thin Crust Pizza: Either the Chorizo: with Caramelized Onion, Roasted Red Peppers, Tomato Sauce with Asiago and Mozzarella or the Pizza Funghi: with Wild Mushroom Duxelle, Truffle Oil, Asiago Cheese and Virgin Olive Oil

Located at Front and Church in downtown Toronto, not only is The Hot House Cafe a fabulous restaurant, there’s also so much to do in the neighbourhood!

Check out their website for more information and a virtual tour!