Té (Brunch) : Toronto, Ontario
Name: Té
Address: 70 Ossington Ave, Toronto, Ontario, M6J 2Y7 Canada
Website: Website
Wifi: No
Tender: Credit, Debit, Cash
Neighbourhood: Ossington, Toronto
Type: Asian Fusion
Té represents one of the many things I love about Toronto, the mix of different cultures and how they blend so well together. I am excited to try their brunch menu as it is a mix of Taiwanese and Korean influences combined with North American brunch classics.
The interior is clean and modern with white-washed exposed brick and pops of turquoise from the row of lamps above a grey concrete bar.
Bottomless coffee is available for $3.25 CDN + tax or Table Service Pour Over Coffee for $5 CDN + tax. I choose table service pour over coffee where the server spends a few minutes at your table to pour hot water through the dripper. It adds a personal touch and is nice to have coffee brewed on the spot table side.
Two types of mimosas are also available. The “Classic” with prosecco and orange juice ($9 CDN + tax) or the “Té Mimosa” with prosecco + darjeeling & hibiscus tea + orange juice ($11 CDN + tax). I try the Té Mimosa and while good the darjeeling & hibiscus tea flavors don’t quite come through. More intense tea infused flavors would make this a strong complement to an Asian fusion brunch.
First up the Kimchi and Pork Belly Eggs Benedict (Toasted English muffin with pan-fried kimchi, crispy thick-cut pork belly, poached eggs bathed in house-made kimchi-spiked hollandaise sauce, choice of mixed greens or hash browns) – $16 CDN + tax. This is the dish that intrigued me the most out of all the brunch items available. I love the idea of it and wanted to love it, however I found the kimchi flavor to be too subtle and the eggs were well done. Poached eggs with a nice runny center and stronger kimchi flavor would make this dish a standout.
Next was the Green Tea Egg Waffle (Matcha green tea eggette waffle, topped iwth a runny egg and choice of bacon or sausage, finished with honey drizzle) – $14 CDN + tax. What I loved about this was that the matcha flavor in the center was of the egg waffle was strong and flavorful. Each ingredient eaten separately is uninteresting but if you take a bite of all the ingredients combined it’s a nice blend of salty & sweet and the perfect Asian fusion/North American brunch option.
Last was the Dark-Spiced Taiwanese Fried Chicken and Egg Waffle (Chicken thigh & drumstick marinated in traditional Taiwanese spices, on top of a Hong Kong-style eggette waffle, served with pure Quebec maple syrup) – $19 CDN + tax. The chicken was fried perfectly. Crispy on the inside and moist and tender on the inside. The spices paired well with the maple syrup and Hong Kong egg waffle.
Overall I love to see restaurants pull inspiration from various cultures and create a menu that’s unique and inventive. With bolder flavors (don’t be shy with the kimchi please!) Té has the potential and the elements of creating a truly remarkable fusion menu. I would come back to try some of the other brunch items as there’s a bulgolgi burger with wasabi mayo and stuffed pancakes filled hot cinnamon and brown sugar that’s speaking to me (and my belly).
Disclaimer: This post was not sponsored, however the meal was complimentary. All opinions expressed are my own. All menu offerings and prices are accurate as of time of posting, please refer to restaurant/shop for most up to date information.
*All images are copyrighted Allons.Y Styling & Photography. Please do not use or re-post without written consent and provide credit where applicable
