Café International

I'm not going to rate this restaurant yet. It's too new and needs some time. The woman who runs the show in this quaint little space has got to be one of the friendliest women in the world (maybe too friendly?). I'm excited about it because of it's location, literally half a block from my house, on Gladstone between Lyon and Bay. It has bright big windows that let the morning sun shine in beautifully – perfect for Sunday brunch. And the best part? No lineup.

I ordered the Seafood Benedict. I had no idea what to expect, there's no description on the menu. I was surprised this dish didn't come with eggs, but I don't think it would have been good with eggs anyway. Bagel halves topped with grilled chicken bologna and a tasty seafood concoction that reminded me of my mom's seafood casserole. It had a mixture of mussels, fish, shrimp and onion in a hollandaise sauce. It was really quite nice. The home fries were also yummy. Sliced strawberry, orange, grapes and blueberries decorated the plate.


My husband had The Original. 2 eggs with your choice of 2 breakfast chicken strips, 2 sausage links or 2 grilled chicken bologna, toast, home fries and coffee. He went with the sausage, which was a polish chicken sausage.

The breakfast prices range from $5.95 to $9.95. They also serve lunch and dinner and have a small but diverse menu. From quiche to jerk chicken, smoked meat sandwiches and hamburgers and fries, mains range from $7.95 to $15.95. Apps from $4.95 to $7.95. They also have a dinner special for $9.95 every Sunday.

As is with pretty much all new restaurants, there are some ups, and some downs. I'm going to list a few of the downs – which I must point out, didn't bother me too much at all. Ok, except maybe the cell phone.
- There was no real server. The owner's neighbour, a very friendly man, helped serve us in between his smoke breaks and running out to get butter.
- My dish was ordered with an english muffin, but they ran out (? there was one other table), and replaced it with a bagel. I really don't like bagels, unless they are the Montreal style bagels.
- Someone who works there's cell phone rang too many times for me to count, very loudly and with what was soon to become my most hated song of the day.
- The restaurant is Halal – good news to some, but not to those who enjoy wine or other alcoholic beverages. Although I must say, this is definitely going to be a plus for you Teresa! There's no pork, all the sausage and bacon is made with chicken.

Why would I go back? The woman who owns this place has obviously put her heart and soul in this dream. I'm sad that she has no prior restaurant experience – I think a lot pitfalls could be avoided. Nonetheless, it's hard not to like this place when the owner comes out and offers you more breakfast potatoes (just like being at a friend's house), gives you complementary pineapple juice, and allows you to leave without paying a cent (their debit and credit card machine had not been installed yet but she didn't let anyone know that for fear they would not eat there. Instead, she took your name and trusted you to return with the cash). Lastly, if you don't see what you want on the menu, they'll make it for you (as long as they have the ingredients).

Café International