Starving Artist [Brunch / Waffle Cafe]

 I have been meaning to try Starving Artist  (@Starving4waffle) famous waffles for a while and finally was in the area of it's original location this past weekend.

 The weather was so nice that it was perfect to hang out on the patio and saw the waffles from the next table, it looks delicious. Unfortunately apart from the mango-banana smoothie we order came right away, we waited for more than 45 minutes for our order.... I assume they missed our order and they apologize for orders being backed up.

B.Benny Until 4PM Waffles $14

~ 2 potato waffles topped w/ poached eggs, caramelized bacon & hollandaise sauce

Love the potato pancakes that goes so well with the hollandaise and egg,  although the poached egg was a bit overcooked (no runny yolk here).

B.L.T Between Waffles $11

~ bacon, lettuce, tomato & secret sauce + $2 egg

Love these super crispy yeasted waffle and although they are super light, I am surprise how well it hold up all the fillings especially with the added egg. 

Bar Begonia [French]

We went to Bar Begonia (@barbegonia) for our Anniversary dinner back in April and it didn't disappoint just like all the other restaurants by Anthony Rose. Everything was perfect from the space, service, drinks to food.

Since they do not take reservation, we decided on an early Sunday dinner at 5:30pm, it was pretty empty when we got there but the place filled up within an hour. 

Sonambula $14

~ jalapeno infused blanco tequila, lemon, chamomile, peychaud's, mole bitters

Started with a cocktail and it does pack some heat which I love

Picon Biere $6

Gougeres $6

Best way to start off the meal, who doesn't love cheese puffs

Hot Black Coffee

Finally a coffee shop at Queen Street West near Osgoode Station apart from the standard Starbucks where I can get a good cup of coffee before shopping.

Hot Black Coffee (instagram: @hotblack_coffee) is pretty innocative, it's deck out with a modbar espresso system that I don't think I've ever seen in Toronto.

The space it strip almost bare from the previous stationary shop which gave the space a minimalist open concept space with a over-sized communal table at the front and the added fun from the copper melted bubble pendant lighting.

Isn't the modbar slick looking !

Everything is hidden under-counter which gave the simple and open look. 

Special HotBlack blend beans from Detour Coffee, no wonder their espresso was perfect.

We tried their Cappuccino & Cortado, they were both very smooth.