Aviator
Aviator is a pristine little spot for weekend brunch and dinner on a quiet part of Danforth East.
Surrounded by Ethiopian eateries and bar food offerings, this restaurant offers a clean and refreshing menu that’ll appease most palates.
Plush banquettes and the incorporation of brick wall remnants of an old Coca-Cola building behind the bar grant the space some low-key elegance.
Each table includes little cue cards with ice breaker questions, in case your company’s conversation needs a push in the right direction.
Aviator is run by wife-and-husband duo, Verity Crewe-Nelson and chef Alexander Austriaco, who also run the catering company Cinq Foods.
Austriaco—formerly of the kitchens of King Edward Hotel, the Windsor Arms, and the short-lived Colony terrace at Bloor's Club Monaco—populates his brunch plates with fruits and ingredients from nearby farms and daily trips to St. Lawrence Market.
The project isn’t wholly local or seasonal, though the berry bowl ($8) served with cream might contain some fresh-picked strawberries and blueberries, depending on when you visit.
Another brunch item is a delicious brown butter French toast ($15) made with housemade brioche.
It comes served with whipped cream and a caramelized banana that'll make you wish you ordered two plates instead of one.
Pair it with a mimosa ($11) with freshly squeezed orange juice or a Champagne Cocktail ($14) with Brut champagne for a quintessential brunch combo.
Fried chicken with a buttermilk and corn flake dredge is a twist on chicken waffles ($17).
Bird is served on a trio of thin, mini waffles (eat them quickly before they lose their crunch), drizzled with an incredible basil chilli sauce.
From the dinner menu, a take on shrimp cocktail ($15) is a bowl of tequila and lime shrimp with a pitted grilled avocado and special pico de gallo sauce.
Grilled octopus ($24) is extremely soft and tender, served with fingerling potatoes and capers.
Down your dinner with a signature cocktail, the Aviator No. 2 ($14), made with dry gin, vermouth, and Dubbonet red.
If you're looking for a light, refreshing menu of fruits and refined brunch staples, Aviator has you covered on Danforth East.
Hector Vasquez