College Street Diner has opened in place of Maggie's , a daytime destination that I've long suspected survives thanks to overflow from the nearby Aunties & Uncles . While the menu has always been a decent "plan B" for brunch, the eatery itself had in recent years become shabbier than ever.

Now under new management, owner and first-time restaurateur George Cappuccitti took over the brunch spot a couple of months ago and kept things status quo before recently closing for two weeks to revamp the space and menu and install essentials like central air conditioning and you know... heat.

The dining room has been given a much needed cosmetic makeover via fresh paint and new upholstery for the banquettes. Wobbly tables covered in vinyl cloth should've been chucked too, but overall it's a marked improvement. Prices have seemingly gone down, but the kitchen and staff remains the same. The menu has been edited down but still bills many of the same breakfast staples as before. Less popular dishes like the mezze sampler and falafel have been axed.

Breakfast is the house specialty and bennies, omelettes and three egg options are reliably still served with toast, a sampling of fresh fruit and fries finished with minced raw garlic or the new homestyle potato (also doused in garlic). Drip coffee is available in bottomless cups.

A lineup of hot sandwiches takes advantage of the griddle too. There's a Philly cheese steak ($7.50) loaded onto a baguette with sautéed onions and melted cheese accompanied by a choice of potatoes and fruit it offers good value for a simple lunch.

Vegetarians will find decent selection, and the new menu toys with a fish omelette specials and griddle-fried tilapia sandwich ($9.50). Modest improvements seem aimed at freshening things up rather than a complete overhaul, which I suspect will be appreciated amongst the city's landscape of fussy and expensive brunch options.

College Street Diner is open daily fro 8:30am until 2:30pm on weekdays and 3:30pm on weekends.

Photos by Jesse Milns