Concord Cafe
Eggs Florentine with a Chilean Twist
By the time I'd gotten myself out of bed it was nearing 2pm on Saturday. A late night out, and too much shochu at karaoke with some new Korean friends got the better of me on Friday night. I needed food, and pronto.
Sandwiched between Dufferin Grove Park and Christie Pits, Concord Cafe isn't exactly where you'd expect to find a Chilean restaurant. Nestled within an area dominated by laundromats, hardware, discount, and specialty stores, it's probably not the kind of place you wander into unless you're local, or in my case, introduced to the cozy cafe by a friend that lives in the neighbourhood.
Our server was great. He was visibly affected by the previous night as well, and between our milky organic coffee and our meal arrival we shared quick stories of our joys of the night previous and pains of the hung-over day upon us. I looked around at the walls. Black and white photographs depicting significant social and political events in Chilean history lined the red walls around me. As people passed, nearly every one of them stopped to chat with the staff behind the bar.
My meal arrived, and before I decided that I ought to review this new restaurant experience for blogTO, I was already fork and knife deep in my Eggs Florentine (sorry for the half-eaten state of my meal in the photo above, I was a little off, and very hungry). After tasting it, I decided I'd have to tell you about the food.
Concord Cafe's Eggs Florentine is really something - poached eggs, spinach, and a mildly spiced, chipotle hollandaise sauce, on a multi-grain English muffin. The Chilean twist (the smoky chipotle) gave just enough bite to remind me that this wasn't breakfast (although for some well-seasoned chili heat freaks it may be appropriate). It was served with two sides. The homefries were simply wonderful - freshly cut, lightly pan fried potatoes with caramelized red onions and slightly sweet pigeon peas. The salad was a mix of greens and red pimentos with a very light tossing in feta cheese. The serving size was perfect, and I was well on my way to feeling better. A few hours later, my Nuit Blanche would begin.
I'm looking forward to trying other brunch menu items at Concord Cafe. The Chilean omelet with black olives, tomato salsa, and raisins is in my sights!
Concord Cafe
937 Bloor Street West
Toronto
(416) 532-3989
Discussion
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I am a Chilean journalist, and I am writing from a newspaper in Santiago, Chile. Would you please tell me who are the chileans that are running that cafe?
Many thanks!
Hi Pamela,
If you pass on your contact info by email to jerrold[at]blogto.com I'll be happy to call the cafe and put them in touch with you.
Cheers!
I live down the street...
A) The new owners of the Concord have really fixed it up. It looks so much better than what was there before. I haven't had the chance to eat/drink there yet.
B) They have pretty good jazz there at night, most nights. And they leave the front window open, so it's not unusual to see a crowd on the sidewalk watching.
C) Actually, that neighbourhood is pretty multi-culti, so a Chilean restaurant among the Portuguese, Italian, Mexican, Trinidadian, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Jamaican, Thai, and regular Pub fare didn't strike me as unusual.
Jerrold, you're in Bloorcourt Village? We should get a beer sometime!
Bloor Court is often underestimated. Like other guy said, we have loads of restaurants in the area, many being exceptionally affordable. It's a hugely pragmatic neighbourhood, in that we have tons of useful stores right at our fingertips. Liqour store? Check. Portugese chicken emporium? Check. Hardware store staffed by grumpy old crank? Check. You can't go wrong when in the BC. In conclusion, I'd like to nominate Bloor Court village as the realest hood in this city.
Seconded.
RE: Hardware Store: You mean, you've actually seen someone working there?! An employee at that store is like the Polkaroo! "I missed him again?!"
Live in the nabe, but also haven't had the chance to eat here yet...looks like I'll be remedying that soon! Don't forget that the cafe also has great reggae/dub nights (I believe that there is one tonight, in fact).Couldn't agree more with Bloor Court's post above..the nabe is convenient (although the Paradise is sorely missed) and I would add the YMCA, Dufferin Grove Park, the new used book/cd store Zoinks!, the Freedom clothing Collective, a network of great alleyways and as many different ethnicities you can shake a stick at (as per brokenengine above). I always advise the annex-rats to venture a little further West for a dose of reality, on the cheap.
my name is Leandro, I am the former operator at concord cafe, however my family is there now in my stead. I am posting this so that I may get in touch with the "Chilean journalist" thst was inquiring about the Concord. Please call me at 647.889.2379 and I will redirect you to the proper person for more details.
Chao.
Concord Cafe will be exhibiting Photo Commentaries from ImageMyNation November 1-26, 2007. All prints are original and affordable so get your goods.
you are a twat. stop writing now.