Recess Diner isn't really a diner but rather an upscale restaurant. It's the newest project from Brad Moore, of Old School , and this spot is unabashedly gluttonous.

With a glamorous interior, Recess Diner has plush ochre banquettes that pop against its checkered floors. Marquee lights and mirrors make the whole room glimmer.

Bar Bronson occupies one corner of the room, and it turns out cocktails like the Sudden Headache ($14), a blend of mango nectar, silver tequila and champagne. It's the kind of beverage that's equally appealing in the a.m. and p.m.

For brunch, the Ballistic Benny ($19) is just one of the show-stopping dishes on offer. Built on a cheddar chive biscuit, the indulgent dish features two massive poached eggs, a pile of shredded smoked meat and a slab of back bacon all doused in hot sauce-spiked Hollandaise.

A stack of buttermilk blueberry flapjacks ($15) come smothered in maple syrup with sugar crisp bacon and a whipped brown sugar butter. It's every bit as delicious as it sounds.

Hot Nutella Krunch Toast ($17) is perhaps the only sleeper. The brick of challah comes filled with everyone's favourite hazelnut spread and certainly looks impressive decorated with whipped cream peaks and caramel sauce. It ultimately just tastes like Nutella on toast though. It would need to be dunked in custard and thrown in the deep fryer to taste as good as it looks.

Those seeking a caffeine fix are in for a treat. The ripple coffee maker (housed at Fountain next door) offers the option to customize lattes with printed graphics and text .

There are lots of playful elements at this place that would certainly impress for a celebratory occasion. The food is the kind of stuff I'd want to eat nursing a hangover, only this place is kind of fancy, maybe too fancy for a rough morning.

Photos by Hector Vasquez.