Pigeon Cafe is the first Toronto location of the popular brand hailing from Montreal. Known for their brunch menu, as well as the tree inside, the restaurant offers a dizzying amount of menu options. 

Originally an espresso bar, Pigeon began as a small coffee shop next to Concordia University. Fast forward to today and they're now a successful chain with this location being its fourth.

They offer "coffee to cocktails" daily making this a great spot for meetings, dates, and meals alike.

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The space is bright during the day, with large arched mirrors on the walls and moody, twinkling lights of the tree. 

The theme of the bistro can be seen in the choice of chairs both inside and outside. 

Owners Jonathan Dresner and Arie Dimant tapped Rishika Bhansali from Nadege to lead the kitchen and build a brand-new menu that would include Toronto-specific items. 

In a nod to Dresner's heritage, the menu has challah, matzah ball soup, and plenty of lox options. Overall, the menu offers a wide range of flavours with influences from American, French, and Middle Eastern cuisine.

Bhansali has created a Croissant French Toast ($20) that's fried 'til it's golden and filled with crème anglaise. Finished with mascarpone and macerated vodka berries, it's both delicious and fun to eat (especially when you cut it open). 

All the shakshukas come with a challah and this Halloumi & Labneh ($20) one features roasted red peppers, tahini, mint, and pomegranate. It's not a brunch without pancakes and these are the Pigeon's Famous Blueberry Pancakes ($20): classic buttermilk served with a generous pour of maple syrup.

The Smoked Salmon Avo Toast ($21) comes on Blackbird sourdough and features an interesting lemon hollandaise sauce that's spritzed over the poached egg from a mousse can.

Out of all the breakfast items, the Crème Fraiche Scrambled Eggs with Kaluha Caviar ($32) were a standout. These are truly unforgettable, super soft, melt-in-your-mouth eggs.

The same scramble can be found in the Breakfast Sandwich ($17) that comes with chives and cheese on a challah bun. 

If you're a lox fan, there's a Smoked Salmon Tower ($40) for you. All the fixings, like whipped ricotta, cream cheese, pickled fennel and shallots, and capers, are served with a plate of bagels. 

Sip on a simple latte ($4.50) or an Aperol Spritz ($15) if you're feeling boozy. 

If you like sour notes, a great mocktail to try is The Rosey ($11). Sweet strawberry is punched up with lime and garnished with a fragrant rosemary sprig.

Transitioning to the dinner menu, we have the House Charcuterie Board ($35) composing of brie, gorgonzola, pastrami, prosciutto, calabrese salami, grainy mustard, grapes, and hot honey. All the cheese is from the Cheese Boutique.

Pair it with a glass of the City Bird ($17), a white rum and Campari cocktail with pineapple and lime juices.

A classic Pigeon Espresso Martini ($18) uses espresso made from in-house beans, vodka, and Kahlua. 

If you're in the mood for something warm, try the French Onion Soup ($14). A brioche lays waiting beneath the gooey layers of mozzarella. 

The Pigeon Salad ($17), a Montreal favourite, is a mix of radicchio, romaine, dates, corn, and feta, all tossed in a champagne vinaigrette. 

The Beet Burger ($21) is a super-soft patty served with a fresh mint-cilantro sauce, with your choice of a side of fries or salad.

My personal favourite was the Red Ceviche ($21), reminiscent of Spanish summers. Chunky prawn and squid in a tangy tomato sauce can be scooped up with house chips. 

All the pasta is from Famiglia Baldassarre and the Truffle Cacio e Pepe ($27) uses a wide calamarata shape to hold the heap of truffle shavings.
Shrimp Scampi Tagliatelle ($30) was also delicious, topped with lemon, Parmesan, and parsley.

The Chilean Sea Bass ($42) was a surprising dish, with a perfectly seared buttery fillet on a sweet mess of tomato, olive, caper reduction making it a great summer dish.

The Steak au Poivre ($45) was a AAA filet mignon cooked to a perfect medium-rare served on a peppercorn whisky sauce with frites. Finish the meal with Bhansali's personal favourite Decadent Chocolate Cake ($15). It's dense, layered with ganache, and topped with feuilletine pieces and berries — perfect for chocolate lovers.

Dimant and Dresner hope to fit into the area, offering a "casual, fun dining spot during the day and a sexy elevated experience at night for the neighbourhood."

Pigeon Cafe is located at 337 King St. West.