Sunday Brunching: Carbon Bar

A couple weekends ago one of my friends Hillory (check out her awesome blog First Time Things here!) and I got to experience a brunch to remember at The Carbon Bar here in Toronto. Although The Carbon Bar may not be the first place you think of when you think brunch in Toronto, I have just a wee bit of an inkling that your perspective might change after this post…. And before I even get started I just want to throw it out there that if you stop in at The Carbon bar on Saturdays or Sundays for brunch and post a photo on social tagging them you get a free mimosa! WHAT?! A free mimosa for posting your brunch that you were already going to post anyways? Count me in…

The Space

The Carbon Bar is a beautifully spacious restaurant & bar with southern-inspired fare and cocktails on Queen East. It’s a casual space with artsy decor, plush banquettes, and dishes that will satisfy your comfort food craving and leave your belly full and HAPPY. Although I typically follow a vegetarian diet, The Carbon Bar is one place that I throw all my dietary restrictions away and just ENJOY with absolutely no regrets. I’m a firm believer that not completely depriving yourself is the way to a happy healthy body and mind, and whenever I get my carnivore cravings I can’t think of a better place to visit than The Carbon Bar. In fact I love it so much I’ve been twice in the last month (not even kidding). The staff and management team are all so incredibly accommodative and friendly there, the food is unreal, and did I mention the free mimosa? You’ll probably hear that from me a few times in this post ;).

The Drinks

Beyond our mimosas (which were delicious) we were told we absolutely HAD to try the French Toast Old Fashioned. Yes. You heard me. A FRENCH TOAST Old Fashioned. It’s made with French Toast Cereal infused Lot 40 Rye (what sort of genius sorcery is this?), orange syrup, and finished off with coffee & tobacco bitters. Let me tell you, it was just as good as it sounds. Beyond that they have a slew of craft cocktails, fresh juices, and coffees. Carbon Bar also has a build your own caesar bar where you pick your spirit of choice and it’s assembled with BBQ spice rim, KFC sauce, lime Sriracha, Worcestershire, pepper house smoked bacon, and pickled vegetables. That’s a hangover caesar if I’ve ever heard of one.

The Food

We weren’t seated long before two delicious passionfruit mimosas appeared in front of us and not far behind them a plate piled high with fresh pastries. We looked at each other and and I was like there’s no way we are eating four pastries BEFORE brunch. But guess what, they were so good that we finished them all within in a matter of minutes. And that was just the appetizer…

Our main course was something straight out of my brunch dreams. Rather than picking our entrees ourselves, I asked the manager Sam to select for us. I find that’s the best way to really get a taste for some of the best items on a menu. It usually pushes me to try dishes I wouldn’t normally order, and I always end up leaving satisfied. Well let me tell you, he did not disappoint in his selections. Here’s what we indulged on:

• Mezcal & Lime Cured Salmon: This was absolutely delicious and SO fresh tasting. It had elements of Nicoise, with aji crema, smoked grape tomato frisee, picked red onions, crispy capers, and was served Montreal style with a bagel & cream cheese.
• High Rise Biscuits with Sausage Gravy: Literally as it sounds. Delicious, flaky, melt in your mouth biscuits drenched in a sausage gravy. Sounds simple, tastes divine. like DIVINE.
• Smoked Brisket Benny: This was the CREME DE LA CREME of our brunch for me. Talk about taking an eggs benedict to a WHOLE OTHER LEVEL. their high rise biscuit was topped with poached eggs, red cabbage slaw, Anaheim chili, dill pickle, hollandaise, and they’re delicious smoked brisket. I would eat this over and over and over if I could.
• Smashed & Fried Potatoes: These were some of the most tasty potatoes I’ve EVER had. They’re fried with kimchi, parmesan and green onions and oh so flavourful.
• Pork Sausage & Pit Smoked Bacon: Just in case you didn’t think we had enough food, we also had to try the jalapeno & cheddar pork sausage and the pit smoked bacon (both sides that can be added on to any meal)

We both left brunch full and happy, and I know it won’t be long before we’re back at The Carbon Bar for brunch again…

The smoked brisket benny – my favourite dish.

Don’t the smashed and fried potatoes look good?

Have you ever been to The Carbon Bar for brunch? Let me know in the comments below <3

with Love,

This post was made in collaboration with The Carbon Bar, all thoughts and opinions are my own.