Against the Grain Urban Tavern
25 Dockside Drive / (647) 344-1562 / atgurbantavern.ca
Currently isolated on the lake near Lower Jarvis and Queens Quay, Against The Grain Urban Tavern boasts a large patio that includes couches, standard tables, and lots of greenery - with seating available in both the sun and the shade.
The restaurant is located in the back of the Corus building beside Sugar Beach, with a spectacular view of the water. We noted that there is a Bixi bike stand on the premises.
Friendly staff saw to our needs and we had many a need that morning. Coffee, beers, Caesars and water and that’s all before we had even decided what to eat.
An ample number of seats meant no wait at eleven o’clock and still no waiting when we departed 2 hours later.
A long list of beers and the heat of the day had us spending more time than usual perusing our choices of Ontario craft beers and imports.
The Brunch part of the menu had 4 choices: Eggs Benedict, stuffed French toast, a breakfast bowl and a yogurt and granola offering. The remainder of the menu had many other options such as burgers, poutine, pulled pork sandwiches, mussels and salads.
We stuck with the brunch menu. Brown and Black chose the breakfast bowl. It consists of potatoes, scrambled eggs, 2 sausages, 2 strips of bacon, a roasted tomato, multi-grain toast (which we both declined because toast is filling and takes up room where beer could go) and sweet, fresh, fruit garnish.
Black found the breakfast bowl well balanced and filling and Brown agreed.
Bald and Brit both had the eggs Benedict made to order. Eggs Benedict is served with potatoes, salad and fresh fruit.
Brit liked the style of plates on which all the meal was served. Both found their order hot, fresh, filling and tasty.
The location of the restaurant automatically lends itself to a relaxing, scenic, away-from-it-all atmosphere. Music can be lightly heard (some think barely heard) in the background. Having been open for only one month, the staff is not yet jaded, and someone in charge came around to ask how everything was going - and that is good customer service especially in a place that is slightly upscale.
Things we liked » Location, waterfront view, coffee, beer choices served in their proper glassware, atmosphere, heating apparatus (Urban Fire) for later in the year, clean washrooms.
Things others may like » Lots of room for strollers on the patio.
Things we did not like » We’re hard pressed to think of anything we did not like.
Rating out of 5
Food » 4.75
Service » 5.0
Atmosphere » 5.0
Price » 5.0
Overall Summary » 4.94
Post Brunch BQUAD Drinx » The BQUAD walked up to Yonge & King for more beer and some shady wi-fi at Beer Bistro. Other walkable beer spots include Betty’s further east on King Street, and C’est What? at Front and Church Streets.
