There's nothing like a good brunch to start the weekend, and today, I discovered how amazing Canteen's food really was. The location is interesting to say the least, the tiny diner is right next to a youth hostel downtown, and so tiny that you might actually miss it if you were in a hurry. The breakfast menu is the main attraction, and the waiting line is usually 30 minutes long. You'll find your standard fare on the menu, but with some fresh touches thrown in. Like the eggs benedict I had - the Hollandaise sauce was light yet fragrant, the eggs very fresh, and the English muffins were so well toasted they stayed crunchy until the very last bite.
I was still hungry after wolfing down the eggs, so I ordered a french toast with berry compote that was probably one of the thickest and best toasts I've had in a while (since Barracks at House, at least). I came away from this dining experience a little delighted (that I found a new place to eat on weekends), amused (by the decor and book selections on the shelf) and slightly puzzled (by the fact that they food tasted very high-end for such a low-end affordable joint).
After some digging around, I found out that chef Dennis Leary was formerly the head chef of Rubicon, one of the city's finest dining establishments. The diner has also been receiving a steady stream of favorable reviews since opening several years ago. Well, needless to say, I'm won over by the food, and Canteen's made its way to the top of my list of favorite places for brunch. I hear the dinner menu's just as amazing, so that's good enough reason for a second visit very soon.
