Although Yorkville is definitely one of the more scenic neighbourhoods in Toronto, when it comes to really great restaurants, I find it to be rather limited compared to other areas. Usually, the restaurants are stuffy, and the food subpar. There are only a handful of exceptions to this general rule, and One by Mark McEwan happens to be one of them.
I made my way to Yorkville on a beautiful, sunny afternoon, excited to have a girls brunch. The great thing about eating with girls is that they keep their hanger at bay while I snap pictures. Also, I’ve noticed that it only takes one person to shamelessly stand up and take pictures before others join in.
Getting back to more pressing matters: what we ordered.
Eggplant Arrabiata. We were all expecting a pasta dish when this showed up instead. But from what I was told, it was excellent nonetheless.
Lemon Ricotta Pancakes for me. Soft and cloud like, with just the right amount of zing from the lemon. Topped off with chantilly cream and a blueberry compote. If heaven doesn’t have ricotta pancakes like these, I don’t want to go.
The Smoked Salmon Rosti.
French Toast that looked divine.
As much as I love sitting in patios to enjoy the sunshine and ideal lighting for pictures, there is one problem: bees. I hate bees, and on this particular afternoon, it seemed like they were attracted to us as if we were pots of honey. After several incidents of them getting too close for comfort (think buzzing around our eyelashes, getting dangerously close to our faces, and even going as far as sitting on our food), our server kindly intervened and shooed them away. I have no doubts that this was on account of the fact that our squealing was causing a ruckus, but our server, bless him, showed no hint of embarrassment.
As our meal was drawing to a happy, blissful end, we veered into the topic of truffle fries after noticing it on the menu. I was told that One had fries to die for, and just as we were making plans to come back and try it, our server brought over a cone of perfectly golden truffle fries… on the house.
He’d heard us talking, and had told the chef to make some especially for us.
Ladies and gentleman, this was truly the most magical, otherworldly french fry experience I’ve had in Canada. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, bursting with truffle flavour, all topped off with reggiano. I could eat these fries every day for the rest of my life and die happy.
Not only was the food at One absolutely delicious, the service was arguably the best I’ve experienced in the city. If you haven’t been yet, I highly urge you to make your way over. If brunch isn’t your scene (shame on you), their dinner menu is to die for too, although, what else could you expect from a restaurant owned by one of Canada’s top chefs?
I think I heard about this restaurant and I wanted to give it a try. Now you sold me. The food looks exquisite! I’m licking my screen…
Aurelie | http://www.surface85.com
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If you’re based in Toronto, I can’t recommend it enough! xo
Brunch is probably my favorite meal, not only because of the endless options of sweet and savory, but also because it is an excuse to be lazy and eat and drink to your heart’s desire. The food looks amazing! And those truffle fries are definitely a treat! I love anything with truffle oil. So nice that it was on the house!
xx Yasmin
http://banglesandbungalows.com
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It was a great end to a great brunch! xo
The food looks so delicious and yummy! Beautiful photos♥♥
chocolateandsunset.com
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Thanks girl, glad you like them! xo
Oh my goodness, everything looks so delicious! Making me hungry now haha
xx Melis
http://fashionmews.com
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I get hungry just looking at the pictures! xo
This looks so very yummy, especially the pancakes! Your photos make me so hungry, yummm!!
Love,
Whit
http://www.whitneyswonderland.com
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The pancakes were divine! xo
OMG YUM! All the food looks amazing! Those Lemon Ricotta Pancakes would be the first thing I ordered!
http://www.rosyoutlookblog.com
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Clearly great minds think alike! xo
Yum!!! Looks SO good!
http://www.makemeupmarie.com x
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It was to die for! xo
I need those pancakes! Looks amazingly delicious! 🙂
http://tickleyourvanity.com
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They were delish 🙂 xo
Looks soo delisious! Nice
http://www.adelaacanski.com/
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It was an epic brunch! xo
Needless to tell that I’m literally drooling looking at your pictures!! xx
V.
http://violettedaily.com
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I drool at the thought of what you eat in Paris everyday lol! xo