The Starving Artist

584 Lansdowne Avenue
Toronto, ON M6H3Y6
(647) 342-5058

Since somewhat recently becoming a west-ender and wanting to kick off the Toronto Brunch Club with a bang, we decided to make our first stop for this blog the Starving Artist (www.starvingartistbar.com).

A popular brunch spot on weekends while a predominantly cool-kid bar in the evenings, the Starving Artist should probably focus more on slinging beer than making waffles. Speaking of waffles, mainly everything on the brunch menu consists of these Belgian treats or, comes in the shape of them. Eggs Benedict, served on a waffle. Western Sandwiches, served on a waffle. Side Potatoes, cut like waffles. An interesting idea but one must really love their waffles to be satisfied at the Artist.

I had the Eggs Benny with avocado and a very good potato salad that, as tasty as it was, could have used a little less mayo. Lisa had the Mini Waffles with baked beans and an “extra” side of strawberries. What she paid $1.00 extra for was one strawberry sliced into four thin pieces and placed on top of each mini waffle.

One great thing about the Starving Artist is that it has two nice patios; one out front and one in the back. The service was very good especially from our winking waitress who, if it weren’t for her charm, we would be complaining here about mixing up our requested side orders (wink). The menu offers an array of vegetarian options and they will gladly make substitutes for meat when requested.

One thing that needs improvement other than, say, a more varied, less waffled menu, is that the only method of payment is cash. I can’t imagine too many hipsters with a wallet full of papers the morning after a night out on Ossington.

Here are some photos as well as individual & overall ratings of the Starving Artist:

Lisa 70%
Michael 79%
Average: 74.5%