Alchemy Coffee

Address: 4361 Highway 7 East. Unionville, ON.  L3R 1M1
Phone: (905) 604-6622
Website: https://alchemycoffee.ca/

Found in a small strip plaza in Unionville is a cafe that serves classic brunch daily from open to 3pm.  With a lack of parking space available, it is advised to carpool or time yourself to arrive as early as possible to ensure a spot in this small place.

The storefront was small, with around twenty five seats when maximized.  Though, the space has a modern contemporary design to it.  It felt very warm and cozy with the wood tones.

Tables are by first come first serve and if the party size can fit the table.  There are no numbers, no servers.  You just wait in line.  For example, if a table that can only fit two is available, but you have a party size of three or more, then tough luck, you will have to wait for space that can fit your party size, or use the brain juice to maximize the space to fit your party size.  Hence, wait can run from ten minutes to half an hour.  It really is by luck.  My group, thank goodness were petite, so we squeezed ourselves at the bar table instead of waiting on.

Smoked Salmon Eggs Benny ($14.00) with portobello mushroom and kale is served with house fries and a salad.  I also ordered a hot latte ($4.00) with my brunch.  Sunday brunch at its best!  Even though the menu is quite typical but I love the classic and trustworthy items.  The food was pleasant, very well balanced flavours.  The salad was very leafy and crunchy, with a tart vinegar base.  With the saltiness of the house fries, which really are roasted baby potatoes, the salad was brought to another dimension of flavours.  Meanwhile, the main character of the whole brunch dish, smoked salmon eggs benny was well worth my waiting time and a hungry stomach.  The smokey flavours of the salmon, sweet hollandaise sauce, salty yet earthy flavours of the portobello mushroom and the creamy poached egg truthfully blended so well together, as if they were made for one another, like a love affair.  They were cooked to perfection, especially the eggs benny, which was very runny.   The soft melt in the mouth texture of the salmon on the meaty portobello mushroom was absolutely savoury.

This brunch was like a treat to my busy Sunday schedule.  It gave me life!  I was able to sneak this in my full day of professional education conference and gave me more energy to sit through another half day of education series.  I am extremely glad to have a good quality brunch spot in the York Region area.  I highly recommend this little classic traditional cafe.

Ratings

Food 4/5
Ambience 3.25/5
Service 3.5/5

Wish Restaurant

Address: 3 Charles St E, Toronto, ON M4Y 1R9
Phone: (416) 935-0240
Website: http://wishintoronto.com/

Tucked on a side street off the big intersection of Bloor Street and Yonge Street, you will find an attractive gazebo-like entrance to Wish Restaurant.  You can find a paid parking Green -P around the neighbourhood, but beware of all the condominium construction across the streets from the restaurant.  The prime location and the future opportunities look quite promising for successful business, UNTIL, a developer decides to buy the land, strip it down for new living space.  But, for now, the restaurant looks really cute with the patio and very welcoming.

It was so cute, cozy and dreamy inside, though somewhat tight.  I love the full white atmosphere, so airy and makes me feel like I am floating in the sky, or sleeping on a cloud.  Mirrors were their accent pieces hanging on the wall to make the space look more open and wider to the eye.  You would find yourself very relaxed in the restaurant.  The owners really maximized their seating space to the max, because there were a few awkward seats, under the stairs, a three-some table on an angle facing the mirror column.  I was annoyed looking at my own reflection constantly for the couple of hours I was there.

Apple Walnut Steel Cut Oatmeal Pancake ($15) was topped with salted butter and cider syrup on the side.  I was a little disappointed that no fruits or salad came with the pancakes.  This was a full carb breakfast diet, which was very fat.  This was just too much pancakes, 5 large pieces!  My heart kind of dropped when it arrived.  Lesson learned, always order some fruits and vegetables on the side.  It was quite dry and bland, turning soggy after some exposure.  However, I did bite into small pieces of walnut occasionally, but not finding the apple bits.  Overall, pancake was a pancake, nothing spectacular or screamed amazing.  Neither the butter nor syrup could liven up the pancake.  One last thing, I could not justify the cost of the pancakes; they were not worth it.

2 smashed avocado on rye toast with heirloom cherry tomatoes, goat cheese and poached egg ($18) was definitely more mouthwatering.  Avocados taste good with anything!  So basically, this tasted like guacamole, with stronger cheese flavours and larger tomato pieces.  It was not as mashed or finely ground, but I liked the overall texture because there was more feel to it than the paste-like dip, causing more desire and enjoyment to the food.  The eggs were runny, though with a rubbery white.  With the runny yolk, it added more liquid and sweetness to the underlying ingredients.

Eggs in Purgatory ($17) is baked eggs, poached soft in a stew of peppers, chilies and tomatoes, studded with scamorza cheese and grilled baguette.  This was the best brunch option of all that was ordered.  The name was attractive and matched the appearance, how things look tortured in burning fire.  The sauce was aromatic, full of sweet and tangy tomato flavours.  However, the eggs were a bit overcooked, harder than I would like it to be.  This dish of food had a bit of everything from every food group, your daily vegetables, protein, wheat, and dairy intake, hence, quite a healthy choice.  It would be a shame to not lick your dish dry and immerse all your taste buds with the sauce.

Wish gave me an airy feel and the atmosphere set up your mood to the food that is served.  There is a wide selection for everyone and the menu changes every season, while having a couple of stapled items.  Remember to reserve your tables for brunch, otherwise, you will regret it because I know I could sit there for hours and chat.

Ratings

Food 3.75/5
Service 3.5/5
Ambiance 4/5