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Fabarnak Restaurant & Catering
Categories: Restaurants Canadian (New) Restaurants Soup Restaurants Sandwiches Canadian (New), Soup, Sandwiches [Edit]
519 Church StreetToronto, ON M4Y 2C9
Neighbourhoods: Church-Wellesley Village, Downtown Core
(416) 355-6781
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 11 am - 3:30 pm
Thu-Fri 11 am - 8:30 pm
Sat 9 am - 8:30 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
Paul R. said: "Rye bread. Smoked meat. Mustard and a pickle. Not very complicated, but it works, and it certainly works well here at Caplansky's. Start with the split-pea soup and you can't go wrong. The service was prompt and friendly. All in all,…" read more »
53 reviews for Fabarnak Restaurant & Catering
Review Highlights
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"The Square Peg and other specials are updated daily on..." In 8 reviews -
"...plain sight in the community centre on Church, Fabarnak was..." In 10 reviews -
"Most of their food is locally and sustainably produced." In 3 reviews
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53 reviews in English
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Review from Lynn C.
5/18/2012
The first visit i had at Fabarnak was a bust - Friday night, no reservation, they turned me away. This time, again on a Friday, I made a reservation, only to get there and find that we were the only people in the restaurant; what gives? Either way, i'd recommend that you get a reservation on a friday evening.
The food here is so good.
- My favourite is the small plate hangar steak, marinated to perfection and lightly seared. The complementary pickle and pesto provides the perfect pairing.
-The bone marrow was a little dry and the red cabbage it came with didnt do it for me. The mushrooms with dressed with a vinaigrette that veered on the sour side.
- Curry and Cauliflower soup of the day was the worst dish actually. It was very bitter and you can taste the excessive bay leaves. The cauliflower is puréed but the soup was not too thick.
- Braised beef brisket was covered with spices and tho a little on the dry side was very good. Too much finger looking potatoes that didnt taste very good.
- My friend had the square peg and i had a taste of her steak - fantastic
The fresh ingredients, the unique and ever changing menu, plus the phenomenal pricing makes this place a 5-star. This is the perfect place to hang out with a friend or go on a date without breaking your wallet. -
Review from jocelyn l.
2/18/2012
We were here on a Saturday and evidently, they only serve breakfast/brunch. No lunch menu.
I had the shrimp and sausage and grits.
I've had grits all over the Southern US.
These grits...are nothing like that.
The grits were chunky and hard- like undercooked corn...and honestly, not super tasty.
They really shouldn't call it grits...
The flavor of the dish itself was good...but the grits was completely unexpected and not really in a good way.
The shrimps were tiny...sausage was good though.
Service was great; they were very nice and accommodating.
I had a soy latte with my meal.
The portion was kinda small...we were All hungry after our meal and needed to snack after lunch (most of us had the grits. one of us had the frittata).
Overall, OK experience, but disappointingly, nothing like what the other diners obviously experienced.Comment from Matthew C. of Fabarnak Restaurant & Catering 4/7/2012
We've launched a brand-new Saturday menu since you were in… More » -
Review from Tong J.
On a cold, frigid day, it's wonderful to have a restaurant like Fabarnak near by. A place that you can walk and grab a tasty brunch.
My favorite, the Shrimps and grits, was as delicious as ever. The spiciness of the sauce helped to drive the (-21 ºC) cold winter chill away plus this dish always arrives hot.
Today, I decided to go all out and treat myself with pancakes as well. The yeast-leavened pancakes were fluffy and perfectly cooked. The rosemary whipped cream complimented the sweetness from the syrup, already drizzled over the pancakes, nicely. And the peameal bacon was scrumptious!
If you are indecisive about sweet or savory, I highly recommend Shrimps and Grits + Pancakes together. Life is short, eat now and pay for it at the gym later!
Oh ... if only they served an out-of-this-world Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles (and good strong coffee), weekend brunch would be much less complicated and completely satisfying for me (and many others, I'm sure).Listed in: Top Notch TO
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/21/2011
Bored with breakfast and yawning for something that would wake up all your senses!
Well, get your off… Read more »
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Review from Emma J.
Vancouver, BC
5/13/2012
This restaurant was a great find for me thanks to yelp. I went for brunch and had poached eggs and toast which was beautifully presented. I also had coffee which was delicious. The staff were extremely friendly and very efficient. I would highly recommend this restaurant.
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Review from David T.
Scarborough, ON
1/23/2012
I decided to drop by for lunch since I was in the area and I wanted to see for myself if Fabarnak lived up to all the rave reviews.
I ordered the famous square peg ($10 lunch/$15 dinner), it had four compartments like a bento box.
First part was a salad with pig's ear, the pig ear was perfectly made, so flavourful.
Second part was hash vegetables, fresh, well made and delicious.
Third part was a lightly battered cod tongue, done to perfection, perfect amount of batter, not oily at all and the fish inside was cooked to perfection.
The last part had a chocolate espresso cake with vanilla ice cream on top which was only okay.
I definitely have to go back and try other dishes on the menu. From what I have tried so far, the place makes fresh, simple food that is so well executed. One thing that also really stands out is your getting amazing value for your money, for the quality of food your receiving.
Fabarnak is a small simple place with service that is not great but not bad either.
Overall, I would have to give it a 4.5 rating. -
Review from Reynold P.
Toronto, ON
1/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
Finally, I had the square peg and loved it.
I've been meaning to try Fabarnak for so long now, and when I ate, it all made sense. Given such a high average Yelp score, you wonder why? Why the "hype"? Can they live up to my expectations? To answer: Yes, yes they can.
Going in, I didn't research what type of food they served or what was on their menu. I just assumed it was delicious food, and that was all I needed to know. I heard that their Square Peg meal was a sampler's choice from heaven. Being the Bento Box fiend I am, I had to try it.
What's nice about Fabarnak is that it's small, modest and humble in it's ways. The space is small, seating is certainly limited and decor is at a minimal. But it's all fine. Like I said before, it all makes sense. The food is the highlight and I don't need an animatronic gorilla pounding it's chest during a fake rain storm. Fabarnak is like sitting in someone's kitchen for lunch/dinner. A candle, a fork, a spoon and a knife. A painting, a hanging apron and some lights, that's it. Nothing to distract your senses from indulging in their cared for food. How do I know it's cared for? It tastes like it.
I ordered the Square Peg, 4 compartments with their daily specials ($15). Roasted shredded squash with parm, lamb wild rice, kidney on crostini,and a chocolate brownie with caramel for dessert. My lovely gf ordered the large portion of roasted chicken with vegetables ($17).
We loved our food. We couldn't stop commenting with each bite, literally. I thought the execution of every component was done exquisitely. I don't remember the last time I had a meal that I thought was prepared as well as those dishes. Admittedly, I liked my gf's choice roasted chicken more than my square peg assortment. Both dishes demonstrated thought and creativity but the flavours and seasoning were perfect on the chicken. The pesto smere made the dish.
Overall, Fabarnak pays attention to detail. Seasoning food is second nature to them. The flavours are true to the ingredients. Nothing is hidden because there isn't anything for them to hide. Simple dishes with big bold flavours, that's what food is all about.Listed in: The Best Of Toronto...
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Review from A.J. S.
1/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
I dropped in to much lauded Fabarnak for lunch, before catching a show.
+Boston lettuce with goat's feta, red onions and peppers
+Smoked trout, pickled fennel on toast
+Mini squab sheppard's pie
+Banana pudding
The food was fabulous, the service was excellent. I had a fruit juice which was great. At 10 dollars this place was an absolute steal. Keep in mind this place appears to be very busy, a number of people I saw coming in didn't have a place to sit. The restaurant is also very small.
This place was great, loved it. -
Review from Sylvia S.
Toronto, ON
1/15/2012
I love this place. One of the best brunch restaurants in the city and now have had dinner there on several occasions. The food is delicious and the restaurant gives back to the community. It is a great model for others to emulate in the future.
For brunch, I strongly recommend the pancakes. The addition of the rosemary whipping cream with them is sublime (and I'm not exaggerating).
The prices are very reasonable. We'll be heading there again next week. :) -
Review from Laura C.
Toronto, ON
Still a fan, but not a fan of waiting :(
We waited 30 mins for our food after ordering, so much for a quick lunch place. It would be nice to pick up the pace so that we can come here for a quick bite to eat before returning to the grind.
Opted out of the Square Peg yesterday. It was Salad with Polenta something, steak and mushroom and a maple donut. Instead, we got sammiches ($10 with soup!) and I got the pork shoulder.
Pork shoulder was DELICIOUS. Had a spicy beans on the side, and was on top of greens and some cheesy scone. ($12 for some, as opposed to $14 for some more) was more than enough.
The beef brisket sammich was tasty too. I could do without the bread - there is a meal version of this too.
I still love the atmosphere here and a great place to catch up, if only we had more time!Listed in: Thanks Yelp!, A meal to remember (and to go…, Where to catch up on Life
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/5/2011
The Square Peg is as excellent as you all say it is!
Wow for $10, a perfectly selected composition of… Read more »
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Review from Cynthia G.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 12/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Well after my first experience here was not the Best, I certainly wanted to give it another try....I met my friend James here for lunch today.........and oh my it was worth the wait !
The food was fantastic. I had the cheese sandwich and James had the pork, we both had the chowder......well the soup was wonderful and the portion size was just perfect for lunch.
My sandwich was great - didn't realize it was going to be a hot sandwich - grilled cheese, so when the warm sandwich with homemade ketchup arrived it was a pleasant surprise, and not enough ketchup.....but it was just wonderful !
James loved his sandwich with the exception of the sunny side up egg on top...he didn't know it would arrive like that.
The specials and the square peg that were described for the day sounded just incredible.......
$30 + $5 tip was a pretty good deal for lunch.
I do have to mention that the service was very slow...out of 10 - service was around a 4. After we received our meal, he was not attentive at all......don't think that will stop me from returning as I'm sure I will be back !Listed in: 30-Day Yelp Challenge, Nov…, YELP Shops Locally
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/26/2011
I've heard so much about this place - I just had to check it out.
And since it is only step from my… Read more »
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Review from David B.
Toronto, ON
4/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
I went on a Sunday. Strangely, they had only brunch well after noon. Anyway, the food was decent and unique. Most portions were appropriate. The southern grits dish was pretty bad though.. very spicy and not much else. Beef brisket dish was tiny. The sandwich I got was good. Started with a c. Service was pretty slow.
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Review from Nayha M.
Toronto, ON
11/28/2011
Good: We had dinner here on one of the Harvest nights, so they were temporarily licensed! The wine list was good, but the beer selection was an excellent - especially important as the menu that night was small. We enjoyed some Beau's Lug Tread ale with our meal, and it worked perfectly.
Better: The service is really friendly and efficient. Dinner in this community centre space makes for a different experience than most restaurants as it's not dimly lit... but I found it refreshing to see the other patrons, especially people meeting at the communal table.
BEST: Chef Wood is an adventurous cook, and puts his dishes together with a lot of thought. We started with the "duelling tongues" appetizer - cod and beef tongue served with a sauce for dipping. The tea-infused capon wings were decent. The ribs were cooked very well, but the apple fritter really stole the show. The halibut en papillote with vegetables was pleasant; well done for a very healthy dish.
I would give this particular dinner 3.5 stars. While all of the food was very good, only the ribs and apple fritter really blew me away. However, I'm intrigued to return, as having food of this calibre at lunchtime could definitely push it into 5-star territory.
Dollars: $100 for two appetizers, two mains, two big bottles of Beau's, tax and tip. -
Review from Imran N.
12/22/2011
2.5 out of 5 for me.
I know most ppl love this place, but i wasn't overly impressed. I got to try 8 different dishes in a group of 4, and all in all, i thought the dishes were conceptually good, but lacked the development of flavour in a lot of cases. But not bad all the same.
I think the prices are quite good, the space is great, but other than that, i wasn't really impressed. The service was pretty bad.
I have a sense though that i may have come here on an off night, so i am interested to go back and try the square peg, but all in all, not a winner for me for now.
and i think it's worth mentioning that i got sick from the food as well the next day. pretty sure it was the halibut cheeks that did it. -
Review from Emily H.
Updated - 12/13/2011
Went here for dinner and I am so so so happpy I did. Freaking delicious.
I was a little disappointed that they were out of their Square Pegs, but that's okay, I forgave them pretty quickly. I ordered the daily soup, which was a Beet Puree, and the Halibut cheek gnocchi +++++++!
The first sip of the soup made me think "Huh?" because it was not your average soup flavour... but as I sipped some more, I thought "well duh! How else would beet soup taste!" It was very beety, but the goat cheese sprinkled on top was an excellent pairing and enhanced the flavour. I was sorry to see myself finish it because I really started to enjoy it. The halibut cheek.... OHHHH the halibut cheek!!!! I am a huge huge scallop fan, and the texture of the halibut cheeks was very similar to scallops (!!) plus a little more chewy. I was misled because I thought the halibut was served with gnocchi, but I think they meant that the pieces of halibut cheeks were made into "gnocchi". So yums nonetheless.
My date ordered their chowder and beef brisket. Chowder was interesting at first for her as well, but it really grew on her. The beef brisket was soooo tender and stewy, and the portion was very generous. Very hearty meal.
We both ordered the smaller portion for dinner, but it was very fair. The quality of the food is really top-notch, unsuspectingly so given the location/environment. And to top it off, considering the community and people that Fabarnak supports, it most definitely certainly deserves a 5.Listed in: Git me my gaybourhood!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/7/2011
This review is only for the weekend brunch! I am very much looking forward to coming back here for… Read more »
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Review from Hilary S.
Updated - 12/22/2011 4 photos
I came here around afternoon to pick up three Square Pegs to go.
I can't say much, since it's all already been said. Refer to other Yelpers. They do not lie and the rumours are true.
Also came for dinner, with a few friends, for my birthday.
Fabarnak rotates their menu (fairly) often, so it's always nice to have a fresh list of choices...and not get stuck in a rut. Luckily, too, all the choices are always delicious and wonderful.
THEY ALSO CHANGE THE UMBRELLAS! YES! I NOTICE THE UMBRELLAS!
I'm not a foodie...but if I were, I'd be able to describe this place with mouth-watering succulent detail. As such, I can just urge you to come here yourself and experience the mouth-water with your own eyes...er, mouth.
PS, service is a bit slow. The wait is worth it.Listed in: FAVSIES, Date, don't rape
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/26/2011
Came here for dinner. It was cute cute cute.
The "to share" menu is a lie. The portions are tiny.… Read more »
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Review from Jonas B.
3/24/2012
Wow! What a surprise and an amazing experience! Tucked away in a community center is my favorite restaurant since moving to Toronto.
Not a place for a lot of atmosphere, but they've done a nice job with what is clearly a community center level of budget. The staff was amazing - super helpful and quick.
Tried the fore gras terrine (served on truffle shortbread-genius!), the tomato soup (spicy with cinnamon notes - very unusual and tasty), the beef brisket (beautifully prepared), and a couple of desserts, which were exceptional.
And, in the end - $50 for three courses and two glasses of wine! Amazing value! -
Review from Fern H.
Updated - 10/14/2011
Back for another round at Fabarnak.
My coworker and I meet up for lunch once a month and sure, we could check out other restaurants in the area, but we just end up going back to Fabarnak again and again.
We each ordered the Square Peg ($10 - has gone up $1 in price) which on this day contained a slab of roasted piri-piri pork topped with a sunny side egg, creamy coleslaw, fingerling potatoes, and a mini Portugese custard tart. We noticed that the portion size has slightly increased with the price which is fantastic.
Fabarnak is celebrating their one year anniversary and also their liquor license. The beer menu consisted of several choices of bottle local brews priced at $5.00. They have also expanded their food menu since the last time we visited.
On my way out, I grabbed a cinnamon cupcake topped with apple cider frosting ($2). Seriously...does not get better than this.Listed in: Dirty 30 Days of Reviews
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/15/2011
Would it be considered obsessive if I ate at Fabarnak TWICE in one week? They might have to get a… Read more »
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Review from Tee Jay R.
Toronto, ON
12/22/2011
I didn't get to try their marquee item, the Square Peg that everyone has raved about -- they were sold out -- and therefore can't consider my review complete. That being said, I was pretty disappointed with my brief experience this afternoon, and have real misgivings about going back.
I ordered the sandwich of the day: Cuban. The meat was greasy, as was the bun -- so much so that I found myself constantly wiping my fingertips. Worst of all -- Sin of Sins! -- it did not contain the promised pickles, and to quote Pete Cherches, "A Cuban sandwich wouldn't be a Cuban sandwich without sliced pickles. They add a crunch and flavor that goes very nicely indeed with the pork, ham and cheese." Thus, apart from a lightly garlicky aioli (or whatever it was), there was nothing to this sandwich apart from meat and cheese. This being my second time trying and failing to get a good Cuban sandwich outside of Miami, I am throwing in the towel :)
The spring mix on the side was a'ight, although it didn't contain the advertised cucumbers.
The service was lackluster. It took quite a long time for the server to come take our order, and rather a while to get rung up, even though this was well after the lunch rush and the place was half empty. -
Review from Vivek S.
Fabarnak is on the ground floor of The 519 Church Street Community Centre, a meeting spot for the LGBT community. It's a modest space, about the size of a garage, and is fitted with a long communal table in the centre of the space. In the summer the front windows open up to a little patio that faces Church street.
Cutting to the chase: my food was excellent. I had a watermelon gazpacho to start, which was perfect on the broiling hot day I visited. It was cool and tangy and bright pink. All pluses. I tried to order a pork sandwich but couldn't get it on whole wheat bread for some reason, only ciabatta which I hate. (Weird.) So I opted for a fried chicken sandwich, which came with fennel and I believe roasted red peppers. I enjoyed it.
I can't help but feel that I missed out by not getting the Square Peg, but all-in-all it was a great meal and at a pretty reasonable price. I shall try return.
Obligatory Title Pun: This place has got the NAK.
Menu Readability: Now THAT'S a menu. Bright colours, clean design!
Need to mention: Yelpers can't seem to get enough of this place. I was having lunch with a yelper when two others walked in. Sheesh!
What this place teaches me about myself: I need to be more insistent with my bread preferences.Listed in: Lunch Time!, It's a wonderful day in the…
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Review from Tammy Y.
10/11/2011
Dear Fabarnak,
What can I say? You're just... fab.
Love,
Tammy -
Review from Cindy H.
8/11/2011 ROTD 3/26/2012
Fabarnak is a precious gem, with its delightful menu selection and cheap prices.
I sampled my sister's square peg, which had pork belly, corn-on-the-cob, green beans, and a blueberry ice cream dessert ($9). Superb!
For myself, the eggplant quiche with a fresh side salad was refreshing and satisfied my lunch hunger ($9). Next time, I will have to treat myself to a cupcake for dessert.
I'll be raving to all of my friends about the quaint decor and excellent service.
See you soon, Fabarnak! -
Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
I changed my mind about Fabarnak!!
After my last visit to Fabarnak with 2 yelpers and ended up I have a chance to order some real entrees..... (Nice Yelpers were forced to shared theirs with me!)
Sorry, Square Box I no longer love you as much as before.....
Entrees, you are my TRUE LOVE. You are so well prepared and with class and great flavours. You are the REAL DEAL....and a real deal at that price too!!
Now I have to come back to try the Fabarnak's Brunch Menu (the morning after meal)!Listed in: Yelp 30 Day Challenge October…, Cheap/Fast Date!, All for a Good Cause!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/19/2011
I finally made it to Fabarnak for a late late late lunch... 3:30 pm??
Heard so much about it and I… Read more »
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Review from Ander R.
Toronto, ON
2/11/2012
Food is amazing, and healthy, five stars for food
yes you should expect to wait, but good food takes time, so build that into your plan, I'm willing to wait for a good meal. Square peg is good reliable simple choice, but everything is delicious. Note that the high priced fancy fruit juice is just apple juice with a little bit of pomegranate, cherry or other juice to liven it up.
I recommend it, but I always go with a backup restaurant planned, since 3 out of 4 times I've intended to go, they havent been open. Call ahead.
They arent open when they say they are open, and sometimes decide not to open at all for the day. Their website has little information, and the contact page is blank. Unreliablity, and inconsistancy are the reason this doesnt get 5 stars. They do not post hours on the store, it seems to be a form of arrogance and contempt for their customers. -
Review from WaYnE c.
Maple, ON
10/6/2011
I somewhat like this one -----} Rabbit Gnocchi
I kinda like this one -----} Peruvian Flank Steak
I definitely like this one -----} Deconstructed Chowder
I like this one too -----} Creative, fun, simple, healthy, diverse Menu
I DONT like this one -----} Green Hard Metal ChairsListed in: 4+ ****Stars****
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Review from Michael Y.
Toronto, ON
Came on a Saturday, which opens as an all day brunch and they serve dinner in the evening. LOVE that they re-invest profits from the restaurant back into the community and over 80% of our food is locally and sustainably produced.
Don't know if this was normal but they seemed very short staffed. Regardless the one waiter did a marvelous job. Was attentive to all the patrons even though we had to wait a tiny little bit longer - and not by much. I ordered the grits and the wife had the full monty. Both were really good and perfect portion size - very satisfying. It exceeded my expectations and definitely going to try to make it for dinner next time. I definitely tipped generously and it was well deserved. -
Review from Lauren M.
Are you a foodie who also happens to be cheap? (Or "thrifty"?) Well say hello to your new favourite lunch spot; FABARNAK.
I read about Fabarnak on Toronto Life and decided to hit it up for lunch with fellow yelper Jennifer M.
The restaurant is operated by the 519 Church Street Community Centre and all profits are reinvested back into the community centre itself. Most of their food is locally and sustainably produced.
The lunch menu is fairly extensive but the real pièce de résistance is the "Square Peg" bento box ($9!!!), which is a bento box filled with four smaller portions of their daily specials..
Today I dined on crispy pigtail w/horseradish aioli, roasted asparagus w/ toscano cheese, mini yukon potatoes w/ basil pesto and rosemary shortbread cookies w/ dolce de leche for lunch. FOR $9!!!!
I've never eaten pigtail but it was served battered and pan-fried like a schnitzel, the meat inside was fatty, tender and succulent with a texture similar to pulled pork. The mini shortbread cookies topped with dolce de leche nearly had me drooling. Portion size was by no means huge but it was certainly the right size for lunch.
The rest of the lunch menu includes salads ($4-$7), soups ($4-$7), daily quiche ($5), variety of sandwiches ($10) and an extensive list of delicious sounding entrees: "deconstructed chowder", "peruvian flank steak" and "white bean pappardelle" to name a few ($10-$12). Good selection of vegan and vegetarian options.
Service was a bit slow when we first arrived, but a few minutes later the entire staff was literally bending over backwards to ensure we were well taken care of and enjoying our food. This is quite commendable considering they don't even pocket their own tips - it all goes back to the community centre.
The Square Peg and other specials are updated daily on Fabarnak's twitter account (@FABARNAKresto) -
Review from Jennifer M.
Toronto, ON
Seriously, Seriously (!!) Lunch date this afternoon with Lauren M - the two of us decide to head just down Church street to Fabarnak. We are seated and begin to discuss 5 star reviews, what is good, and how sparingly we give 5-stars-now-a-days. Three minutes later we are both salivating over the meals being placed before us, and three minutes after that we are crafting our 5 star reviews in our heads and practically sobbing.
So I exaggerate slightly, but with the plethora of mediocre and expensive lunch options for us Yorkville area office workers Fabarak shines through like a delicious, inexpensive, beacon of fabulousness which cannot be ignored.
See Lauren M's review below for her description of the "Square Peg" Lunch special which is a delightful and experimental steal at $9. Today's was crispy pigtail w/horseradish aioli, roasted asparagus w/ toscano cheese, mini yukon potatoes w/ basil pesto and rosemary shortbread cookies w/ dolce de leche.
I was interested in reverting to childhood, so I selected a tomato bisque with 4 cheese grilled cheese which was accompanied by onion marmalade and tomato jam. My only complaint was that I could have used much more marmalade, being that it was outstanding. My lunch came in at just over $11.
I did have one of Lauren's cookies which were, indeed, drool worthy.
Service was spotty at first, and then exemplary as lunch went on. And to add to the good karma, all profits benefit the 519 community centre, and 80% of the food is locally and sustainably produced. All of it is healthy, and none of the other patrons left a spot on their plates either, which is a good sign. Lots of veggie friendly options.
Follow on Twitter for lunch specials and the like.
Feel Good, Eat Good food that blows all of the Y&B competition out of the water. I have not had lunch this good in Toronto, maybe EVER, especially anywhere near this price range. I will be back, frequently - likely waiting in line once the word gets out.Listed in: Best of the Best, Yonge & Bloor Reviews., BOOM ROTD!
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Review from Bronwyn K.
Toronto, ON
2/19/2012
Had an amazing dinner there during their February Foodie Nights week. Maple smoked pork loin with bits and pieces soaked in fatty broth, and heavens was it decadent. Adventurous eating, for sure. Also had a fois gras mousse and gnocchi with creme fraiche and tomatoes that was to die for. Highly recommended, and for a good cause.
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Review from Lilliane G.
Toronto, ON
7/22/2011
Wow! Ok, healthy, fresh, inexpensive and delicious food with a social conscience? What? What? What? Yup! All of the above and more.
Had lunch here today with Lauren M. and my goodness it was everything that everyone has been raving about.
Today's square peg of Boston lettuce, smoked blue cheese and buttermilk dressing with baked beans, smoked pig feet stuffed corn toritillas with aged gouda, pickled pepper hot sauce and melon semi freddo and rum sugar cookie was indeed a mouthful to pronounce but worth every single syllable when it came time to feast on this delicious offering! All for 9 bucks!
Would I return? Yes! Would I recommend this place to others? Highly! Was the service good? Absolutely! -
Review from Angela L.
6/15/2011
I can no longer keep this secret. After all, I have taken five friends here over four meals in almost as many days. I think that I've hoarded this amazing place (almost) to myself for long enough. Fabarnak is amazing and everyone needs to know right now!
Over three lunches and a brunch, I've sampled two extremely different square pegs, two massive tasty bowls of the server recommended smoked cheese and bacon topped warm potato salad, two perfectly proportioned (with far more cake than icing) cupcakes (which are different every week and available only on Wednesdays), a delicious Full Monty breakfast, a deconstructed chowder, and half of an order of their fantastic yeast-leavened pancakes with peameal bacon and rosemary whipped cream.
Organic iced teas come in lime, lemon, and pomegranate. They even carry Boylan sodas which are sweetened with cane sugar. A big hot mug of "gout russe" tea or any other choice from their selection of French teas will wake you right up too.
There are only two tables on the raised patio. If you're lucky enough to snag one, you might just catch some of the action on Church St. (like the World Naked Bike Ride that we caught a glimpse of this past Saturday). The smaller and communal tables inside are nice and comfortable too.
The service is consistently sincere despite the fact that all of the tips (and most of the proceeds from the sales) go back to the 519 community centre (which the restaurant is housed in). It's so wonderful to meet servers and chefs who enjoy their jobs and believe in what the operation stands for...all the while enjoying inventive fare at an extremely great deal.
I am pretty much already a regular, but hope that I won't have to fight any of you to get a seat now that I've let the fat cat out of the bag. -
Review from Chris M.
6/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Tucked away in plain sight in the community centre on Church, Fabarnak was a great discovery! It sports floor-to-ceiling windows that let in loads of light and are good for people-watching. The decor is clean and modern and the small, open space has a social, easygoing feel to it.
Fabarnak has two big hooks to its presentation - firstly, that its employment model is directly geared toward helping members of the local community find work and training, and secondly that as much of its food as possible is locally sourced. And what food! The menu offers a compact array, though diverse in flavour, of soups, sandwiches, salads, a bento box type sampler plate, and some heartier mains like chicken, risotto and roast meats.
I ordered the pork shoulder, while my girlfriend had the green pea risotto. My dish was a sizable and attractive piece of pork, crackly and black around the edges with an even gold-brown crust, served on a portion of mixed beans in maple glaze with two soft little buttermilk biscuits on the side. It was delicious! The pork was lightly charred on the outside and positively melt-in-your-mouth and flavourfully meaty on the inside. The beans were just sweet enough to balance against the smoky pork. Yum.
My sampled bite of the risotto was not like most that I've eaten before - it was served with a texture almost like a puree, and came with a dollop of pureed carrot and some lightly anise-flavoured baby greens - but the snappy and bright flavour of green peas was absolutely refreshing and appropriate for a hot summer lunch.
It's also of note that the prices, for food this impressive, were very reasonable - the priciest items on the menu, full mains like the pork shoulder I had, are only around $14, and I felt like there was enough food there to leave satisfied.
If I had any minor quibbles, they would be as follows - the coffee was not great, and I would have enjoyed a cold beer but they don't offer alcohol. But these issues were certainly not enough to deter me from being really pleased by my stop at Fabarnak!Listed in: Village Gems
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Review from Marc G.
Calgary, AB
1/29/2012
This place deserves one star. I am only being lenient because they have an admirable business model of giving back to the community.
Cons:
-Server handed us the menu, when ordered a few minutes later they said they ran out of bacon and a few other ingredients. You are suppose to tell the customer what you ran out of prior to them looking at the menu. Unprofessional.
-45 minute wait for food during a slow time of the day.
-We had to remind our waiter to bring out food out!! Seriously.
-eggs were lukewarm
-apathetic waitstaff (friendly does not equate good service, speed is important)
-small portion for shrimp grits
Pros:
+Business model
+Shrimp grits was good
+plate presentation
+Decor
I don't have much else to say about this place. If you can't serve your customers properly on a Saturday morning, don't open. 45 minutes for two eggs and a shrimp grit? Seriously, unacceptable. -
Review from Leah S.
Toronto, ON
11/30/2011
First off, FYI I am very green with this "yelp reviewing" thing. But, Fabarnak has inspired me to share my restaurant reviews with the public. (Also, I've secretly wanted to be a Yelp reviewer since '09, when I signed up with Yelp.)
To begin: Why I chose Fabarnak: It was a close friend's birthday on Monday and I was unable to celebrate with her during her birthday weekend. Also, she recently moved to the gay-bourhood in lovely, downtown Toronto. I offered to take her to lunch, to redeem my lack-of-presence on her special occasion. Thus, to ensure that the restaurant I chose would accommodate such a redemption, I decided to put my trust in Yelp. (A proven, great idea.) Upon entering the words "lunch" and "gaybourhood" into the Yelp search engine, up popped #1, Fabarnak. Too many amazingly in-favor of "fab" reviews enticed me to trust the Yelp foodies, hence our presence at Fabarnak earlier this afternoon.
Why I like this place: The food was delicious. I may not be considered in most social circles as a "foodie," however I trust my taste-buds. They have yet to steer me in the wrong direction and I've always had passion for delicious food. We ordered: 2 beet & edamame salads, mac&cheese, beef brisket, bbq beef brisket sandwich, soup du jour, lattes, an organic beverage, and a root beer.
The salad was not what either of us had expected, as I assumed it would lack greens. However, I was pleasantly surprised. It was light, and tasty.
I did not try, but the mac&cheese was apparently delicious. It also came with a shot glass full of a mystery red sauce, which until the served realized it was in fact not ketchup (thankfully so), regrettably did not add it to the mac&cheese until the meal was half-finished.
The beef brisket was not only presented artistically, but was equally delicious! The beef was laid on-top of seasoned, oven-roasted potatoes, greens, and edamame beans. A nice, strong goat-cheese spread was also a flavorful touch.
With all great comments, here is the thorn: The bbq beef brisket sandwich and soup du jour did not review as well by the served. In all fairness, he is the pickiest meat eater I know, but did mention that the beef was too chewy. Also, two days prior he had a beef brisket sandwich at The Black Camel (a nearby favourite I've yet to try), which, apparently cannot be matched. He also did not eat much more than a 1/3 of the soup. I also took a spoon full of the soup and although I didn't NOT like it, It confirmed satisfaction with my salad choice.
Atmosphere: casual & friendly. My ideal setting for lunch. I like the raw tables and "country-ish/modern-ish" vibe. The upside-down pink umbrellas are an interesting decor choice. Although, my slightly superstitious friend pointed out that it is bad luck to have umbrellas open indoors. If you, too are superstitious it might be best to order take-out and have a friend go inside to pick up for you.
Service: was most definitely with a smile. Great, accommodating staff. I love when staff make you feel like a regular when it is your first time at the restaurant. A+. Also, I sneakily (not so sneakily) walked to the counter to order unnecessary shots of espresso (mmm) and requested that a beautiful cupcake be brought after our meal in celebration of my friends birthday. The server, on perfect cue delivered the savory treat with a candle. Kodak moment. :)
More things I like about Fabarnak: The menu options of "some" or "more." Perfect for the option of sharing or taking home left overs. We all ordered "some," were very satisfied with the portions, and are now very curious about the quantity of the "more" option. Upon finishing my meal, I decided that next time I visit this gem I will order "more" just so I can enjoy my meal a second time. Fabarnak is also very reasonably priced...which is always a plus. $69 to feed three, majority satisfied & full customers, including a more than 15% tip. Win.
All in all, I think you get that I really enjoyed my experience at Fabarnak and plan on returning, as will my friend who luckily lives close-by.
Thank you, Yelp and T.O. foodies. Fabarnak is a great choice! -
Review from Duane L.
Toronto, ON
1/6/2012
So good. Just go.
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Review from Alexander R.
Toronto, ON
1/22/2012
Great open airy modern space, Great food, Great time! Good for a date. Check Twitter for the Daily Square Peg Special, and then make sure to go and order it. Portions are not huge, but the taste makes up for it! Good price for a cup of coffee with your lunch as well.
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Review from Yousaf K.
1/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
I love this place and I've never even had the clam chowder or the pegs. Some duck pappardelle and beef brisket is all I need!
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Review from M T.
Toronto, ON
1/14/2012
My husband and I were very excited to visit Fabarnak for brunch after reading all the rave reviews. I ordered the Shrimp and Sausage grits and he ordered the Full Monty. Unfortunately, it seems that the kitchen had run out of ingredients, but didn't bother to tell us. The food arrived -- the grits were not very 'grits-like' but more resembled corn kernels in sauce. This wasn't as unusual as the fact that there were no shrimp, two half-slices of sausage, no greens, and no shaved toscana, all of which was promised on the menu page. The Full Monty was supposed to come with potatoes -- there were none. There were a few clementine slices, mixed with refrigerated cubes of watermelon and cantaloupe that seemed a little past their due date. Not impressed at all.
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Review from Jenny H.
Toronto, ON
10/28/2011 1 photo
Saturday all-day breakfast at Fabarnak...
I was looking forward to visiting this place after all of the encouraging Yelp reviews. What can I say?? I'm a huge fan of this place.
The decor was very minimalistic but colourful. Upside-down pink umbrellas as lighting, a long wooden table in the centre, and pieces of artwork made the place seem artistic but homely. The waiter was friendly and very informative about what was on the menu. It was a little busy when I went so the service was a little slow but it was all worth it.... because the food was amazing.
I had french toast with pea-meal bacon with mustard seed and beet jam on the side. The beet jam was delicious. So innovative! Everything on the plate just went so well together. The grits seem to be a popular choice, so I'll try that next.
I don't know how they think of the menu because I think it changes almost daily.... but whatever you're doing Fabarnak, keep it up! I have you penciled in for every Saturday... -
Review from Maxine C.
Toronto, ON
12/18/2010
This little gem flies under the radar inside The 519 community centre on Church Street, but the concept and the quality of the food may soon blow the cover.
Fabarnak has awesomeness written all over it, right down to the wordplayful name. Recently opened in November 2010, it's a teaching restaurant aimed at training people with barriers to employment, with profits going back to The 519. Kicking up the good citizenship a few more notches, the menu is all healthy, sustainable and locally sourced.
The comfortably minimalist space isn't large, but floor-to-ceiling windows give it a bright, open and modern feel. Rumour has it that a patio is slated to open up once warmer weather arrives.
I ordered 'Earthy', a barley risotto cooked in miso broth and served with caramelized onions, succulent mushrooms and green peas. The seasoning was perfect, and the portion was sized just right to fill me up without giving me a food baby.
Everyone else in my party was similarly impressed with the food. At $12 for a main at lunch, the prices are great for the foodie-worthy quality you're getting.
A few things were a bit rough around the edges: my tea was served in a disposable paper cup (biodegradable, but odd for dining-in), service was pleasant and competent, though a little inefficient at times. NB: no liquor licence (yet?). On a separate note: as a vegan, I'd be happy to see at least a few more vegetarian options on the meat-heavy card. No stars deducted -- it's a newly opened teaching restaurant with a great concept and sweetly forgivable little kinks. -
Review from Keith A.
11/22/2011
Uh, this place is the bomb. I am so incredibly jealous that there is no place at all like this in Atlanta, GA where I live. It's basically an ever-changing menu of very interesting modern/American (Canadian?) dishes, with an extremely high level of creativity and absurdly low prices for what you're getting. The interior takes its cues from the lobby of MOMA (love the green chairs and upside-down pink umbrellas) / Karim Rashid school of colorful minimalism, and the servers seem generally cute (non gender specific), quirky and capable. If I lived around here I'd be here once a week minimum. Everything we had was delish, but my favorite thing at the time was the Farmbird (I think) Lollipops.
