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Real People. Real Reviews.®
Categories: Lounges, Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
563 Bloor St W
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Very impressed..
Was walking down Bloor st in the Annex and a couple of hotties were handing out flyers to promote the bar!
Posting a pic of it.. they have specials everyday of the week. ;)
It was pouring outside lastnight and nothing to do.
It was 1am and my friend and I stumbled down the…
Read more »
A great place for late eats.
As for my previous review, a lot of my disgruntle-ness came from really the seating and where it was located.
This time we sat at the back couches again, but with 4 people, we got the big couch and it was quite comfortable. Again, the table was too high, and you couldn't really sit back on the couch and talk to the other folks across, it was just too loud and you can't hear anything.
Other than that, the food and drink was very good. They had an extensive scotch menu, which my scotch connousieur friend had a kick out of picking something. Martini's on Thursdays were also $5.50 and steam whitsle beer only $4. Score!
I got sweet potato fries, and it comes with an awesome aioli. It wasn't on the menu, or at least I didn't see it.
The server was really friendly, and gave us all her favourites and recommendations. I like it when they talk to the same level as the cusomters, in terms of tone, and how she crouched down to our low table to better to hear us.
I'll come back maybe sit at a regular table this time.
Came here for brunch on Sunday morning. We got there around 12pm. I had tried calling ahead to save… Read more »
I came here a couple weeks ago for Sunday brunch with a couple friends from out of town. We were asked if we wanted to sit at the bar but we had time to spare so we waited behind 2-3 groups.
We were sitted at the High-Chairs near the middle of the resto and personally it felt WEIRD because I was sitting way UP there while next to us sat a couple of ladies in LOW comfy sofa seats.
It felt like if I slope to one side of my chair, I would fall on one of them or would stomp on their purses/bags. When I got off of my chair, my CROUCH was next to one of their faces if they turned over to face me.
Anyways, I HAD to order their Daily Special (Poach Eggs w/Hollandaise on top of a crispy RICE PATTY), which I forgot the name it sounded Asian. I TOLD my friend to have the Huevo Rancheros, while another got the Eggs Charlotte.
I had a taste of my Rice Patty and left it alone... Started to ATTACK my friend's Huevo and Charlotte. I give both a passing grade, but not something spectacular.
One of my friend's did give me a so-so comment on their homefries, and saw most of it left on the plate while I did clean off most of mine but personally I prefer others if I had a choice.
Listed in: North American Eats
An unexpected restaurant with good food. I really didn't expect the food to be all that good because from the outside it looked like a hipster bar. My friend swore by it so we tried it. I don't live in the area but I would go again.
This place might be a bood restaurant/bar. I rarely drink so the things that might make this place shine is dead to me. I was recommended to this place on account of them having coffee drinks and wifi, but I went at dinnertime and it's way too dark to get any work done. And I'm the only person trying to do anything productive in here.
The burger I had was decent, but nothing interesting of different than any other burger of this range...though this one was more expensive. The BBQ sauce and french fries were good. Better than average, but the Greek salad was worse than average so that balances out. The menu didn't impress overall and the prices seem high for what you get...that feature matches the pretentious atmosphere. But clearly they are fooling lots of people because business seemed good and, after all, it was recommended by somebody at a restaurant that I DO like.
I wouldn't avoid this place, but I'll never go out of my way to come here either.
On the occasion I ate here I was thoroughly unimpressed.
The ambiance seems to be a mix of crude hipster and "oh hey I watched restaurant makeover" we can do this on a budget!
The food was overpriced and mediocre. Well mediocre for the price.
I had a chicken bean quesadilla, which was soggy with grease, the chicken tasted reheated and the refried beans were canned. Mind you at taco bell I would have been raving this dish, however at $15 or so, I expect a little more out of my meal.
My friend had and let me sample,
A butternut squash soup: I could taste the sulphides from the carton it was poured
Followed by a walnut alfredo something: it was a bland but over salted alfredo sauce with some toasted walnuts thrown into it.
May it was an off day for the cooks judging by the other reviews but my experience was very unimpressive
I have been attending brunch services at Insomnia for almost a decade now. Some things have changed, like, when they used to give you individual bottles of water instead of a carafe (yeah, it was weird and I'm glad it didn't last) and the art on the walls always rotates (sometimes, thankfully) but it's the consistency that counts.
Eggs Charlotte. Your typical Eggs Benny with smoked salmon instead of ham, and my god, do I love it. And they always toast my english muffin extra-well, just as I ask them. Sometimes when I am really itching for that fuzzy-toothed-feeling, I get the Eggs Florentine, and they've added another variation of the Eggs Benedict format that includes avocado spread, but really it's about the Charlotte for me.
Yes, the "home fries" are not your usual dry little nuggets but rather saucy big cubes of crispy potatoes that are not to some people's tastes, but shore do fit mine.
I haven't had one of the classic baked-in-the-oven pancakes in *years* but that's mainly because I'm starved for salmon, but an order of the chocolate-banana one (yes, one - one large, fluffy, sectioned pancake) would feed me for days. Sweet-loving friends have also enjoyed the "Heaven on Earth" - french toast with berries and cream cheese.
It really does take fate and gods on your side to pick an ideal time to come, but I like the near-end-of-brunch time, as the friendly staff let me sit and drink as many coffee refills as me and my brunch date can stand, with nary a "get-out-of-here" laser death glare.
Listed in: Bruncheroos
I've gone to Insomnia since it really started out as an Internet cafe/resto...then turned into a Fondue joint, and now it is mostly just restaurant.
I enjoy the ambiance. Indeed, for the brunch lover - Saturdays and Sundays are rewarding. You get seated, get your meal, and get out. I haven't tried anything other than the Eggs Benedict at Brunch, and until they mess that up (never I hope), they make it the best in my opinion.
The day I discovered Insomnia, I was pretty sure my coolness factor was so high that it could have been mistaken as an item on Insomnia's menu.
I'd say it is the best martini bar around (they've got well over 30 to choose from) and the food is delicious. I won't go there to eat by myself because I don't really think it's the type of place to do that, but if I have friends in tow who are willing to go beyond the student budget, you can bet that there will be one Rosedale pizza on our table and a smattering of martini glasses.
Insomnia has DJs spinning every night so it can be noisy with the music and the crowd, so I'd recommend going on a weekday night to celebrate something, or if you're me, going at 1 PM after watching Obama's inauguration at the Bloor Cinema. No crowds at 1 PM.
The service is great, Thursday nights have cheaper martinis ($5-6), and if you or your company could possibly be carded, just be sure to bring ID. You're technically in UofT territory.
After two years, I still think their ceiling lights are really cool.
I like martinis.
I like martinis with vodka.
I like martinis with gin.
I like martinis that may not taste anything like a martini.
I've hosted girls nights here.
I've brought dates here.
I come here with friends.
I recommend the Black Forest martini or the lemon drop.
Food is okay. Drink a few martinis from their extensive drink menu and you probably won't care too much about what they are serving for dinner.
Though I live in the Annex, I don't eat in the area very often, however Insomnia is one exception. My sister and I enjoy going here for brunch and dinner, as both menus have some simple but tasty items.
As is the case with many Annex restaurants, Insomnia caters to the university crowd with it's loungey decor: A few couches, chairs and low tables in the back, a couple high tables with bar chairs and then your basic seating and a bar. Art by local painters, photographers, mixed media peeps adorn the walls and are available for purchase. Swirly tube lights are suspended on the ceiling. The restaurant features different "themed DJ nights" every night at 10 PM but before that, your typical indie and alternative bands can be heard through the speakers- Radiohead, Franz Ferdinand, The Dears, pretty much anything I listened to when I was in grade 11. Which is good. It makes me happy and nostalgic.
Now down to the food. I find the prices quite reasonable for what you get. My faves are the Spinach salad ($9) which comes with sundried cranberries, pumpkin seeds and a raspberry vinaigrette.
The grilled chicken or vegetable sandwich (both $9, all bread is baked fresh from Cobs) are great, and come with baby greens, fries and their delicious aioli for dippin'. One suggestion for the veggie sandwich is to ask for the vegetables to be warmed up, as they usually come cool.
Cool!
I've never tried the pizzas, but their names are just adorable. Depending on the topping, each pizza has a complementary name that's a different Toronto neighbourhood, such as the Danforth- tomato sauce, roasted garlic, grilled chicken, kalamata olives, roasted red peppers and feta cheese, or the Little Italy- olive oil, roasted garlic, prosciutto and asiago cheese. Pizzas are $14-$15.
For dessert I recommend the Climax Cake, which is a flour-less cake, so it's a bit on the heavy side, paired with a cup of their delicious hint-of-cinnamon coffee.
Omigoodness there's still brunch! I'll be quick, so here are my top choices:
The Traditional ($10)
The General's Special ($11) (Both of these have eggs/come with eggs, which I don't like, so these are usually my sister's choices)
The PLT ($10) Like a BLT but with peameal bacon! Even better!
Huevos Racheros ($10) I've actually never had it but it sounds really good. I'll keep it in mind for next time!
Note: Their homefries are not your typical potatoes or tater-tots, they come with this type of red barbequey sauce. Not my favourite, but my sister loves them. If you order a side sausage, it's a full-sized sausage on a plate. Hence why they are $3.50.
And if you have room for dessert, how about another slice of that Climax Cake? Mmmmm!
Daily drink specials.
Free wifi.
Great spot for brunch.
Love the potatoes. Big cubes with a bbq/ketchupy sauce. I could eat a whole bowl of the suckers. My brunch buddy, Gillian K found them a bit too rich. I haven't met anything rich that I didn't like.
Aside from the potatoes...other items about Insomnia that I love:
- the area - I feel an Annex list in my future
- they serve huevos
- the array of booze
- big ass bar stools
- friendly staff
- economical
- variety of patrons
- you get a large bottle of water, with lemon, at your table before you sit down
- funky art and photography on the wall
- they serve salad with brunch
- brown sugar at the table for your coffee/tea
Only reason I did not give Insomnia 5 stars is the tortilla for the huevos wasn't cooked/fried...a personal preference, I know.
I will be back to Insomnia for brunch soon. What a great spot!!
Listed in: For the Love of the Annex
I tried Insomnia out with a good friend of mine a few weeks back and it is definitely a fun new brunch experience for me.
Although my friend and I had to wait a bit for a table, I could tell that this place is always busy (especially on the weekend mornings) due to the area and more importantly, the food!
As I was waiting, I breathed in the aroma of delicious brunch plates and eyed other people's food creepily as I waited.
Once my friend and I got a table, the waiter came immediately with a hot pot of coffee for myself, which was a nice rich brew, finished off with fresh cool cream and sugar.
For brunch, I ordered the waffle with bananas and chocolate sauce and my friend opted for the more healthy egg white omelette with veggies and feta cheese.
My waffle came fresh and hot to the table and the actual waffle was soft with crispy outsides. The bananas were cut into small circles with a nice drizzle of chocolate syrup and maple syrup.
I did get a taste of my friend's omelette, which had a nice balance of veggies and cheese. The eggs were cooked well and were not runny.
Our bill came to $28, so close to $15 each including tip.
I would recommend this place!
But one thing to keep in mind... If you want to order pancakes for brunch there, their pancakes apparently take 30 minutes to make because they make it completely from scratch and cook the pancakes in a special oven.
I went for Sunday brunch with a friend. We got there around 11:30 and there was a lineup out the door.
I am not a fan of the patrons that were in line with us. They were unhelpful and rude. A pair of 20 something boys misinformed me about having to wait in line just to put my name down on the list. A pod of 20 something girls were complaining about the wait and occupying the entire front entrance making it hard to hear if my name was called while waiting behind a closed door.
We actually only waited about 10 minutes after I was finally convinced by my friend that I didn't have to wait to put my name on the list. The seating was very comfortable with a good amount of distance between the adjacent tables.
I ordered the Huevos Rancheros. It was my first time having this dish but I though it was decent. The high point of the dish is the weird looking homefries. Overall a well presented dish. ($10). As a non meat consumer, I didn't think the menu offered too much variety.
I would go again though this place is nothing spectacular.
side: I was distracted by all the pretty bottles hanging on the liquor wall.
I've been here a couple of times, but it's been a few years. It's a reliable kind of place to eat. Like when you're not sure where to go, can't think of anything in the area more exotic, and are just hungry. I intended to go for brunch this past Saturday, but missed it. I think it ends at 3 pm, like most places. So I was left with the lunch/dinner menu. I had the grilled vegetable sandwich with eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms, roasted red pepper, and hummus. Homemade hummus, too, I think. It's a hefty sandwich, on foccacia, and I had a side of sweet potato fries and a green salad. It was good. It was satisfying, and I didn't feel like $9 was over priced. In general I think the menu is priced well in relation to the portion sizes. I would recommend this place to the average eater, and anyone looking for a trusty meal.
Great food, nice ambiance. I've been to this place probably about 7 times over the past 5 years or so and it has never disappointed. I do get confused when I get offered multiple options for Rum though. I will need to learn more about Rum. If you are there late enough they always have dj's spinning music in the background. Service is good. Last thing I tried was the walnut penne which was definately tasty.
Went here with a bunch of people for dinner. Not a bad choice, there were roughly 10 of us there. The waitress was friendly, offered her opinion on what was good and what wasn't. I ordered the steak and asked for medium rare, the steak wasn't that great and it was more-so to the medium side than the rare. The place wasn't expensive, normal restaurant pricing for the type of food we got. Overall, it's not a bad place to eat if your in the area.
Me: The fish in my ($19) fish and chips has bones all through it.
Manager: We didn't butcher it. I'll give you 20% off.
Me: Off everything or just my food?
Manager: Just your food.
Me: I'll pay for a plate of fries and my drink, but nothing more.
Manager: Fries are like $8
Me: Whatever
i don't know if I'd go to Insomnia for just a regular night out, but it sure is a rad spot to go for a drink before a show at Lee's Palace.
They have a lot of martini specials and the staff are very friendly.
It's also a really good spot for a decent weekend brunch.
They have overstuffed chairs and everything, so you can really get amongst the weekend sloth of it.
My motto is.. if it's cool they will come.. and come they do at this ultra cool lounge style restaurant cafe.. this place gives you the proper environment for good vibes and good times.. Bar staff is sexy.. waitstaff is sexy.. what more do you need.. Food you ask.. well that's sexy too.. LOL and good!! I have not tried one bad thing on the menu.. and this place has the best chocolate cake I've ever eaten.. ANYWHERE!! my order the other day for 3 pcs to go accounts for that.. it's called the CLIMAX Cake.. order this.. guaranteed to please!! and make you come back for more.. :)
Listed in: Good
Insomnia is one of those places that manages to do well as a dinner spot, a late night drink spot as well as a weekend brunch spot.
I've always enjoyed their food, which contains things like pizzas and pastas or the sort you'd expect to find at a College St restaurant. It's a good place to go for a fun dinner with friends. The service is good, and the atmosphere is cozy, so it really packs a 1-2-3 punch as far as a dinner establishment.
When it comes to late night drinks, I find it depends on how you're feeling. If you're in the mood for a dark, loungy type bar, complete with the sometimes-too-loud music, then this is the place for you. From time to time, we're all in the mood for that, but not always.
I must say that I'm not a big fan of their weekend brunch. I find it to be over priced and not exceptional by any stretch of the imagination. It's quite mediocre, actually. They have these giant pancakes you can get that are an inch thick, but you have to wait 30 minutes for them to cook. Just seems like an unnecessary novelty to me.
Insomnia is too cool for school, and I often walk in wondering if it's too cool for me, too. I have so many gatherings of friends, birthday drinks, etc, that happen at Insomnia that I will go there from time to time, but it is rarely my first pick.
That being said, the cocktails and food are delicious. The tapas-style appetizers are more upscale than your usual pub grub, but still inviting and approachable, and great to share with a group. Their pizzas run on the smaller side for the price but if you get one to share as an appetizer you will not be disappointed. Their sandwiches are also tasty and some of the more reasonably priced menu items.
The main issue I have with Insomnia is that it's got too many "too"s. It's too cool for school, as I said before. By that I mean, the people in there are often looking to be seen, and in a sense Insomnia feels like an arty Queen West bar that somehow got lost on the way and settled down in the middle of the Annex. Next, it's too small. Seating can be cramped and getting even seating for a medium-sized group can be incredibly frustrating. Bumping right up against the major Bathurst-Bloor intersection space means that when you step out for a phone call or to meet someone (or for smokers), sidewalk space is at a premium. Lastly, it's just too damned loud. Yes, it makes me sound like an old lady, but for the life of my I cannot hold a conversation in that bar without ending up practically in someone's lap trying to hear them.
A nice relaxing place, even if the music is a bit uppity and dance-able. Comfy chairs and a couch or two. Good prices for drinks, and the food wasn't bad either.
I went there once to see my friend's art and it's not a bad place for this, though you can't really stand and stare at it. Depends on how you like looking at art I guess.
Service was okay, since it's usually busy it sometimes can take a while for the server to get back to you.
For small groups it's fine, for larger groups, you'll have to find another spot.
ironically, insomnia DOES close
nice place for anytime of day any day of the week. i'm not a general fan of the overly loud music late at night when nobody is there..but hey..whatever.
I used to head to Insomnia for a drink or something to eat before a show at Lee's Palace all the time, but the place seems to have fallen out of fashion lately with new restaurants opening up in the neighbourhood and I haven't been as often in recent months. The music on the weekends is upbeat (usually a mix of deep house and drum 'n bass) and I highly recommend the fries with garlic aioli - extremely tasty!
Listed in: Late Night & 24 Hour Toronto
Insomia is a nice little restaurant at the corner of Bathurst and Bloor. It's a good place to go for drinks, or for food. I've been a few times and have yet to be disappointed with the service or the food served. Servings are quite large, and the meals are reasonably priced. (The Mediterranean platter is quite good, and well worth getting.) The place is dimly lit, with lots of small tables, which makes it a nice setting for a date as well. This place is worth checking out.
Toronto, ON
Toronto, ON
Toronto, ON
Neighborhood: The Annex
Toronto, ON
Living in Toronto, I sometimes forget that we live…
These places are open late - till 4am, if not 24…
