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Lady Marmalade
Category: Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
898 Queen St EToronto, ON M4M 1J3
Neighbourhood: Leslieville
(647) 351-7645
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 8 am - 4 pm
Sat-Sun 8 am - 3 pm
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Breakfast, Brunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
80 reviews for Lady Marmalade
Review Highlights
"The eggs benny with bacon was perfect."
(in 25 reviews)
"The Huevos Migas is to die for, and portion sizes are great."
(in 10 reviews)
"Their french toast (bread pudding style), huevos migas and..."
(in 5 reviews)
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80 reviews in English
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Review from Joanne S.
Toronto, ON
12/16/2011
Two guests at 11:30 am on Saturday.
Service:
Nothing spectacular, but nothing bad either. It was warm outside so the "dreaded" line wasn't much of a challenge. Although maybe they should get a new door that opens outward, I got trapped behind it :(
Food:
Almost perfect! I got the eggs benny with bacon, spinach and cheddar. The Hollandaise sauce was just perfect, exactly what I was expecting with a nice bright lemony taste. But somewhere in the sauce, my cheddar lost all it's taste. Now that I think about it, I'm not even sure it was cheddar...whatever cheese it was it was lost on the plate. The bacon actually tasted like bacon, you'll know what I mean when you enjoy some.
My dining companion got to enjoy poached eggs for the first time! I forgot what he ordered but he loved it! The salad was interesting and enjoyable. Next time maybe I'll opt for the tomato slices.
Our only complaint about the whole experience was the dry and horribly starchy potatoes. We mentioned it to our waitress, who didn't seem too concerned and sort of apologized. For my breakfast the potatoes, though horrible, helped soak up my delicious yolk and Hollaindaise sauce making it quite bearable. But not so much for my friend's breakfast which was sauceless. I'd like to have seen something comped or been offered a free cup of coffee, but whatever.
Next time I'll get the eggs benny with double bacon and spinach, tomato slices instead of the salad and NO POTATOES PLEASE! -
Review from Mary D.
Etobicoke, ON
1/26/2012
After hearing lots of hype about Lady Marmalade's brunch over the past few years, my husband and I finally tried it this past weekend. Luckily, we were adequately warned about the line ahead of time, and we did wait about 45-60 minutes for a table.
A good portion of that wait time as outside in the frigid cold - there isn't much room for a line-up inside.
The atmosphere is kitschy/eclectic/casual. Similar to Mitzi's and many other brunch places in the city.
I had 2 eggs (only options are poached or scrambled, so I chose poached), with homefries, a salad, and I ordered the sausage as well. It was all enjoyable and fresh. I was happy with it and enjoyed it, but was not "wowed" by it. I thought the potatoes were crisped nicely, but also a bit dry/lacking in flavour. The salad was really nice with a sesame ginger-type dressing. My husband had eggs benny with avocado and bacon. He enjoyed his but was underwhelmed (I think he's now mentally comparing everything to Barque's Smokehouse which he LOVED a few weeks ago). He rates this Eggs Benny below Mitzi's Sister and Beacher Cafe.
Maybe we were over-hyped, but we just came away sort of wondering what was so spectacular about Lady Marmalade. Maybe we are just too spoiled by all the great options in the West End? We both thought the food was nicely prepared, and we would definitely return - however, we won't ever wait in line again. It just didn't seem worth the wait. -
Review from Georgia F.
Mississauga, ON
12/2/2011
Went here with a couple of friends on a sunday morning.
+ Wait was exactly what they told us it would be and no longer.
+ Waitress happily exchanged the mango salsa my dish came with for pico de gallo at my request, and the cooks asked her to find out how the dish was with the sub. Love that they were curious about how the customer liked the finished product and didn't just shrug off an unusual request. HATE when places get picky about substitutions so this was great.
+ Waitstaff were extremely attentive and polite but did not rush us out.
+ My water glass was never empty. That might sound like nothing but I drink a huge amount of water so if the waitstaff can keep up with me, that's a HUGE point in their favour.
+ All of us loved our food and drink, including my hot apple cider which was absolutely MARVELLOUS.
- Wish there was more space inside to wait on a cold morning.
All in all, great place. We'll be back without a doubt! -
Review from Krystina R.
Leslieville, Toronto, ON
1/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
Expect a line so come prepared for that. Come prepared for large portions and unique dishes. Couldn't decide what to get with such a great menu.
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Review from Sara C.
Toronto, ON
1/26/2012
The food is always fantastic!
Lady Marmalade definitely loses cool points when it comes to customer service though.
We eat in occasionally, but will also order in for clients. Ordering over the phone is painful. No way around it.
No egg orders for over 6 people?
Arguing that added gratuity is 15% when it's clearly stated on the menu that it's 10%?
(which we literally downloaded off the website about 5 minutes before calling)
Not a huge deal, but update the menu so customers aren't surprised when the bill comes, especially considering that only cash is accepted.
Also, If customers are happy to wait over an hour for their take out, the least a restaurant can do is be pleasant to us while we're ordering. -
Review from Sam G.
11/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
So what if I need to get a triple bypass after eating the bacon, brie, and avocado benny? On the operating table, I would mumble, "I want more," as the fear of death would be quelled by the residual taste of brunch in my mouth.
The eggs were perfect (Yes. EggZ. Two of 'em. Nice and generous portions). The hollandaise? On-point, lemony, thick without being gooey. Just as it should be. Pure delicious. Bacon crispy. Brie there, but not overpowering. Avocado ripe and flavorful. All on a pastry-like bread. Good lord!
Potatoes also good but not outstanding. I liked the side salad a lot - Japanese style crunchiness with sesame dressing. Good to join the dairy and meat party in my stomach (like a femme queer activist at a frat party, needed but unexpected).
The chai latte: teabag brewed in water with added soy milk. Loved their soy foam - airy, long-lasting, creamy. As for the chai tea itself, it was a good mix of tea and spices, but just didn't brew strongly enough. Result? Watered-down chai. Bummer.
My partner had the savory waffles that sounded delicious to me (bacon and cheddar, etc.). But they were actually quite sweet with savory layered on top - which made more for mortal combat than immortal marriage vow in my mouth. Not my favorite.
Service was pretty good for it being busy. Our main waitress in particular was great. Sometimes hard to get water and coffee refills.
We got there just shy of 12pm and were seated in 30 minutes (despite the hostess approximation that it would only be 10-15 minutes). Still, nothing compared to the line we saw out the window once we were already digging into our food. Painful for them. A sadistic bout of satisfaction for us.
The interior? I wouldn't say kitschy and I wouldn't say hippy. Just a warm, fairly minimal, clean, simple environment. Music they were playing was Caribou's latest album, which gives you a sense of the "mellow-hip" atmosphere there.
Believe the hype. This place is darn tasty and worth the wait. -
Review from Steph L.
11/14/2011
Hollandaise sauce and long line ups... leg-end-dary!
As expected, there was a 30-45 minute wait.
And yes, it's worth it.
This is some serious brunch.
I almost always get the bennie - brie, avocado, and bacon (13.50)
If you are craving french toast, they do sell out, so I recommend getting there earlier.
This is one of my favourite brunch spots in the city.
The food is fantastic.
The service is as good as it can be for such a busy place.
They have coffee cups and corning-ware that you'd see at your grandma's house.
I love this place. -
Review from Lucy D.
Toronto, ON
11/14/2011
What a weird unique little joint. Normally if the place feels a bit like a hippy commune I stay away, but Lady Marmalade is lovely when you get down to brass tacks.
If you're going to do brunch in Leslieville, you have to come here. The service isn't rushed, like most places out there, and the food makes you feel like you just went for a jog, did yoga, and drank a protein shake.
However the taste is more in the realm of you just raided your children's Halloween candy stash. Delicious, if not a little sinful.
Try the porridge (i know what you're thinking....I'm not going out to eat porridge.) but trust me, it's more like you just ate a satisfying and decadent berry pie.
Excellent.
Our server, Elanor, was perfect. -
Review from Danielle F.
Toronto, ON
9/5/2011
It was muggy and humid outside and I was down for some brunch lovin'. Getting there around 11, we were lucky to beat the rush aka a line formed snaking outside the door. The question of the day, is the line worth it??
As mentioned, it's a hot day so naturally, our server has decided to turn her polo into a belly top. Kinda weird to be face to face with someone's naval as you're ordering food, etc. But she was really great! Always on top of things with coffee and water refills.
I ordered the blue cheese, chicken and bacon baguette sandwich. Also on the sandwich was spinach (cooked), tomatoes and red onion. The bread was nicely toasted and I like how it was just right, size-wise. The blue cheese didn't overpower the chicken or bacon. Everything sung together well. One snag was the bottom bread was a little soggy for the filling's moisture. Anwyho, I would've loved to eat my leftovers the next day but unfortunately I left my them on the table! Grrr.
On the side was a little salad which tasted like the green salad at Japanese restaurants. Some iceberg lettuce, purple cabbage, black seseme seeds etc. It was all very fresh and tasty but kind of an odd combo with the sandwich.
I kind wish I went for something a bit more breakfast-y but this is what I was feeling like at the time! We sat by the kitchen so I could see all the plates coming out and everything looked beautiful. I'd pop on a streetcar and visit this joint again. -
Review from Eric W.
Toronto, ON
9/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
So, after months of trying to get in, finally happened today. I've got to experience most of leslieville's brunch offerings after trying to get in to Lady Marmalade, and the GF tapping out of the line due to a 45 min plus wait. there's alot of hype, and i have to say, it didnt quite measure up. not any fault of the place, as its lovely, but maybe just the fault of all the friends who swear by it.
Went for a late brunch with my girlfriends sisters boyfriend, as the girls were out of town, and we are pathetic without them. he had a gift certificate someone gave him that expired this week, so we said "tally ho" We met at 1pm, and got really lucky and only waited 15 minutes.
The atmosphere and vibe is perfect, and we only felt a little out of place being ina very coupl-y environment, but, well i dont think anyone noticed as we could pass for a pretty cute couple, in fact, i know we did. service was quick, super friendly and very good in general.
the menu has alot of great veggie friendly and healthy options, which would be great if that appealed to me. what i was craving was meat, gravy, eggs, cheese, and potatoes, as i had alot of beer and whiskey to clear out from saturday night. I had heard great things about their poutine, and was crazy jazzed to try it, hopefully with poached eggs on top( if you have not had poutine with poached eggs, run dont walk)
but guess what? they dont do it on the weekend. WTF! so I licked my wounds, and decided that i wouldn't pout.
my "date" had the most enormous mexican egg and rice dish, and loved it. i was fairly reserved, and went for a baked croque monsieur crepe, which was average at best. i think its not a good picture of how good the food is, but well, i wanted a close proximity to what i had in mind.
the smoothies we started with were exceptional, and, even thought the line was out the door and around, servers were really laid back and we didnt feel rushed.
lets just go back to the poutine thing. I cant for my life understand why they wouldnt do this on the weekend. its an easy dish to prep and sell, and it would sell like those red butt flap flannel pyjamas in whitehorse. just saying.
i'll give it another shot, as i think next time i will go with my GF and be compelled to eat a more balanced diet, not the caveman approach. -
Review from Millie S.
Toronto, ON
12/15/2011
I've been twice for weekend brunch and can't wait to go again!
There is always a line, but the wait is only about 20-30 minutes depending on the size of your party. Besides that, what's not to love about Peanut Butter french toast at 2PM on Sunday with friends?
I think the menu is creative and different -- certainly a nice change of pace from the usually greasy eggs/bacon-type breakfast which can leave you feeling like you need to be deflated.
Also, prices are very good considering the good portions. -
Review from Tina N.
Toronto, ON
8/10/2011
I'm not usually found in this hood but I was lucky enough to stop by Lady Marmalade for a bite with a close friend of mine who lived in the area. He recommended it to me and told me that it's apparently the best breakfast restaurant in the neighborhood and you can obviously tell by the long lines ups during brunch hours.
Soooo , what can I say about this place? RETRO comes to mind with a twist of 60's decor but it definetly adds personality to the place. Food is good. Quality of ingredients is fresh and everything is home-made with a touch of tender, love and care. They serve up your regular breakfast dishes from scrambled eggs w/ sausages, bacon, ham etc to omelettes and eggs benedicts. But what stood out to me and was the highlight of my meal was their Baked French Toast! It is so BOMB! Major orgasm in your mouth - the bread is so moist when you bite into it and the flavour is so amazing with a hint of tang from their fruity flavoured syrup that you have a variety to choose from (orange, vanilla rasberry etc). So goooood!
Everything was excellent! Their prices are reasonable, service was prompt and staff was super friendly. I would love to stop by again.... for their french toast.. *drool -
Review from C L.
Toronto, ON
12/11/2011
Great food, friendly and attractive staff. It can get very busy and waits can be very long. They only take cash, and have no AC in the summer. Still, the best branch in Leslieville.
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Review from Anni L.
7/19/2011
I went to this well talked about place after i saw a picture of the french toast that a friend of mine posted on facebook.
We went on a Sunday afternoon prime time brunch. As we got there, there seemed to already be a queue of people waiting. We decided to stand in line as it appeared that the wait could be within half an hour.
Lucky for us, after 20 minutes, we were able to get a table for two. Unfortunately, we went on a hot summer day and the place was devoid of any air conditioning. To solve that problem, i immediately ordered their fresh squeezed lemonade to quench my thirst and to cool off.
As i perused the menu, there was a multitude of selections. Everything looked good as i looked up to see what the people at the other tables were having. I zeroed in on the poached eggs with bacon and potatoes & side salad/toast. When the food arrived, i was not disappointed. Everything tasted fresh, the bacon was premium bacon, and the eggs/potato and toast were amazing. Although i was disappointed i could not have a taste of the french toast as well, i was very satisfied with my order.
Overall, the ambiance was good, the price was reasonable (approx. $15 per person). The quality of the food was good, the service was reasonable (no overly attentive wait staff such as a 5 star fine dining and given how busy they are but adequate when you compare it to Chinatown). I would definitely recommend this place and would go back. For the people that expect diner style portions and food, this probably isn't the place for you. You get quality over quantity here...but who needs anything more? -
Review from Andi B.
Markham, ON
9/5/2011
YUM!
Went out for brunch on a holiday Monday and took some friends as well as my mom. Everyone LOVED their food. The eggs benedict were really good...the hollindaise sauce was to die for.
The spinach and cheddar waffles were YUMMY. Oh my goodness. That is my top recommendation from what we had.
My mom who was very picky enjoyed her food as well.
Atmosphere is very loud so if your looking for a nice, quiet breakfast, DONT come here.
Other than that, really good inventive food, good coffee, and nice people. -
Review from Yvette L.
Toronto, ON
7/19/2011
Maybe it was the fact that others raved about this place before I had a chance to try it, but my expectations might have been a bit high for this spot.
We arrived mid afternoon on a weekday. The table we sat at was a bit busted and we waited for a bit for someone to take our order. When she did come, I hadn't looked at the menu very carefully. Assuming it was just another breakfast place, I asked for fried eggs. The server was a bit rude, I thought, and said "We don't serve fried eggs. You can have them poached or scrambled." OK - it's your restaurant, but when you do something unusual like that, don't expect me to know your rules. I'm just a customer. She suggested that I order poached eggs and they could do them firmer... because that's more like a fried egg? Anyways, my poached eggs resembled two rubbery golf balls in a little glass dish with a dribble of water in the bottom. On the side was toast and the mixed greens salad I buy at No Frills. Not very nice.
My question is this, though... if they only make poached and scrambled eggs, and the eggs arrive in a bowl like that... are they cooking them in a microwave? Does anyone know? -
Review from Jess W.
Toronto, ON
Came to Lady Marmalade on a hot Monday afternoon at around 1:30. Unfortunately they didn't have AC and the fans were just blowing around hot air... so I was hoping the food would would be worth it.
I started with the fresh raspberry apple juice ($3.75). It was sweet and tart, and although it was decent, it wasn't really for me. I should've just stuck to the regular OJ. My friend had the homemade lemonade ($2.75) which was really tasty and refreshing.
We shared the huevos migas - 3 soft-scrambled eggs w/ cheese, tomatoes, scallions & spicy sausage, served w/ basmati brown rice n' beans, sourcream, organic corn tortilla chips & pico de gallo salsa ($11.5). The eggs were perfectly scrambled and tasted pretty damn good with all the other ingredients. However, I wasn't a huge fan of the rice or the beans (but I don't like beans so that probably isn't saying much).
We also ordered one of the egg benny's - the one with ham, red onion and chipotle mayo for $11.50. The hollandaise, which I think makes or breaks an eggs benny, was fantastic. I couldn't really taste the chipotle mayo, but I didn't really care since the hollandaise had such a great flavour. Overall, a great dish!
All bennies are served with potatoes and a salad or fresh tomatoes with lemony hollandaise. We opted for the potatoes and salad. The salad reminded me of the kind you get at Japanese restaurants as it had an asian dressing. The salad wasn't anything special, but I don't come to brunch for a side salad, so they're forgiven. As for the potatoes, they were pretty enjoyable - crispy bite-sized morsels.
Anyways, like a lot of other brunch spots around the city, the decor and furnishings consisted of mismatched furniture and dishes. Also keep in mind they take cash only. Overall, a solid brunch spot.Listed in: My favourite brunch spots!
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Review from Jackie P.
Toronto, ON
4/25/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Stop the bus.....screeeech. You mean to tell me I haven't written a review for my favorite brunch joint in the city. Woah Nelly. I hope the brunch gods can forgive me for this slip up.
Lady Marmalade is the most wonderful mish mash of non matching chairs and tables, young and spirited service with a smile, a warm collective ambiance and Food Glorious Food; served from a kitchen quartet who bring a whole new meaning to brunch.
Get there early. Or try to figure out their turn overs. 10am and 12pm seem to be safe times to show up where you'll be seated in no more than 10 minutes. Service in quick, attentive and helpful. Coffee comes served in a cup which is sure to remind you of one of your grandmothers pieces. My boyfriend raves about this cup o joe. The menu has an assortment of options. Everything from your usual eggs/bacon/potato to creative bennies to crepes served in nest form to your mexican favorites and some classics turned onto their head. They also serve lunch offerings.
Must Tries:
The Bennies - May the brunch gods hear my testament...the 'lady' serves the best bennies in the city. I've had the Brie and Avacado and Fresh Tomatoe and Pesto. Each comes with a side of nicely spiced potatoes and a generous mixed salad with a tasty asian sesame dressing. YUM.
Aged White Cheddar and Spinach Waffles - I never imagined eating my waffles on the savory side of the track. Holy Moly. These were unreal. Dressed with a smokey tomato orange cream sauce and topped with scallions and avocado (I swapped the bacon). I didn't only write home about this dish...I wrote to the whole damn choir! I've got this savoury tune stuck in my head and I the only cure is to replay the whole experience.
Don't forget Lady Marmalade only accepts cash.Listed in: Breakfast + Lunch = Brunch.
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Review from Jenny T.
6/8/2011
I got some vacation time and we decided to try Lady Marmalade for brunch. I've seen the lineups at this place on a weekend, so there is no way I am going to this place on a weekend, but Monday around 10ish seemed like a good time to go.
I had the impression that this was a vegetarian breakfast place and since I was on a vegan diet this week I decided to try it out - but I realized it's not a vegetarian place, which is okay too. I tried their tofu scrambled "eggs" with bok choy, which tasted like a Chinese stir fry. It came with a side of rice or potatoes, I chose potatoes but in hindsight I should've chosen rice had I known that it was just a stir fry with soy sauce. The dish was good but was quite mismatched with a side of toast.
We tried this juice that had ginger in it, I think it was pineapple ginger? It was great! But super pricey at $4.75 for a glass. This place overall is a bit pricier than what I am willing to pay for the quality of food.
If I get the chance to come back, while I'm not on a vegetarian diet, I may try their egg benedict dishes. -
Review from Melanie C.
Oakville, ON
3/21/2011
While I love the concept of brunch on weekends, I am rarely available to enjoy this leisurely meal. I am busy on Sundays from 11a.m. so I'm always on the hunt for breakfast/brunch places that open at 8 or 9a.m.
I was overjoyed to see that Lady Marmalade opens this early on a Sunday and made plans to have brunch with a friend. I've heard about the long line-ups at LM but thought to myself, "Who wakes up at 8a.m. on a Sunday?". The answer: NOBODY. We had no trouble finding parking directly outside the restaurant. (Bonus: we didn't even have to pay for street parking because it was so early on a Sunday.)
We had our choice of pretty much any table and chose a cozy one against the wall near the front of the restaurant. Service was very friendly. Coffees and waters were topped up regularly.
I ordered the French toast of the day - infused with strawberries. I had not properly prepared myself for the gigantic portion, but had no problem stuffing it all in. I could easily have this for breakfast everyday! The French toast I make at home does not take like this. This bread creation had soaked up a lot of juices and flavours and was baked to perfection. While soft and spongy, it was not mushy.
I love the unique tables and chairs and dishes. Such a cute and cozy place. Other customers started to roll in closer to 9. I have passed by a few other times around 10 or 11am and have seen the line-ups outside. Well worth the wait, in my opinion. (But can't say I've done it.)
Thanks for accommodating my crazy schedule! -
Review from Allison T.
Toronto, ON
6/2/2011
Avocado green walls soothe me. So do various types of eggs benedicts. I took my visiting-me-from-afar mom here & she was quite pleased. Their hollandaise sauce is wonderful & I like how warm & welcoming the staff always seems to be (even when the queue is out the door).
My only mumbling is that I wish they had a still bountiful-dairy-free smoothie option.Listed in: Ladies Who Brunch
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Review from Vivek S.
3/9/2011 5 Check-ins Here
I haven't written a review of Lady Marmalade? Let me change that immediately. This Leslieville brunch spot is best known for their legend-and-you-WILL-wait-for-it-dary queues for weekend brunch. I declare the long wait worth it. And if you have the luxury of going on a weekday afternoon, you will feel like a king or queen amidst the Toronto public, and feel compelled to brag. On Twitter. Like I did this afternoon.
It looks like they scored all their furniture by pointing a Time Cannon at the 70s and zapping indiscriminately. It's a collection of mismated chairs and tables between avocado green walls. With the Curtis Mayfield playing in the background, I half-expected double-digit inflation and triple-digit sideburn growth. Neither occured.
I enjoy every single thing I have had on their menu. From breakfasts, and their bennies, to their bowls and sandwiches. Today I had a bacon, brie and chicken sandwich ($15.45) and I am still thinking about it. Coupled with a cup of their soup of the day (tomato), it was a deadly combination. So good. I washed it down with a tall (really tall actually) glass of hot apple cider ($3.50) served with a cinnamon stick.
The service here is always kind and attentive. I love this place.
Obligatory Title Pun: Voulez-vous BRUNCHER avec moi?
Menu Readability: Courier on a natural brown stock.
Need to mention: Very definitely cash only.
What this place teaches me about myself: Sometimes I will wait for brunch -- but I don't have to. #don'tbeajerkaboutit -
Review from Richard S.
Vancouver, BC
5/23/2011
I had which I believe was the only "no red meat" friendly option from their Eggs Bennie section of the menu. The "Roast Vegetables" version, and I wasn't disappointed.
The Lemony but smooth hollandaise sauce (with a hint of paprika?) was terrific. You'll wanna scrape that off the plate rather than let it go to waste. The roasted vegetables themselves (especially the tomato) have a very apparent and strong but enjoyable flavor. Usually I find you can't really taste anything that comes with roasted veggies, but this was different. I would compare the difference in flavour intensity to that between a tomato and a sun dried tomato.
It came with a side of leafy greens which I think will help you get through this heavy, but easy to devour brunch
Expect a line up when you arrive, and I'd say expect to get seated much quicker if its just you and one other. -
Review from Rachel F.
Toronto, ON
8/9/2011
My fav breakfast in the city!
Actually only one $ when you take into consideration the fact that they only use free range eggs and rowe farms meat.
Go at 9am, you won't have to line up :)
Eggs benny with tomato and pesto is the best, ever. How on earth do they make that hollandaise???? I wish I knew. -
Review from Evangeline P.
Toronto, ON
10/19/2011
My family and I went here a few months ago, and I've been meaning to write a review...cuz we're still talking about it.
DH is a creature of habit, and likes his regular spots...which we already have, for breakfast. So after months of driving by, seeing the line up and commenting, "We gotta try LM", he finally conceeded to my plea...and he hasn't forgotten the open-faced BLT he had since. As for my Huevos Migas, DH described it perfectly - "It's like a party in your mouth." Service is great and very accomodating particularly to families with infants/strollers and small children, as we brought our toddler and they customized an order for him. We'll definitely be back, and it seems the key to beating the line, is arriving before 9:30. -
Review from Amy L.
8/12/2011
Retro-inspired décor, ceiling fans in place of air conditioner, olive green painted walls, and mismatched furniture would best describe Lady Marmalade. A brunch hot spot in Leslieville, Lady Marmalade is known for their famous bennies and the use of fresh ingredients to attract avid brunchers. Let's not forget the fact that people are willing to wait in line on a sunny, humid afternoon to have brunch at a restaurant with no air conditioning really says a lot.
Due to the small space and a high volume of customers, the entire party must be present in order to sit down at a table. I was 10 minutes late and caused Janet and Karen to wait for me; so sorry ladies! We eventually got our table after a 10-15 minute wait, where we were seated at a round table with 3 extra seats. Lady Marmalade's extensive menu includes Mexican fusion dishes with choices from bennies, to salads, to sandwiches. If these savoury options are not enough to satisfy your taste buds, sweet temptations such as Mom's brown-sugared apple crisp w/ vanilla ice-cream & berry couli, organic buckwheat fresh fruit crêpe, or even daily baked french toast "bread pudding" style will definitely tickle and tantalize your stubborn taste buds (hah!).
Both Janet and I selected the Poached egg "blt" with bacon, roasted tomato, red onion, spinach, chipotle mayo, potatoes & salad ($11.50). I liked how there was a large portion of greens to balance out the unhealthy counterparts: pouched eggs and bacon. Sexy and seductive; I have a soft spot for all things bacon. Who doesn't? These two crispy strips of fatty bacon were so delish that I was salivating while having my meal; literally. The poached eggs were cooked perfectly with a vivid yellow yolk flowing out from the centre; fantastique! I would have been a pretty dissatisfied customer if my eggs weren't runny (some places serve overcooked pouched eggs - how evil of them!). The diced potatoes were delicious, the red onions added some acidity, and the roasted tomatoes brought nothing to the plate (Sorry, they're something else that I dislike besides berries, but that doesn't mean I waste food! I still gobbled it up ;)). Both the chipotle mayo and paprika gave the dish a kick with the added smokiness. This de-constructed BLT was a nice twist to the traditional BLT, so I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I would definitely suggest Lady Marmalade to you if you're a fellow bruncher as well! They have a massive brunch menu and I'm sure the quality of their food won't disappoint. Do keep in mind that there's no air conditioning, long queues at the door, and cash is the only accepted method of payment!Listed in: Brunch Places
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Review from Kelly L.
North Vancouver, BC
Love love loooove this place. Would go here for breakfast every day if I could. Great food, good service. Although the refillable coffees go down to half cups after you've paid. A little slow on the water refills.. but easily something to overlook when the food is so yummy. Plus I feel better knowing everything is as organic and free range as can be. Be prepared for a wait though!
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Review from Jordan T.
Toronto, ON
1/3/2011
Went to Lady Marmalade for my third time this morning. It's pretty good and of a high quality, but there is an emphasis on Mexican style dishes, which is fine if you like black or brown beans (I do not). As such, there is a lack of options to get excited about for me. I had the crepe croque monsiuer this morning, which was very good.
Service is pretty good, but nothing special. Also the prices are certainly on the the higher end. I prefer Bonjour Brioche personally, which I think offers more food diversity and better prices.
The start of the brunch was a bit odd this morning as at 10 am the server rattled off about 5 dishes on the menu that they were out of.
Bring cash because they don't take credit cards.Listed in: The bEast End
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Review from Sacha S.
Toronto, ON
6/12/2011 3 photos
Had been hearing about this spot for a while, so I gave it a shot for the first time yesterday, and I'm impressed. It's a great little trendy Leslieville location, and my first impression was that it's exactly the kind of relaxing, casual brunch spot I want to find myself at on a lazy Sunday morning. Chalkboard specials, a nice lookout view of Queen East, mismatched chairs and tables, and families couples of all types.
The menu was great, I actually had a hard time picking what I wanted to eat. Several types of all kinds of your standard brunch classics, including five or six kinds of eggs benny. I opted for an Avocado Brie Bacon Eggs Benedict, while my two compatriots had the Vanilla Raspberry French Toast and the Baked Crepe Croque Monsieur.
All three were on the best side of great: The french toast was dense, flaky and almost pastry-like, and soaked up the ("real and organic", according to our waitress) maple syrup as a french toast should. The poached eggs on both the Croque Monsieur and Eggs Benny properly popped into a river of runny egg yolks just the right consistency, and the hollandaise sauce on the Eggs Benedict was also appropriately thick and zingy. A little lemony, a little spicy. Pretty much exactly what I think a proper hollandaise sauce should be. Everything else was similarly right on cue.
The one notable let down for us was the potatoes -- all three of us agreed that while serviceable, they weren't the best we've ever had. They were "just potatoes". Roasted, and lightly fried and seasoned, but without any real texture to speak of. Not a huge blight, but there it is for those of you who really appreciate your hash browns and potato wedges crispy.
Great little spot, highly recommended if you, like me, have an addiction to hunting out good brunch spots in the city. -
Review from Jen C.
10/20/2010 1 Check-in Here
Judging by the other reviews, I've been missing out on the eggs benny.
However, the dish that I always order when I go to Lady Marmalade is the Brown Rice Bowl, "Baja Style" topped with black beans, aged white cheddar, pico de gallo salsa, avocado, sour cream, scallions, & cilantro. Inevitably, someone orders the Baja bowl when we go. Sometimes more than one someone. A really wonderful mix of texture and taste. For me, it's the cilantro that makes this dish, so don't push it off to the side. A great filling meal that just happens to also be vegetarian.
The Real Club Sandwich consists of bacon, chicken, avocado, tomato, red onions, & chipotle mayo. Really quite tasty. Good mix of flavours and a tasty hit from the mayo. Sometimes, I split a sandwich and the Baja bowl with someone. That way I can have both.
With the mishmash of mismatched chairs, melamine tables, and kitschy shakers, you can't help but feel that you've sat down in someone's kitchen. From the 70s. All entirely apropos for the kind of comfort food served to packed tables and a waiting line.
(Check the blog for accompanying photos and menus)Listed in: Leslieville for the Foodie
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Review from KL M.
Toronto, ON
10/8/2010
If I lived in Leslieville, I'm sure this would be a brunch staple, but, as I do not, it's a special treat.
The one and only time (unfortunately) I have made it here, I had the spinach and aged cheddar waffles, which were SO good. Kind of like a gourmet grilled cheese. As a non-egg eater, I appreciate brunch variety.
I only wish they served the breakfast poutine on weekends, as this is something I definitely want to try someday soon! -
Review from Faye C.
3/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
We were here on Saturday morning (10:30-ish) there was about a 20 minute wait. (I think there's almost always a line, but for good reason, it was rather tasty).
We went with the mango eggs benny and the migas (which was huge! Order if famished! -
Review from Jennifer M.
Toronto, ON
8/16/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Best in the neighborhood. I would go every weekend If I could justify Eggs Benedict Weekly.
Casual laid back, Always horrifically busy (I usually wait 30-45 min), excellent food. This place really utilizes the neighborhood offerings well, providing bread from the local baker, sausages from Rowe Farms, organics and locally sourced where possible.
I always found our service to be what you would expect for a busy breakfast place. They come by to check on us, and refill coffee - its ok that we are not forming lasting relationships. The girls are all very nice.
Being that this is seconds from home I have frequented with my SO, various overnight guests, my girlfriends for Brunch, aunts and uncles from out-of-town and even my 3 year old nephew. Every single person we have ever brought here loved their meal.
Notables - Eggs Florentine is Amazing. The Hollandaise is perfect, the salad has great dressing. Heuvous Migas is a gigantic bowl of everything good including eggs and rice. Guests of mine have really enjoyed the Croce Monsieur Crepe and the Poached Egg BLT. The coffee is good enough, the iced ginger tea is not good. (powder mix?)
People always have their kids with them, and its never an issue. I was thrilled to be able to take my nephew here when we were watching him. There was books for him to read and colouring essentials. Was perfect.
I *think* its cash Only. TD Bank just down the street. -
Review from Kim L.
Toronto, ON
9/17/2010
Best brunch in the city? Ongoing debate.
Best eggs benny in the city? Lady Marmalade.
Not a huge waffle, pancake or french toast kinda girl. Give me a good omelette or benny any day. So, this 30-min-wait-Leslieville-hot-spot already has that going for them. No, impartiality doesn't exist here.
7 featured bennies on the menu. Ranging from brie, avocado & bacon (which L got, minus the bacon) to fresh tomato & pesto, everything is made fresh and to order.
After much debate, decided on the cheddar, bacon & mango. Attempted a bacon-avocado swap, but no substitutions allowed. My 2 cents: avocado should just be a given. Or a staple, like ketchup.
Served on charmingly mismatched plates & cutlery, our bennies come smothered in a creamy lemony hollandaise, with a side of greens & potatoes. With that first bite... yes! Love a good benny. 1 down, 6 to go.
T ordered the "kung foo": organic tofu scramble with shitakes, bokchoy, spinach, scallions, sesame, served with basmati brown rice, toast & a salad. Unique for a brunch menu, yes. Enjoyed, yes.
Other stand-outs with rave reviews - the huevos rancheritos &/or huevos migas. Just another reason to come back ;) -
Review from Barb G.
Toronto, ON
8/1/2011
I ve been here a few times and overall the food is very good. They have this mexican-style egg dish (sorry, cant remember exact name) that is awesome - scrambled eggs, salsa, tortilla chips, guac... You can tell everything is homemade. I would go more often except there is always a long lineup on the weekends.
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Review from Sean H.
Toronto, ON
5/4/2011
Lady Marmalade is a cute little spot in Leslieville. Why is it that the restaurants truly have to be holes in the wall in order to offer up a great brunch? My guess is because they aren't pretentious like so many of the nicer restaurants who do brunch, where yeah the food is good but unless you spend $30 on eggs, toast, et. al. you walk out still hungry.
Anyway I digress. Lady Marmalade is a place you are better off getting to early rather than late. We got there at about 10 30 last Saturday and ended up waiting in line for about 30 mins or so. This wasn't really a big deal because the weather was really nice and the company was good. But this would have been a bit of a pain had the weather not been so great because you pretty much have to wait outside the restaurant.
I had the Huevos Rancheros, which is a typical brunch dish for me. I was really happy with this. My fiancee had the Eggs Benedict with avocado and brie, which she was unwilling to share because it was so good. And our buddy had waffles, but he actually spent more time raving about the bacon than anything else.
So in short, the food was good, the service was friendly and quick, and despite the line we really enjoyed ourselves. I will certainly be going back at some point. -
Review from Shaz S.
Toronto, ON
8/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been meaning to try this brunch place for months now, so when my friend suggested it I was ecstatic!
We set up our brunch time for Sunday around 1pm. I got there before my DC's and waited in line (there is no waiting list, just wait in line and first come first serve) - unfortunately they don't seat you until all your party has arrived (that lost a star - I'd prefer a waiting list!) The wait was about 25
min for a table of four (way less for a table of two).
The restaurant is a small space, with odd mismatched tables and chairs. Not shabby-chic...just shabby old cottage decor. So if you're looking for a fancy sit down ambiance - this isn't the place. There's no patio, but large windows that let the sun in.
The menu doesn't have a ridiculous amount of brunch selection, but just good enough to play with your head - I couldn't decide between the eggs bennies, the spinach waffle and the frenchtoast - all sounded SO GOOD! vegetarian-friendly place with substitutes for meat items.
I ordered the lady marmalade bennies with roasted veggies and aged white cheddar ($12.50) - the egg's were poached perfectly, the veggies and potatoes were roasted well - the salad (??) I didn't touch, I don't understand the concept of salad at breakfast/brunch! Rest of our table ordered huevos migas, spinach waffle and crepe croque monsieuer - tried a bit of everything - all good, esp the spinach waffle!
the service was nothing out of the ordinary, just swift and polite. our server suggested some items on the menu which was helpful.
the lemonade ($3) I ordered was literally water with lemon squeezed in and tons of ice - it was disappointing and not worth it - I wish I stuck to water.
overall I had a lovely brunch experience - the space/shabbiness was a bit off-putting, esp since the table we got was smack in the middle of the room and just seemed out of place and the waiting in line was slightly annoying, I prefer waiting lists instead so I don't feel like I'm going to lose my place if I step away. the food's really good and that's why they're always busy.
around $12-14 average per person for brunch items.
must try: eggs bennies and spinach waffles! -
Review from Kat F.
In July 2009 when Lady Marmalade first opened, they promised "debit coming soon" - debit is still not available as of April 2010. Cash only. Luckily there is a TD a few doors down, and if you read this before or during your wait in the guaranteed lineup, you'll have time to pop out and get some.
Don't try to come here on weekends between the hours between 11-4pm. Seriously, unless you're an early bird, DO NOT come here on weekends or you'll end up having to go to Lady Marmalade Plan B or C - otherwise known as Barrio and Joy Bistro, and really, you came here for Lady Marmalade.
The benny with brie and avocado is the breakfast item I crave most often. The eggs are consistently perfect - expertly poached, not runny, not old, and the hollandaise is a dream. The potatoes are still not perfect, but they're on their way to being fully cooked - they're no longer raw like they were when LM first opened. Much improved, much loved, marvelously convenient!Listed in: The Best Places To Eat, Shop &…, Serious Brunch List: Toronto's…, Best Toronto Eggs Benedict, Leslieville's Best Brunch!
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7/5/2009 First to Review
How can I not love a brunch spot that plays The Sea & Cake's groundbreaking "Oui" album in its… Read more »
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Review from Avitania B.
Toronto, ON
While I stood in a massive queue to get into this place, I was cursing myself. I don't wait in long lines unless there's a shiny new iPhone waiting for me at the end of it -- and even then, that pretty much fills up my queuing quota for the next year. I hate the way this cafe makes people stand in line instead of taking down names on a piece of paper. However, turnover is fairly quick; once you get seated and place your order, your food is going to come out in less time than you'd expect for a trendy place like this.
The eggs benny with bacon was perfect. Creamy Hollandaise with just the right touch of lemony flavor, crisp bacon and a perfectly toasted English muffin (thank you, Lady Marmalade, for ensuring the muffin stayed crisp and not bogged down with too much sauce!). I love that this breakfast entree came with a fresh and lightly dressed side salad -- it gives me the illusion that the rest of my plate might be healthy. :) The bread pudding style French Toast is excellent as well; sweet and VERY filling, but still custardy and not soggy. I also loved the house-made raspberry lemon iced tea -- fruity and perfect for a summer day! I could have drank ten of these.
They don't take credit or debit (cash only) and, as I've mentioned, I'm not a fan of the way they manage their peak hour breakfast queue. As a result, I'm probably not going to make this a regular place to visit unless I'm up early or if the pharmaceutical companies finally create a pill that increases patience, tolerance, and zen. -
Review from Sahra G.
6/25/2010
This is by far hands down the best breakfast in the entire city (tied with Niagara Street Cafe). I don't get down here as much since moving from Queen and Carlaw however I do trek my butt across the city every month to enjoy their delicious offerings. Because I did go here so often when I lived around the corner I have tasted the entire menu. My faves: The Benny with spinach, and the salmon sandwhich with the mango salsa on it which you should do yourself a favor and order... its out of this world... yeah I know you came for brunch but theres a lunch in brunch so do the lunch part of brunch instead of the breakfast part. Your stomach will thank you.
The decor is lovely mid century modern which I am a huge fan of... The service is hit and miss, sometimes excellent, sometimes a little erm... but the food makes up for it for me. I also avoid going there at really busy times and find the service is better when they are not overwhelmed by swarms of hungry people. They do need a busser really baddly, and I wish they would make people park their gigantic bugaboo frogs outside... dealing with your kids screaming while I am trying to nurse my hang over with awesome food is enough... trying to manuver through the obstacle course created by parents who have gigantic strollers NOT COOL.
Get a busser and efficient waite staff and I'll give you 5 stars. The food is 5 stars for me... but the service takes away one. I still love this place and think everyone should eat here. I also think you guys should open a place in the west end maybe around College and Dovercourt where I live so I can again eat here twice a week like I did a year ago when I lived in Leslieville.
