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School Bakery & Cafe
Categories: Food Bakeries Restaurants Canadian (New) Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Bakeries, Canadian (New), Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
70 Fraser AveToronto, ON M6K 3E1
Neighbourhood: Liberty Village
(416) 588-0005
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Brunch
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
95 reviews for School Bakery & Cafe
Review Highlights
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"Be sure to get some baked goods to bring home after." In 15 reviews -
"...especially enjoyed the cheddar chive biscuit it was served..." In 7 reviews -
"...Benni and Black & Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes were well..." In 2 reviews
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95 reviews in English
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Review from Johnny H.
Toronto, ON
4/15/2012 4 photos
Had a late lunch (but breakfast for me...) at 3:00 on Friday. 5 tables were occupied while there are maybe 12 tables (there are some more at the back). 2 business people in suits taking business, hipster dudes chilling, 2 middle-age women seriously discussing something, 4 young ladies chatting, some other young people doing their thing, which is just chilling. The overall vibe is energetic and uplifting. It's very alive.
The main color scheme is black, but it is the decorative pieces that sell this place - clocks stuck at 3:30 PM, menu that looks like notebook page, check delivered in an envelope that looks like a report card, apple (REAL apple) on the table, chalk board, etc. Mixed bag of decor ideas, but they all come together well.
Noise level is pretty decent. Tables are large enough. They are spaced out enough as well to give privacy. It is a tight place, but I didn't feel that people from the next table are sitting to close to me. The restaurant is really clean. Service was excellent (quite surprising to find negative reviews on service). Server was extremely attentive, and they constantly monitored the dining area to see if customers needed something. They tried to make eye contacts as much as possible to look for customers that need servers while they were walking around. The server was really courteous as well as he took time to explain popular items on the menu and parking regulations.
I ordered cheese burger and four flowers tea. The meat was delicious, moist and juicy, but it fell apart too easily. Lettuce, onion and tomato were fresh. The overall taste of the burger was excellent. But the buns were too thick, and the burger disintegrated after 2 bites. I had to continue eating the burger with fork and knife. The four flowers tea had a nice aromatic smell and fragrant taste.
The French toast was delicious as well, but I thought it was an overloaded of syrupy, salty, greasy and cheesy tastes. It tastes really nice. It's just that I didn't really find refined texture under all that mixture. But I still recommend it since it is very different from conventional French toast.
The portion of the dishes was massive. I struggled to finish the burger, and barely touched the fries. My friend couldn't finish her French toast either.
As far as comfort food restaurant/diner goes, School is above the pack. And as far as concept-driven decor goes, School is worth attending. I will definitely go back to try more items on the menu. -
Review from Teena D.
5/24/2012 10 photos
Gord and I went to School for a late lunch/early supper today. It's been a few years since we've been there.
It was such a nice day (sunny and 26C) so we sat on the patio.
I ordered the smoky BBQ chicken sandwich and Gord ordered the cheese burger.
My sandwich was delicious and I would order it again. Gord said his cheeseburger was good and he would order it again.
Our server suggested Gord try their mojitos ... he did and found it delicious.
The food and service was good ... we'll be back! -
Review from C M.
North York, ON
5/4/2012
Sunday morning . . . . went to School Bakery expecting a huge lineup but there was none! However, by the time we left at 11:30 there was a line up out the door. I ordered the famous Black & Blueberry Pancakes . . . they were pretty good and I loved that the centre of the pancake stack is absolutely stuffed with berries but they never give enough maple syrup!!!
My husband had the Omelet which he described as "cakey". I wish they had the Apple bacon pancakes but they were not on the menu when we arrived. Next time I will be trying the Cheesy French Toast for sure.
Service was decent, considering the lineup, our party of 4 was not rushed at all.
If you're in the area give it a try but it's not worth crossing the city for. -
Review from Carly H.
Toronto, ON
4/11/2012
I have been here a couple times, and both times the service was slow. So if you are looking for a quick lunch, this probably isn't the best place. However, the food is fantastic and worth the wait. The fish and chips are AMAZING - and so are the desserts. The iced tea is $3.50 and awful - none of the 4 people at our table could bare to take more than a sip.
Looking forward to trying brunch one day! -
Review from Ed S.
3/26/2012
So far, it's my fave place for brunch in Liberty Village and there's enough stuff on the menu that sounds appealing that I'll come back and try them. The two of us had cheesy french toast w/ double smoked bacon, and the four cheese souffle omelet. The french toast was smothered in fried cheese and topped w/ flavorful chopped up bacon. The omelet was indeed cheesy although I couldn't tell you what 4 cheeses they use.
The wait for brunch was about 25 mins when we rolled up at 2:30 and service was friendly and efficient. -
Review from Jennifer L.
Toronto, ON
3/19/2012
I've been to School three or four times for brunch now and each time has been consistently good.
The wait has not been long, the staff are super friendly, the lattes are great, and the food is pretty tasty.
I've had..
- the spiced Benny on a chedar chive biscuit
- the over stuffed Toasted croissant
- the bacon bit wild mushroom Brie omelet
- the Parmesan asparagus omelet
My friend had the crunchy French toast which was awesome too.
A great place for brunch with a fun atmosphere. Worth a try. Prices are reasonable. -
Review from Karin J.
Toronto, ON
4/25/2012
Busy for brunch even on a weekday! Great unique brunch items, very cool decor.
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Review from Natalie T.
East York, ON
1/29/2012
School has branded itself well. I like it! I also like how they're very integrated into social media channels and care about its business. That said, it's a pain in the ass to get to, especially if you live in the east end. Homework time:
VIBE
The light in this school hall is fantastic as the decor is black chalkboards and black accouterments. The details from the bookcases to the report card envelope the check comes in are spot on.
Customers are hip and trendy Liberty Villagers, whether it's family, friends or a date. Staff are outfitted in school uniforms. A bit gimmicky but it works.
WE ATE
Well, it's all about the food here and I really enjoyed their brunch! We started off with berry smoothies that were made with items brought from the market that morning. Super fresh and a more interesting take than an orange juice (not sure if it's freshly squeezed here).
Nutella scones are spot on if you're waiting for a while. Our neighbours had the mini muffins and they looked delish.
We ordered the two most popular items on the menu:
Cheesy French Toast - the perfect dish to have on a rainy, grey day like today. You could taste the freshness of the challah and the chewiness of the bacon on top added to the texture of this dish. The maple syrup in a mini beaker was a sweet ending. The side mixed salad was a good palate cleanser and obviously healthier than homefries.
My dining partner had the spicy eggs benny. The chipotle sauce had a kick to it; though the potatoes could have been cooked better they were a comforting indulgence.
OBLIGATORY CATCHY REMARK
If this is school, I'll have perfect attendance. Their food isn't super original but it's comforting and made well. I'll be back!Listed in: Hipster Havens, Patio Lanterns, Top O' The Morning
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Review from Linds B.
2/3/2012
Go here for Breakfast. They open early! Get the Cinnamon-Vanilla French Toast. Thank me later.
YUM! I finally went here for breakfast this week, and I'm sooo glad that they open early! This french toast was absolutely delectable. It was thick. It was perfectly cooked. It was melt in your mouth good. And it was festooned with strawberries and whipped cream. Oh man. YUM!
Service was great too, our server even seemed to be fully awake and not hungover at all - if you've been out to breakfast lots of other places in TO, you know what I mean. :)
I will be back! -
Review from Maheen M.
2/27/2012
***4.5 Stars***
I was at School yesterday for brunch and I had such a fabulous meal! My friend and I arrived at 1:30pm and the place was packed. We decided to eat at the bar versus wait for 45 minutes for a table. The bar seats were great, we were able to watch the kitchen prepare our meals. School had a great laidback atmosphere.
Food
I ordered the Parmensan-Aspargus Omelet with side of Maple Sausages. Oh so good! The Omelet was light and fluffy. The greens that the omelet came with were lightly dressed and the potatoes were lovely. I loved loved the sausages.
My friend order the Cheesy French Toast - it was delicious. They serve the maple syrup in a little shot glass.
Service
Great service, quick and attentive. Our waiter let us chat and catch up as our meals were being prepared.
They had some yummy baked goods on display. Unfortunately, I was too full to take some home. They even have a patio. I will be back to try out their lunch and dinner menus. -
Review from Ayngelina B.
Toronto, ON
2/4/2012
We arrived at it opened at 9:30 and that seems to be key as there were plenty of tables but they all full within 15 minutes and an hour later there was a line-up out the door.
As one of my brunchmates admitted, she likes her brunch joints to be pretentious and this place fits the bill. It's very hipster stylish and fits in well with the Liberty Village crowd.
Fortunately it has the cooking talent to back it up. I had spiced eggs benni which I highly recommend. It's a herbed scone topped with peameal ham and a perfectly cooked poached egg with hash browns on the side. It was so massive I could not finish it all so they gave me a box to take the rest home.
Friends had the Melted Gooey Four Cheese Omelet Souffle ($14), Parmesan-Asparagus Omelet with Cracked Pepper, Home Fries & Greens (add Bacon $3) $13 and the Breakfast Salad Avocado, Crispy Pancetta, Frisee & Arugula in Lemon Pepper Vinaigrette ($13).
Everyone really enjoyed their meal although my friend who had the salad didn't rave about it, I think it's good they have a healthy option on the menu and it's not their fault she's on a diet and would rather eat bacon and eggs.
We didn't realize there was a line-up but the server was really anxious to turn the table which is kind of annoying. But once we saw the line was felt badly for lounging around but that's the privilege you get for waking up early.
All in all I'd definitely go back as there were a few other things I wanted to try. But I'd only go if I could be there at 9:30 as I hate waiting for breakfast. -
Review from Shannon F.
Toronto, ON
2/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
I enjoy the location more than the food and service here but I've been a number of times for brunch and always leave satisfied if not over the moon.
As a vegetarian there are few dishes for me to choose from without being one of those people asking to change everything in a dish. That said, the four cheese omelt souffle and parmesan asparagus omelet are my faves. I love brunch - typical brunch and fancy brunch and this place offers it for meat eaters for sure. The salad greens are a nice touch and the homefries are pretty good too. The coffee is strong which I like but the flavour isn't my favourite - the cup is huge though!
There's almost always a line up but it moves quickly and they smartly place freshly baked goods - muffins, cookies, scones on a bar right at eye level to get you salivating.
The staff is cutely dressed in school girl/guy uniforms with short skirts and knee socks to add to the ambience. I like the dark wood and black decor in a beautiful old brick building that I remember as the warehouse grill from some years back. Staff is friendly, the vibe is cool, I like that about it - young, attractive crowd, kid friendly. Nice brunch spot. -
Review from Krystina R.
Liberty Village, Toronto, ON
Lovely thematic cafe bistro and bakery in the heart of Liberty Village. The theme of school is shown through everything they do so it's got a great atmosphere and awesome patio section.
They're known for brunch but have great food and cocktails too. Parking is easy here so don't worry.
Also a bakery, you can grab your fav treats to take home with you for 'after school'.
Love their unique french toasts which are prepare sweet and savoury and they have a great sangria. -
Review from Daniel B.
North York, ON
12/1/2011
First the good:
- Food. Excellent quality and very fresh,
- not too expensive
Now the bad:
- SMOKE. This place will ruin your clothes. They have absolutely no ventilation on their cooking. Your hair, clothes will smell of bacon or whatever else they are cooking at the time when you leave the place. You will smell as bad as if you had stood right next ro the kitchen and let the smoke hit you dead on.
I will not return here till they open the garage door in the summer so it's nicely ventilated. Would have got a higher rating from me except for this major point. -
Review from Mira B.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 4/1/2012
ok seriously. i've eaten here often enough to review them.
i still stand by service is slow because it must have been an anomaly the initial times we went. it takes FOREVER to place your order and don't even get me started on them taking your credit card for the bill.
now what's changed:
overall - the score is the same.. but for different reasons.
FOOD - i give them 4 - an improvement from my last review
SERVICE - i give them 3
THE UGLY - PLEASE GET SOME VENTILATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i feel sorry for all the workers there. their poor little lungs. i actually had to step out to get some fresh air!
although, sadly i will be back again and definitely in the summer for their sangria drankssssss. just saying.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/23/2011
I want to really give them 3.5 stars.
Food is nothing out of this world. Probably give them 3 stars.
… Read more »
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Review from Alan W.
Toronto, ON
1/10/2012
Had lunch here and I am glad I did.
The place has a great comfy atmosphere and played up the school theme very well, down to the apples on the tables and the waitresses in their cute school girl outfits.
I ordered the coconut and kaffir lime chicken pot pie and it was excellent. The flakey buttery pastry was perfect and the stewed chicken was delicious -- I love pot pie and I love curry and this was an excellent combination. The only criticism was that the chicken was a little overcooked. The pie came with a side salad which was nicely dressed with a sharp caesar dressing.
I had a chai tea which was served loose with it's own little steeping cup which was a nice touch.
Service was excellent. Attentive, courteous and prompt.
Their brunch menu looked really good -- I will definitely be back for that. I was there one weekend morning, but didn't want to endure the hour wait for a table, and the place seemed very smokey and stuffy from the poor kitchen ventilation.
In the summertime they have a very nice patio and the garage doors at the front of the restaurant opens up, which creates a very lively after school happy hour. -
Review from geraldine g.
Toronto, ON
10/20/2011 3 photos
I must say, the all over branding of the ``school`` idea is done so well. Everything from the apple on each table, the cushions upholstered with chalkboard writing to the bill coming in a small manila envelope really solidifies the grammar school feel.
Other than those touches of chalk board white, the place is decorated in black. This did take me a bit by surprise. I kinda thought it would be more in the shade of the old school desk like they have as their host station.
I did not get a chance try their brunch which is available seven days a week (weee!!!). I tried their baked goods and coffee. All of it had this wonderful home baked taste. Moist and flavourful. Highly recommend the pumpkin spiced whoopie pie and giant chocolate chip cookie.
The cheddar chive scone was a nice savory addition to my sweet kick. The chives made me crazy some mashed potatoes and gravy.
They use Illy coffee which is already a plus in their favour. A good cup of Joe.
I recommend this venue for their baked goods and coffee. I can't give you a full idea on how their brunch or dinner menu ranks but I can say it is promising. If what I have tried so far is any indication of how the rest of the things they make are, I cannot wait!!
PS...They have free wi-fi!! -
Review from Irena O.
Toronto, ON
3/18/2012
This is a hidden gem in Liberty Village and I almost gave it 5 stars. Unfortunately, the service is hit and miss. Last time we were there, we loved the service and were quite happy that the restaurant redeemed themselves. Cocktails stand out and the fact that they bake their own scones and pastries, elevates the place to another level.
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Review from Victoria M.
Toronto, ON
8/18/2011
L-O-V-E, LOVE!
I LOVE this place. Honestly, I went there for the first time last Saturday and I can't stop raving about how great my breakfast was and how I can't wait to go back.
Let's start with the decor. It's called School, so think chalkboards, book shelves, apples sitting on small plates as centrepieces for the table, super cute. They also have 2 patios one at the front and one at the side. Actually, now that I think about it, the patio may just wrap around. Regardless, there's a patio and it's big.
As I mentioned I was there for breakfast so I ordered the Spiced Benni. I HIGHLY recommend this plate of deliciousness. I asked for the chipotle hollandaise on the side (that was the only modification I made) but really it kicked the eggs up to a whole new level. As if the hollandaise wasn't enough the cheddar chive biscuit, DELIGHTFUL! Not only was my meal perfect but the people I was with all had the same enthusiasm for theirs as well. Not to mention the food being delivered to the other tables looked just as good.
As for the baked goods, I'll be honest and say I didn't really get to the try them except for a taste of the Banana Espresso Muffin. One word: delicious. Try it.
I wanted to order sangria however, it was before 11:30am so we were unable to do that. The upside, you may ask, their coffee was just as good as their food. Now to you non-coffee drinkers this probably doesn't mean much to you but for those who can appreciate a cup of java, you won't be disappointed.
I didn't get a chance to check out that bathrooms and as every seasoned restaurant goer knows that's key on your overall judgement of the place, I'm still giving School 5 out 5 stars.
The staff was very friendly and our waitress was great. She answered any questions we had about the menu and made sure everything was to our liking. If I could remember her name I'd just here a shout out here because she was awesome.
I'd suggest you check out the website as well to see what's happening since they seem to have different events that go on. However, every Monday - Friday from 3:30 - 7pm there's "Detention- good drinks for bad kids" and "Night School" which is then serving dinner from 5 - 11pm Wednesday - Sunday. But check out what's going on from their website, they seem to keep it up-to-date.
Basically here's how I see it. School uses the theme of school throughout the whole restaurant and I love it. The extra effort with the small details really ties this place together. If it's for breakfast, lunch or dinner I'm giving School 5 stars. Love it. -
Review from Caitlin L.
Toronto, ON
3/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
A friend came back from here a couple weeks ago raving about how good the breakfast was. We decided to check it out based on the glowing review and we were not disappointed. It look really busy when we arrived but were seated immediately. We were waiting on a friend so our server took out drink order right away. Drinks were served quickly! As soon as our friend arrived our breakfast orders were taken. The food did take a while to come, but when it arrived it was hot and delicious! I ordered the Super Cheesy French Toast, my husband got the Spiced Benni on a Cheddar Chive Biscuit, and our friend got the Melted Gooey Four Cheese Omelet Souffle. How good do those dishes sound! All three breakfast dishes were amazing. I would come back and order any one of these dishes again or try something new. Its a bit pricey, for breakfast, but worth it in my mind. The bakery at the front looked great too. Next time I need to pick up some tasty treats on the way out :)
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Review from Lisa C.
Toronto, ON
8/3/2011
When Richard M. and I FINALLY got together for a much needed brunch date, School was our first choice for venue. We had both been before so we were prepared for the somewhat slow service, but the Spiced Benni and Black & Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes were well worth the wait.
With schoolhouse touches like informative blackboard art, a wall of clocks, and apples on the tables, School has a fun, laid back vibe. There was lots of patio space and shade to be found, and luckily no wait for us on a long weekend (which is usually an issue at this spot).
The menu is divided into Sweet vs Salty and I can never choose between the two so I recommend bringing a friend to share with. Also, the coffee is not stellar - maybe try a smoothie or iced tea instead.
I'm impressed enough to go back again to try dinner. -
Review from Tong J.
The overall grade for School Bakery & Café is a C- for me.
I like the space design and layout of the restaurant. Awesome outdoor/patio seating.
Items on the menu are diverse with interesting ingredients. We ordered the egg white frittata, chorizo potato omelet and black and blueberry pancakes.
The frittata came out hot and crispy around the edges, the way I like it. Just a bit disappointed with the overall flavors, both the frittata and the guacamole were bland.
The omelet was nice and fluffy. The creaminess from the goat cheese complimented the dish nicely. However, a spicier and more flavorful chorizo would have made this dish a hit for me.
Pancakes were decent. Love the way they serve syrup on the side in a cute shot glass-like container.
At 2:30 PM, there was no queue. The restaurant was half empty, yet the service was extremely slow. Also, we feel that the restaurant was on the expensive side, particularly for an omelet and a tossed salad. -
Review from Pascal P.
Toronto, ON
11/3/2011
I have been here 3 or 4 times before Williams Landing opened up. The food here is amazing b ut the service is atrocious. I being a server tend to be way more critical of service than the average person but no one can argue the horrilbe service at School. There is always a line up to get in, once we are sat at our table we start placing bets as to how long it will take till someone serves us.
I always get the same thing. The smoked salmon eggs benny with the smoked salmon on the side....it..is..amazing. -
Review from jenna m.
11/6/2011
The proprietors of School don't need no education! When it comes to brunch and they are most definitely not just another brick in the wall. Located in liberty village this fantastic brunch emporium has it down. The aesthetic of the restaurant is charming, interesting and fun. Exposed brick walls, giant old school chalk boards, garage door style windows and so many delightful object d'art throughout. The interior is kitschy in the most tasteful way. The menu is very creative and balanced with some complex flavours. I was very impressed with the execution of the meal from all aspects including: presentation, creativity, and taste. Prices were slightly above market value but well worth it for such a pleasant experience. It appeared to be very crowded on the weekends. Timing may be an element of importance and a factor that may hinder service.
I know I act a fool, but I promise you I'm going back to School. -
Review from Rob D.
2/6/2012
OK - so it is shocking that I'd never been here ... it's just so damned quaint and cool. Alas, I finally make it here for brunch at noon on a Saturday. I'd been warned to expect a 30 minute wait. There were only 3 groups of 2 ahead of us upon entering, and took over 10 minutes to be seated. NOW - my confusion (aka beef) is that we easily could've been seated within 3-5 minutes, as there were 3 open tables when we walked in ... and 2 groups left in that time as well. The hostess was not quick at firing patrons into these empty tables. It didn't appear to be a staff shortage issue of any server getting slammed ... I think it is just their vibe that they are 'too cool for school' and want to have a bit of a queue.
Onto the food ...
cheesy french toast was great - with greens - not overly filling. Fortunately, I sampled one of my hot date's eggs benny with peameal on a cheese scone, which was stellar. So I was fully satisfied in the food department on this day.
Decor was simple and clean ... school themed. Not overdone. Just right. The small touches like b&w cartoons playing, an apple on the tables, chalkboards (one said "i'm hot for teacher"), or the servers outfits ... the theme works for this place.
Toronto doesn't have enough great brunch spots like this ... the patio looked sensational, so I can't wait to hit this place during summer. I'll gladly serve some detention here :) -
Review from Melinda M.
Toronto, ON
9/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
One visit for lunch and I really want to go back! The choices on the menu were really fantastic - from soups to salads and sandwiches to Mexican and more - I had a hard time deciding what to order. Everyone I was with was really happy with their choices, and we all had different dishes.
The service was also really good for weekday lunch, which was moderately busy. I haven't been for the brunch on weekends, which sounds like the craziest time. I love the patio! Can't wait for my return visit. -
Review from Tanya N.
Updated - 6/16/2011
Booked this place for 30 of my friends for my 'See You Later' dinner. I chose School because I've enjoyed their brunch, wanted to try out their dinner for awhile, remembered that they had a great pack patio and free parking behind the restaurant after 5pm!
Originally I booked the patio but Toronto weather being itself, it was too cold so we were moved into the room just beside the back patio. It was perfect for my party - everyone fit into the space without it being too cramped.
I worked with Sarah who helped minimize the menu so that we'd be served more quickly & efficiently. I confirmed the number of guests & menu a couple of days in advance so the staff & kitchen would be prepared for it. There's a $10/person for each no show but this is really if a large number of people didn't show up (ie. if 15 of the 30 showed up) - so no biggie.
One thing to note is that if you're planning for a large group - try to make them get there on time! The wait staff tries get in all the app, main & dessert orders at one time so the kitchen can prepare everything in a timely manner (as opposed to jumping back & forth between apps & mains). Luckily, some of my friends weren't too late.
Everyone enjoyed the food.
The stand outs were the English Fish & Chips which apparently had a slight curry flavour that one of my pickier friends really enjoyed.
I had the Pumpkinseed Crusted Salmon with Salsa Verde Pesto, Pablano Rice & greens. There was a generous pumpkinseed crust that gave a good crunch and the rice was awesome. It was as though the salmon was there to compliment the rice. I could have had an extra serving of rice.
I had the Cinnamon Churros with Ginger Caramel & Vanilla Ice Cream - churros were nicely fried but a bit too spicy for me - of the 4 churros, I could only finish 3 of them. Maybe it was from the ginger?
My best friend had the Kiwi Raspado with tropical fruits & toasted coconut. He loved it and thought it was great after a heavy meal. It's probably really refreshing on a hot day too.
Half way through the meal, the guys wanted to change the Betty Boop cartoon that was playing on the TV to the NBA finals and they were nice enough to accommodate them. It's not really a sports place but glad that they were accommodating my friends.
Had a great time and the staff were friendly.
Thanks School!Listed in: List of Awesomeness, I *heart* brunch!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/4/2011
This place makes school cool - if only real school had such great brunch food. You're greeted with… Read more »
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Review from Precilla C.
Scarborough, ON
5/9/2011 3 photos
Liberty Village is a very nice neighbourhood, particularly on a warm, sunny day. School had the perfect atmosphere for a lazy brunch.
Out of the two dishes, my favourite was undoubtedly the spiced benni on cheddar chive biscuit with back bacon, chipotle hollandaise and home fries. The chipotle hollandaise was simply divine! The chipotle really gave the sauce a great kick. As well, the eggs were nicely poached and perfectly runny inside. The only thing I wasn't crazy about were the home fries, which were rather chunky and dry.
I also enjoyed my super cheesy French toast with double smoked bacon, maple syrup and greens. I loved the combination of the savoury cheese and maple syrup, which made the French toast all the more decadent. The refreshing side salad was much needed to counterbalance all that fatty richness.
For dessert, we got a chewy chocolate chip cookie to go, which was super chocolatey but not that chewy. I couldn't eat this without getting chocolate stains all over my hands. I wished that the cookie was more chewy and less chocolatey. But all in all, it was an enjoyable, coma-inducing brunch. -
Review from Josefa M.
Toronto, ON
5/29/2011
So I had heard about this place for a while as well. I don't have a car, so I wasn't in a rush to try this place out considering I would have to take transit there. Obviously I waited for a friend who has a car to suggest we go try it out.
Like everyone else said, the wait/line up is horrible! I also noticed that people really dress up to go for brunch. They try to pretend that they just sort of woke up and meandered over for brunch, but I saw through it. Anyhow, back to the review.
While waiting in line, my brilliant best friend went and got us a white chocolate and blueberry scone to nibble on while we waited for our table. You need coffee with a scone, so we asked the hostess if we could sit at the counter and have our scone and coffee. She said yes, which made our wait much more enjoyable than standing in that line.
Once seated, I noticed that our water glasses had lipstick stains on them. Seeing as I wear gloss, I knew I didn't do it. We asked for new glasses, which came back cleaner, but mine still had lipstick on it. So I had to get a third glass, which was finally clean. I hope.
I had the Parmesan-Asparagus Omelette with home fries and greens. It was very tasty once I got it because out server originally brought out something else that I did not order. So there was my friend sitting across from me, starving and staring at her food, while I had to wait another 15 minutes to get my omelette.
In all, it is a nice building to sit in. It's cute that there are chalk boards, an apple on each table and that your bill comes in the form of a report card. I don't think I would make the schlep often, especially with the line up, the mistake with my order and the dirty glasses, but I would go back for the food. -
Review from Laura C.
Toronto, ON
4 stars for the food. -1 star for the wait. Sigh. This is what happens when a popular restaurant doesn't take reservations.
Sunday morning. 11:30am, there was already a huge line up leading to the patio outside. With two huge groups inside, they do take up quite a bit of space, so the parties of 2-4s had the extra wait because of this.
After about an 1 hour wait in line, we finally got seated. The food came in decent time, no complaints there.
What I like is the super diverse menu. Everything on here appeals to me, and makes me want to come back.
We got the mango smoothie and the jungle fruit smoothie which looked pretty similar and I'm surprised if they didn't taste the same. The jungle fruit was a little watery and actually tasted like mango. 2 stars
The coffee was okay. They claim it's Illy, but it was a bit watery as well. And no one came to ask me to top it off.
The mains were great. I got the Spicy Eggs Bennie on a Cheddar Scone and Chipotle Hollendaise. ($12) Yum. It was a great twist on a classic, and the eggs were cooked perfectly. Not a bad price point either. 4 stars
There was also the to die for Crunch French Toast with Brown Sugar Butter. It was very sweet, and I love the Rice Kirspy baked on and caramelized on the top to give it the crunch kick. However, the Challah wasn't soaked enough to grab all the egg flavour. 3 stars.
The Parmasean Asparagus Omlette was light and fluffy and comes with a salad.
Overall, it was a great place, and I would come back - but be prepared for the over and hour wait, or come back on a weekday.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/4/2011
I really liked it. Except you have to really watch and be smart about what you order.
We came here… Read more »
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Review from Anabel L.
Toronto, ON
8/31/2011
Usually when I'm dying to try a place, I leave a little disappointed. I gave it a name: premature excitation.
I have been wanting to go to School for many months now, and finally went on the weekend with two of the best eaters I know, Saltine and Miss J. Here's the final report card of my first visits in the fall of 2010:
Hostess: F (Mousey-blonde little thing needs an attitude overhaul. I would have given her one but I wasn't about to embarass my company.)
Service: A
Menu: A+
Taste: A- (the minus is because the baked goods look and smell better than they taste.)
Here's an updated report card from a few weeks ago:
Hostess: A
Service: A (the kitchen was back up but she told us that in advance and did her best)
Menu: A+
Taste: B- (the soufleé omlette is still the bees knees but the food is overall way too greasy now.)
The winner is always the four cheese omelet soufleé which, in one word, is OMGDELICIOUS. A fluffy pillowy omelet with bacon in the middle and a dirrtyyy good cheese crust.
I got the omelet with chorizo and goat cheese. Chorizo-can't-go-wrong :)
My sister got the super cheesey french toast with bacon - probably my least favourite, but that's because I don't like savoury french toast.
We shared the black and blue pancakes which were ahhhh-mazing, and ordered a side of cranberry sausage, which knocked my socks right off.
I will have to go back to try the spiced benni, the lemony pancakes, and well...
This place serves good (not too much, not too little, just riiiight) portions of well-made (not too greasy, seasoned well, and tastee, yes, double-e tasty) brunch. All the favourites with a fun spin. The coffee is good and their assortment of baked goods are a great take-home treat.
Gimmicks can take away from the fare, but in the case of School - the concept works so does the food -
Review from Monica M.
Toronto, ON
1/21/2012
Scoff!
They're not open for the dinner crowd. Finally made it there for lunch one day and there was a lineup of 3 couples. Nobody so much as acknowledged anyone in the line. I noticed a few of the wait staff glanced over but didn't make any effort to serve us or let a host/hostess know we were there.
After waiting 20 mins without even being acknowledged, we left.
TERRIBLE first impression. TERRIBLE service. Never setting foot in there again! -
Review from Michael Y.
Toronto, ON
7/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Always busy during brunch, which is always a good sign about the food but constantly trying to get a hold of the wait staff. I keep coming back for the Super Cheesy French Toast! The sides are always seem to be the back burner of the dish and could use some work. Coffee is good and love their peanut butter banana smoothie. Bakery is terrific.
The burger... I love that it's organic beef but it's too pepper corny. It takes away from the rest of the burger. -
Review from Joanna L.
Toronto, ON
2/3/2011
School Bakery & Café is undoubtedly one of the more popular restos in Liberty Village.
That being said, my visit there with a friend a few months ago started off with a nice 30+ minute wait outside in the snow. Thankfully it was one of those sunny winter days. Admittedly, the servers did try their best to keep the waiting custys happy by serving warm beverages/ freshly squeezed OJ.
We eventaully got seated at the bar area but no biggie, it was just me and a girlfriend.
I tried the Upstream Benni - essentially poached eggs with salmon but instead of the cornbread bun I asked if they wouldn't mind using the cheddar chive biscuit from the Spiced Bennis dish - It was great.
I believe my friend had waffles (no longer on the menu?) or pancakes with nutella and fresh fruit...regardless it was good.
School also sells an assortment of scones - MY FAV!! - white choc+blueberry, lemon, coconut carrot + nutella are listed on their website...
I'd go back but perhaps only occasionally as I'm not a huge fan of waiting in a line up for brunch.Listed in: I love scones!
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Review from Lia E.
Toronto, ON
3/6/2011
School is definitely a great place to go for brunch. Creative/cute theme, delicious eclectic food, and pastries.
However, this place is always jammed for breakfast/brunch and the service is sub par. The nutella scones look and sound better than they taste.
Otherwise it's a fantastic little brunch spot. -
Review from Jamie K.
North York, ON
The School is definitely a place to check out. Don't be fooled by the name. It indeed looks like a School but no strict teachers with threatening rulers here. Just yummy food with bake goods that will make your mouth water while waiting for your meal to come.
This place is located in the neighbourhood where I work to but I've never been here before today. I decided to stop in for breakfast.
First thing I noticed on the way in was the baked goods. We'll talk about that some more later.
I ordered the "You're the boss Eggs". It's your standard Eggs, Bacon, Toast and Home Fries breakfast but it comes with some neat extras like Fruit Salad and Greens. The meal was delicious and I ate everything except for the greens (not a veggie person).
One thing I want to point out is the service. When I entered I noticed that there was a big group of over 10 people already there that didn't put in their orders yet. I figured that I've be waiting awhile for my food since I was by myself. I was surprise when only about 5 minutes after putting in my order my breakfast was sitting in front of me waiting to be eaten (The group received all their orders very shortly afterwards).
Now lets get back to the baked goods. I had a Blueberry and White Chocolate scone to go. I swear the baked goods was calling my name as I was finishing up my breakfast. It was delicious and I may find myself dropping in from time to time just to try their other baked treats as well. If you don't get one yourself, you may regret it. It was that good. -
Review from Denise S.
3/5/2011
Just came back from brunch here. My friend and I arrived at noon, probably a bad idea in terms of planning... Brunch in the city requires some strategy and it's usually best to try for either early (10-11am) or late (after 1). So we did end up waiting for about 30 mins., but luckily we were brought mini apple pie muffins and shot glasses of mango lassis to tide us over while we waited. Waiting in line also gave us lots of time to admire the baked goods at the front -- blueberry white chocolate scones looked amazing, and I was curious about the "tomato soup" cupcake (?) but wasn't bold enough to try it this time. They were bringing fresh brownies and cookies from the oven, everything looked so good...
I ended up having the chorizo/goat cheese omelette ($13), which was filling and delicious. It came with a side of greens. I also had the maple latte which was nice. They do have lots of interesting drink options, hot and cold, alcoholic and non. Maybe next time I'll try the "jungle fruit smoothie".
Nice place with cute details in keeping with the school theme (e.g. menus on clipboards, drinks from glass beakers). Service was decent. Great place for a relaxed weekend brunch. Be sure to get some baked goods to bring home after!
*Free parking after 5pm or all-day on weekends.Listed in: Brunch, The Sweet Escape
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Review from Fabio N.
Toronto, ON
11/11/2010 1 Check-in Here
School is a very nice looking place in Liberty Village, all decorated with school motives and playful details. The menu is presented on a clipboard and there's an apple waiting for you at the table when you arrive (wait, so you're a student AND a teacher at the same time? Whoa).
The big problem with School is this is yet another place that's more about looks than content. We (me and Renata R.) ordered two appetizers - garlic shrimps and ceviches. We were expecting generous portions -- the prices are quite steep, after all -- so we were sorely disappointed when a small CUP of shrimps arrived along with an equally small tray of ceviches. The latter came adorned with tortilla chips, so it can technically considered a fair appetizer, but the shrimps were just that: a cup of garlic shrimps. While they tasted pretty good, I felt robbed.
For the main course we ordered a grilled salmon with a crust of pumpkin seeds. It was served on a bed of guacamole-based sauce, with seasoned rice and green salad as sides. Again, the portion was very small for the price. The salmon itself was great -- grilled to perfection and tender in the middle -- but the rice tasted pretty neutral and the salad was also pretty standard.
The drinks, on the other hand, were amazing. I had a pretty good mojito and Renata ordered a Pineapple Lassi, which is basically a modified pina colada.
So, overall, what do I think of School? Well, Cinquecento Trattoria is a few blocks away and it's excellent. I heard the Academy of Spherical Arts, while being basically a pool place, also has good food and drinks. For coffee and pastry, you have Balzac right across the street, although the one at the Distillery District is much better.
With so many options, the only real reasons to go to School are the decoration and the drinks. If that's what you're looking for, go ahead. But be prepared for the meh-ness.
QUICK UPDATE: Maybe I went to School with the wrong idea. It seems the dinner service is pretty recent and, from my experience, they're simply not quite there yet. I'll try it again ordering the brunch/pastry items to see if I'll walk away with a different opinion. Anyway, if you're looking for dinner there are *definitely* better options around. -
Review from R A.
Toronto, ON
7/2/2011
Brunch review:
Design/atmosphere: 4/5 (very cute inside, airy and clean)
Service: 2/5 (slow)
Food: 1/5 (reality did not match the menu)
Coffee: 2/5 (needed lots of cream/sugar to be passable)
We were seated on the patio almost right away, coffee and water came quickly. I ordered the "Crunchy French Toast with Orange Infused Honey & Whipped Brown Sugar Butter $12", my boyfriend ordered the "Spiced Benni on Cheddar Chive Biscuit with Back Bacon, Chipotle Hollandaise & Home Fries $13", plus two regular coffees.
We then waited 45 minutes.
The wait itself wasn't that bad because the patio was very nice and airy, there were opportunities for people watching because a TFC game was starting at the stadium nearby, but the coffee refills were few and far between. Coffee itself was a good size but needed tons of cream and sugar for it to not taste bitter.
When the food came the Benni was almost completely cold and the home fries were actually small potatoes that were boiled (but not completely cooked) and then briefly fried. The sauce was nicely spicy however.
My friend toast was a sandwich situation, with four thin slices of white bread smacked together, covered in Rice Krispies and briefly fried. When I peeled the slices apart there was nothing in the middle (why do a sandwich then?)....and the bread was dry, without any of the egg having made it into the center :( I couldn't really taste the orange in the honey, and it was a little overpowering when combined with maple syrup. The brown sugar butter was a nice idea and tasty, but again just too much if you combined it with syrup.
I only ate a couple bites before giving up, I asked the waitress to remove it from my bill and settled for stolen bites of Benni and my coffee.
The Crunchy French Toast disaster: http://i54.tinypic.com... -
Review from Andrew G.
Toronto, ON
6/17/2011
It's hard to get a top review out of me. (Yeah I know I write good ones, but I don't always take time to write.) To get five stars a place needs great food, ambience, location, and it helps if that great food is a bit clever, without being too clever. School scores on all fronts.
Today I had the Korean bowl, which was one of a surprising number of eclectic offerings under the "Foreign Exchange" section of the menu. Topped by large, succulent gingery, chili-red lightly coated chicken drumsticks. The rice, noodles, and vegetables below offered a stimulating variety of textures.
Hipster gourmands can have classy all-day breakfasts or basic cheeseburgers, all satisfying. School has tremendous range.
The open-air covered section of the restaurant is just one of three options for seating. You can also dine on the outdoor patio, or fully inside. What's not to like?
