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Starving Artist
Category: Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
584 Lansdowne AveToronto, ON M6H 3
Neighbourhood: Wallace Emerson
(647) 342-5058
- Hours:
Mon, Sun 10 am - 6 pm
Tue-Thu 10 am - 12 am
Fri-Sat 10 am - 2 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Brunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
45 reviews for Starving Artist
Review Highlights
"caramelized bacon, perfectly poached eggs filled with..."
(in 6 reviews)
"The poached eggs were eerily perfect in shape & texture."
(in 8 reviews)
"We washed it all down with a monster-sized french press; $5."
(in 3 reviews)
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45 reviews in English
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Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
10/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
While eating a savoury waffle based benny it's integral to have three things:
- A movie background (in my case, lucky me, Ghostbusters)
- An aquarium stocked with koi (huh?)
- A benny with caramelized bacon and potato waffles
While the coffee choice left something to be desired and some of the fruit that I chose as my side had seen better and fresher days, I'd still give this a thumbs up. It's just tough to beat a benny with runny yolks and a tasty hollandaise.
I'm pretty certain that Torontonians like waffles, and I do believe Starving Artist proves just that. I'm happy to announce that I too don't waffle on waffles.
25/30: 30 Day ChallengeListed in: 30 Day Review Writing…, Toronto Musing
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Review from Kent P.
1/5/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Not sure why it took me so long to start coming to this place.
Great waffles (especially the very interesting potato ones...mashed potatoes done in a waffle grill) - and nice coffee.
Only serious complaint is that while dining in the summer, Starving Artist has hands-down the WORST wasp problem I've ever experienced. And twice. I'm not sure what the issue here is, but it can seriously ruin your meal. The staff even brought a fly swatter over to our table to help combat them. You know what's more disgusting that wasps flying everywhere over your head and on your food? Having a well-used fly-swatter on the table.
Outside of that, those waffles are pretty good.
So I'll give this place 4/5 during most months of the year, but a 0-1/5 during that wasp season.
God-damn Wasps. -
Review from hangover n.
Toronto, ON
12/1/2011
Misleading name. I have a feeling waffles are cheaper to produce than toast, so kudos to the owners for a savvy business move.
For $9 before tax you can get 4 vegan mini waffles with a few pieces of lettuce('salad') and some beans from a can on the side. Fine, I guess. But after all the raves I read for this place, I just don't get it. Perhaps it's because I'm a bit anti-brunch in general. The space is nice. The service was. .. passable. But I won't be back. -
Review from Lee-Anne K.
Toronto, ON
1/30/2012
This place has perfected the art of waffle making. I never really enjoyed waffles but this place has changed my mind. The service was quick and pleasant. The food was so tasty. It has an open kitchen concept. They serve great coffee in a french press. The breakfast benny was absolutely delicious. The best part was the potato waffles. The decor is not the most updated but with their food you wouldn't even notice. I will definitely be coming back!
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Review from Val A.
Wallace Emerson, Toronto, ON
1/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great for brunch, love their breakfast Benny, I'd recommend as the side you stick with the fruit, the potato salad tastes like store bought..must try both the potato and bacon waffles, they are both amazing.
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Review from Daniel H.
Mississauga, ON
12/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was going to give this place 4 stars..... And then I found the board game section... Amazing lattes (recommend the marshmellow lattes)
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Review from Munis T.
Toronto, ON
10/12/2011
I went here for brunch this past sunday.
The waffles were awesome. Light, fluffy, moist on the inside, slightly crisp on the exterior.
The bacon waffles, dipped in maple syrup, were quite enjoyable.
The eggs benny (poached eggs with caramelized bacon, atop the aforementioned awesome waffles, covered in hollandaise sauce) were amazingly well-balanced, no one element dominated, the flavors and textures were in harmony. The relative quantities were also perfect: there was just the right amount of waffle to soak up all the hollandaise and egg-yolk, no more, no less! And amazingly, despite the ingredients involved, the dish felt light overall--not at all heavy.
The strawberry craze waffles were great (though not as exceptional). Despite being a little bit soggy from all the whipped cream, strawberry jam, and strawberry sauce, they were still very satisfying. More importantly, they were neither too sweet, nor too heavy; just right!
I also had a chai latte (which I suspect was sweetened with honey): nothing special, but nevertheless pleasant.
Service was attentive and understanding.
I don't typically like "brunch," but I may have a soft spot for good waffles... and for good waffles with bacon hidden in them! -
Review from M P.
Toronto, ON
10/14/2011
Like short reviews that get straight to the point? Here's one!!
You a waffle person?? Go Starving Artist!! You'll be waffly impressed with the varieties of waffles you can waffle down!!
Great waffles served by charming people, people! -
Review from Howard H.
8/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Do you LOVE waffles?
Does the very idea of a waffle incursion on almost every item on a restaurant menu excite you? Do your doodles contain subconscious waffle patterns?
If all of this sizzling waffle talk has gotten your iron heated, then by all means - Jump on over to the Landsdowne station and give Starving Artist a try. The waffles benny was prepared precisely to my spec and I am a fan. Have tried the Hitchhiker on another occaision and, with the addition of avocado, found it to be a splendid cure for the common brekkie sandwich. Coffee is quite good - liked the french press a lot on one of those high volume mornings and a very nicely pulled americano when one was enough.
I found the service to be stellar on each of my several trips - once during busy brunch, once in the evening, and one strange late afternoon business lunch when we were the only people in the joint. The latter experience also featured a hi-larious interaction with the staff and our table taking turns creating a living spec for what precisely IS a hipster.
If you find yourself - IN ANY WAY - waffling on the subject of waffles then you should probably give Starving Artist a miss. But - if you do LOVE waffles - or even consider them as a potential Food with Benefits, you will enjoy the food, atmosphere, and service of this unique spot in the west side. -
Review from Chris P.
Bacon Waffles with a side of whipped cream.
That should really be all I need to say about this place but I'll elaborate a little more.
No matter what time of day you come here you're going to have waffles. My friends and I started with a round of drinks but quickly ordered the bacon waffles (don't forget the side of whipped cream, seriously, don't). We were there fairly late in the evening but I needed something more substantial to soak up the doubles I was drinking as I hadn't had dinner. So I ordered the sliders.
These aren't just normal sliders, they're...you guessed it...waffle sliders. Instead of buns they use mini waffles. I was a little weary at first but took the plunge. Delicious. The side of potato salad was also really great.
The service was ok. The server seemed to get a little pre-occupied with a large group that showed up so it took a little longer than we would have liked to get another round. Also, when we were ready to go she passed by our table twice, noticing that we were done, but still didn't offer to bring the bill. -
Review from Lisa C.
Toronto, ON
7/7/2011 2 Check-ins Here
What initially drew me in about this spot was the buzz about everything served on waffles... it's true! And not just breakfast either - all burgers and sandwiches are served on waffles instead of bread/buns. The Monte Cristo is a must try and I'd say opt for the potato salad over the fruit as a side.
This is BUSY spot for weekend brunch (you will wait ages for a table) so I tend to opt for dinner or late night drinks. Take friends and enjoy the use of countless board games, good beer, and DEFINITELY try out the waffle bacon (the owners apparently spent countless hours perfecting how to cook the bacon into the waffle and I think they've certainly mastered it)... I suggest adding a side of whipped cream to up the gluttony factor.
Inside is a bit warm in summer and sometimes too loud, but if there aren't seats on the patio out front, head to the back - there is another! -
Review from Patrick M.
Toronto, ON
7/4/2011
Oh how I want to give a more positive review! I love the concept of Starving Artist, I love the look, I love the vibe, I even love the menu...
But every visit has brought with it things that just irk me!
Potato waffles? Great concept, poor execution. Kinda crumbly and dry, and not worth the novelty.
Waffles Benny? Would have been tasty were it not for the runny, almost-but-not-quite cooked egg whites. Big turn off!
Mediocre nachos? Well, they're mediocre nachos -- the very definition of 2 star!
Factor in the often incredibly long waits -- that persists after you've been seated and ordered -- and I just have a hard time really recommending them to others.
Does this mean I won't be back myself? Oh, no, I'm sure I'll be back... there's something about the place that just draws me in.
On a positive note, let me add the following:
Projector of old D movies (at night) and classic saturday morning cartoons (Smurfs!) in the morning makes for a very cool backdrop to a meal/drink/whatever.
And, finally, their blueberry outmeal smoothie is ridiculous. Ridiculously good! -
Review from Madelyn S.
Toronto, ON
8/8/2011
I am so shocked to see all of these amazing reviews for this place. It was a cute spot, we were seated on the patio until there was a crazy mother load of bees. Sadly, we trucked our butts inside to be seated in a corner with a great view of the kitchen.
The chefs seemed to be having a great time. Service was slow, however, they were friendly, patient and witty. Genuine spirits, so exhausted from the heat, I can only imagine how they really felt about working sans AC w/ an open kitchen!
OK food:
Gluten free - vegan waffles were nice. Not sweet and not chewy. I had them with the Breakfast Benny. The fruit was fresh and lovely.
My breakie date had the same with beans. Ah, yes, there is caramelized bacon on the little benny as well. He Loved it, I was not sold, as is clear from my post.
I love that they have the GF option. I won't bring my cash or my date here again. I am still happy I tried it.
Starving Artist? How did you get your name if you have a Suburban with a licence plate that says Waffles on it.......
I'm not sure anyone is starving anymore :P
they seem to have a solid space for a party - and booy do they party -
meh, just not for me. -
Review from Vivek S.
4/16/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Just north of Bloor and Lansdowne, Starving Artist's got more waffles than an economists convention. I dare you to not ingest a waffle here. If you open your mouth, there is a 73% chance that a waffle will fall in. Seriously.
It's bigger than it seems inside, with tables going all the way back. And though it wasn't yet set up, their front patio was tantalizing. The decor inside is probably best described as Hipster Gaufre. I dug the heavily tagged plaster lions, the endless waffle kitsch, and the pyramid of breakfast cereals. (Kellogg's I might add.)
Their brunch menu features the wafer-iron-wonder in a bevy of transmogrifications. There are bennies, mini-waffles with fruit, potato waffles, gluten-free waffles, even something called waffle bacon. For me the choice was obvious: smoked salmon eggs benedict on mini waffs. Pretty, pretty, pretty fantastic. With a side of baked beans in maple syrup it was a breakfastacular combination. We washed it all down with a monster-sized french press; $5! (Also: try the PB and B smoothie. It's thicker than a kid on a football scholarship.)
Service was polite, but deliberately paced. They do have debit here, but after a few failed attempts we scrounged together some cash. You have to wait for your bill here (and you will wait) but you pay at the counter. Everyone who works here is also much cooler than you. Don't feel bad about it.
Oh, and apparently, this place is also a hot little spot at night which would explain the full bar and Amsterdam brews on tap. I wonder if they crank those waffle irons after dark too...
Obligatory Title Pun: WAFL-copters!
Menu Readability: A typewriter font I'm none too fond of, but it's plenty readable.
Need to mention: No parking on Paton Rd from midnight to 7pm. Figured this out the hard way.
What this place teaches me about myself: I now officially hate the word "waffle."Listed in: Betwixt Breakfast and Lunch
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Review from Allison T.
Toronto, ON
7/30/2011 2 Check-ins Here
After returning from a trip, we made a decision to be brunch-venturous. Let's hit up some new places! & so - we ventured into the land of waffles.
No disappointment here. We got here around noon, feeling a bit lazy & thinking we would have to wait but we snuck in right before the crowds arrived. Turns out we weren't the only ones who slept in!
My Waffle Benny was delicious - light fluffy waffles in place of where english muffins might normally be. The poached eggs were eerily perfect in shape & texture. Their Hollandaise wasn't as zing-y as I prefer but as I've mentioned I'm a fan of zest until the bitter end...
Great Americano(s), smiley service. Bring your epi-pen - there are bees a-plenty (I blame the syrup). -
Review from Melissa N.
Toronto, ON
7/19/2011
I want to give my review of Starving Artist more stars but I can't and I'll tell you why.
I was so excited to have gluten free waffles for brunch and got even more excited when I saw the menu and noticed I could get eggs Benedict on waffles...or not.
While Starving Artist makes amazing gluten-free/vegan waffles, their hollandaise (which is on most menu items) is not gluten free! I was honestly surprised to see that they would take the time to make GF waffles but couldn't be bothered to make GF hollandaise. I was definitely disappointed, but overall the food was still great and very fresh! -
Review from Kat K.
4/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Super good, the only downside was the wait. It wouldn't have been pretty in high winter, but it was decent enough. Place is packed, but not the point of you're elbow to elbow. But two big partys of 10 people will cause a backlog if anything.
What to eat here? This place is famous for their waffles; waffle sandwiches; waffle bacon; different kinds of dessert waffles.
I ordered their smoked salmon waffle, which comes with capers, cream cheese on a dill waffle. It was excellent, lots of smoked salmon, and not has heavy handed with the cream cheese; kinda wished I had more capers. But overall nicely balanced.
Dessert waffles were great, try their apple one, which was probably the favorite for our party, but I love their blackberry and pear one, which isn't for everyone.
Waffle bacon was interesting, essentially it was a waffle with strips of bacon in it. They provide maple syrup as a dipping sauce. Overall impresson, good but felt a bit gimmicky.
Service was friendly and patient, despite being packed. -
Review from Melissa E.
Vancouver, BC
6/2/2011
Two words:
Waffle Bacon -
Review from jenna m.
10/19/2011
Starving Artist located on Lansdowne just north of Bloor is an unusual eatery. The base for all meals is waffles! Everything is served with this Belgian delicacy. Waffle sliders, waffles with baked beans, waffle Benny, and a chicken/ bacon club on waffles! These guys have a serious love affair with waffles. Brian and Tobias have managed to create a fascinating waffle menu with sweet and savoury combinations that transcend typical bistro fare. The atmosphere is super chill and inviting. They always play good music and often have cool old school movies playing on a projector. A variety of fun board games are available to play while you have a drink or a snack. There is a front and back outdoor patio for those beautiful summer evenings. They often have DJs spinning at night and occasionally live music. The decor is pretty random, but very fun to look at. Huge crowds of hipsters for weekend brunch, so I would advise rising a little earlier than usual if you are not too hungover to beat the crowds-supper time is far less crowded during the week. They have reasonable prices and great people at Starving.
I highly recommend this waffle bar!
But make um understand its Westside foe life!
Thanks so much for your time. -
Review from Elame G.
Toronto, ON
8/15/2011
I ordered the apple crumble ice cream waffle on a Thursday evening at 10pm. They had a comedy night going the night we went. The comedians were ok I had a few chuckles. Let me just say the place is quite small. They had the stage situated in the back and the way the seats/table are set up you couldn't see anything unless you were sitting at the tables next to the wall. The outside patio is a decent size. Our waitress was friendly, the crowd is pretty hipster-ish and the place was dark as hell.
ANYWAYS back to the waffle...in my opinion the waffle was soft and a little tasteless. I think the only redeeming thing on the waffle was the ice cream and the oat crumble...I'd rather go to Wanda's Waffles. -
Review from Juergen S.
Toronto, ON
7/28/2011
Great atmosphere, great food, great coffee but service is not good.
If u r not too hungry and if u have time then I would go there. Otherwise I wouldn't. -
Review from Dj Skillz z.
10/27/2011
My girlfriend and i decided to go to Starving Artist and try it. The waffles are AMAZING! Bacon waffles, potato waffles, grilled cheese waffle yes GRILLED CHEESE WAFFLE!!! We also tried the dessert waffles (diy) peanut butter, nutella, chocolate ice cream and the peanut butter, nutella, strawberry. Everything we ate was GREAT!! Also the bill was under $20 for all of this food. We will now be regulars at Starving Artist. Service was great and the music was on-point! Very easy to get to 2 blocks north of the subway easy to get to. Highly recommend...
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Review from Patty H.
North York, ON
Just came back from this wonderful brunch place. We have a party of 6 and arrived there at 11am, took us over an hour to wait in a line to get a table. The place is not huge, typical boutique brunch place.
What surprises me is the attitude of the waitress and waiter. They have patience and organized manner to get things ordered.
There's no back kitchen, it is like a bar style where you see how they make their orders.
What surprises me even more is the presentation of the meal. It is buzy during peak hour for Sunday brunch and we have a group of 6, we ordered Breakfast waffle, The hitchhiker, breakfast benny x2, salmon sandiwch and 3 other dessert waffle. The presentation of those dish were not sacrificed!
We did not have to wait too long for the meal and of course they are delicious!
The only thing I find is the mini waffle felt abit 'empty' yet it is still delicious. The potato waffle is great! Although I won't have more than two. It gets 'heavy'.
Everything is waffle based including sandwiches. Delicious and the price was reasonable.
We have latte for each person, main meal for each person and dessert and appetizer (share by 6), the total bill comes to be around $20. Not bad.
I will definitely come visit here again probably summer time. -
Review from Sean S.
Toronto, ON
6/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
The word to describe this place is RANDOM. It's in a converted house, on a residential street. I've never been for the breakfast/lunch thing - I've been here at night. This takes random to a whole new level.
They have live music and booze. It's a full on bar at night. In a house. On a residential street. RANDOM. But tres cool. It's a very comfortable spot, and a great little neighborhood hangout. A friend of mine lives around the corner and introduced me to the place. We went for desert one night. Or perhaps I should say, she went for dessert. I went for a pint. And was treated to a live band to boot.
I can't speak to the food, but she said it was delicious (something with banana in it). They had a good beer selection, so I was pleased. This place is kind of small and out of the way for a special trip from any kind of distance. But for anyone in Bloordale, Blandsdowne, and whatever else they call this neighborhood, I would definitely recommend checking it out. If for no other reason because I think the location and spot is kinda hilarious. -
Review from Susu H.
Toronto, ON
4/5/2011
Oh....caramelized bacon, perfectly poached eggs filled with liquid gold, savory sweet waffles....Starving Artist brunch, how I love thee.
I seriously think back to that first time I had brunch there and drool.
Then, I sigh and think I don't want to deal with the lineup of yuppies all waiting for a table.
The only reason why I gave this place 4/5 stars: some (not all) of the customers suck. Rude, inconsiderate, and obnoxious. I'm sorry you have to "step over vagrants" to get to the restaurant, perhaps you should stick to Yorkville since evidently you think Lansdowne is full of thugs ready to mug you?
The last time I was at the restaurant, the place was packed, wherever there was an open spot, you got seated. My friend and I took a seat at the counter, which was perfect since then we could watch them cook and chat, but not everyone was so satisfied. One large group in particular sitting by the door was non-stop complaining and blocking the entrance. Yes, I understand that sitting by the door sucks, especially in the winter, but you came there with six people, and that was the only table available at that time. If the guy running the restaurant says "No" to your request to move tables (since the other table was spoken for), you don't go and then ask the waitress (who did not know that they had already asked the owner and he denied them) and get her in trouble. Awesome. Way to be dicks.
Anyways, this place is really really special. Highly recommend! -
Review from Sian O.
Updated - 7/28/2011
Last evening I was with a friend who wanted to give this place another try- it is still a disappointment (to us, anyway).
We split the sliders and Tex Mex chicken sandwich. The wait was long, considering that there was only one other table there. The burger patty & toppings were good, but the waffles had a sweet smell and taste which wasn't a nice combination. The Tex Mex chicken was nicely seasoned but the sandwich was quite soggy when I received it. The potato salad was the usual creamy bland grocery store variety.
Other than that, we were there for dinner and there was loud music (loud enough that we couldn't talk much) the chorus of which repeated "motherfucker" over and over... very charming! I realize this is more of a hipster/douche hangout than a family place, but c'mon!
I gave it a try for brunch and dinner, and for brevity's sake, i will just say, don't bother.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/6/2010
Starving Artist might've cornered the market on vegan/gluten-free waffles (I wouldn't know, I just… Read more »
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Review from Toronto L.
Toronto, ON
7/9/2011
the Toronto Lover system:
5 stars = Must visit!
4 stars = Really good. I take my friends here.
3 stars = Somewhat worth it... if you have nowhere better to go.
2 stars = Below average. Attend only when necessary.
1 star = Do not visit!
There are a lot of good things about Starving Artist. When this place first took over from Soul Food, the staff was eager to please, the menu was fresh and cool, and the "waffle-buzz" was on. The food is still great, the ambience in the back, inside, and on the front patio are all really laid back and ideal for any time of day.
Unfortunately, I keep hearing reports about poor service. This is a shame, because the food is well done, and prepared in the open right near the bar, which is always nice to see. My favourite is the chicken sandwich with bacon, but everybody goes for the waffles. You can't miss, really.
If they do something about the service, this place could climb to the top.
4 stars -
Review from Shanley W.
Toronto, ON
4/27/2011
Went last night with my brother at his recommendation, he really loves this place. It was a Tuesday night so we had no trouble getting a table and it wasn't very busy. Our waitress seemed to be having dinner with her mom, so the chef took our order, kinda random but it worked. The staff was friendly and the potato salad was delicious!! I don't know if it was just an off day, but the side of avocado I ordered wasn't ripe at all. Alcohol was decently priced, overall a nice, cozy little bar.
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Review from Kat F.
1/11/2010 1 photo
There need to be more reviews for this place - I demand it! Highly overlooked brunch spot, and one of two reasons to ever get off at Lansdowne station (Ciro's being the other: http://www.yelp.ca/biz...). Step over the vagrants that are loafing outside the station and head north a block or two, and you will have arrived.
This is a gourmet waffle cafe with many, many options that will satisfy even the most diehard waffle enthusiast. I've enjoyed The Hitchhiker ($10), which includes scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese, caramelized bacon (I subbed for tomato and avocado slices) and two waffles. I was not a fan of the potato salad (to be fair, I never really am, unless it's my own**), but everything else was on point. There's also a Waffle Benny ($9 for exactly what it sounds like), an AYCE special ($15) and a host of other menu items if (for some reason) you're not in the mood for waffles.
The owners, Tobias and Bryan, are two affable fellows who you'll immediately want to befriend. They play cool music, interesting movies backdrops like the Video Director series, and create all of the photography you see on the walls. They run the show here and do everything from tidying your table to plating your food. They're always trying out new things on the menu and you can even send in suggestions for different waffle types on their website - UGC at its finest!
Cash only, last time I checked.
** Potato Salad recipe: http://food.chatelaine...Listed in: Serious Brunch List: Toronto's…
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Review from Val G.
2/26/2010
Starving Artists delivers a real solid on the vegan, gluten-free waffles. To accompany them they provide real maple syrup(a must), a small salad and your choice of fruit, beans or something else I can't remember.
I got the fruit but it was mostly honeydew mellon with some grapes and pineapple, of which I am not a fan. I regretted not getting the beans. Mmm, baked beans.
Back to the waffles, I was admittedly worried they would be dry, toaster pop type cardboard things, but they came out looking just the regular waffles. They are round, thick and moist through and through. They make the batter in house and it's a winner.
Try this place for brunch, it's in a strange place near a gelatin factory but you never have to wait for a table, parking is easy or walking from Lansdowne Station. I even spied well-behaved children dining there. Who knew that was possible?Listed in: Veggie Brunch
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Review from Igor F.
Toronto, ON
6/17/2009
Awesome place that opened very recently (June 2009). On the site of an another restaurant, it has the open airy feel of a cool cafe though it's in the middle of an old industrial area.
I know of it because I work in the area. And like school letting out for children at the end of the summer, every lunchtime one can observe a ravenous pack of my coworkers roaming the area of Lansdowne and Bloor, looking for anything edible.
Until Starving Artist, the breakfast/lunch choices in the area were dismal.
Starving Artist serves waffles. Their thing is waffles. Waffles and coffee. Breakfast waffles, lunch waffles: Potato waffles with poached eggs, bacon, and chives. Mini waffles with maple syrup. Waffle sandwiches with various goodies. And coffee.
I have eaten there 2 or 3 times already and I have not been disappointed. The coffee is great. Love their espresso. The owners are two friends for whom this is a side-business to their passion as artists (I think). You can see examples of their work on the walls. It's very good.
The only downside to this place is the price. It's a bit on the expensive side. But I think it's worth it. -
Review from Emily G.
Toronto, ON
7/4/2011
My husband and I have been here quite a few times and our experiences have been inconsistent.
When we first started going for brunch about a year ago, the place would get busy but we never really waited for a seat or for service/food. The food was hot and delicious (if perhaps not all made from scratch). It became a quick brunch favourite.
My personal favourite is the Breakfast Benny (potato waffles, poached eggs, hollandaise, maple bacon, w/ side salad and either fruit salad, baked beans or potato salad). This is really filling and so satisfying when done right.
Lately, this place has really gone downhill. They don't seem to be able to keep up with their growing business. Service has been terrible - waiting forever for the hipster staff to get over their hangovers and take your order or bring your food over to the table. The food quality has gone down as well. The last time I was there, my eggs were so runny I was left with a pool of snotty egg whites on my plate, the bacon was far from crispy and my potato waffles were cold. Everything seemed rushed. Even the cappucino I got to kill the time between ordering and actually eating was cold on arrival and was mostly milk.
I'd really love to love this place again. When they do it right, it's so right, but they need to get it together with more staff and quality control. -
Review from Jen O.
5/24/2011
Best waffles I've ever had.
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Review from Ange M.
Toronto, ON
1/24/2010
Figures that once I move from the apparently on-the-cusp-of-not-being-sketchy Blansdowne area, a lovely brunch nook/watering hole opens up.
But geographical bitterness aside, this waffle-centric joint has a lot going for it, from a cool, laid-back atmosphere and interesting but unobtrusive decor to a really, really tasty potato salad and an interesting interpretation of eggs Benny.
Despite that fact that there was no omelette on the menu, my default brunch order, I was mega stoked to discover that they offered avocado as a substitute for bacon on the 'Waffle Benny', for FREE. Stoked to the point where i may have actually let a little squeal of delight escape my lips. Substitutions always cost, if they're even offered at all, so I was rather impressed that they let me know I could go the buttery vegetable (fruit?) angle without penalty right off the bat. I'm a sucker for the details.
My brunch partner took the exact opposite view of bacon and got 'The Hitchhiker' - cheesy scrambled eggs with two mini waffles - and opted to upgrade his caramelized bacon to 'waffle bacon', a completely new concept for me wherein bacon is added to the waffle batter for a marriage of sweet and meat. Despite the fact that I generally stay away from the stuff, curiosity got the best of me, and I went in for a sample of this coated bacon creation. The verdict? The sweetness and texture of the waffle actually offset the sometimes overpowering saltiness of bacon and also helped to eliminate the excess grease factor that usually turns my stomach. Definitely worth a try.
Ok, back to my dish. The Waffle Benny came with two sides, and despite Bart's proclamation to the contrary, Starving Artist did make friends with salad, one leafy and one creamy potato salad, which satisfied my yen for a hash brown like addition to my plate.
The poached eggs were tasty, fluffy and enjoyed a nice smattering of hollandaise sauce and having the creaminess of an avocado was a welcome addition. Although I think I prefer an English muffin to a waffle as a the little bed for my eggs Benny to rest on, I enjoyed the subtly saccharine quality the waffle brought to the brunch table, even though I usually go for strictly salty.
The coffee, while a little on the strong side for me, was still plenty good and was promptly replenished and our waitress was capable, kind and refreshingly available while not being overbearing. Being able to balance those two qualities is sometimes the difference between good and great service and I'd say she nailed it.
I will definitely be hitting up this cozy and cool brunch joint/bar again and am curious to see what it's like after dark, which will probably happen sooner than later since they have a Nacho Night. This girl likes her cheese. -
Review from Kirsten R.
Toronto, ON
5/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Sitting in one of the most awkward neighborhoods in Toronto - a place where you can order waffles topped with pretty much any of your favorite things. They have amazing coffee/espresso, a cute little licensed patio in the front, and to my surprise...another patio in the back. I was reasonably stuffed, but not overly so, after downing a "waffle benny" - poached eggs, caramelized onions and bacon - with a side of beans and salad. Scrumptious!
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Review from Lauren M.
Delicious foodage!
Nice little patio too (too bad the rain sent us inside).
I had the Breakfast Waffle (2 poached eggs, bacon, on top of 2 potato waffles) The potato waffles are gorgeous, could really taste the chives. Comes served with a green salad as well as your choice of potato salad, fruit salad or bakes beans.
Now I really want to go back and try the regular waffles. The guy next to us was eating blueberry ones and they looked tasty.
Waitress seemed a bit out of it (hungover?) - bringing someone else's bill to our table plus crashing some dishes around at another table, but otherwise was serving us in a very friendly manner.Listed in: Picky Eaters
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Review from Steph L.
4/11/2010
Waffle-ly delicious!
I've been here a bunch of times.
At first I was hooked... but as they boomed, the service got slower (lack of waitstaff not meeting the influx of customers), and my waffles were consistently ice cold with an unmeltable chunk of butter.
I returned a few more times and only ordered items with potato waffles because they are less icky when cold.
This place has come a long way since those cold waffle days.
This venue is still crazy cool. Artwork from local artists, the chill house tunes, the wonderful little backyard patio. The service is always friendly but busy.
They have a great menu, with savory lunch items and sweet dessert waffles. I was starving and ordered one of the larger brunch dishes on the menu, the Hitchhiker with waffle bacon (about 10 bucks) with the dill potato salad.
My waffles were not ice cold! Not piping hot, but acceptable.
I still find the service quite slow, even though they have hired more staff. So, not the place to go if you are in a hurry, but great for a lazy afternoon.
I would give the place four stars, but I have an issue with cold waffles. And also in the summer, the bee problem does drive me crazy, but I don't know if that's actually fixable. I just don't want to share my food with flying critters of stinging pain. -
Review from Amy L.
3/24/2011
Being a brunch lover that I am, I searched online for a new brunch place to try out. Starving Artist seemed pretty promising, so I decided to give it a try. It was really hot and dim inside the restaurant, so my friend and I chose to sit out on the patio instead. I had Pouched eggs/bacon/potato waffles & mixed greens & potato salad. It's not everyday that you get to have potato waffles for breakfast, so this sure was exciting! Even though it's heavier than the usual waffle, I really liked it and I would surely be back for more! Kim went with a healthier choice and opted for the Fruits with waffle. Nothing was short of perfection and the service was excellent.
Listed in: Brunch Places
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Review from Happybadfish S.
Toronto, ON
2/26/2011
Something different from the typical restaurant. The staff are always friendly and the food has always been super yummy! Order desert first to make sure you have room for it!
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Review from Kaye H.
Toronto, ON
7/20/2010
Whilst apartment hunting a few months ago (and in a decrepit hung over state) my friends and I decided to stop in here for coffee. We stepped up through the cramped doorway into the bustling little restaurant that smelled like a mother's kitchen. We were led through the laughing crowds of people towards the back where there was a little table adjacent to the turn tables.
The waitress came to take our orders, we explained we were only getting coffee. She asked us, "Have you ever been here before?" We all shook our heads, smiling, no. She explained to us that everything on the menu was served on waffles, and my eyes light up. In high school, I had a guilty pleasure that involved making chocolate chip pancakes really late at night, and this fascination did and does stem towards all kinds of breakfast goodies, including french toast and waffles. But I hadn't indulged in a normal pancake, let alone waffle, in quite some time as I had been vegan for a few years, and then found out I had a gluten-sensitivity, which really made it impossible to have waffles or any such thing. But then as we're looking over the menu, I see something that almost causes my eyes to burst out of my skull. "They have GLUTEN-FREE, VEGAN waffles here!" I exclaim excitedly. I was too hung over on that occasion and in need of leafy greens to indulge in the new discovery, but my friend did order the waffle grilled cheese which looked amazing.
Upon moving into that same area only a month or so later, I remembered the adorable little restaurant that incorporated all of my favourite things into one space: art, gluten-free indulgences, vegan-friendly eats, and of course, waffles. I decided we all needed to go. It wasn't nearly as busy as the first time I had stepped into the space, and so we were told to sit wherever we'd like, and we picked a corner spot on the backyard patio. One of the co-owners, as we'd come to know (and recognizable from the picture on the business card), served us. Toby is incredibly charismatic and charming. He knows how to work well with customers. He gave us the run-down on the place, and throughout the course of my many visits thus far to Starving Artist, I have learned much more about the restaurant. Toby started the restaurant with his partner Brian in an effort to provide an artistic spot for artists and the community alike. It's an artist-friendly spot, with art lining the walls (photographs, taken by Toby), and they're also really excellent at providing a spot for musicians to perform (anything from acoustic shows, to jazz nights). There is a heavy focus on hip hop music at Starving Artist, and they constantly have a specific hip hop radio station playing over the speakers (Toby told me which one it was, but I have since forgotten). There are also regular events, such as hip hop nights, or nights when various DJs play the place. It's an interesting idea, and I see what they're trying to do.
I ordered one of the dessert waffles, requesting the vegan/gluten-free waffles. At that time, I was not vegan (I have since converted back), and thus ordered one of the blueberry dessert waffles with ice cream. Our breakfasts arrived and my waffles were not crispy chip-like things that crumbled into dust when you consumed them, as I had kind of suspected. Nor are they the store-bought gluten-free waffles available at most grocery stores. They are real in-house made gluten-free, vegan, puffy, soft waffles. This place is the real deal. I smothered the waffles loaded with blueberries, blueberry sauce, whipped cream, and ice cream with maple syrup and cut away a corner to try. The waffle squished between my teeth like moist bread pudding. There is a slightly different consistency to the gluten-free waffles, which is to be expected, but it is not unlikeable, and it does not turn me off. Furthermore, the presentation of the waffle boats (the desserts) and the other breakfasts is gorgeous. The plates are always piled high, clean around the edges of the various servings, and little touches like intricately cut strawberries add a pretty touch to the meals.
I have come to love Starving Artist. I have yet to attend a hip hop night, but it is on my list of to-dos this summer. Now, I too can indulge in Toronto's favourite daily past-time, brunch.
