#fabarnak

[abitmoredetail]

"Sisters in Spirit" #toronto #churchandwellesley #churchstreet #the519 #fabarnak #sistersinspirit #inmemoriam #indigenous #mmiw (at Fabarnak) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLSmn-RAf6U/?igshid=17zf7171gp7f2

[fabarnakresto]

Here at #Fabarnak we don't just cut the mustard; we'll cut your whole #sandwich! Getting sliced here is one of our daily Grilled #Cheese features (and in case you wondered, there really was mustard on it!) #foodspotting (at Fabarnak)

[townandkitchen]

Fabarnak

Location: 519 Church St.

J says: For all the hype this place gets, the food we had was only OK. You can get similar or better quality at numerous brunch spots. I can definitely understand the press for their excellent social activity (read A's review) but I had heard the food was top-notch as well. My potatoes were served cold and tasted like pure garlic. My sandwich was pretty good - an interesting mix of ingredients - but a bit unmemorable; mostly I remember the egginess of the bread. Our server brought food before remembering cutlery (which happens in more places than you'd think, weirdly). I don't want to dwell on negatives, though - food was OK, the space is pretty, comfortable and friendly. What Fabarnak represents to the community is more than what's on the plate, thankfully. Fingers crossed that it's usually better than we saw (they get good-great reviews from most places), because I want to like them. Rating: JJ

A says: Fabarnak has been getting all kinds of attention of late and was even awarded the People's Choice Award at the 2012 Toronto Restaurant Awards (yes, that's a thing). So I had high expectations when we arrived for Saturday brunch (the space is used to provide food for the homeless on Sundays). I won't say I was disappointed, because the food was decent, the space was nice (if a bit cramped) and the service was good. But I wasn't as impressed as I wanted to be. I ordered the yeast-leavened pancakes with maple-bourbon pears, peameal bacon, and rosemary whipped cream. It all sounds great... but was just ok. That being said, Fabarnak sources most of its food locally and operates as a social enterprise of the 519 Community Centre helping people with employment barriers gain culinary training and experience. So however you feel about Fabarnak's food, you can always feel good about supporting their ideals. I won't be back for brunch, but I may be back to give their small plates a go! Rating: AAA

Average Rating: ♥ ♥ 1/2