I’m not a fan of “going out to brunch.” It’s way too busy, overpriced and frankly, not very good food. But this isn’t a rant against going out for brunch (if you want a good take on my feelings, check out this Toronto Star story by Corey Mintz, who feels the same way I do about these things).

But this isn’t a diatribe about going out for brunch, because like any good urban dweller, I still go out for the occasional morning nosh, just usually not on the weekends — and only on strategically appropriate times. When I feel like going out for breakfast, the places I regularly turn to include Disgraceland at Bloor and Ossington, Starving Artist at Bloor and Landsdowne, The Java House at Queen and Augusta, La Hacienda at Queen and Markham and Leslieville’s Lady Marmalade at Queen East and Logan. (Unlike most Leslievillers, I’m not a fan of Bonjour Brioche).

Now I’ve got one more “must” place to add to the list: The Hoof Cafe.

The Hoof Cafe is a new “extension” of sorts of the infamous Black Hoof Cafe, the city’s chief proponent of Charcuterie, Sweet Breads, and if you’re lucky, Pig Brains. If you love meat and you’re adventurous, you must go to the Black Hoof.

Originally intended as a waiting room/holding area for the restaurant, The Hoof Cafe across the street ended up being a breakfast place, taking on brunch with their typical flair in the mornings, with specialty drinks and apps in the evening. Because I’ve loved every visit to the Black Hoof, I couldn’t wait to try the cafe, and what has become one of it’s most popular dishes: The Sucking Pig Benny. (If you’re daring enough to go on Saturday and Sunday, you can order Bone Marrow donuts!)

Overall the breakfast was outstanding, and in terms of quality/price, the Hoof Cafe is a great deal — a main might be a little more expensive than the combo platter you’d normally order somewhere else, but you’re easily getting the same quality breakfast as you’d get as an evening entree.

One word of advice: Go early. This place is tiny! From my predictions, there’s only about 20 to 25 seats in the whole joint, with about half of those seats being at the bar. Weekdays it’s not too bad, but if you’re thinking of a weekend run, go for 9:45 and hope there’s not a line already!

Photo by Sifu Renka.

So instead of wasting my time ranting about one internet service provider over another (they all suck), I’m instead just going to leave a photo of this mouth-watering platter of charcuterie from the Black Hoof. Yep, it may be a fad, and as a friend of mine often notes, we will totally talk about how obsessed we were in 2010, but if it’s tasty, it’s tasty. Positive thoughts. Positive thoughts. Positive thoughts.

Note to self: time to get crackin’ on my specialized plate of “Scarborough Charcuterie.” It’s time.