where jess ate

If you’re looking for a brunch spot with great value on Queen West, look no further than the Swan. The restaurant is located just west of Trinity Bellwoods Park and has a retro diner-feel to it.

Since Mike and I arrived shortly after 10 we were able to avoid the brunch rush. The space is on the small side, so I’d recommend arriving early to avoid a long wait. The small space has tight booth seating along one side of the restaurant with a few seats available at the bar.

I started out with a small glass of freshly squeezed orange juice which came to $2.75. You’ll notice that the prices at the Swan are quite reasonable with most dishes around $9 to $13.

One of the dishes we ordered was the Smoked Arctic Char Salad – with new potatoes, greens, avocado and a dill aioli ($13). Since it was really hot out, we decided this would be a light brunch option. When it first arrived, it didn’t seem like there was very much of the arctic char but after looking underneath all the greens, we were surprised by the generous portion of it.

The dish also came with half an avocado which gave the dish a nice creaminess and a few large chunks of potatoes. My only complaint was that there could have been more of a dill flavour to the aioli. Otherwise, this was a great salad which I’d gladly order again.

The other dish we ordered was the Hangtown Fry – smoked oyster and pancetta egg scramble ($9). Many of the dishes here incorporate smoked fish and oysters so we decided to stick to these kind of dishes. When the Hangtown Fry arrived, I was a little surprised since I was expecting scrambled eggs. It turned out to be more of an omelette. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable dish. I particularly enjoyed the bits of smoked oysters and the saltiness from the pancetta.

The Hangtown Fry also came with half a grilled tomato, pieces of fruit and a few slices of whole grain toast to accompany the scramble.

Overall, we had a great brunch at the Swan. Compared to some of the other brunch spots we’ve been to, I thought the value was really great. Definitely worth checking out!

At a glance:
• Located on Queen West, next to Trinity Bellwoods Park
• Came by for brunch but they also serve lunch and dinner
• Reasonable prices; most dishes incorporate smoked fish and oysters
• Small space with a retro diner feel

Ratings (out of 5):
• Food: 4 stars
• Service: 4 stars
• Atmosphere: 4 stars