Grapefruit Diet

Being around Bathurst and Bloor area on Sunday, I was looking for a brunch place that was not Future Bakery. A few blocks north, I ran into Grapefruit Moon. This looks like a popular place with the locals, although a quick search showed that it was infamously portrayed on Restaurant Makeover.

Nevertheless, I went inside and ordered a Cheddar and Peameal Omelette ($9 + tax). They were out of peameal so I settled for regular bacon. Well, whatever Restaurant Makeover did cosmetically, it's been changed. The decor inside is uniformly dark: the tables, booths, bar, and even walls. Lots of paintings and kitschy toys, figurines, and such adorn the walls. Tammy Wynette and Cake played on the stereo. The tiny kitchen and bar were staffed by Sandy Moon (the owner), 2 other women, a young man, and Sandy's elementary school-aged daughter who help bring some dishes to the customers. Numerous customers knew Sandy (and vice versa) by name or sight. It's obviously a neighbourhood hang-out.

If I was living in the neighbourhood, I might hang out there, too. (Not really). But there's nothing special about it to make it a destination. I appreciate the fact that some ingredients are a cut above the standard diner (free range eggs, multi-grain bread, etc.) but you're paying for the privilege. Compare the all-day breakfast 2 eggs, homefries, and toast ($6.50) with bacon/sausage (+ $2 extra) with the same from my local diner ($4.25). Are free-range eggs and multi-grain toast (and possibly better quality meat) worth the extra $4.25?

I was a bit disappointed with my omelette. I can't put my finger on it, but there was a sloppiness to it that seemed amateurish. It looked like something any inexperienced cook could make as long as they have access to cheddar, eggs, bacon, and a stove. The home fries tasted like any other pre-packaged potato product dunked in a professional deep-fryer.

Anyway, as I was eating, I was thinking about how my own local diner, located at Bloor and Dovercourt, could attract more people especially trendy hipsters like this place. It's reasonably full Saturday and Sunday mornings but usually empty otherwise. Given that Boom, Mitzi's On College, and Disgraceland are in the area, there's obviously a market for it.

First, the name has got to go: "Ackbah Billy Mohsen Souvlaki Place" probably doesn't cut it with the fixie set. I don't know ... call it "Dover-easy" or something. There's a tiny patio, about 4 small tables, and no room to expand. However, adding an awning might help. There is a small sliding door from the patio to the rest of the place. If he was willing to install garage-door style wall or a full sliding glass to the restaurant side that's attached to the patio, something that can slide completely away, it would feel as if the patio extends into the entire restaurant. Billy has got to replace the plastic patio set, and the 30 year old formica tables inside. Doesn't have to be expensive, just "authentic". Mismatched decor is ok, as long as it feels homey (see Grapefruit Moon). Get rid of the TV showing CP24 or MuchMoreMusic and replace it with an "indie-friendly" stereo system. Finally, I'm afraid Billy will never be as congenial and loveable as Sandy and her daughter, but maybe he can hire waitresses and cashier that are more "with it".

Also, revise the menu. Not many will be ordering the souvlaki plate, or the $10 steak, or any of the miscellaneous items. They make the place look sad and 1976. Stick to breakfast/brunch (eggs, bacon, etc.) and lunch/dinner dishes like burgers and BLTs. Upgrade to organic or healthy options, add some local beer on tap, and he could bump up his prices (see Grapefruit Moon or any trendy brunch spots).