Postcall Brunch, Tallest Poppy

I get most excited about the hole in the walls, the mom and pop restaurants owned by wholesome good people looking to make a living. The Tallest Poppy is a great example of such. I understand this restaurant has had a number of locations and recently re-opened at its new location on Sherbrook street. It was instantly recommended by one of the residents for a post-call meal.

If I were simply strolling down Sherbook, I would have completely missed it. Located beside the Sherbrook Inn, Tallest Poppy is nestled beside the 80s wallpaper and racing stripes of the inn. In fact, the overhead sign seems to predate the actual restaurant by a good few decades. Only a small board on the street points you to the restaurant.

The menu is small but fun. You get the sense that the owners had a ton of fun creating and writing out this menu. Almost everything is a twist of a classic breakfast item. The mentality is seen thoroughly through the restaurant as well, with live musicians playing old blues song and the hipster clientele.

I ordered the Chicken Fried Steak & Eggs. Pieces of brisket fried finished with two poached eggs, this was an excellent hearty end of a lengthy call shift. The eggs were wonderfully poached, the steak, while a meager portion, were well seasoned and delightfully tender.

My co-resident went with the Kale Breakfast. Kale sauteed with bacon and served with two eggs and toast. Despite being its namesake, the Kale here was an undertone. Perhaps they are trying to mask the somewhat polarizing flavour of kale, the bacon overpowered the delicate kale.

Overall a fun and unique restaurant that serves honest home-made cuisine. Some refinement of the flavours needs to be done, but no one can fault them for trying to offer new twists on the classics; most of the time successfully.