The Best Thing I Ate All Week: Mushroom and Kale Skillet at Mamie Taylor’s

This might just be our new favourite brunch spot.

Normally when I’m in Chinatown it’s pineapple buns and Brixton beers, but to my delight and surprise I happened along Mamie Taylor’s for an afternoon brunch fix last weekend. The space is a cool mix of heritage brick with bold turquoise walls covered in grandma’s collection of small-scale animal paintings and grandpa’s trophy taxidermy (you’re never dining alone!). A bit dark at the back for a spring day, but we scored a sunshine-filled window table by the entrance. 

We rolled in there around 1:30 p.m. and caught brunch with options like andouille sausage benny with caramelized onions on a buttermilk biscuit and fried chicken and waffles (with bourbon honey and jicama coleslaw). I ordered the mushroom and kale skillet for $12, which is a totally fabulous price for the Café-Medina-esque plate of artful hash that came my way (not too greasy, with hearty new potatoes and the most delicate dusting of parmesan shavings on my perfectly poached eggs). It was indulging in a rich breakfast, but still getting in some veggies.

Next time I go I’m getting the croque madame ($13) that my friend ordered, (with melt-in-your-mouth beef short rib, fried egg, emmental cheese and jalapeno jam on sourdough)—it was absolute heaven! Perfect decadent fuel for recuperating after a night out.

Not food-related, but my aesthetically-titillated friends and I all liked that the side plates were mismatched like they were individually picked up at garage sales. Mamie, I like your style! Will need to return soon to try her cocktails.  

Mushroom and kale skillet, $12, Mamie Taylor’s

More from the “Best Thing I Ate All Week” series:

Clam Chowder at Crab Park Chowdery

Queso Fundido at La Mezcaleria

Marrow and Octopus at Juniper

Butter-Roasted Cabbage at Royal Dinette