It’s widely known that the Toronto Food Blog doesn’t really do brunch.  Not because we have anything against it.  We fully respect a well-executed benny and understand the joy of a sunny patio at 11am.  It’s just not usually our lane. Brunch, for us, tends to blur into sameness: the same plates, the same playlists (with not enough Little Feat), the same slightly-too-sweet cocktails.

But every now and then, something comes along that makes us reconsider.  Enter Pasaj in Leslieville… a darling Turkish café on Toronto’s lower eastside that’s not-so-secretly rewriting the script of that meal between breakfast & lunch.

We start with the Pasaj Pancakes.  These bad-boys are light, cloud-like stacks that manage to be both delicate and decadent.  They’re topped with tart sour cherry jam, creamy labne, sweet tahini helva, and a generous dusting of crushed pistachios.  It’s not just breakfast; it’s a masterclass in balance and texture.  The sweet and tangy layers hit every note without ever becoming overwhelming.  If you’re the kind of person who usually “doesn’t do pancakes,” these’ll change your mind.  Facts!

Then come the Sucuk Bennies, served atop crispy zucchini fritters in place of the usual English muffin.  It’s a thoughtful swap.  The fritters are light yet satisfying, with enough crunch to stand up to the velvety poached eggs.  The sucuk sausage adds a warming spice, and the house potatoes seal the deal.  It’s bold; it’s balanced; and it’s better than any brunch standard we’ve come to expect.

If you’re more in a grab-and-go mood (or just want to keep the Turkish culinary tour rolling) head next door to Simit & Chai, which is Pasaj’s sister bakery.  It’s where carbs go to live their best lives.  The simit sandwiches (think sesame-crusted bagels, but better) are stuffed with everything from smoked salmon to Turkish cheeses and olives.  You can be in and out in five minutes, or lose yourself in their pastry case for the afternoon.  Either way, it’s a win.

Pasaj isn’t doing brunch because it has to.  It’s doing brunch because it has something different to say.  Which stands to reason that we’ll say something different.  So, no, we don’t usually wax lyrical over brunch.  Unless, of course, it’s Pasaj.  A piece of Istanbul in the heart of Leslieville.  Şerefe!