The following is a tip for you readers: make sure you schedule an afternoon nap after Sunday brunch at Rose and Sons (Twitter: @RoseandSons, Facebook: Rose and Sons). You'll need it. Guaranteed.
Located on 176 Dupont Street and opened for breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch and dinner, Rose and Sons is a new neighbourhood diner that does fancy comfort food (chef Anthony Rose of Rose and Sons prefers the phrase "country rustic" over "comfort food".) So what is "fancy comfort" / "country rustic", you ask? Well, think rich and hearty comfort food kicked up a notch. Actually, kicked up several notches. As a case in point, let us look at some of the items on Rose and Sons' menu:
Patty Melt Gurger - Grilled cheese, fried onions, fries, chili mayo
Pork Fried Rice - Peanuts, china town sauce, egg, ginger
Happy Pork Plate - Chop, kabanosy, dr bacon, applesauce, mustard pickle
Eggs - 3, schmaltz hash, toast, bacon or sausage pork chop
Griddled Brie Cornbread - Brisket, fried egg, maple syrup, chili sauce
Do you get it now? It's like comfort food on steroids. Or fatty delicious pork heaven.
People's Foods was an old diner that previously occupied Rose and Sons' space. The "Food" part remains intact.
The small 30-seat diner was bustling last Sunday afternoon (i.e. expect lineups).
Semi-enclosed at the front of Rose and Sons is the kitchen...probably one of the smallest kitchen I've ever seen.
Bloody Caesar Extra Vaganza - Sour Pickle, Kabanosy ($12)
Roast Chopped Pork - Grits, Poached Egg, Green Sauce ($14)
PLB Special Melt - Bacon, Sausage, Pickle, Fried Egg, Fried Onions, Cherry Jam ($13)
Bread Pudding with Wild Blueberries ($8)
My "a-meal-in-itself-bloody-caesar" was such an awesome start to brunch (I now wish every Caesar comes with a smoky kabanos!) While my friend had the roast chopped pork, I had the tasty PLB special melt; I was particularly fond of the runny fried egg and fried onions (and bread from Thuet is always terrific.) Because I have a sweet tooth, I couldn't resist not trying the bread pudding for dessert (I was actually very full by then.) Available at any time of day, their bread pudding with wild blueberries (optional bacon for $3 extra) was fantastic. Luscious and moist, soft yet still dense, Rose and Sons nailed this classic comfort dish to a T.
