We were served the tiniest jam spreads ever, which were both cute and frugal at the same time. As one breakfaster caught on video (available for viewing through our Facebook group) said: “You learn how to ration your jam.”

Our food came on tiny little plates, but looked fantastic. I liked how they used a separate plate to put two orders of toast on. It gave me a pleasant sensation of sharing and community. Also, the tables were pretty small so they have to be economical with space, which I can always appreciate.

The toast was decent, and kept warm by the weight of their toasty brethren. But really, the eggs were what caught my eye first. They were square! Everyone’s were! Sonya’s must have a frame on the grill, or maybe they cook them all touching each other, ten at a time. They were nicely done eggs, to order. The sausage came butterflied and gristle-free, and the bacon came was extra-crispy. I’m not a fan of it that crispy, but one breakfaster sure was. To quote her, “I like bacon this crispy because if it’s soft I end up pulling off the fatty parts.” That’s a good way to burn your fingers.

On the safer side, the potatoes came grated, and grated good. They were tasty and crisp and soft in all the right places. They also came in a healthy portion, contrary to a few places we’ve visited lately. The fat-pulling breakfaster also mentioned how she never finishes her hash browns, but in Sonya’s, she did.

When the server/proprietor came to take our plates, he said he would “Make the room for the talking,” making all of us smile. He was adorable, but since the place was pretty busy, he didn’t offer us refills often, and not until long after we were done eating. Cuteness can only get you so far, you know.

Except for the fact that the tables were a bit tight and fugly, this place blew us away. (Note to self: better.)

This is the kind of place that is dying out, which is really a shame. It can enjoy a few more years in Elmwood though, where it fits in very well; it feels like 20 years ago. They don’t make ‘em like that anymore. It’s a difficult review as it’s hard to find where they went wrong. I did want more coffee refills... but their lunch special is under five bucks and looks huge. It’s a funny balance.

Andrew makes the big time.

May 24 2008

SONYAS FAMILY RESTAURANT

190 Henderson Hwy.

Sonya’s is an unassuming café-on-the-corner tucked away  in Elmwood. It’s open for breakfast and lunch, and after having the breakfast I am hankering to return for the lunch.

Not only are the prices amazing (the Breakfast Special came to a whopping $4.49 after coffee) but our food was wonderful and served up with authenticity. I realize it’s sort of a weird thing to call food “authentic”, but go to Sonya’s and tell me it’s not. I only saw two people working the whole restaurant and I figure them to be the owners. An old Czech guy took our orders (coffee with breakfast order, not before) and an unseen Czech person manned the grill in the back.

The majority of the restaurant is plastered in poster pictures of the Czech Republic over wood paneling. The rest is lime-green stucco, a colour that unfortunately stretches all the way back into the kitchen. The lime-green is complemented by the silk plants, also green and annoying, yet reassuringly kitschy; as were the butt-ugly plastic tablecloths. (Note to self; butt-ugly is probably not a term that a Connoisseur would use.)

All of the signs in the restaurant were hand-drawn, including several unintentionally funny ones: “HERE IS NOT BUS SHELTER” (in the front door) and “No Self-Serve” written on any available surface that displayed comestibles. The signs were just charming the pants off us the whole time. It was like eating at your paranoid grandpa’s cabin, only enjoyable… not creepy.

The coffee was surprisingly good. It was rich and had a nice aftertaste; served in tiny café cups. We caught a glimpse of the can it came from, MJB. We’d never heard of it either, but good going, you.

Click on menu to enlarge