Launched 2009 in Calgary, OEB has connected deeply with its food-obsessed clientele. It embraces a philosophy that supports local farmers, delivering great craftsmanship and a superb, accessible customer experience. The buzz has caught-on, enabling it to begin its successful foray into the fickle Toronto market. And if the three-hour queues on opening weekend were any indication, OEB is the next thing!
We had the pleasure of previewing this first-ever Toronto location in Liberty Village and it was phenomenal. The well-lit and thoughtfully decorated space is Instagram-ready, but above this, the food tastes as good as it looks.
OEB‘s Karan Seth believed so much in the brand that he relocated from Calgary to Toronto and today he finds himself busy greeting customers, establishing a warm, friendly tone in what is likely their first exposure to the popular out-west eatery brand. They even has U.S. locations in California and Arizona. He makes his way over to us and graciously recommends some of his favourites and obsessions with the menu – things him and his wife would order if they ate here.
We learn their Breakfast Poutines are the real showstoppers and we could not resist their Hog & Scallops Poutine – Herbed Potatoes fried in Duck Fat with runny poached eggs, curds, sashimi-grade scallops, lardons with Browned Butter Hollandaise. Just sinfully good and satisfying. The Lobster Scramble also is divine – not too overdone eggs with mini shrimps, lobster pieces, Asiago, plus the same bed of potatoes and Hollandaise just mentioned. If you prefer Waffle-Cut Home Fries, you also have this option as a base and they also are fried in Duck Fat! And did we read right that there’s a Short Rib Poutine also? We learned the Duck Fat in which they fry is imported specially. Their Porchetta also is flown in from Italy.
Although it seems unfathomable that you might have any room for dessert, the Do Not Even Go There is a paper-thin crêpe with a smidge of custard, fruits, pistachios and maple syrup. Trust me, you have room for this.
So many things we wanted to try but just couldn’t. For example, they serve one of our faves, Chilaquiles – which are like Breakfast Nachos – which Seth tells us are really authentic and shareable. Also, he was obsessed with their Korean Bulgogi Benny. Vegetarians also must try their Truffled Squash!
The coffee cups are large and it keeps getting poured, which taps into our caffeine-dependent sensibilities! We saw a list of Smoothies which looked great, but a belly can only hold so much.
Above all this, the service is just attentive and energetic, as you’d expect of a brunch spot. Toronto has its share of superb brunch spots, but OEB certainly brings something new and unique to the table.
Some Snaps from our experience:
… and we went there!
Learn more about OEB here.
OEB is located at 125 E Liberty St.
7:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday – Friday
8:00 am to 4:00 pm Weekends & Holidays
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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