Downsview Restaurant

I was intrigued by the fantastic reputation that...

I was intrigued by the fantastic reputation that this quaint little establishment carries, particularly regarding their desserts. The decor is a marvellously appointed "1971 retro", right down to the yellowed walls and ceiling from the days when smoking was permitted in restaurants. The jukeboxes were an interesting touch, however the most recent hit I could find was "Hotel California". The service was very good - the waitress (Georgina) was resplendent in her uniform of a white smock, white hose, and white sneakers. She quickly arrived to take our orders, a difficult task considering she was in the midst of ejecting a couple of unruly patrons, one for "trying to bend spoons with his mind", and, failing that, bending them with his hands instead. The other, asking Georgina to run through the pie selection, then, when asked to order, replied, "I don't really want any pie, I just wanted to hear you say them all..." THAT brings us to the pies! Oh, what a rich selection of democratic decadence. Your choice of Apple, Blueberry, Lemon Meringue, and Coconut Cream. Ahhhh! All purchased with care from local grocery stores that morning, or perhaps a previous morning that week, or the week before. Perhaps even two weeks before....well, it doesn't matter anyway. And lastly, no trip to the Downsview would be complete without a take-out container of what locals call "black gold"....the rich, highly simmered gravy sitting in a tomato juice tin on a burner at the back of the restaurant. Rich, but subtle, with hints of tarragon and work shoes, and a hard crust much prized by starving High school students, a dollop of this gravy is sure to be the cap of a wonderful meal at this much treasured restaurant!