Over easy at the East York Restaurant

When Drew first moved into Pape Village his kitchen was being renovated and for about a week he was without a stove. He's admit that he defaulted to McDonald's a few times just for convenience but then the property management's representative Lisa gave him a tip. "Try the East York Restaurant," she said. "It's cheap and the food's great, especially the feta cheese omelette." After a long day of unpacking Drew was famished and took Lisa's advice. The diner was packed - they also do a rocking bar business with karaoke nights and a seemingly endless series of celebrations for regulars - but he was squeezed in and served a bacon cheese burger that was twice the size of a quarter pounder, and with onion rings substituted for fries. And the bill was actually fifty cents less than his last burger combo at McDs.

His other dining dilemma was the search for a non-brunch location. On a Saturday and/or Sunday morning, he likes nothing better than to sit over breakfast and savour the weekend papers. He had avoided breakfasts at the East York Restaurant because of the raucousness and that there always seemed to a cliquish crowd out front packing the patio. It turned out to be far from a clique and more of a gathering place where everyone is welcome. And he was allowed to read in silence except for the occasional trading of sections that had already been read. By the second visit server Linda knew his order and he has never been able to drain his coffee cup before she appears with a piping hot refill. And if you are lucky enough to be in on a hot summer morning when she is working her gams in short shorts . . .

Part of a village is a sense of community. Drew was looking for a quiet place to read the paper and have an inexpensive but hearty breakfast, he found just a little bit more. Every morning now, when he and the dog wander down Pape, the regulars who he had avoided, look up from their morning coffee on the patio and say "Hi." And at least a few morning's a month, after the dog is back home asleep, he heads back for some eggs over easy with bacon and brown toast.

The East York Restaurant is at 1039 Pape Ave.