Union is one of many gorgeous restaurants along the Ossington strip, serving brunch on the weekends and dinner and lunch every day. Its popularity was indicated by the line outside, which stretched down the block before it even opened.

We were lucky enough to get the last seats on the patio, but we'd definitely recommend arriving around 10:30 or 10:45 if you want to sit outside. The inside is still gorgeous, however, with exposed brick walls and lots of light shining through the window. 

However, as we were leaving, we were happy to have been seated outside: it was quite loud inside Union. (Their musical selection was A+, though.) 

The patio at Union is definitely one of its selling points. Shady and secluded behind Ossington Ave, it provides a perfect escape from the city. (We thought that the lines on the wall were from a country song, but it turned out they were just random words about cars.) 

This was a delicious combination of flavours. The crispy edges of the polenta, in conjunction with the rich tomato sauce and spicy chili oil, complimented the perfectly poached eggs. (My one wish: that there had been a little more cheese!) The garlic and the kale gave it a very fresh flavour, and I left feeling full but not stuffed.

Overall: very satisfying

This was a delicious twist on Eggs Benedict. The bread was soft and absorbed a lot of the tender meat flavour. The crispy potato rosti added a unique note, rather than the standard home fries. I also liked the dressing on the cabbage salad: it was sweet, with a hint of mustard. 

My one complaint came around the price—both our brunches at Union ran to 19$, which felt a bit pricey for what we were getting. It's definitely the kind of place where you splurge rather than save. 

Overall: delicious but expensive

Union brunch at a glance: 

• Menu changes daily, but you can find it here
• Good for: couples or small groups 
• Takes reservations
• Some vegetarian options, but mostly meat-heavy 
• Brunch hours:
  • 11 am - 3 pm Saturday - Sunday