Review: Janie Jones – Caff & Cocktails in Toronto, Ontario

You can clearly see the mod influence at Janie Jones, from the décor and signage to the names of the top-rated brunch dishes served up on weekends. The owner, Davy Love, used to own The Old Laurel and The Bristol Yard and, I’ve been told, is better known in some circles for his infamous mod night, Blow Up, which was where the mods and interloping college kids would dance and carry on until the wee hours of the morning.

Love, inspired by English culture and quite possibly Roy’s Rolls on the long-running Manchester-based soap opera Coronation Street, wanted to create a place with a local caff feel. But instead of Eccles cakes and tea, he’d serve traditional English dishes with a twist —accompanied by cocktails. Enter Janie Jones.

The walls are covered with photos of bands like the Specials; there’s a Vespa hanging from the ceiling; and a wizened mod that looked like Gregory Peck on a bender was parked at the bar when I was there. The mod cred has been established, but how was the meal? Excellent. Janie Jones serves up more traditional English fare like prawn toast, pasties and bangers and mash. But Love also created some original dishes like the Beet Surrender pie and the Faster Pussycat! Kale! Kale! salad. I was there for brunch and had the Benny Sherman — a twist on eggs Benedict, this dish is named after the mod wardrobe staple/London tailor Ben Sherman. The two poached eggs, smoked salmon, roast potatoes with red cabbage, fresh dill and horseradish crème fraiche was, well, ace.

The restaurant is slightly off the beaten track, in a neighborhood called Leslieville (1030 Gerrard St.). It definitely is worth the quick streetcar ride east, not only for the fantastic brunch, but on Saturdays a local DJ spins ska, rocksteady, soul and reggae.

Caff & Cocktails

1030 Gerrard St.

Toronto, Ont.