What The PeachPit was to the friends of 90210, what Frosty Palace was to the cast of Grease, what The Max was to the gang of Saved by the Bell, now we have ours: Home of the Brave is our version of a modern-day diner for Toronto young professionals.
Optimally located at King and Portland, this is the place you pop in for a casual meet-up with your crew. Groups of young professionals huddle in cozy booths. Tables are filled with cocktails and sharing plates. Tables for two are pushed together to make room for odd numbers. Clumps of YPs line the long bar and counter. Home of the Brave is bustling. The open kitchen produces clanks and sizzle. Loud hip-hop fills the air. The décor is ultra-urban – industrial lighting, subway tiles, refurbished wood – it hits all the marks.
Home of the Brave shares a kinship with La Carnita – College Street’s favourite taqueria. The common owners have overlapped in style and creativity, but the menu has selected a different republic.
Salads, sandwiches and snacks are the stars of this menu – as likely to be shared as devoured. American classics including fried bologna and a giant steak team with some trendy twists – deep fried cauliflower and pork belly sandwiches – to provide something for everyone. For this occasion, he chose to reconnect with his childhood with a root beer float and tater tots, while she dove into Kansas City ribs and a Waldorf salad. The tots and ribs are the embodiment of the vibe at Home of the Brave; deep fried, smoky, saucy, rich and heavy – ultimately satisfying.
For those Toronto YPs who have been yearning for “their place” – oh, say can you see, your home base has arrived.
His rating:
For a Business Meeting: 2/10 – Maybe if you just have some business contacts in town and are looking to unwind?
With a Group: 8/10 – Atmosphere, cuisine, location. Perfect place to get a base before, or layer on top of, a night of excess.
On a Date: 7/10 – It’s a fun, trendy place for maybe the less adventurous. Safe option for a budding relationship.
Her rating:
For a Business Meeting: 0/10 – There isn’t a worse place in Toronto to have a business meeting.
With a Group: 10/10 – They serve spiked slushy drinks. Who doesn’t love those? It’s a no-brainer.
On a Date: 6/10 – The noise level reduces the opportunity of getting to know each other. But then again… perhaps bologna sandwiches are an aphrodisiac.
His last word:
It’s an instant staple. You’ll want to try the whole menu, so do it.
Her last word:
Any restaurant that serves tater tots is a winner in my book.
Top photo courtesy HOTB