A crack at Fabergé

It saddens me that my second post is pessimistic yet again, but why blog if you can’t be brutally honest? Today’s disappointment took place at Fabergé, a hip breakfast spot in the Mile-End that received top marks from me a little less than a year ago in Val’s Bites. My sister had bought two Living Social coupons there, and today we went to redeem the second one. She used the first one a few weeks ago, and left feeling pretty let down given my extensive praise of the place. Thinking it was just an “off day”, she brought me along today.

Alas, a fluke it was not. Perhaps they felt they didn’t have to “try” with us because we disclosed our coupon immediately and were getting our lunch half off? That, however, completely defeats the purpose of agreeing to partner with a coupon site, since the goal is to gain repeat customers who will recommend your business to all of their friends, or better yet ­– will write positively about it online.

The first alarm bell went off when I was informed they were out of grapefruits. Seriously? You serve breakfast and breakfast only, every day till 4 p.m. The second bell went up several decibels, when my egg-white omelet with spinach, chopped tomatoes and feta, appeared as a regular omelet with spinach, caramelized onions, feta and yellow peppers. Did I mention the restaurant was virtually empty? Meanwhile, the accompanying potatoes were undercooked and covered in paprika. Paprika, really? Across the table, my sister’s grilled-cheese was lacking in the “grilled” department, and either her French fries looked unappetizing, or I’ve suddenly developed self-control. Something tells me it’s the former. A Fabergé egg is something truly special, but today the restaurant failed to live up to its namesake. Hopefully the team will get crackin’ and Fabergé’s luster will be restored. 

Faberge's house speciality: Eggs In a Nest featuring two fried eggs nestled in a hole carved out of baked cheese bread. (Taken October '10 when everything was delish)