NO LONGER AYCE - Free Times Cafe (Western/Middle Eastern)

Update: 2021-Aug-20 - There is no more buffet/AYCE at this location post-lockdown, and it is unknown if and when it will ever return. I am therefore removing it from the active list, and will follow up periodically and restore it should it return to AYCE status.

Free Times Cafe is located at 320 College w. of Spadina and offers a Yiddish Sunday Brunch. It has a nice rustic interior which we didn't get to see much of. Reservations are recommended as it is very full on Sundays. We ended up sitting outside on the patio even though it was autumn, however I didn't mind as I like the cool weather. But enough about me. There is freshly squeezed orange juice included, which was of course very good, though not quite up the OJ at the Muddy Duck (which is to be expected as theirs is made from specially-imported oranges.)

Mishy loved the blintzes. I thought they were wonderful. Tuna salad was also excellent. Of course the lox is out of this world but it always is. And I absolutely love kosher dill pickles and think they are far superior to any other type of pickle. Blintzes were delicious even without anything added, but even better with the fruit compote nearby added. Salmon cakes were excellent with the sour cream. Pickled herring was delicious and not too fishy. Potato latkes were dried out and crunchy but still delicious.

Scrambled eggs were delicious with salmon and onion. Chickpea salad was delicious, but Mishy isn't big on the parsley. Potato salad was good but oddly spiced. Sliced Monterey Jack, marble, and cheddar cheeses were very good. Eggplant salad was very good, better than I expected it would be as I am not an eggplant fan. Hummus was also very well seasoned and delicious. Pita bread was good but a bit dry.

For dessert, halva was very good with plenty of extra flavor. Dates and figs were good. Chocolate cake was rich and wonderful. Lemon meringue pie was very good. Ricotta lemon cheesecake was very good and is Judy's own recipe. Nut brittle was delicious. Strawberry arugula was also very good. Brunch was $24.95 which is pricey for brunch, but I would say worth it, as all of Free Times' offerings were good or better, and many of them are to be found nowhere else. We both certainly enjoyed it!

Rating: 8-8.5/10