Cora’s Breakfast and Lunch
2920 Calgary Trail NW
780-465-2672
www.chezcora.com
Rating: *** 1/2
Signature dish: Cora’s Special ($9.95)
Breakfast or lunch for 2: $35
If you think you know Cora, think again.
Based on the story of the chain’s founder, I anticipated a little shop with a cheery older lady in back, producing each dish with loving attention. Instead, I stepped into a busy, bright yellow breakfast bistro.
Most of the fortyish tables were full and servers bustled back and forth. We were seated quickly, then ignored for a while with our menus folded neatly beside us.
Our server swooped in, cheerfully took our orders and left to seek our cappuccinos ($3.45). I had barely tasted the competently-brewed cup when our dishes arrived.
The Cora’s philosophy focuses on lots of fresh ingredients, so both of our plates were heaped with luscious fruit and generous breakfast portions.
My $10 bacon, ham, sausage, eggs, crepe and toast were good, solid fare, but I regretted not trying something more adventurous.
Luscious crêpes and creamy Béarnaise on the œufs Benedictine taunted me in my imagination.
I helped myself to some free homemade fudge as I paid my $30 bill and we stepped out to the full parking lot.
Open from early morning until 3 p.m., Cora’s is a busy, pleasant breakfast place. Sometimes, that just hits the spot.
Dining out
Sushi in the flesh
Nyotaimori is the urban-legendary Japanese practice of eating sushi off of naked women. Diamonds Gentlemen’s Club used to feature something similar, and now Kai Asian Grill is rumoured to offer their “body sushi” on Thursday nights after 10 p.m. Models sporting body paint lie under banana leaves and sushi courses starting at about 10 p.m. Visit kaiasiangrill.com and let me know how it goes.
Chocolate buffet
The Sutton Place Hotel offers the city’s only all-you-can-eat chocolate buffet every Thursday and Friday for $16 per person (including a beverage).
