This is the kind of place that is insanely busy for about 3 hours a day, and during those non-peak times it’s pretty well dead. We got there in the dead period and were treated to excellent service because of it. A few professionally-attired people were having coffee and chatting but other than that we were alone. Our server was attentive, friendly and courteous. Very nice. Our food came in near-record time as well.

I find myself wanting to credit the breakfast with more than I should. It has a very nice presentation but it’s far from perfect. The eggs were good; as always, it’s difficult to screw up eggs.  The bacon was tender and in four pieces. The toast was multigrain but extremely thin. The potatoes were the weakest point, for sure. They’re chopped, real potatoes with the skins on, but were flavourless. In fact, if it were possible, they tasted grey (just as purple is a fruit). I put ketchup on them, something that I never do, but ultimately was a foolish move. We forgot to ask for hot sauce, and it turns out they have the much-coveted cock sauce (you know, the red chili one with green cap and a rooster on it). Grrr. Foiled by my own arrogance.

The coffee was the diner dirty standard. Not good at all, but bitter enough to wake you up.

There were many little pluses and minuses. Plus: The cute peanut butter/jam tote. Minus: The constant, loud hum of many fridges. Plus: Orange wedge. Minus: The chip stand. Plus: Indoors, climate controlled. Minus: Indoors, recycled air (Minus: complete lack of concern for any aesthetic quality. The owner must walk into art galleries and think “What are all these paintings doing in front of the nice bare walls? Take them away! Leif)

There’s not really much more to say about Nathan Detroit’s. It’s not obvious at all why it’s named that, and the waitresses have to wear shirts with a huge logo on them. Maybe the owner is a fan of Guy’s and Dolls.

It’s a decent place to go for breakfast if you work in the vicinity, but I’m not going out of my way to come back.

March 26 2008

NATHAN DETROIT’S

SANDWICH PAD

80 Lombard under the Fairmont Hotel

Hours of operation:

Mon - Fri         6:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Tucked away inside Winnipeg Square underneath the Fairmont Hotel lies Nathan Detroit’s: the cafeteria that could. Perfect if you hate sunlight! (There are no windows at all and only fluorescent lights. Come on down Vampires! Leif)

There is absolutely no décor to speak of. It resembles a cafeteria in many ways, firstly by having the same bare-bones approach to decorating. Nothing on the walls, and lit by fluorescence. I know that these days people are more concerned with energy efficiency than kitschyness, but if you can find somebody who still doesn’t care, it makes the experience that much more enjoyable in my book.  Something that detracts from the cafeteria atmosphere is that there is actually table service. I hate getting my own coffee, sue me.

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