The brunch menu at The Federal is just one page long. It’s not massive, but it allows the Dundas Street West restaurant to do something that few other dining spots in Toronto can claim to do — nearly everything they serve, from the ketchup to their main dishes, is handcrafted.
“Pretty much everything is made from scratch,” says Zach Slootsky, The Federal’s co-owner. “If it’s not made from scratch it’s for a deliberate reason. For example, French’s mustard is just such a classic.”
With a daily brunch menu that remains consistent, The Federal’s dinner menu is a testament to their versatility. Constantly changing, it’s based on the seasonality of produce and the chefs’ whims. But one thing always remains the same—in a dining landscape where the focus is on innovation, The Federal is getting back to basics, serving homemade dishes with a fast food flare.
“It’s got that mix of fast food and taking a lot of care for your food,” says Zach. “I think it's a restaurant that doesn't take itself too seriously.”
SMOKED TROUT SALAD
beet, pumpkin seed, chèvre, arugula
COBB SALAD
chicken, bacon, pear, avocado,chopped egg, pickled red onion, arugula, buttermilk blue cheese dressing.
BOWL of SOUP
vegan before the garnish
FRENCH TOAST & FOIE GRAS
bacon, dates, almond butter, maple.
BELGIAN WAFFLES
lemon cream, fruit & maple
GRANOLA BOWL
fruit, maple & yogourt (or almond milk).
served with greens and potato rösti
STEAK & EGGS
flat iron, over-easy, blue cheese, red wine,balsamic, walnut raisin toast
EGGS FEDERAL
poached eggs, mushroom tarragon cream bacon (or kale), english muffin
VEGETARIAN OMELETTE
seasonal veggies and cheese,served with toast
GOLD STANDARD SANDWICH
scrambled egg, bacon (or kale), cheddar pickles, hot sauce, aioli, english muffin
SCRAMBLED EGGS
cheesy eggs, sausage (or avocado), toast
meat, pickle & cheese with toasts
served with greens and potato rösti
CUBANO
roast pork, cheddar, ham, avocado, mustard & pickles on sourdough
GRILLED CHEDDAR
cheddar, pickled red onion, house-made ketchup.
SMOKED TROUT PLATE
smoked trout, cheddar scone, capers,
cucumber, poached egg, lemon cream.
FOUR GUYS BURGER
griddle-smashed beef patty, bacon american cheese, caramelized onion,lettuce, pickles, mustard, special sauce.
MAPLE SYRUP
SIDE AVOCADO
TOAST or POTATO RÖSTI
TWO EGGS ANY STYLE
GRAPEFRUIT & BROWN SUGAR
SAUSAGE, BACON, or HAM
SWEET SCONE, JAM & LEMON CREAM
SMOKED TROUT
BOTTLE of MARIE SHARP’S HOT SAUCE
HALF ORDER of WAFFLES
Drinks
BRUNCH COCKTAILS, CRAFT BEER, HOUSEMADE SODA, CLUB MATE, SPARKLING, WINE, DINNER & SNACKS, AFTERNOON DELIGHT, NACHO MOTHERS TRIVIA NIGHT
SARDINES
dijon, cornichon, crackers
BEETS & BEEMSTER
with almonds and arugula
STILTON
pear, dates, digestive crackers
SPICY CAPICOLA
wild mushrooms, buttered toast
SMOKED SALMON & POTATO RÖSTI
with chive aioli
HALF DOZEN OYSTERS
chipigane
CHICKEN SOUP
anise, red onion, cilantro, lime
ROASTED CAULIFLOWER SALAD
golden beets, toasted almonds, pickled onion, pecorino
SCALLOPS & COLLARDS
chili, caramelized onion, anchovy breadcrumbs
CRISPY PORK SLIDERS
spicy chive aioli, sweet cabbage, egg bun, tea pickled soft egg
MUSSELS
corn, coconut, cilantro, shadon beni pepper sauce
MAC & CHEESE
kale salad, mushroom cream, pickled onion, antillies pepper sauce
FOUR GUYS BURGER
american cheese, bacon, etc. w/ curly fries and salad
FRIED CHICKEN
pickled corn, onion, slaw, shadon beni pepper sauce
FRIED SNAPPER
jicama, cabbage, chive aioli, pickled corn
FLAT IRON STEAK
rapini, wild mushroom, parsnip
ETON MESS
french meringue, vanilla cream, macerated strawberry
CHOCOLATE CLOVE MOUSSE
amaretti cherries
EARL GREY CREME BRULEE
BELLWOODS GOTHAM
black imperial ipa 500ml 8% abv
RODENBACH VINTAGE
sour flemish red ale 750ml 7% abv
JEAN BOURDY CÔTES du JURA 2008
LAPIERRE RAISINS GAULOIS 2013
ENGLISHMAN’s BAY
havana club 3 year, luxardo, earl grey, lemon, orange blossom
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The Federal offers its brunch menu all week long! The menu is huge - it includes five sandwiches and the decadent French toast and foie gras. The brunch cocktails start at 11 a.m., but for those who don’t partake in alcoholic beverages, you can try the house-made soda.
View this Smart ListWhen we’re talking about re-inventing brunch classics in Toronto, we’re talking about The Federal. Running the roster of Bests in Toronto (from best breakfast to best burger), this 7-days-a-week brunch spot was even spotted on Monocle’s list of best restaurants in the world. The menu ranges from trout and scones plates to sweet-savoury French toast and foie gras to an eggs benny that’s topped with mushroom tarragon cream and bacon (or kale). Best not to overlook the dazzling cocktail list, designed for day-drinking: sip on a classic Caesar, an herbal Aperol spritz or a watermelon-rhubarb mimosa.
View this Smart ListIf you live in the west end, you’ve probably walked past this tucked-away restaurant on Dundas Street and noted the charmed expressions wiped across the faces of diners inside. The compact, Canadiana-inspired spot is as good for a long-overdue dinner with pals as it is for a hearty brunch on a Sunday (The Eggs Federal is a dish you’ll remember ‘til death). Yes, it’s tiny, and that helps create the oh-so-cozy vibes of The Federal. But it also often means a solid line for dinner, particularly on the weekends, so come bundled because it's definitely worth the wait.
View this Smart List