Half of the panorama of the Bonjour Brioche cake counter.
WHEN it comes to trendy neighborhoods, Toronto's east end has traditionally lagged behind more westerly hot spots such as Queen Street West or College Street's Little Italy. Now, however, Queen Street East is the new Queen Street West, with the formerly industrial stretch known as Leslieville emerging as Toronto's hippest place to dine, drink, shop and live.
East of the Don River, this neighborhood of crumbling Victorian storefronts was deemed gritty enough to stand in for Depression-era New York in the recent film ''Cinderella Man.'' Yet even as residents speculate about which chain will arrive first -- Starbucks? Gap? -- Leslieville is the latest frontier for restaurateurs seeking cheaper rents and a hipper clientele.
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Brunch is practically a competitive sport in Toronto, and Queen Street East is one of its premier arenas. The area benefits from the overflow from Bonjour Brioche, No. 812, (416) 406-1250, a few blocks west of Leslieville, where weekend lines for French toast ($5.85) and warm croissants ($1.15) drive some patrons to venture farther east.
SURFACING: TORONTO; Goodbye Gritty, Hello Trendy By SUSAN CATTO (NYT)
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B00E5DA123FF932A05754C0A9639C8B63&sec=travel
