So my second stop took me to The Only Cafe. Which is strange to me, as The Only is on Danforth in Toronto, right? Well, about 20 years ago, the dude who opened the Danforth location, Jerome, sold it, moved to Peterborough, and opened what is basically the same bar. Eclectic furniture, walls covered in pictures, pinball machine in the corner and respectable beer list. I accidentally typed “lust” instead of “list”. I think I should have left it.
There’s a patio over-looking a little brook, and it’s adjacent to a theatre (the Gordon Best Theatre. See what they’re doing? “The Best theatre, over the Only Cafe”. Cute) . My kind of place. I arrived at 11:10, doubtful it would be open. I walked in and found the place half full of people eating breakfast and drinking coffee. I sat at the bar and sheepishly asked if they were serving. “you came to the right place” was the answer. Taps were Guinness, Smithwick’s, Creemore, Steamwhistle, Mill St Organic, Blanche du Chambly, and Big Rock Grasshopper. Bottles included the expected big three junk, nice euro selection including a few Belgians and one Trappist (Chimay Red, dinner bottle), and an okay selection of Canadian craft. I opted for a Harviestoun Bitter and Twisted for $6 for the 500ml. I was complimented by the server on my selection. She apparently drinks good beer too.
Sitting at the bar I was impressed by the gentle vocal jazz they were playing, undoubtedly as a favour to the numerous people who appeared to have been here (or someplace like it) last night. The crowd varied from a few people who fit my stereotype of Peterborough and are clearly here because they start serving at 11, 40 somethings +, who are enjoying each other’s company over a late breakfast, younger hipsters chatting or reading, and even one young family complete with a baby.
Okay sidebar: as I’m typing a hipster type with a long-board just walked up and realized there was a random $10 bill sitting on a stool. He checked around, and nobody around claimed it as theirs. So he took it and dropped it in the tip jar. This is definitely my type of bar.
I’m watching the food being served, and I’m pretty impressed. One cook working in a kitchen slightly larger then in your average RV is turning out some very respectable breakfasts and sandwiches.
The server seems to know about half the people here and is quick to serve and friendly.
Most bars can be successful by serving large quantities of cheap beer and shots, pumping in loud music and encouraging lewd behaviour. The Only is a wonderful place to pass some time on a Saturday morning, if you’re eating or drinking, grey-haired, hungover or with baby in tow. Gotta come back for the dinner/evening experience.
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