Jazz bar launching brunch service by local food celeb in Toronto

A recently opened jazz bar that’s still relatively new is now launching a brunch service program, and it’s being conceived by one of the biggest names in the local Toronto food scene.

Small Talk is a cocktail bar where you can hear live jazz music and snack on bites from a chill menu that includes olives, nuts, cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, hot dogs, pasta and even caviar bumps. Their cocktail menu is all martinis, tying together the theme of a fun retro-inspired jazz bar.

Now, Small Talk is adding brunch service to what they’ve been offering, and they’ve brought internationally famous cheesemonger and food world figure Afrim Pristine of Toronto’s famous Cheese Boutique on board to design the menu.

That means cheese lovers are seriously in luck when it comes to the newest brunch in town.

There’s the Croissant Mon Amour with French ham, brie, and grilled apple, the Quiche Bianca with Ontario ham, broccoli and aged Ontario cheddar, Pork Belly and Waffles with apple-cardamom maple glaze, and Bougie Eggs Scramby with Comté and Antonius caviar.

There’s also The St. Brekkie Sando, which comes with double-smoked bacon, soft scrambled eggs, melted gouda and smoked harissa crema on brioche, as well as the Salmon Martini Board, which is inspired by the flavours of a dirty martini.

The board comes with house-smoked and cured salmon sourced from top Toronto seafood shop Hooked, whipped bufala ricotta, dill oil, vodka olives, and vermouth-pickled onions.

Pastries from The Cheese Boutique that are made fresh daily will also be on the menu, including savoury spinach and feta danishes, vanilla and Nutella bomba donuts, and blueberry lemon scones. You can also expect desserts like a signature Basque cheesecake.

The brunch drinks menu is themed around the “Season of Spritz,” which is basically a spin on the traditional mimosa menu, with creative spritzes alongside non-alcoholic options.

Along with the brunch service, Small Talk will also be debuting their CafeTO patio service the same weekend.

“I set out to create the perfect brunch, exceptional coffee, creative, thoughtful food, and an atmosphere you don’t want to leave,” says Afrim Pristine, Culinary Director of Small Talk.

“This was one of the most challenging and rewarding menus I’ve created, and one of my favourites to date. It’s about bringing together taste, sound, and setting in a way that feels transportive. It’s fresh, approachable, and something Ossington is going to be excited about.”

Brunch at Small Talk located on Ossington Avenue launches on Mother’s Day Weekend.