RealCity Reviews: Faberge: Breakfast by Champions

I am an admitted early bird. For most of the people I know, this is  considered a character flaw, but I am a firm believer that the early bird does get the worm. In this case, the worm being a kick ass breakkie, as the young folks say. (My God am I really at that stage in life?).
As any upstanding Montrealer will tell you, our fine city has been a hotbet for a "breakfast renaissance" if you will.  The emergeance of places like Eggspectations, Tutti Fruttti and the ever present Chez Cora have turned the oft taken-for-granted meal and lifted it to prominence. However, the ubiquitous nature of these eateries has rendered them pedestrian and cookie-cutter. Face it, the Eggs benny with the mountain of fruit on the side has kind of lost its novelty. Breakfast has become so routine, you might as well whip up something at home and forego the experience. Luckily there's a spot in Mile-End still serving up a great experience along with a great breakfast.

Faberge is another of the Mile-end's culinary gems (pun intended) serving up affordable, expertly crafted morning fare in an atmosphere that is as different as any place I've visited; and that is truly it's calling card.

A lot of restaurants make the claim that their environments cater to everyone. Seldom, however actually put it in practice. Faberge, is the first joint I've been to where people from all walks of life  are easily, comfortably catered to, while fitting perfectly in the offered setting. There were couples on a brunch date, a small groupe of 8 people, the business man reading his paper along with his freshly brewed coffee, those on a solo mission eating at the askewed bar, and people like myself taking in a late brunch with a couple of close friends. All becoming intricate elements of the easy going atmosphere. Once passed the velvet Curtains keeping the cold air from permeating the space, I  was welcomed by the perculating beans, mild chatter, 80's cartoons on the big screen tv's ( Transformers was on in my case. WIN!) and the most fitting selection from the Legendary Philly band The Roots, "What they do", piping through the speakers. In the time it took me to canvas the area, I was taken back to my childhood, my teenage years and present adulthood. That takes a well thought out vision; but to execute, that takes finess.

Now on to the star of the production: the Food. As stated before, the offerings from most of the breakfast spots in town are a little redundant: Eggs, any style; pile of fruit; buttered toast, bacon etc. Hold the personality. Faberge is all about personality. You be must if you're playing The Roots on a Saturday morning! That being said, you do find that ecclectic, soulful energy synonimous with the neighborhood within the food and the staff (Shoutout to my waitress Audrey!).
Being in the mood for anything but mundane, I set my sights on their take of the southern staple Chicken and waffles; a dish I have long wanted to experience. Happy to say this was an amazing experience.
At a reasonable 14.99, Faberge gives you a heaping helping of grub with  some fruit ( I know), coleslaw, a spicy ketchup to complement the ABSOLUTELY PERFECT crispy potatoes, and warm maple syrup to go with aformentioned Chicken and waffles. The waffles were wonderfully fluffy and light with that ever so light crisp when you bite into them; The warm maple elixir nestled in the nooks and crannies. Heaven.
The Real star of this event is the chicken. I have to give special praise and ask the God Lord to bless the hands that fried the cutlets to a crispy seasoned nirvana. A lot of people can be turned off by fried food due to its stigma of being unhealthy, or heavy. Let me say that the cooks at the helm of this dish raise the technique of frying to the level of fine art. The crackling salty texture of the skin insolating the perfectly cooked meat was a wonder; and when the works just melt in your mouth, you want to rush out and get the finest fryer at Home Outfitters and try to duplicate what transpired. The Devil is in the details, and Faberge is all about the details: A peice of the chicken  with the maple drenched waffle dipped in the spicy ketchup make for a bite so perfect, it makes you doubt the possibility of happenstance. This HAS to be calculated.
I leave in the east end, and this is definately worth the trio down. On a beautiful crisp saturday Morning, seeing a (still) great city in its morning glory on my way to meet great friend for an Even better brunch at a very Special Place. Thank you Faberge, Breakfast is once again an the most important experience of the day.