Dine.TO on Jawny Bakers
By Sharron Riley-Persson

A Must for cozy, confortable and delicious dining

There’s only one way to describe the feelings I got when I walked through the front entrance of Jawny Bakers – warm, cozy, comfortable – just like home! And that’s exactly how owners Tommy Zoras and his sister Olga want their guests to feel when they come to Jawny Bakers. I was immediately magnetized by the deep, rich hardwood –the floor –the walls – the paneled partitions in the dining room - there was warmth and spirit surrounding me everywhere. And as I was accompanied to my table after being greeted by one of the most friendly servers I’ve experienced in quite some time, it was like walking down memory lane of Old Toronto. The walls are adorned with scenes from Toronto neighbourhoods – one with a group of children playing ice hockey along the Humber River in the early 60’s, another showed a topographical view of the Toronto neighbourhood twelve years ago when Jawny Bakers first opened its doors. There’s a lot of history and ambiance here at Jawny Bakers!

So you’re meeting a business associate, hosting a large group party, taking the family out for a bite or just dropping by for a casual night out – Jawny Bakers is the place to be. There’s a large separate bar adjacent to the main dining area where you can enjoy a pub-like atmosphere. The main dining room is tastefully designed into cozy sections to accommodate a variety of group sizes. A huge stone fire place and unique arrangement of background music adds the finishing touches to this comfy home away from home setting. And the back patio is the perfect backdrop for a romantic interlude with its lush hanging plants and flowers, lantern-lit seductive lighting, overlooking the Don Valley Ravine.

Before I get to the mouth-watering food at Jawny Bakers, let’s talk about the wonderful service I had. From the moment I came through the front doors, I had exceptionally personalized service. It’s true, I felt like I was a friend. The fellow who showed me to my table actually had a conversation with me as we were walking through the dining room. And the service during dinner was attentive and so professional! According to Tommy Zoras, Owner, “Before assuming their service staff role at our restaurant each new staff member receives an intensive 10-day training program – whether they have previous experience or not. It’s like sending our staff to Jawny Bakers University!” And believe me, I’d come back for the super service, not to mention the great food!

It’s now time to give you a taste of the terrific cuisine at Jawny Bakers. Tommy and Olga’s sous chefs and kitchen staff have been with them for between eight and twelve years which speaks volumes. They know how to please their guests and they’re happy doing so! The result is a menu that offers a liberal variety of appetizers, salads, sandwich and burger plates as well as a selection of meat and seafood entrees tailored to satisfy just about any appetite. And I’d say the prices are better than reasonable considering how delicious the food is, and how large the portions are. The “must haves” at Jawny Bakers however are the salads, steaks and stone-baked pizzas.

Their salads feature fresh produce direct from the Ontario Food Terminal and their steaks are all “AAA Certified Angus steaks”. My personal favourites are the Calamari $8.89, Mediterranean Salad $10.89 and New York Classic steak $16.89. The Calamari with garlic Tzatziki sauce is simply delicious. The calamari rings were light, and crispy and almost melted in my mouth. I’m still craving the Mediterranean Salad. A fusion of sun dried tomatoes, chunks of juicy grilled chicken, feta, cherry tomatoes and kalamata olives all tossed over crispy romaine lettuce with a tangy, flavourful balsamic vinaigrette dressing. And the steak, well simply heaven! As I cut into this succulent 10 oz., grilled Angus Striploin with delicate peppercorn gravy my mouth was watering in anticipation of this delectable delight. I wasn’t disappointed!

Where does Tommy see Jawny Bakers in 5 years? Well we should all be very happy to know that Tommy and Olga plan to open at least two more Jawny Bakers, one in North York and the other in Mississauga. “Each will be uniquely designed to suit the neighbourhoods”, says Tommy, “we’ll offer the same cozy atmosphere, personal service and excellent food – but we’ll add reflections of neighbourhoods in which we’ll be serving”. Tommy goes on to say, “our goal at Jawny Bakers is to give our guests a memorable experience – not just a good meal.”

Take it from me - the experience you’ll have at Jawny Bakers will be memorable and like me, you’ll want to come back!