Nothing Says Neighbourhood Like Jawny Bakers
By Lori Lockrey of OFF THE EATEN TRACK

Nothing Says Neighbourhood Like Jawny Bakers

Jawny Bakers says neighbourhood. It says it in the graphics, in the cool light fixtures with local street names etched on them and the abundance of wood in and the abundance of wood in the restaurant interior.

Large round tables, lots of booths and colourful tablecloths sit under black and white photos and hip posters. It’s not cheap here, but it is cheerful.

Food is upscale and West Coast inspired. Versatile and healthy chicken is featured in many dishes. On the new fresh market menu, chick Cobb salad with buttermilk dill dressing, a Hollywood classic, was $11.99.

Seafood manicotti seemed a nice change of pace, at a somewhat pricey $16.49. I bailed to the less expensive lunch menu and secured a big, meaty burger($10.38), with bleu cheese, onions and sautéed mushroom, a dynamite combination. It came with a fresh garden salad, dressed with balsamic vinegar.

Carla went for the chicken Caesar wrap at our server’s suggestion($10.29). It was pretty in a pesto tortilla, with sun-dried tomato and alfalfa sprouts for crunch.

If I were splurging, I might have tackled the filet mignon, with a choice of rice or potato and fresh veg($17.89).

If you were a salad fan, they have some twists on the usual. Strawberry and spinach($11.89) shared the menu with a barbequed Jack Daniel-sauced chicken salad($11.49).

Artisan pizzas are yet another choice. We considered the Max and Tony($11.89), topped with a garlic herb sauce, Italian sausage, bacon and red onions.

We tippled a fresh Stella Artois draught($5.45) in a distinctive tulip glass and enjoyed the setting. Service was excellent and affable.

I just wish Jawny’s was closer to the old homestead. As it happens, it is actually in East Your, but so close to the Scarborough border, it’s easy to consider it as part of our neighbourhood.