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Toast Birmingham
Category: Restaurants American (Traditional) American (Traditional) [Edit]
203 Pierce StBirmingham, MI 48009
Neighborhood: Downtown Birmingham
(248) 258-6278
- Hours:
Mon 7 am - 10 pm
Tue-Wed 7 am - 12 am
Thu-Fri 7 am - 2 am
Sat 8 am - 2 am
Sun 8 am - 4 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
105 reviews for Toast Birmingham
Review Highlights
"I ordered Toast's grand marnier french toast (w."
(in 4 reviews)
"My favorite for breakfast is the Eggs Benedict."
(in 7 reviews)
"...big fan of toast in Ferndale, which is definitely a funkier..."
(in 24 reviews)
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105 reviews in English
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Review from Jeff P.
Madison Heights, MI
1/29/2012
Been here several times for drinks at night and just went there for breakfast today. They have some interesting french toast options and a lot of standard omelets.
I had the bacon and gouda omlet that was pretty tasty. Their home made cinnamon toast was the star of the meal.
It is a family friendly place for breakfast with lots of kids in high chairs (including mine).
If you are looking for a new breakfast place (as we are) give it a try, and have a mimosa! -
Review from Peter H.
Royal Oak, MI
1/23/2012
Arguably the most underrated dinner venue in metro Detroit. Because of the sister location in Ferndale, it seems to be mostly known for brunch (and the brunch is very good), but the dinner menu is what really sets it apart.
It's creative, it's seasonal, and it's darn easy to find 5 or 6 dishes on a given night that you'll want to try. And I've never had one that disappointed. Last time out, our group tried 3 appetizers: a grilled raclette cheese and salami sandwich (the cheese is imported from Switzerland) with an apple salad, chicken pot pie empanadas with a tart berry compote-y sauce, and a seared foie gras on some kind of sweet bread. All delicious, with good portion sizes. Two of us had the cassoulet, which is a bean stew with sausage and duck confit (and seared duck slices to boot) -- it was fantastically rich, great for the Winter weather, and authentically French.
The rest of the menu is a mix of the inventive and the traditional; I only wish they had specials.
As far as ambiance is concerned, the dining room is cozy and bistro-esque with interesing knick-knacks and artwork throughout, and the crowd is generally young and energetic -- no doubt drawn by the very reasonable prices.
Try Toast for dinner - you won't be disappointed. -
Review from Kristen L.
Harrison Township, MI
11/21/2011
I've been to Toast in Birmingham many-a-time and it is one of my favorite restaurants. It is one of the very few restaurants in the Metro Detroit area with great atmosphere, great service, great food and great drinks. Whether it's for Sunday brunch or dinner on a weekday, Toast always brings their A game. It has a very chic New York feel, which I absolutely love.
When it comes to brunch, nothing beats the wild mushroom omelet. It's a blend of mushroom and cheesey goodness safely wrapped in an egg. For lunch/dinner, I recommend the turkey avocado sandwich or just the grilled cheese with tomato soup. As blasé as grilled cheese and tomato soup sounds, Toast knows how to do it right. I've had their margarita many times as well and it's delicious.
Like mentioned in previous reviews the Sunday brunch wait can be pretty long. It's okay though, because they have a host that looks like Drake and he's pretty nice to look at. -
Review from Sara P.
Royal Oak, MI
2/9/2012
I've been to Toast Birmingham a couple of times now and I'm officially a fan. The food here is really outstanding, especially for the price. While it's not cheap, it's reasonable considering how high quality it is. The tables in the restaurant are close together, and on my last trip there we were sitting next to two men in town on business. They were frequent business travelers and told the waiter that they've eaten at a lot of outstanding restaurants around the country and would rank Toast in their top 5. That's saying something! This has become my go-to restaurant in Birmingham because while it's trendy and classy, it doesn't have the stuffy pretentiousness I find in many other Birmingham restaurants. It's a great place to grab a nice meal before a movie.
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Review from dave M.
Royal Oak, MI
2/8/2012
Bloody Mary's were excellent!!
Given all the praise and glowing reviews, I guess I just went on a bad day. Maybe it was just an anomaly.
It was sunday around noon, and there was a short wait for the table but nothing to keep me from recommending the restaurant.
The decor is nice. The menu is creative and interesting.
My companion had the Parisian omelet which she said was good but cold.
My Grand Marnier French Toast was likewise alright taste-wise but stone cold.
Perhaps it was the few refrigerated orange slices wedges, or the cold liquer.
Perhaps it was the fact that the plates were actually a little bit cooler than room temperature.
Perhaps the fact that I couldn't really taste much of the grand mariner or the orange (other than the cold royales referred to above).
Perhaps it could be that the french toast was left on the pass while the sausage was cooked (it was the only thing that was warm on the whole table). This is, of course, is unsubtantiated.
Perhaps I was turned off by the fact that the syrup was only brought mildly warmed and that the softened butter I put on the french toast didn't even melt.
Perhaps, the small table, one side of which is a banquette that you sink so deeply into that you have to sit on the edge just to eat close to your plate.
Regardless the reason, cold plates, tepid omelets and actually cold french toast aren't the kind of amateur mistakes you expect for $9-$10 a dish after waiting for a while for an uncomfortable table. Even in Birmingham.
My dining companion is one of those people who gets extremely embarrassed when someone at his table lodges a complaint with servers, so I swallowed about half of the french toast. Sausage was garden variety, but decent.
I might give the Ferndale location a try, however anyone who runs a restaurant that can't even warm breakfast plates, doesn't exactly inspire confidence.
As I said, maybe it was just an anomaly. -
Review from Andy P.
Clinton Township, MI
10/10/2011
I'm a great fan of Sunday brunch, and it's not an extremely common past time in metro Detroit. If you go to Chicago or NYC, brunch places are way more common. So, I was very happy when I found Toast Birmingham's brunch. The food is tasty...the drinks are perfect...the crowd is pleasant...and the decor is super chic.
My favorite thing about Toast Birmingham are the bloody marys. Why? Well, they're extremely tasty + aren't too strong or too weak + original! I really love the Garden bloody mary as it is rimmed with yummy celery salt and uses dill infused vodka! Spendid!
The food is phenominal, as well! The omelets use fresh, unique ingredients. The greek omelet is my favorite with it's mixture of flavors and textures - kalamata olives, pine nuts, feta, spinach - definitely a burst of flavor in every bite!
And the restaurant is decorated in a cheerful yet fashionable way. There is lots of natural light + very well placed light fixtures. The decor makes me feel a little bubbly and everyone is all smiles! Can I get the interior decorator's number please?!?!
The only downfall is that during brunch on the weekends it is always super packed, so expect a 30-45 minute wait. But use your waiting time to take a stroll around the block and do some window shopping in downtown Birmingham. There are a ton of cute, specialty shops, so that "long wait" will definitely fly by!
So, if you're a brunch fan and are looking for amazing bloody marys, delectable food, and a great atmosphere then get your butt to Toast Birmingham...and invite me, please! -
Review from M S.
Royal Oak, MI
10/4/2011 7 Check-ins Here
Anyone who knows me knows how often I'm at Toast (Birmingham). I love it so much I can't believe I haven't written a review yet! Here goes:
Ambience: delightful old french parlour meets crazy auntie who likes to collect...things. The waiting area gets CROWDED come Sunday brunch - please call ahead and get on the wait list, at least, or anticipate a solid 45 mins when you do get in. It's usually Saturdays or Sundays for me, so I can't speak to the rest of the week, but I've always had a wait. It's comfortable mix of people, but you'll find the Sunday post-church crowds are predictably dressy.
Food: YUM YUM YUMMY brunch and lunch options. I've loved their florentine eggs benny, veggie burrito, spicy cali omelette and blackened and blue burger among other things - if you're not liquor-ing up, your bill is often quite comfortable. Never been here for dinner, which is a recent addition.
Service: we often get the same server, and we love her. other servers can be hit or miss. the front of house varies. You get your food out reasonably quick. we often linger with our post brunch coffees and never feel rushed. Toast staff is usually quite friendly. People complain about the price (I've seen them compare other breakfast places to it) but it's a package deal of awesomeness. Check the menu out online ahead of time if you'd like, then there are no surprises.
I LOVE TOAST! -
Review from Dee M.
Farmington, MI
12/23/2011 5 photos
Great restaurant. Great customer service. I would definitely go back. I had the mac n cheese & the burger Madame. The apple crumb dessert was awesome too!!!
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Review from Kathryn L.
Birmingham, MI
9/9/2011
We went here for the first time a few weeks ago. After we walked in and were seated, we learned that it was last call for food. But our server was gracious and worked with us to make sure we had a chance to study the menus and that all our orders got in on time.
I did the fried mac and cheese which I would highly recommend. From the name of the restaurant I had pictured mostly breakfast foods, but they really had quite the extensive menu.
We also tried the fries as an appetizer and they were absolutely the best fries ever! I would go back just for the fries!
Afterwards we hung around to grab a drink which was nice as well. The bar is tiny (when you take out the eating area), so you might feel a bit crammed.
The location is great! Structure parking is available nearby and the first two hours are free. Many other bars and restaurants and movie theatres and shops are walkable from here. -
Review from Julie G.
Oakland, MI
12/13/2011
It's good .. Great breakfast food , even better drinks friendly help
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Review from Shauna N.
Birmingham, MI
Updated - 9/11/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Taco Tuesdays are discontinued. Sad face. Still a fan of Toast, overall.
I didn't like Bloody Mary's until trying Toast's garden version. Now I crave them.
Had one experience with a very rude host, but the rest of the staff is fine.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/13/2010
I've been to the Birmingham Toast twice so far:
Once for wine & tacos (Taco Tuesday!): House red and… Read more »
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Review from Fern X.
Center Line, MI
10/17/2011
Went here for the 1st time on Sunday at 3 pm. (PERFECT time to go by the way cuz we had no wait for a table.) I was a little nervous about taking my two toddlers to such a she-she poo-poo place but it worked out great. It was nice and noisy and everyone was dressed down so we fit right in.
My husband didn't like how close we had to sit with the next table. If you sit at the tables along the wall with the booth you're going to get real cozy with the people next to you. It didn't bother me though and actually I think it scared my kids into behaving better becuz strangers were so close to them. Ha ha
My little ones ordered pancakes which were huge and shaped like Mickey Mouse's head. The berries and whipped cream faces were a nice touch and made the kids laugh.
My husband ordered the breakfast burrito which was huge too. He said it was good. I had eggs benne and was a tad disappointed. I was hoping the ham would have more of a honey smoked flavor but it was kind of bland. The eggs on top were perfect but the hollandaise sauce was kind of bland too. It was creamy and buttery but I would've liked more of a lemony bite to it. (I couldn't taste any lemon at all.) The bread they served it on was soft - a little too soft for my taste. A crunchy baguette or crostini would've been more able to hold up under the eggs and sauce.
Another nice touch....they brought both of my little ones complimentary cups of lukewarm hot chocolate. It was awesome! Had peppermint in it and whipped cream and a cherry on top. Awww Toast, you had me at hello. ;) -
Review from Kelly A.
9/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
I can't believe I haven't written a review for this place yet!!
I love Toast. When Club Bart closed I was depressed, so we decided to try and find another breakfast place to make our own....well...Toast is it!
I love the decor, I know some people think it's tacky, but I just adore it. You feel like you're sitting in your crazy Aunt Martha's living room while you eat your breakfast...it's just so cozy!
My absolute favorite thing to get here is the breakfast burrito - it's a tortilla stuffed with eggs, chorizo sausage, green chiles, cheese, and angels (okay I'm joking about that last one). IT IS SO GOOD. My BF usually gets something on the sweet side - once it was a blueberry cobbler waffle (AMAZINGGGGG - tasted just like a blueberry cobbler!!), then he got the banana's foster's pancakes which were to die for - and I hate bananas. You know it's good when you absolutely detest a food, and then you try it at a restaurant that does it absolutely PERFECTLY and you can't stop thinking about it!! That's how I feel about the bananas fosters pancakes. So. Yummy.
Every time I go there I promise myself I will get something sweet, like a pancake or a waffle, and then I read the description for the breakfast burrito and totally cave in. I guess I will just have to keep going back until my willpower is strong enough :) -
Review from Antonella C.
8/25/2011
Well, this summer was chock full of trips, work and pleasure-related. One trip was back to where I grew up, Birmingham MI in July. Since moving away in 1993, it has changed quite a bit, however, it's easy, walkable downtown area hasn't, thank goodness. The only regret is that there isn't as much shopping as there used to be....but, I digress, I am here to tell you about a new place that opened: Toast.
Toast is new place that is part eatery and part lounge. When I went with a friend on Sunday morning, the weather was wonderful and the ouside patio (overlooking the street side) was open and full.
We got a table inside, by the windows so a nice breeze came through.
With my friend we were celebrating, so we started with Bloody Mary and then on to breakfast :-]
I ordered the "Eggs Benny" with Grits. Whenever I got out for breakfast, no matter where I am, I always order them to see how they are....I was happily surprised that these were not drenched in butter on the bread and the hollandaise was a more lemony than buttery too. The grits were good. Nothing to write home about; they place a parmiggiano "chip" on top....maybe it would have been more yummy to put the parmiggiano IN the grits?
Our server was very timely and polite. Overall, a good place to go for a bite when out and about B'ham....if you can get a table since they don't take reservations for breakfast (I checked). As well, it was relatively affordable which is nice in B'ham too... -
Review from Torrie B.
Peach Cobbler Waffle, Peach Cobbler Waffle, Peach Cobbler Waffle...ok, so it's not a regular staple on their menu but the Peach Cobbler Waffle melted my heart! No syrup needed, just enjoy the warm peaches, crisp, and Belgium waffle.
Also try the Grand Mariner French Toast and if you like omelette's, the Portobello Omelet will definitely get you going. It has Parmesan cheese, ricotta...I digress. Along with these treats you must try their house potatoes, and none other than their toast! It's thick, toasted well (what else would you expect) and buttered to perfection.
I prefer the size and layout of this location over the Ferndale spot. It's breezy in the spring time and you'll feel like you're dining at someones home rather than a restaurant. Did I mention the Peach Bellini? Are you sold yet?
Bottom line, toast is the best, so give it a try today!Listed in: Best Breakfast
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Review from Shannon H.
Seattle, WA
4/10/2011
Why would you opt to go here when there are so many other more delicious and friendly brunch options in metro Detroit? After waiting a lifetime among over-groomed Birmingham future Stepford Wives, we got a squished table with a lonnnnnnng wait for service.
The food was passable, but certainly nothing exceptional. My husband received something totally different from what he ordered. We should've just gone to Cosi instead... -
Review from Liz W.
3/25/2011
I actually liked it here more than I thought I would. I imagined it was probably overhyped and wretched but it was open late-ish and we needed that. I figured it was worth a whirl even if I ended up panning it at any rate. I often want to try places just to say I have too. This joint actually worked out ok for my tastebuds though, nice surprise.
Something here happened that rarely, if ever, does. James and I both chose the same dish, the steak frites. It is nicely cooked strips of seasoned skirt steak in a red wine reduction served with fries. Simple and it suited each of us (well except James did not want truffled fries, no worries they substitute). Both steaks were cooked to order and I personally loved my truffle fries. It is not a terribly original dish but honestly, I was just super happy with the flavors. I am on a red meat kick and this hit the sweet spot.
Of course the overpriced and delicious strawberry basil martini I downed did add a slightly tipsy and agreeable haze to my evening here. Be warned it is deceptively strong but I guess it has to be for what they charge. James' pick of an El Matador (tequila, pineapple juice and lime) was less spendy and still pretty damn tasty. Not what I would call cheap thrills though.
What I was most taken aback by here was the service. I thought it would be total hipster wannabe shit but we actually had a great, funny and charming server. It made for a laid back experience. Our meal went smoothly and a very good time was had. I would definitely go back if I was in the area and was feeling flush.Listed in: Lushy Liz, Confessions of a red meat…
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Review from Scott B.
3/12/2011
Toast reminds me of a restaurant featured on Kitchen Nightmares before Gordon Ramsay has had a chance to salvage it. They are very fortunate that they have a solid brunch following. If they had to rely on their dinner service, they'd be out of business in a week. The place was dead on a Friday night in popular Birmingham and I now know why.
The service was leisurely to say the least. Our server was pleasant but beyond slow. It took an eternity to get our drinks and she then disappeared for a half hour leaving us staring at closed menus fantasizing about placing our orders.
The food was horrendous. It don't use that word lightly. It was disgusting. I had the pork chop which was a giant, grilled chop with no seasoning covered in an awful commercial barbecue sauce and was so tough that my steak knife was struggling trying to cut through the bland rock. I was starving and I couldn't even get half of it down. Just to make sure it wasn't just one bad dish, I tried a friend's gnocchi and it was dry to the point that it crumbled in my mouth like toast (no pun intended). The duck confit that it was served with, however, was good.
The atmosphere is very nice and the place is decorated really well. The tables are on top of each other though and if you are on the booth side of a table you are sitting just as close to the table next to you as you are to the people at your own table.
Usually a negative experience will net a two-star rating for me. Usually a restaurant will have something decent going for it though. With both bad service, and bad food I can't say dinner at Toast had any redeeming qualities. -
Review from Aaron T.
10/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Food - Excellent. Restaurant - Crowded. Air conditioning - Needed. Bloody Marys - Muy Bien. Kid Friendly - Not so much. Hence the reason for the Bloodys.
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Review from Joe S.
Royal Oak Charter Township, MI
11/8/2011 Seated via OpenTable
I really enjoyed my meal at Toast. The selection was excellent and the menu choices were really creative. Service was quite good. I would definitely return for dinner and would love to try brunch sometime.
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Review from Kristin G.
Royal Oak, MI
3/18/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Breakfast, lunch and dinner...toast becomes 3 different places for each time of the day. Each are equally as delicious! I've been here numerous times as well as the Ferndale original. I prefer the Birmingham version in most cases mostly because of the added space, less waiting time and I like that the Birmingham version has a bar.
My favorite for breakfast is the Eggs Benedict. They use thick sliced ham atop a nice crunchy baguette then they top that with two perfectly poached eggs and drizzle it all with hollandaise sauce. I prefer the potatoes vs the cheese grits for a side. The cheese grits always end up like a tough little pancake of grits and cheese, not as creamy of a consistency as I'd like.
For lunch, I love the Sesame salad. It's got a nice light dressing and water chesnuts, thin sliced carrots, peapods, almonds and sesame seeds. I like to get the seared Ahi on top for a nice light protein filled lunch.
Dinner varies depending on the season. I don't have a "go to" here but I love the Steak Frites. The steak is encrusted with pepper and served in a red wine reduction sauce with waffle fries. I've had this dish numerous times and it never seizes to satisfy! One thing I wish they'd bring back is the Fried Chicken & Waffles dinner. I never ordered it myself, but I had a few nibbles from a friends plate and looooooved it. They breaded it with Captain Crunch breading. It had this wonderful juicy/sweet/fried flavor. Packed a flavorful punch and probably a tough blow on the arteries as well. Ha...
The atmosphere is a step up from it's sister in Ferndale but it's nothing over the top or that you need to get dressed up for. Maybe just a touch less casual at dinner time, that's all. Thanks Toast, for being that staple that I can always count on around town. -
Review from Alyssa T.
Livonia, MI
4/24/2011
Went here twice. I'm picky about pancakes BUT this place is an exception. Their food brings comfort. And the atmosphere is sooo warm and cozy. Nice place to treat a friend =).
Great place for brunch. -
Review from Haroun K.
7/18/2011
Maybe I'm delusional, or biased, but I think the food at the Ferndale Toast is tastier. Nevertheless, I enjoyed my breakfast here. I had the Greek omelet with buttery chalah and potatoes. It isn't cheap, but it is a satisfying meal. The service is extraordinary, except for the discombobulation over at the hostess stand. Birminghamites ,who deserve a reality show on Bravo, contributed to the chaos, leaving their names on the list and returning well after they'd been passed over. Anyhow, it is lovely to sit on a patio and eat breakfast. If I'm ever parading around Birmingham around breakfast time, I will return.
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Review from Cyndi J.
Franklin, MI
Updated - 9/26/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Had breakfast here today. I had the western omelette with toast & home fries. Portion sizes were perfect and the coffee was great. Service was nice & quick!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/3/2011
Super cool decor. Went here for a drink and the people were very nice. I want to come here for… Read more »
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Review from A L.
Commerce Township, MI
9/26/2011
I went to Toast for the first time a few weeks ago on a Sunday. The food was AMAZING and the bloody mary was also very good. On the downside, we had to wait for over an hour and after we were seated, the service was quite slow. We did complain to the manager and who swiftly handled the situation and we ended up satisfied. I would definitely come back to Toast and would recommend it as a great place to have brunch. It had a nice atmosphere and all of the food was delicious.
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Review from John R.
Washington, DC
12/5/2010
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The food is so good here I think I just had an aneurysm. -
Review from Becks D.
Bloomfield Hills, MI
8/11/2010 1 Check-in Here
As a married gal, I rarely get a chance to dine alone. I've never understood the people who are terrified to sit in a restaurant by themselves. I love it; in my book it's a special treat.
Tonight, I totally spaced that my husband had to work late and wouldn't be home until around midnight. At first I was bummed but then it dawned on me... I didn't have to play the "what do you want for dinner" game with the hubby! I could go anywhere I wanted.
And that's what I did. I got in the car and after going in circles for a bit I landed at Toast.
Sure, the waiter smirked. A one-top with a laptop isn't a waiter's best friend. (Of course I brought my laptop; I had some work to do.)
I've been here for breakfast and lunch many times but this was my first shot during dinner. I opted for a burger.
The Burger Madame is topped with smoked Gouda, arugula, onion, romesco, and a fried egg. Lately, I've had a thing for fried eggs on burgers. And on pizza, but that's another story.
The burger was delish; the only thing I can complain about was the egg yolk wasn't runny enough. The yolk needs to be nice and runny for it to compliment the burger in any way.
The fries were hot and crispy but I really wanted to ask for a side of the garlic aioli to go with them. I heard him tell the table next to me they were out of it so I didn't bother. He literally put the last bit on their table and said, "That's all we have left." What?!?
It also happened to be "Wine-Down Wednesdays" where they offer select wine pours for half off. The selection is pretty decent and the prices range from $3.50 to $5 or $6. I decided on a Napa chardonnay and for the price it was spot on.
The waiter smirked quite a lot during my stay and he got behind a bit on his tables. I will forgive this, though, because I love the atmosphere in this place. -
Review from Matt V.
Royal Oak, MI
9/1/2011
The best breakfast I have had in metro Detroit so far! I have only lived in this area for about a year and have been to Toast three times. I love it. The wait was a little long, but I was expecting that, and I immediately forgot about the wait as soon as I took my first bite. I always get the Blackstone Benny, which is Eggs Benedict with bacon. It is simply amazing. They really pay attention to the details here. Having one of their famous bloody mary's is always a nice compliment as well. My meal is always around $20 or so with tip and so well worth it. Also, try one of their delicious hot chocolates on a cold day. This place is a can't miss.
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Review from kelly s.
Wayne, MI
5/26/2011
why is the service always so.incredibly.slow??? Just to get a drink takes 20 minutes. I've been with a small group and a large group, both times disappointed terribly.
The three stars are for the food, which was good...not great, but good. But for the love of everything holy, change up the menu once in a while. -
Review from Seoung L.
I finally tried their breakfast and it's really good! They serve breakfast until dinner time I believe. They give you lot of food so be prepared to be full.
It's a fantastic restaurant with really good food and good atmosphere. One side of the restaurant is more open with more of a modern feel and the smaller more secluded room has more of a hip bed and breakfast decor with couches, fireplace, etc. I ate at the bar before too and it was a good place to eat lunch and watch sportcenter on their HD TV.
I will try their dinner one night but for now 5 stars so far and one of my favorite place in the area.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/21/2010
I just noticed that I haven't reviewed Toast.
I posted pics of some food on here awhile ago and… Read more »
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Review from Molly H.
11/18/2010 1 Check-in Here
I've been here a couple times and both times were exceedingly pleasant. The bloody marys are fantastic! The server I had a few days ago was particularly awesome, giving us a bunch of information about the beers they had and even ones they didn't. A piddling complaint from that visit--my friend and I ordered sweet potato fries to split and the portion leaves much to be desired. For $6 you get maybe a handful of fries; should probably be twice the amount.. They were delicious, though!
Also, the decor is overwrought and you feel like you're in some kind of cheap bordello, but I can deal with that when the food and drinks are excellent and the service is as nice as it is. I'll go back whenever I make my semi-annual Anthropologie visit! -
Review from Anthony D.
Royal Oak, MI
10/28/2010 4 Check-ins Here
There are really two types of breakfast places out there. Type 1 is the kind that specializes in starchy sweet breakfast foods. You go to these places if you like pancakes, French toast, and want a side of sausage or bacon. These are the traditional breakfast places like OHOP, Pantry, etc. Type 2 breakfast places are the more trendy establishments that serve all sorts of "modern" foods like breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros, exotic omelettes, and offer a wide array of Mimosas, Bloody Marys, and other alcoholic beverages. Toast falls under the Type 2 category.
Let me get this out of the way first: Toast is busy during peak breakfast/brunch hours. You will have to wait for a table. Sometimes more than 45 minutes. This isn't due to poor service, it just gets really crowded. It is a popular place. But I do believe it is worth the wait.
The food is always excellent, and the atmosphere is great. The huevos rancheros are some of the best in metro Detroit, and the breakfast burrito is amazing and filling. And who doesn't love Mimosas?
Oh yeah, there is dinner service too but I've never tried it. Maybe that will be a future review.
I suggest parking in the parking garage down the street. It's free if you are there for less than 2 hours I believe. Sunday parking is free. -
Review from Lindsey B.
Las Vegas, NV
8/25/2010
My mom, husband and I went to Toast today for lunch.
Husband ordered the Ring of Fire.
Mom ordered the Turkey & Cranberry sandwich.
I had the Turkey Avocado sandwich.
All the sandwiches come with red skin potato salad which was DELICIOUS! If I knew how good the potato salad was I would have ordered half a sandwich and more of the potato salad!
We also split an order of the sweet potato fries that comes with some sort of dipping sauce called Mucky Duck.
Everyone liked their sandwich and the service was good.
I would definitely like to go there for breakfast as I heard its divine! -
Review from Betsy A.
Berkley, MI
6/30/2010
I went to Toast for lunch with two coworkers (not my usual work companions) on a lovely Thursday afternoon. It was about noon and we were seated immediately in a cute high top table where two of the four seats were a corner couch, which was quiet comfy and made me want to take a nap.
I got the Ventura Burger, which was a turkey burger with chedder, guacamole, coleslaw and black bean spread. The bread was some sort of grilled toast that appeared to have cheese and jalapenos in it. The menu called it molcajete, which I googled and it's the Spanish version of a mortar and pestle tool, which does not describe the bread, but maybe that's what they use to make it? Either way I didn't eat much of the bread cause it made the sandwich too big. The insides of the sandwich were delicious. I upgraded from a side of potato salad to fries for $2 and the fries were delicious.
Toast is a little expensive, it was $13 after the fry upgrade, no beverage included. But it's downtown Birmingham, so it wasn't shocking. The atmosphere of Toast is fun and electic. I don't make it to downtown Birmingham all that often, but I would definitely try Toast again. Maybe for dinner next time. -
Review from Mark H.
Rochester, MI
5/12/2010
My meal was the burger madame, and it was less than remarkable. It did get points for creativity (try asking BK for a fried egg and arugula). However, the burger was not juicy and the bun may have been made from the seat cushions on a '77 grenada. The fries were good.
The main meal was 2 stars, but the dessert added a star. I don't know what it was called, but it was a 4 layer chocolate cake; the layers were a flourless, dark mousse, milk chocolate, and white chocolate. All served over some kind of raspberry compote. Awesome. -
Review from Rachel K.
I came back on a Saturday night with my mom and sister for my mom's birthday. We made sure to make reservations, and I'm glad we did. The restaurant is a bit on the smaller side and it was packed by the time we got there. The first time I went was during the afternoon and seating was open and more casual; no wait.
I got the opportunity to try out the steak frites on my last visit and was super impressed. I savored every bite and would order it again. My sister had the risotto balls (she enjoyed them and she's a picky eater) and my mom had some duck dish. The waiter accidentally brought her out a chicken dish at first, mixing up another tables order, and the manager on duty quickly ran out, exchanged the chicken for duck, apologized, and told the waiter "she ordered the quack quack, not the cluck cluck." That was actually pretty funny :)
I tried to convince my party to order the Bellini pitcher (champagne and juices served tableside), but they all wanted their own cocktails. I retried the Polar Bear Martini (duh, it's good) and sampled the Your Number (pearl plum vodka, vanilla vodka, pama liqueur, lemonade, 7-up), my sister sipped on the strawberry basil martini (that would be my second favorite at Toast -- it really is good), and my mom tried an espresso martini.
I'd warn that if you're claustrophobic or are looking for more of an intimate dining experience, you better come early or really late. The tables are right on top of eachother and took a second to get used to. I felt a little bit odd at first when the table next to us was sat and dead quiet right when we got our food -- they had nothing else to do so they commented on our food while we ate and pretty much stared at us. That was weird.Listed in: Girly Drinks in Detroit, I'll have the steak with a…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/9/2010
Yum, yum, and yum. I haven't frequented the Ferndale Toast location yet, but I've heard great things… Read more »
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Review from Celestial P.
Woodinville, WA
10/18/2010
Excellent food that lived up to the hype of the menu. Comfortable and delightlfully quirky decor. It was hard to hear each other in the main room; the blue room would have been better. I would request it if you have someone hard of hearing in your party, or if you just want a quieter setting.
The waitstaff was inconsistent, but Cody was outstanding, such poise, hard work, integrity and humility. He picked up the slack, and then some. We wanted to take him home with us.
The sweet potato fries with Mucky Duck sauce were a memorable combination.
Use Google if you want to pull information from their website, as it's loaded down with slow multimedia nonsense. -
Review from Emily D.
Chicago, IL
4/13/2009
Drunk with relaxation following a deep tissue massage of the gods, we bobbed and weaved our way down historic Woodward Ave. to Birmingham.
To locals, Birmingham is also known as Birmingcash. Many of those Michiganders lucky enough to still have a 401K, disposable income for frivolity and some liquid assets to speak of live here. David Spade and Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor (Allen) are from here. Of course, dire straits are no laughing matter but you have to chuckle at some of the airs put on in this quaint 'burb.
All that poking aside at the wannabes, B'cash boasts some great eateries. In my memory, Toast was for brekkie. My fellow Chicagoans would agree. It's a generic moniker that means you'll be getting scrambled, French and hash.
Toast has been serving dinner since June 08. To boot, it looks NOTHING like breakfast. No smiling eggs, no bright sunny yellows. It's facade is dark and rich, and inside is black, white and red all over with shabby chic tables and twinkling crystal. We got a table right away on a Friday night and were greeted by Richard, a server who all but sat on our laps to get us in the mood to try something a little different, a little daring.
We started with the smoked escargot appetizer, a perfect representation of the "gastro-casual" atmosphere. Small black pearls of snail were generously sprinkled on buttery crostini and flanked with figs stuffed with gorgonzola. Fireworks.
I ordered the sweet chile-glazed salmon because it kept going past us and into the mouths of Trixies. Because every girl has a dream, I did as they did and wasn't disappointed. The curry cream rice with black sesame seeds was the precise right complement to a healthy portion of crispy salmon and bok choy. It was a spicy sweet I will remember for a long, long time.
My dining companions had the kettle-chip crusted whitefish and carnitas. We drank sauvignon blanc, pinot noir and Pilsner. We stuffed our faces and passed our plates like tapas and, most importantly, we lollygagged with such zeal that we stood up our next appointment.
All this to say, it was $30/person. Yes, Michigan! The feeling really is forever. Do it up, Toast. May you be around for a looooong time to come. -
Review from Tom S.
Ferndale, MI
11/13/2008 ROTD 11/14/2008
If Toast - Birmingham was a fictional character, it would be Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman" The plot is strikingly familiar... what was this kitchy, rough-around-the-edges "neighborhood joint" doing in glitzy uptown, sporting a new designer dress? Would it fit in and keep that heart of gold? I'm happy to say, yes. I suppose there's no Richard Gere but that's missing the point: Toast Birmgham keeps the original spirit of the beloved Ferndale location and expands the restaurants concept, menu & experience.
Well-versed in the ways of Toast Breakfast, I went late for drinks and appetizers. With an enlarged interior, bar seating and lounge, the design is cued from the Ferndale decor. The seating and design is less 'second-hand store' than it is full blown retro throwback. I think the new location gave the owners a blank canvas to make the Toast of their dreams.
Ferndale Toast may get cramped but there's ample space in Birmingham.
Their creative breakfast & lunch creations (see: Grand Marnier French Toast, variety of omelettes, etc.) is brought to dinner & drink menu. Immediately, we noticed the herb & cucumber infused vodka marinating behind the bar. The beer list is varied and near an exercise in your beer knowledge. The bottled selection highlights are local-favorite Atwater Ale, many Belgian beers.
One of my favorite touches: I guarantee this is the only place in Birmingham you can get PBR on draft. A wink to the diner about the area's high brow sensibilities and a nod to its blue collar roots, I giggled when I saw this. And drank 3.
They also feature a full bar with creative cocktails (we tried the White Grape Martini, Blueberry Margarita and creamy Raspberry Truffle). They were well made and tasy. I also saw the bartender craft a great looking Mojito, a house specialty.
Finally, the food. We had the mac-n-cheese and sliders. The sliders were great, three different kinds and surprisingly filling. The mac and cheese was creamy but didn't blow me away. Safe to say, if you like anything from Toast Ferndale, you will enjoy their taste in dinner.
Doing all three meals a day and trying to be hip and trendy while doing it, Toast may be overreaching and the concept is muddled because of it. Is it vibrant enough to be a late night watering hole? Does that pull it away from little Breakfast place with big personality? Maybe. Still, its a fun, creative, unique location with great food and drinks. -
Review from Jon T.
Lansing, MI
7/19/2010 1 Check-in Here
Been here twice and their Ferndale location about half a dozen times and they've always been spot on. As for the Bham store, the bar is definitely the best place to be whether you're drinking or not. Very comfy environment, bartenders are great at balancing socializing vs working and it a great place to people watch.
And the food...most recently had their bacon and gouda omelet and it was one of the best omelets I've ever had...as was D's mushroom omelet...the mushrooms freeeeeking exploded with flavor! Anyway, perfect omelet. Perfectly cooked, great flavor, great ingredients, you get the point. Bloody Marys...also tasty. Coffee, good stuff. Service great too. My only mild beef would be that the cheese grits were just okay....and I think I can get over this one.
Conclusion, highly recommended. Cool spot, great food, totally opposite of most Michigan restaurants which resemble every cookie cutter chain operation. 2 thumbs up for being a maverick here in SE Mich and pulling it off.
