Solkatt Cafe is a coffee shop in Bloordale Village also serving sandwiches and brunch, taking up the space that once used to be home to brunch favourite Baddies.

Owner Dmitry Khutoretskiy helped set up the coffee program at Baddies and when the business shifted focus to Cops donuts, Khutoretskiy decided it was time to open his own shop.

The name Solkatt is a loose translation of the Swedish word for "sun reflections" or "sun cat." It's aptly named, as the shop is a sun-filled room courtesty of the wall of windows looking out to Lansdowne Ave. 

For people who will remember Baddies, the layout of Solkatt is mostly the same, but has been updated to be bright and blue.

All the classic espresso drinks are available to order, but a few unique items include Orangesso ($5) which mixes orange juice and espresso in homage to a Jaffa Cake.

The Espresso Tonic ($5.50) is made with a bright, acidic, lightly-roasted coffee and bitter tonic water in true European fashion. 

All espresso-based milk drinks are $5 or under, with a cortado being $4 and latte being $5. 

Sandwiches are available during the week, with a popular brunch menu operating on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. 

There's a definite Asian influence on the menu and Chef Jericho Taculad counts time at Kinton Ramen and Daily Grind in helping him develop it.

The Cheeky Eggs Benedict ($20) has beef cheek that's been braised for four hours served on a sourdough baguette. Hollandaise is made with dashi and the accompanying salad is dressed with a rotating vinaigrette.

The Avocado Toast ($17) comes on a soft slice of Brodflour rye bread, house ricotta spread, sundried tomato paste, pea shoots, and a poached egg. Togarashi seasoning offers an interesting spicy saltiness. 

Khutoretskiy tells blogTO he's confident "it's the prettiest avocado toast in the city." The plating has been deliberately left minimal, with only a simple circle of basil crema surrounding the toast.

The French Toast ($19) is akin to Hong Kong-style toasts, with seasonal compote and roasted vanilla oats nestled softly between slices of soft challah. A layer of sweet crème anglaise and strawberry syrup lay underneath, waiting to be scooped up with every bite.

Rice & Shine ($17.50) is somewhere between a risotto and a congee. Arborio rice is cooked al dente in dashi broth and topped with oyster mushrooms, smoked pancetta, parm, pea shoots, a runny egg, and togorashi. 

The Tuna Melt ($12) is actually vegetarian, with the "tuna" being made of chickpea and seaweed. Khutoretskiy tells blogTO it's a common practice in Europe to make fake tuna this way. Mayo, havarti, and cheddar is grilled inside rye bread. 
The texture was actually very surprising, I would suggest trying this if you're feeling curious. 

The Reuben Sandwich ($13) uses braised beef, candied chilies, and havarti, all on rye toast. 

Brunch is served Friday through Sunday with the sandwiches and all the coffee-based drinks available the rest of the week except Monday when Solkatt Cafe is closed.

Solkatt Cafe is located at 679 Lansdowne Ave.