Weekend brunches generally fall into two categories: the tiny, uber-popular spots that are lined up out the door, and the places that take reservations where you can linger.

Alice’s Restaurant is the latter. It’s a bistro in Little Italy, more family-style than flash, and more hearty than trendy. It aims to please with a children’s menu and a note that the kitchen is more than happy to work around any dietary limitations including vegan and macrobiotic needs (!) or allergies.

Cue Arlo Guthrie. You really can get anything you want at Alice’s Restaurant — and at reasonable prices.

Alice's Restaurant, Toronto

Its signature brunch attraction are scones. A basket of three ($3) comes with butter and homemade strawberry jam.

Now, I hate scones. And so does Kevin (my soon-to-be brother-in-law) but we were gobbling them up. They were flaky and light and really tasty even though they’re served cold.

Alice's Restaurant, Toronto

The short brunch menu is not your eggs and bacon variety. In fact, there’s no bacon on the menu at all. (Gasp!)

But my pan-seared trout ($12) was dead on. It’s what I like to call “I win!” — when what I’ve ordered is the best dish at the table.

The trout was perfect with crispy skin and the fish moist and cooked just so, on top of some greens. I loved the warm potato salad that came with it, lightly dressed with capers and tiny pieces of pickles.

Alice's Restaurant, Toronto

Kevin’s huevos rancheros ($11) were solid, but nothing remarkable: two poached eggs on corn tortilla (made in-house) with salsa, guacamole, black beans and sour cream.

We had a bit of an issue with Gigi’s steak and egg (yes, just one egg). She ordered it rare and it came out well done, so we had to send it back. However, the staff were extremely apologetic and came out three times to give us the progress on the second go-around. They also sent out a complimentary basket of scones.

Alice's Restaurant, TorontoThe retry was much better, a small but quality New York strip done rare, with an egg sunny side up, greens, and potato hash.

They ended up taking the steak and egg ($14) off the bill, which I thought was a very gracious gesture, and left us feeling very well taken care of. This is a family-friendly, neighbourhood spot that obviously cares about making sure customers leave feeling satisfied.

Alice’s Restaurant, 856 College St. Toronto, (416) 534-7500. Open for dinner Tues. to Sun. 5–9 p.m., brunch weekends 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Menu here.