Introducing: Camp, a new camping-themed Junction café from the former owner of the Beaver
(Image: Natalie Swiercz)
Megan Whiten, former owner of the Queen West’s The Beaver Café, loves camping. She also loves double-entendres, which is why she decided to renovate the ground floor her Baby Point Gates (i.e., west Junction) home and turn it into a Muskoka-inspired restaurant called Camp, complete with plenty of, yes, campy decor, like a sign from a Girl Guide campsite, faux-log flowerboxes and Muskoka chairs. More elegant touches include refurbished wood tables and art by Clint Griffin, Bud Fujikawa and Whiten’s mother, the noted sculptor Colette Whiten, which elevate the room from mere campsite kitsch to a more chic country vibe.
Whiten, making do like any good camper, is currently working around the fact that she doesn’t have a cook top. Her eggs l’espresso, a take on the traditional scramble, are steamed (Whiten uses her Ferrari-red Sibilla espresso machine and steams the egg mixture as though it were a cappuccino). She uses the same technique to prepare the eggs for the breakfast burrito ($8), which is made with veggie chili, cheddar and avocado, and served with a healthy dollop of sour cream and a side of tangy homemade tomato chutney (the chutney recipe was Whiten’s grandfather’s). For those averse to steamed eggs, there are baked options such as daily quiches ($7.95), as well as camp-style French toast ($7)—customers can choose classic, chocolate or almond croissants, which are smothered in a mixture of whisked eggs, cream, vanilla and brown sugar and then baked.
Almost everything at Camp is made in-house save the bread, the sweet gluten-free treats (made by DeFloured ), and the quiche shells and croissants (made by Patachou ). For now, Camp is offering up primarily brunch and lunch options like salads ($5–$8.50), customizable paninis ($5.50), veggie chili ($6.50) and sandwiches such as Reubens, tuna melts and BLTs ($7). Whiten recently got her liquor licence and is planning to extend business hours into the evening soon, offering tapas such as oysters from Oyster Boy, ceviche and sturgeon caviar.
131645 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) Breakfast burrito with chicken (instead of the usual veggie chili), cheddar, avocado, sour cream and tomato chutney ($8) Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp32-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp32.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp32.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp32/ apr12camp32 0 0
Breakfast burrito with chicken (instead of the usual veggie chili), cheddar, avocado, sour cream and tomato chutney ($8)
131644 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) Kids’ breakfast, with steamed scrambled eggs, ham and toast ($4) Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp31-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp31.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp31.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp31/ apr12camp31 0 0
Kids’ breakfast, with steamed scrambled eggs, ham and toast ($4)
131641 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp30-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp30.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp30.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp30/ apr12camp30 0 0
131640 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) Croissants from Patachou Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp29-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp29.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp29.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp29/ apr12camp29 0 0
Croissants from Patachou
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131637 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp26-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp26.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp26.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp26/ apr12camp26 0 0
131636 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp25-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp25.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp25.jpg 415 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp25/ apr12camp25 0 0
131635 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp24-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp24.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp24.jpg 415 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp24/ apr12camp24 0 0
131634 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp23-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp23.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp23.jpg 415 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp23/ apr12camp23 0 0
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131632 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp21-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp21.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp21/ apr12camp21 0 0
131631 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) The flag paintings by Clint Griffin, arranged by Whiten into a large Canadian flag Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp20.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp20/ apr12camp20 0 0
The flag paintings by Clint Griffin, arranged by Whiten into a large Canadian flag
131630 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp19.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp19/ apr12camp19 0 0
131629 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp18.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp18/ apr12camp18 0 0
131628 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp17.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp17/ apr12camp17 0 0
131627 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp16.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp16/ apr12camp16 0 0
131626 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) Whiten uses her espresso machine to steam eggs Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp15.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp15/ apr12camp15 0 0
Whiten uses her espresso machine to steam eggs
131625 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) The piece above the sign is by Whiten’s mother, Colette Whiten Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp14.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp14/ apr12camp14 0 0
The piece above the sign is by Whiten’s mother, Colette Whiten
131624 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp13.jpg 415 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp13/ apr12camp13 0 0
131621 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp10.jpg 415 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp10/ apr12camp10 0 0
131620 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) The beaver paintings are by Bud Fujikawa and are the only bits of The Beaver that have made their way into Whiten’s new venture Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp8-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp8.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp8/ apr12camp8 0 0
The beaver paintings are by Bud Fujikawa and are the only bits of The Beaver that have made their way into Whiten’s new venture
131619 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp7-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp7.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp7/ apr12camp7 0 0
131618 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp6-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp6.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp6/ apr12camp6 0 0
131617 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp5-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp5.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp5/ apr12camp5 0 0
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131615 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) Megan Whiten sold The Beaver in 2006 when her daughter was born Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp3-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp3.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp3/ apr12camp3 0 0
Megan Whiten sold The Beaver in 2006 when her daughter was born
131614 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) The chairs come from an Etobicoke high school shop class Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp2.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp2/ apr12camp2 0 0
The chairs come from an Etobicoke high school shop class
131613 (Image: Natalie Swiercz) The three Muskoka chairs evoke a camping vibe Introducing: Camp https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Camp1.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-camp/slide/apr12camp1/ apr12camp1 0 0
The three Muskoka chairs evoke a camping vibe
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Camp, 244 Jane St., 647-346-2267
West Junction?
CAMP Restaurant is located in the area referred to as Baby Point Gates, North of the Bloor West Village
We enjoyed a reallly nice brunch here one Saturday. The service is friendly, the food good, the vibe cool. More spots like this on Jane please!
Agree. This is nowhere near the Junction. Looking forward to trying it though. The Jane and Annette area has a lot of potential, although several interesting businesses have tried and closed in recent years, particularly after the bike lanes that reduced available parking were added on Annette. Hope more try and succeed, especially restaurants, since there is such a dearth of eating options in BWV. Roncesvalles, on the other hand, seems to have an interesting new eatery opening up every other week. Wish BWV could attract the same, but maybe this corner can do it through lower rents…
In response to Shopper, Baby Point isn’t far from The Junction. It’s a short bike ride away from Runnymede, The Junction’s traditional western boundary. “West Junction” is a meaningless place name in reference to this area. I like the Annette bike lane–it’s great way to get to the area safely, and the Humber River parkland if you bike through the Baby Point neighbourhood. I hope the business area centred on Jane and Annette can be revitalized. Sustainable transportation options may be key. There’s one area that is part of The Junction but sometimes forgotten, the area north of the Canadian Pacific railway tracks where Toronto’s meatpacking district was located for a good part of the 20th century: the Stock Yards.
Camp Restaurant is now open 7 days a week at 9am (excluding holidays).
Monday-Wednesday till 4pm.
Dinner hours are Thursday through Saturday 4:30-10pm and Sunday 4:30-9pm
For dinner reservations call 647-346-CAMP(2267)