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- Pūr & Simple offers a worthwhile breakfast
Pūr & Simple offers a worthwhile breakfast
It's a chain, but it's still good!

Name + address: Pūr & Simple, 970 Smyth Rd.
Diet: Meat, vegetarian, seafood, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free
Mains: $13-$22
Wheelchair accessibility: Yes
Website: www.pursimple.com
Other: Kids menu
I’ve not been to Florida but walking into Pür & Simple, I was half-expecting to see the Golden Girls sitting at a neighbouring table. There’s something sunny, breezy and not a little 80s about the design. This is Ottawa’s third location and in Elmvale Acres, it’s a very welcome addition.
In fact, although it only offers breakfast and lunch, it may be the nicest sit-down dining for miles around.

Pūr & Simple Elmvale interior. Ralf Joneikies/Ottawa Lookout
After a technical delay of a few weeks, the Quebec-based franchise chain Pür & Simple opened its doors in late November.
The space is attractively appointed and servers appeared efficient and well-presented with hardly a delay in getting a coffee in front of me. That would not be my experience on the second visit where more than 10 minutes passed, after being seated, before a server came by.

Pūr & Simple breakfast. Ralf Joneikies/Ottawa Lookout
On this first occasion, I ordered a standard “Canadian” breakfast which came with bacon, sausage, ham and a choice of either pancake, half waffle or crepe. I opted for the crepe, which was pleasant enough. It was a nice touch that when I asked, they did bring actual maple syrup to replace the “syrup” they typically serve.
As it is a franchise operation, the ownership is dependent on the suppliers contracted by the company and here the breakfast meats could have been worse. They were fine but not elevated examples of sausage, ham or bacon. I was a little surprised, however to find that in addition to three rashers of bacon, only one sausage and a very thin slice of ham graced the plate. Just a little shy for a $20 serving.
As usual, I ordered my eggs softly poached, and they were, but they also arrived in a bath of tepid water. In all of cookery, this is one of the most avoidable yet egregious oversights, and it should never happen. I no longer have a tolerance for this practice and as the owner was present, I shared my view on it, something that could and should be improved. He apologized.
They offer a variety of coffee styles via their commercial Nespresso machine and the Americano was very nice. They also have a house blend of brewed coffee that also does a good job of satisfying the average coffee aficionado.

Pūr & Simple Norwegian benny. Ralf Joneikies/Ottawa Lookout
On the next visit we were seated by a courteous young man who left but immediately returned with a business card that had his name scrawled on it. He suggested that I scan the QR in order to leave a review about his service. If this is a company policy, I recommend that they immediately cease this practice. Visitors are here to enjoy a meal, not to receive an assignment.
The Norwegian Eggs Benedict came with pickled onions (thinly sliced sweet onion would have been preferred), a decent enough mass-produced smoked salmon atop two halves of English muffin that would have benefitted from some toasting.
The eggs were perfectly poached and bathed in Hollandaise sauce that the server admitted was made from a powdered mix. Due to liability concerns, most restaurants take this short cut and I’m not on board with it.
They advertise that they’re famous for their potatoes and they were lovely, crisp little cubes with a pillowy centre. I was told that it’s the seasoning that makes them famous, but on both visits that magical powder was scant in evidence with only the occasional bite delivering the flavour.

Pūr & Simple chicken wrap. Ralf Joneikies/Ottawa Lookout
I also wanted to try one of their wraps and went with a grilled chicken called the Cluck Norris Wrap. Why? We’ll never know, but it was fresh and mois,t and although advertised as coming with fries, I was given the option of adding an alternate side, and so I asked for the fruit bowl.
This was the right choice. The fruit was very fresh and plentiful and it was the right way to end the meal.
If I’ve expressed criticism of some items/services at Pūr & Simple, it’s because they’re starting off on the right foot in so many other ways. It’s an attractive space in which to dine, and they do have some professional service with food and drink a cut above. A little fine-tuning is all that’s required.