Who knew my new favourite French spot in the city would end up being in East Chinatown? Batifole is a lowkey fun night out with its casually elegant vibe, welcoming atmosphere, and some outstanding food. - Cassolette d'Escargots: Escargot drowned in a creamy sauce. Unusual but it definitely worked. - Foie Gras: Cold and intensely creamy. The side bread was divine. - Duck Confit: Fall-off-the-bone tender yet also hearty at the same time. Heavy on the sauce and galette, which I liked. - Fish of the Day: Looked deceptively simple, almost like a kids dish. But the fish was almost souffle-like in texture with every bite. - Apple Tartetatin: Beautiful presentation, strong apple taste. - Souffle: Can see why this is a crowd pleaser with how light, airy and custard it was. I've fallen in love with this place and its take on French cuisine. Will definitely be back, especially as their menu changes seasonally. read more

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This is a hidden gem in East Chinatown area! My boyfriend attempted to make a reservation for Valentine's day the first week of January to be placed on the waitlist. But thank you to the people who couldn't make it, we were able to secure a table for that night. Because it's Valentine's, they had a prix fixe menu to make things easier for their kitchen staff and for the indecisive customers. They had 2 options for appetizers and entrees, so we ordered one of each to sample everything. The mise en bouche was a little bite sized puff pastry with cheese inside, that was so delicious and was a great start to the meal. The appetizers were Oreille de la Belle Aurore and mussels. The Oreille was a sandwiched between 2 pieces of puffed pastry sheets really adding to the texture to the plate. The olive sauce really surprised me as it really enhanced the flavour. The mussel dish had large pieces of mussels in a sauce that was potato based. I was surprised by how light it was. The appetizers were so delicious and the portions were generous, for a moment, I forgot we had entrees on the way! For the entree, we had Vol-au-vent and Veal Rack Roti. The Vo-au-vent had lobsters on a puff pastry, I really enjoyed how the lobster was completely deshelled and surprised how the puff pastry was still crispy even though the dish was saucy! The flavour and texture was really there with this dish. The veal was done exceptionally well! The flavour was amazing and the texture was so tender. We can eat this dish all day if we can. Right when we thought we finished the best dish, we were presented with our desserts, Exotic Flower. It was a meringue dessert topped with vanilla cream, pineapple sorbet and passionfruit sauce. The presentation of this dish is art and we really enjoyed it. It was so good, we will probably come just for dessert on the regular! The atmosphere of the space is so cute, reminding us of our recent trip to France. The food was spectacular and the staff were so attentive and friendly! We definitely look forward to coming back for their regular menu. We are extremely excited to have found you! read more

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From the moment we were greeted at this Gerrard Street gastronomic French gem, we felt transported to a time and place where bon vie and good food are central to the human experience. This may sound overly dramatic for a restaurant review, but in the spirit of French New Wave cinema, I feel compelled to shrug off the conventions of food reviews and embrace a less literal style. ACT 1. La Decouverte An attentive and thoughtful server patiently explained the menu. It was more than information sharing. It was immersion, acclimatization. We started with the sardines. Simple, even peasant-like but luxurious in flavour and texture. Served on crispy and thin house-made crackers. The accompanying bread was also exceptional. ACT 2. L'essence de la vie The gap between appetizer and main was protracted but also civilized. I simultaneously found myself wondering how much longer the mains would take and being thankful that they were giving us a leisurely break between courses (more on that later). My wife had the cod. I had the lamb wrapped in pastry. Both were flavourful and rich but not overly heavy. The lamb was slow cooked and shredded and then wrapped in a pastry resembling an oversized spring roll. The reduction used as the sauce was perfectly savoury without being too salty. The side of frites was heavenly. The chef explained he blanches then freezes the potato before frying. This creates a beautiful crispy skin and a soft, almost creamy centre. Absolutely artful. As we ate quietly and contently, the essence of life crossed our minds. ACT 3. La delice de la fin d'un reve Sated and completely full after our mains, we were tempted by dessert more out of curiosity than appetite. With food so good, how could we pass up a sweet finish to this remarkable meal? We succumbed and ordered the lemon tart. It was very tart, not too sweet, with silky custard filling and a hard pastry base that was butter-forward and offered a nice crunch. The espressos were a perfect accompaniment . As we basked in the glow of this fading dream, we were presented with the bill sans the charge for the coffees...a gesture of goodwill to compensate us for the long wait between the appetizer and main course. We had not complained about the wait, indeed, we appreciated it. Yet we were delighted one last time. Fin. read more

Batifole Restaurant - Frites (O mon dieu) - French Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

The food was amazing. This was the best meal we have had while in Toronto. This is a small restaurant in an interesting part of the city, a quick bus/trolley ride. The service was also great. Try it, I think you will love it. read more

Batifole Restaurant - Cassoulet - French Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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such a cutie, cozy neighborhood fresh bistro serving some very comforting dishes. we got the classics: escargots, beef tartare, poached fish of the day, and soufflé. everything tasted great and loved the laid back vibes from our server and chef. bonus points for patrons speaking french that made us feel like we were in little paris. read more

Batifole Restaurant - monkfish - French Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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As soon as we entered the staff greeted us and let us choose between sitting outside or inside, we chose to sit in their patio and it was very cozy and quiet. The food was great! The duck was perfectly cooked and the beef tartar well seasoned with complementary bread at first but be prepared it's very filling and can be a little much if not paired with a right appetizer or drink. read more

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First Visit to This Local French Gem We finally decided to visit this French restaurant in my local community after passing by so many times and reading all the glowing reviews. Having traveled and spent some time in the South of France, I came in with high expectations. Sadly, many French restaurants in Toronto have let me down, but this one was a delightful surprise! To start, they brought out bread accompanied by clarified, whipped butter. I was genuinely impressed by the chef's attention to detail in creating such a light and natural butter--it set the tone for the meal. For the first course, we ordered sardines served in a tin with olive oil. While this presentation didn't quite meet our expectations (as it felt like a pre-packaged dish), the rest of the meal more than made up for it. The main courses were exceptional. The seafood dish came with a beautifully aromatic sauce that was both flavorful and unique. The presentation was extraordinary, and it elevated the dish to another level. The steak with bone marrow, however, stole the show--it was simply out of this world! We finished with a soufflé, which was perfectly fluffy, warm, and just the right level of sweetness. It was the ideal way to end the meal. For two people, with half a bottle of wine, our bill came to about $200. Considering the quality of the food and the experience, I found this to be very reasonable. We will definitely be visiting this restaurant again! read more

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This is a hidden gem! If you love French cuisine, specifically Provençal, you must come here! Ditch the white table cloth French restaurant for a more relaxed dining experience. The food is impeccable and the service is attentive. The menu changes daily. Plenty of fish and meat. The here is always a vegetarian option. You must order the pomme frites! read more

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Absolutely delicious! Such a cute local French restaurant on the east end of Toronto. The dishes were flavourful and well prepared. Love the friendly staff and when the chef came out to say hello and check how we were doing. I would come back to try the other items on the menu. read more

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Overpriced, over-salted, under-delivered. Michelin star prices for tourist trap quality. This was the worst meal I have eaten in recent memory. Spending $500 on a dinner for two left me feeling robbed. I have always been sceptical of event-based set menus but decided to give Batifole the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately my instincts were correct as the menu disappointed on almost every level. My partner and I arrived at Batifole last night with excitement and high expectations. We were greeted immediately by the host and promptly seated. The first thing we noticed were the placemats on our table. They were wilted, old and cheap. The set menu ($150 per person) started with a truffle fois gras crème brûlée which was clearly premade and an interesting choice for an amuse bouche. The caramelized sugar was cold and the fois gras was bland and had absolutely no trace of truffles. The appetizer was worse. We both chose the seabass tartare which was almost inedible. The fish was slimy and over-salted. The tomato "mousse" was creamy, heavy and slimy. We thought the bread would make it more enjoyable but it was cold. Going into the main courses, my partner and I were ready to go home. We both had the baked sole fillet. When it arrived, there was no filet to be found. The fish was in a cylindrical shape and covered in sauce. It appeared to be a fish loaf; not as advertised. I powered through it but my partner could not. She asked for it to be packed away. Not even a question from the staff. Two more courses to go. At this point it was laughable and we bonded with guests at the table next to us on our shared displeasure with the experience. I took bathroom break to work myself up to finish what I had started. The bathroom was dingy, dim, cold and smelled of stale cigarettes. The pre-dessert dish was fourme d'ambert millefeuille which consisted of runny blue cheese between sheets of filo pastry. It wasn't bad but there was a strange, sweet cream on the side that none of us knew what to do with. Finally, dessert. I ordered the macaron and my partner the chocolate cake. This was the worst macaron I had ever tasted. It was extremely hard. I could barely cut it with my knife, as the photo suggests. It tasted like stale fruit loops. I told the waitress and received a blank stare. The chocolate was nice but not enough to save the disaster we endured. At the price point, Batifole should be ashamed of what they served. What was supposed to be nice night out turned into a regrettable experience. I hope the chef improves and treats his customers better in the future. One star is generous. read more

Batifole Restaurant - terrible macaron - French Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Just happened to pass by this little French bistro and I'm so happy we did! Casual and classic French dining. They have a cute little patio. I recommend you make reservations. This is not the place to come to if you're in a hurry. This is the place you come to when you want to slowly enjoy and give yourself a bit of a breather in between courses. The servers were lovely and knew the menu well. They checked on us regularly! Everything was so good! We may have over ordered but I suppose that's what happens when almost everything on the menu appeals to you. Can't wait to go back! We had: * Pan Seared Scallops: served with fennel compote, lemongrass hollancaise - large scallops and oh so delicious! * Cassolette d'Escargots: pan seared escargots, vegetable brunoise, amaretto & cream served with crostini - loved that it was saucy so that we could dip our bread into it and enjoy every last bit. * Country Style Paté served with crostini - great taste and texture. * Truffle Zucchini Royale: topped with smoked eel tartare - really enjoyed the different textures of this dish. * Cassoulet Royal: Rustic baked white beans, duck confit, pork sausage & pork belly - heavier and richer than we had anticipated. Good thing we were all sharing. Every last bit was enjoyed. * Cuisse de Canard Confite: Confit duck leg & sliced duck breast with potato gallette & caramelized apple sauce - well prepared, not overly salty or dry. * Angus Hanger Steak: Served with potato mousseline, bordelaise sauce - we couldn't get over how good the sauce was! * Soufflé au Grand Marnier - be sure to save room for dessert. This is a must try! * Lemon and raspberry tart - simple and fresh. read more

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Recently enjoyed a lovely dinner on the patio on a bustling thursday evening. Despite the full house the chef toof the time to come out and meet guests. I had the cod in saffron sauce, it was spectacular (fish was perfectly cooked, sauce delicate and flavourfull) my partner had the lamb special and loved it too. will definitely be going back read more

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Loved our dining experience here. We did a belated Valentines dinner here. We live close and had been talking about coming here for a while. I ordered the soup special (butternut squash) and my boyfriend got the crab and rock fish soup to start. Mine was definitely better. His was very watery and not what we thought it would be, but the flavour was good. As for the mains, I had the canard a la peche, and he had the pulled lamb in a phyllo pastry. We also got the side salad but that was completely unnecessary. I liked my main better, but that was after doing some research on Yelp. The duck was so flavourful, and the hash brown thing at the bottom stayed crispy despite the au jus. I would order the duck again 100%. Would come back to try something else! read more

Batifole Restaurant - Canard a la peche and side salad. Side salad was nothing special- wouldn't recommend. - French Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Such a nice spot in the heart of the city. So unexpected to have such good food in the edge of Chinatown. The food is French and so rich in flavour. The service is excellent. The soufflé was so good, one of the best I've ever had. Just a wonderful spot for a dinner date or night out. read more

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Delicious food. Wonderful ambiance. Best bread I've ever had. Entrees were great and don't miss the soufflè for dessert. read more

Outstanding food and service. Best soufflés outside of Paris Affordable luxury in dining. Great atmosphere. Great for dates. read more

Heard great things about this place in East Chinatown and had to check it out. We had the duck confit, scallops, oysters, steak tartare, escargot (not pictured) souffle and chocolate lava cake. The duck was just ok, the scallops were good, the steak tartare had too much pepper, and the escargot were small and texture tasted mushy as if they were canned. The souffle was kind of bland no other fruity flavours or anything exciting, and the chocolate lava cake was overcooked and not runny. A bit disappointed since there are SO many great reviews online. The service was also slow read more

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My wife and I had a great evening here. The food was delicious and the ambiance was very romantic, very quaint. The steak was cooked to perfection and the duck was delicious. read more

Batifole Restaurant - Top sirloin steak, buttery mashed potatoes and green pepper sauce. - French Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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This was our first time to Batifole and we will definitely be back! The food was exquisite and the staff were incredibly attentive and friendly. The chef came to our table twice to see how we enjoyed our food. I'm a huge fan of French food and Batifole did not disappoint - rivalling any restaurant we have been to in either Quebec or France. The scallops were cooked and seasoned perfectly. We also had sardines (canned from Paris but smoky and delicious), steak with blue cheese, the duck confit (I could literally eat every day...it was divine!), and the lightest, fluffiest soufflé I have ever had! We had tickets for a concert near by, which the staff were aware of, and they made it a high priority to time our meal so that we would be able to leave on time. Stupendous food and service and I will definitely be returning and recommending! read more

Batifole Restaurant - Soufflé - French Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Loved this quaint little restaurant at the outskirts of Chinatown! Wouldn't consider it a whole in the wall as others had said. It was casual but classy with a definite authentic French flair from the accents of the waiters to the decor :). France is my favorite country food wise I felt like I walked right into another country. Chef came out to greet each of the tables, staff were very attentive and helpful. Food was delicious!!! I looove French food and it was definitely rich and flavorful. We tried the rack of lamb, duck, and fish which were all hearty and mouthwatering. The best part was dessert! Best soufflé I've ever had! See pictures - worth a thousand words. Also, they only give you one free piece of fresh bread in the beginning which was sad but then again I didn't stuff my face with bread with no room left for desert and feeling awful afterwards so there is a method to the madness ;). I will definitely make the trek out there next time I have friends in town. read more

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This place is located in the Old Chinatown near Gerrard. With a lot of on the street parking and it was free after 6pm on a weekday. We were greeted with the lovely server who provided great customer service and humour. This restaurant has been here for a long time and he mentioned those who dine with them usually return. I can see why. The price was a little steep, leaving you to spend at least $20 on appetizers. We opted for the Cassoulet Royal and the Pork Cheek Confit. We also ordered their cocktails, the French 75 and the French Martini. I am definitely becoming a loyal customer to this establishment PROS: Customer Service was top notch There's a little outdoor patio Food is AMAZING Cocktails are unique and tastes great CONS: Pricey (but worth it, so not really a con) read more

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We happened to see this lovely small French bistro driving in the neighbourhood and decided to give it a try. Reserved for patio and had to postpone a week later because of bad weather. For some reason instead of the patio reservation we were seated inside. Service was friendly. We tried the hor d'oeuvre of the day which was sardines choice of olive oil, lemon or smoked. We expected to see fresh grilled sardines and were surprised to see this served in a can with crostini. Sardines tasty enough but that was a bit odd. Cocktail of the day was mojito with raspberry but I hardly tasted the lime, raspberry or mint. Assiette de fromage was a selection of hard , soft blue cheese and good portion. Despite our request for hard cheese only and the server agreeing we got the standard selection. Rouleau de printemps was nicely done had a tasty filling of crab meat. Mains were overly salty. Pan seared scallops heavy on sauce covering the beautiful scallops with no real sear but more like poached scallops under a blanket of sauce. The other main we tried was a hearty pork dish also heavy on the sauce on a bed of risotto. Poisson du jour was orange roughy and this was beautifully presented, two medallions of fish fillet on top of a zucchini type quiche on a lot of butter cream sauce. Others in our group also had the sardines, escargots, Cuisse Canard de confit. For dessert we tried the dessert of the day choux pastry with raspberry filling and the lemon tart. Unfortunately one raspberry on the tart had a small bug on it probably due to the summer heat. The cream filled pastry was the largest choux I've been seen but nicely plated and looked delicious. Despite the hiccups we all had a great dinner experience. Owner is very attentive and came by twice to ask if everything was good. Overall classic old school home style French bistro in the neighborhood. read more

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I've been wanting to eat here for some time and it was very much worth the wait. Amazing staff, attentive, and friendly. The chef comes out to chat with all his guests which is an added touch. Probably some of the best escargot I've had. Duck confit was amazing as a main. One of our diners was vegetarian and they provided great options as well. Solid wine selection, fresh cocktails. Relaxed atmosphere. This is French cuisine that is simple and classic. Ah the macaron for dessert! Simply delicious. I did see a review here where a certain gentleman complained. Clearly he knows nothing of macarons of French food in general so ignore his post. You'll have to go a second time as you simply need to try everything on the menu! read more

Probably one of the best French restaurants in the city. Though the area around it can be dodgy, once in Batifole it truly is a quaint and romantic dimmed environment with its hints of French decor. Their service is impeccable and the staff are French speaking, whether Quebecois or Parisian I couldn't tell. For starters we shared their French soup and their deliciously dangerous foie grass that's made in-house. Both dishes were beautifully put together. As for the mains. I had their Beef pate served with crostinis, side of frites Jen had their Fish with a lovely Medallion sauce and seasonal veggies. Overall we're so happy we came here. It's definitely a place I would recommend. read more

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Oh, Batifole, how I wanted to still be in love with you. Hubby and I returned to Batifole on a date night after 3 years and how things have changed. The restaurant has gone through a remodeling and a owner-chef change since our last visit. The restaurant was not as dark as it used to be which was a welcome change. But the renovations seemed to have done worse for the noise level and two of us seated at the bar still had to lean in to have a conversation. We arrived at the over-crowded restaurant (with a reservation) and sat down at the bar only to wait for another 10 minutes before anyone came to take a drink order. Our server, Sophie, was very congenial and knowledgeable. She assisted us with a wine selection that would compliment both our dinner choices of fish and pork. The new decor (since the current chef took over 2 years ago as we were told) is still comfortable but the entry was over-crowded with waiting patrons, we felt a little crammed seated at the bar. We shared a simple green salad and a dish of fois gras with sweet cakes for appetizer and had dory with sorel mushroom cream sauce and pork chop with raclett cheese and pork belly for our mains. The simple green salad was too salty and did not make a very good start to the meal. The fois gras with sweet cakes accompanied by caper berry, beet relish and some gooseberry fared better. Since the fois gras was so rich, it was perfect for sharing. My dory with sorel mushrooms in cream sauce came atop some sauteed zucchini and tomoatoe slices. The fish was light and flaky and it went very nicely with the accompanying cream sauce. My only beef with this dish was that there was no sorel mushrooms to be found in the sauce. Instead, there were some other mushroom (most likely king oyster) chopped up in matchstick styles. Oh well. My husband's thick cut porkchop arrived topped with a few slices of thick pork belly and was covered with melted raclett and some sauce resembling a gravy. There were slices of potatoes underneath the behemoth of a chop that was cooked very nicely without being dry. However, beware, diners. This dish is really a heart attack on a skillet. The chop with all the trimmings were so hefty and so rich that my husband who can easily demolish a few hearty slabs of prime rib with no issue had a difficulty finishing this baby. The chop, albeit being tasty, was too rich for our gentle tummies. :p We barely finished our mains and had no room at all to sample the dessert. The verdict. Will I return to Batifole again? That's a big fat maybe. Although the dining experience and the food wasn't really terrible, I just wasn't as thrilled with Batifole as I was when I first visited. read more

Batifole loosely translates in English to "frolic about". And that's exactly the joyful experience I felt dining in this enchanting restaurant. Each course put before me was simple, fun, fresh and incredibly delicious. I started with seabass tartare. I was immediately transported back to sunny days spent in the the South of France. It was charming, delicate and divinely fresh. For my main I enjoyed the Croustade of Lamb confit served with a thyme jus. It was a piece of heaven. Perfectly balanced flavors. I couldn't put the knife and fork down. I became completely lost in the dish. My friend had Crab cake served with a fennel salad and tarragon beurre blanc sauce. It was simply done and looked phenomenal. I was also lucky enough to steal a bit of his Ribeye Steak with beurre maitre d'hotel. The one bite I tried was complete joy. If a dead animal can bring joy, this cow did that. Merci vache. Batifole was most pleasurable experience in a restaurant since visiting Toronto. The service is quick, but not so quick you feel rushed. It was such an intense culinary experience I swear I needed a smoke afterwards...and I dont even smoke. read more

Batifole Restaurant - Croustade of Lamb confit - French Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

We had a lovely experience at Batifole. The patio was very pleasant, nicely decorated and welcoming. We enjoyed a nice wine, and amazing fish soup ( soupe de poissons) a specialty of the south of France, which we rarely see on menus. One of us had the duck, which was excellent and succulent, and the other had the steak, which he really enjoyed. The souffle for dessert was one of the best we've ever had. Truly the chef is an expert. Service was warm and friendly throughout. Can't recommend this restaurant enough. read more

Batifole Restaurant - Souped de poissons - French Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Went for dinner at this restaurant with my friend. We had foie gras, duck, fish of the day and Paris bras. All the dishes were very appetizing and delicious. It was Tuesday night but the restaurant was full-house with many of their regular customers. Nice french vibe with french staff and nice interior decoration. read more

I grew up on a street about a 10 minute walk from this little restaurant. It popped up about 13 years ago out of nowhere on a unassuming part of Gerrard, just a little east of Chinatown. I Never paid much attention to it although I walked by it many times a week. Approximately 4 years ago, I have heard from a French family whose son had recommended them to go here... And it's been on my list since.Recently, I have moved back into the area, and I have chose this restaurant to have my birthday dinner with the bf! Foie Gras Medallions: 4/5 ($24 ish?) Anything with foie is delicious. To be honest, I was actually disappointed that it wasnt seared, but I guess I should have known that. I just think it's a shame because it would really elevate the dish. Beef Tartare: 4/5 ($?) This was the BF's favourite. It is also one of the better beef tartares I've had, and I've had many. The portion was also quite generous. John Dory special: 5/5 ($27 ish?) VERY delicate, white fish served atop a white mushroom cream sauce. A bit similar to a very well-cooked cod... But even more delicate in flavour and texture. This was cooked PERFECTLY, and the sauce was pretty light and still bold in flavour. Definitely recommend it! Duck Confit: 4.5/5 ($28 ish?) Duck 2 ways- leg confit with smoked breast on top! Much better than duck confit I've had in another well-known French restaurant in the downtown core. The breast was smokey and tender with just a hint of fat to balance the texture, and leg wasn't too salty but was very tender. Sauce was a great compliment! Recommended for any duck fans. Service: 3.5/5 Polite service and patient with explanations of dishes. However, nothing spectacular or beyond any other service in other places. The extra .5 was bumped by the chef whom visited each table to make sure the food was good. I really appreciate that. Overall, I had an amazing birthday meal here. I am glad I finally visited. This restaurant is recommended to anyone who wants a simple classic French meal.. not the new age stuff. read more

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Authentic. Delicious. Fantastic service. Bistro at it's best! Well considered wine list matches the food. Some incredibly creative flavour combinations. Kitschy French decor. If you're an off the beaten track Toronto diner, do not miss this place. Classic. read more

What a great find. A hip and cozy atmosphere with top quality French fare. I went with a group of 7 and we were served by the incredibly warm staff; felt like dining with family. It feels like each piece of decor in the room carried some sort of significance. Glassware of a country feel. A nice selection of French wines! The appetizers were excellent. Pâtés and confits of different textures and flavours. You'll ease in to the cuisine with the familiar fries and tarragon mayo. I loved my "cassoulet"; a stone dish of beans, sausage, cured pork belly, and duck. A homey stew with three vastly different tastes of meat. I wish I had a sort of bread along with the dish, but I blame my group for devouring the first baguettes that made it to table. We didn't try the desserts, seeing as the restaurant had actually accommodated us an hour past closing time and still served us wonderfully. read more

Batifole Restaurant - Le cassoulet - French Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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OMG --- run don't walk to this delightful French bistro on Gerrard. What a wonderful spot! My hubby booked here for my birthday and it was wonderful. I started with the Escargot Fricasse -- which means it is in a Tarragon Broth -- so not dripping in fat -- and unbelievably flavorful. Loved them! I had the duck both ways -- and if you love duck -- do not think about having anything else on the menu... it was sooooo awesome. My hubby had the Steak Frites and he absolutely loved it. The chef came out and asked the diners how they were enjoying their meals. The food and wine were just outstanding. Do check it out, you will not be sorry! read more

I had really high expectations after reading all the amazing reviews. I live in the area and always pass by so I was so excited to finally try this place out. Sadly, the entire experience did not live up to those expectations... 1) My partner and I were chatting for so long we forgot we were at a restaurant since NO FOOD CAME. The cooked food took over an hour to come... even the charcuterie board took ages. (How is that even possible?) This is something that I can excuse for a brand new restaurant that's still learning the ropes. Not really ok for a supposedly classic restaurant that's been around for ages. 2) No apology from staff for the long wait. I'm guessing this meant this was a regular occurrence. When food finally came, the server made it seem like WE should be grateful that food was even made. 3) I was starving. Usually when I'm starving, anything tastes good. The food was.. just ok. I felt like the flavours were nothing special. Felt a bit ripped off for the price I paid. I'm not sure if I felt that way just because the experience was tainted from everything that happened. The interior of this place is really rustic and quaint. The decor is very beautiful and the layout feels intimate. Everything was not horrible since the chef at least came out to greet every table personally, which I thought was really sweet. To be honest, I'm very surprised by all the positive reviews. Maybe the poor experience we had was just an anomaly. Probably won't be back anytime soon though... there's so many other restaurants in the city where you get a great experience on your first visit. read more

Batifole came recommended by a number of friends - two thumbs up. Nice decor, simple yet elegant. Our sever greeted us immediately upon arrival and seated us at our table of choice. Whilst we perused the menu the kindly brought some Rosemary infused water. She then proceeded to provide a very detailed breakdown of the day's specials, so far so good :) My partner settled on the duck croquette starter and I on the Pernod sautéed shrimp. As we awaited the started we enjoyed the warm baguette and creamery butter - two thumbs up. Woohoo, the starters are here. Very nice and as we agreed to share we get to savour a little of each. Both of us agreed they were delightful - 2 thumbs up. We patiently await the mains whilst sipping on a cold Krononbery - I have to say the choice of beer is pedestrian and uninspiring, c'est la vie! It's here :). I found the frites over salted and after consultation with she who must be obeyed we determined they were! No thumbs up . The veal chop and crustade of Lamb confit both were fine but certainly not overwhelming and to a degree over salted - one thumb up Time for our cycle back to the beach, let's hope the ride doesn't make us too thirsty. We'll have to decide if we wish to return, at these prices it could be risky. read more

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Went to Batifole tonight with 4 of our friends for a dinner after golf. I had been assigned to "pick a good place" so I went to Yelp and searched the areas east of the DVP. Lots of interesting little places but Batifole jumped of the page with many good reviews. We'll add one more. I had made the reservation for 6 at 7:45 and we arrived on time to find the small place buzzing. But front and centre was our table for 6 just waiting for us to sit down. The waiter was quick to set us up with water and menus and then let us jabber away before coming back to answer any questions about the menu and take our orders. I should say that this a small Family run business which suffers a little from it's own success. With only 2 staff out front aided by the Owner/Chef who also brings out EVERY dish himself it can get a tad slow with the service. However everyone is pleasant and truly makes you feel at home. And then there is the food. Oh! The food!! I had the Canard a l'Orange which was perfect. I started with the Terrene de Maison which was exceptional and my wife had a fish dish I cannot remember the name of but she raved about it. The he other people had a variety of dishes all of which were excellent. In summary, if you arrive here in the right frame of mind (namely relaxed and wishing to spend some serious time absorbing the feeling of a genuine French Bistro) you will be rewarded with a meal that will motivate you to write an epic review like this one. Do it. You won't regret Much later. We are back at Batifole for a second visit. Has anything changed? Thankfully - no. The last thing a restaurant wants to hear is some effusive, hollow promise about "coming back twice a week ". Your mom was right when she said "familiarity breeds contempt ". Far better to successfully repeat a previous memorable experience and thereby elevate yourself to the "go to place " for all future occasions when the urge for a special French Bistro evening just has to be satisfied. Congratulations Batifole, you are decidedly qualified as true icon on the Toronto food scene. We will be back for sure. And we won't be alone! read more

Amazing restaurant, chef and waiters! The food is really good, especially the fish specials! We had some special requests due to medication and they did their best to accommodate to our needs. The atmosphere is also great, cozy and perfect for a lovely dinner :). I would definitely recommend this place! read more

Going to eat out on the west side is really a painful process nowadays. Unnecessary attitude, hipster service, road closures, lacking of parking, super expensive... I am still looking for another joint on the east side that I can frequent. House on Parliament is definitely my number one. I have tried a few places east of the DVP, but nothing really. Il Ponte is a fine place, but it is time to look for another one. Many years ago, I came across a bistro in the middle of east Chinatown. However, I never had a chance to try it. Last night, I finally did. All the signature dishes were well executed. Specifically, the fish soup and seafood stew were excellent. However, I have to say that the dessert I ordered, boule de neige in English sauce (condense milk) was exceptional. read more

Batifole Restaurant - Boule de neige - French Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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This was a delicious eating experience for us after so many months of lockdown . The cod was perfection as the main, subtly herbEd and gently sauced, topped with a lacy squid 'hat'. Really! The house-made lemon tarte was surrounded by giant raspberries, unfamiliar to those of us used to boxes of squished ones from our grocery. The staff and chef were gracious, the chef personally serving us some of our choices. a lovely and warm place, with The Leg Lamp in the main dining room indicating a sense of humour accompanies your visit. Enjoy! read more

After seeing such amazing reviews, I figured this place would be unreal. Maybe my expectations were too high because it really didn't meet them. The service was unmemorable, a bit slow but quite polite. The food was mediocre and not quite filling enough for the price. I ordered a fish broth main that sounded amazing on the menu, but was served salty fish in warm water that was simultaneously overcooked and falling apart on my fork. Well seasoned though and served in a short mason jar so points on creativity. Appetizers were good - we had the cheeseboard and venison tartare. It's nice that you can't mess up charcuterie. Overall a bit disappointed with the experience, wish I could have enjoyed it as much as other Yelpers, but would not be going back to try it again. read more

Batifole is absolutely incredible. I've been there many times and they always impress me. We had the French onion soup (which was a featured special) which was domed with a golden gruyere infused puff pastry, it was delicious and looked beautiful. We then had the steak tartare, scallops special, and frites. The combination of flavors in the tartare is the best in Toronto- the perfect amount of Dijon and capers. The scallops always cooked perfectly and sat on a tasty layer of mushrooms. We also had the cheese plate which always has a unique selection that I cannot find anywhere else. The service is always fantastic. Damien (who served us last night) and the rest of the staff are so friendly and helpful. They make the experience even more enjoyable. You can tell they are passionate about the food and wine they present. Finally, Chef Pascal Geffroy always greets us to see how we are enjoying the meal. It is always great putting a face to the food! We have been to France many times and I can confidently say if you love French cuisine you must come here. Thanks Batifole. read more