Cozy hole in the wall my friends and I stumbled across while walking down Queen street in Toronto. Our mission was to find an authentic French restaurant (or close). We had an expert in the group who had lived in France for several years, and she was pleased. It's a small place with only a few tables, has a bar and cooks are in the open cooking amongst the guests so the place smells amazing and makes your mouth water. I tried the chicken sausage with bread pudding and brussel sprouts...amazing!! My friends had the duck with homemade pasta. I preferred my chicken. The duck dish was lacking something...and didn't "wow" me. They are known mainly for their horse meat which I didn't try. Ambiance was nice...very mellow and service was excellent. Loves the hand written wine list and dinner specials. read more

Great atmosphere, great food and great service. The soup of the day was to die for and the main courses were scrumptious. My girlfriend got a Confit de Canard and I got a Poulet. The food was quite heavy and we had a hard time finishing it but it was delicious till the last bite. We got a lemon tart for dessert which was average, but hey the food was the main reason we were there. The servers were also really relaxed and did not pressure us to order and showed the right etiquette. All in all- we ended up paying ~$100 for the two of us with a couple of glasses of wine. I would recommend anyone especially if you are going on a date or an anniversary. Its not just a couples spot- the atmosphere is great to meet with a few close friends or a small group. read more

Stumbled across this authentic french restaurant literally by accident. Here's what I ended up ordering: - Fromage Fondant to start - Steak/Frites for the main - Creme Brulee as a desert. I had a couple pints of Cheval Bleu as well. All in all, fantastic! Food was deliciously prepared. The chefs cook out in the open in the main dining room so you can literally watch your food get made. Everything is fresh. The quality is really up there. The service was 5/5. Quick, helpful and friendly. So glad I found this place. Will definitely go back! read more

Was expecting to be better than what zagat rated it for. Nothing special but not over priced. It is what it is. Not exceptional. read more

Fabulous meal and service The service really stood out. Our waiter took the time to explain the menu and wine list and based on choices gave a great wine recommendation. I had the salad, followed duck breast on cabbage and beats . Absolutely wonderful combination of flavors. read more

Came here for dinner with my siblings this past Sunday. Very nice and cozy setting, perfect for a romantic date. Service was great, drinks were great. Had the escargot, fois gras, steak frites, Creme brûlée and carrot cake and ice cream. All the food was delicious. Would come back! read more

The food is AMAZING, the atmosphere is PERFECT, and the service is IMPECCABLE! We had a table of four, all eating a prefix menu, plus the foie gras and bone marrow - and we couldn't be happier. I can not recommend this place enough! read more

We dropped in for dessert with high hopes that we're not really fulfilled. Overall the ok rating is driven by the reasonable prices, quick service and average desserts (taste and selection) read more

Me and my friends came here for New Years pre-fixe brunch. I'm glad that there's a place that is open on actual New Years. The food was good. Wasn't mind blowing, but I did enjoy the food. For appetizer I had the Paté de campagne. I'm not a paté connoisseur but it tasted like it should. For main I had the Steak Haché, which is really just a steak burger. It was very big and filling, and tasted good. For dessert I had the Green Tea Crême Brulée which was bit small, but just the right size after being super full from the burger. The servers were good. The atmosphere was lovely and I enjoyed that they played French music. The decor was very exquisite. The only thing was that it was bit pricey, but that's expected if you go to a nice French place. All in all, recommend it and would come here again. read more

We were entertaining a friend last night and we were conflicted about where to take him for dinner. We could have done the ubiquitous corporate dining experience and have been satisfied with mediocrity but chose instead to walk over from the office. We dined earlier than we normally do - the restaurant was nearly empty - which meant some of the eclectic buzz we are used to was missing. As usual the food was very good and the service outstanding. A highlight as usual was the journey through the wine and spirits with the expert guidance of the bar staff. And the "pop up" music was appreciated. A great experience ....again read more

One of the best restaurants in Toronto. If you're a fan of Parisian/French food, you need to try La Palette! Start with oysters, fromage fondant and charcuterie. Their mussels and fois gras are always incredible. Their tartare is the best I've ever had! They have an eclectic selection of spirits and a GIANT wine by the glass menu. They've been operational for 18 years and are open 7 days a week. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. The staff are friendly and the service is outstanding! They go above and beyond - always! It's a very comfortable place to dine solo, on a date or with a large group! I recommend making a reservation (2+ people) because they are always busy! I hope they stay open for another 20 years. I almost forgot - The Creme Brulee is a must have. They have 3 flavors daily, but I highly recommend trying the trio! Happy times all around at La Palette! read more

Tall bald server with ginger beard and glasses was terrible. Service was slow as a result of being understaffed. Asked for refills on water, did not receive refills. Waited from 12:20 to 1:05 for our meals. No communication that there may be a wait. Slow to receive bill and had an overwhelming sense of neglect. Still had a delightful time since the food and company was great and it takes more than slow service to make me mad. What made my experience so terrible was the tall bald server with the ginger beard. I commented to him at the end of the meal that they were understaffed at which time his hubris caused him to deny that fact that they were understaffed and treated me as if i was in fact wrong. Next time a simple apology will do tall bald server with ginger beard and glasses. read more

A beautiful gem on Queen West! Great French style food, selection of good wine and beer and the staff is super friendly!Great vibe every night!Ask to Casey for a delicious Genever Manhattan!! read more

Worst customer service ever. Ordered from the Prix Fixe Menu and it was quite a loud environment so as I was going through the start, main and dessert all and once, the waiter (blond, 5'5 fellow) was offended I gave him my desert choice. He couldn't hear me (vice versa) so I repeated my choices and when I gave him the dessert choice again he got even more angry and said, "we've been down that road and left" People here need to tone down and be more friendly. He was too arrogant and rude. I'm definitely not coming back. It was my grandma's 85th birthday celebration too. The food: The food was ok. Plus, being Polish I felt the racist vibe they were giving to my Asian friends I brought. I'm embarrassed bringing my friends after the positive reviews I saw. read more

La Palette is a small unpretentious restaurant on Queen St. It's dimly lit and gives off a very cozy and romantic feeling. Great atmosphere with service staffs that are very friendly and informative about daily specials and recommendations. I initially came to this restaurant for a birthday dinner with some close friends and was not disappointed. The food was amazing. Simple yet rich in flavour and extremely tasty! The escargots were DELICIOUS, baked in mushrooms and garlic sauce - it was a great way to start the meal. For my entrée I tried the 'Cheval' and it was orgasmic - very juicy/tender inside while maintaining a crisp outside without being overly cooked, I just wish the piece of meat wasn't so small :'( Overall it was a great dinner and an amazing night. I would recommend this restaurant to anybody that would like to try French cuisine or is looking for a romantic evening. read more

Sadly, the waitress brought me the wrong dinner, I ordered a medium rare steak and she brought me a well done steak. I didn't want to eat alone, so I tried to eat it, as I watched my friend at the end of the table eat my medium rare steak, he seemed to like it anyways. read more

My dad was in town and willing to take me out to a nice dinner so I thought- La Palette! It was the perfect place to take my far from trendy father, given that is classic french food in a relatively relaxed, cute environment. He entered and immediately started speaking French with the chef. I need not interview anyone because now I know such intimate details like how the chef only serves fish on the day he receives a fresh haul. With that, we felt confident to order "Saucisson de Mer", a shrimp chorizo stuffed in calamari, breaded and fried with squid ink bread crumbs, over a tampenade of green olives and tomato caper ragout. First of all, the shrimp chorizo must be tasted. It has the smokiness of chorizo sausage but with the delicate succulence of shrimp instead of meat. The calamari held the package together well while the bread crumbs were a little looser. They were a nice crunch, still inviting despite their black colouring. Add in the stewed tomato ragout, with a hint of green olive and the bite was incredible. There was smoke, sourness from the caper, luscious seafood contrasted by the earthy coating. Next came our mains, and I must say, I outdid myself with my ordering skills. I got the "Quack 'n' Track", a cleaver play on the surf and turf. But instead of traditional steak and lobster, it was duck and horse. It was my first time trying horse and I'm hooked. It tasted liked a richer, more tender version of steak. There was wonderful sear on the meat and it was cooked to a medium rare, closer to the edge of rare. I've had duck before but have never been this impressed by the bird. The meat was perfection, almost falling apart and moist with a crispy yet juicy skin. I was in heaven and filling up fast. The sides cannot be ignored, a grain risotto with chanterelle mushrooms strewn throughout. The texture of the various grains against the smooth broth that oozed around the plate was ridiculously good. Perfectly cooked seasonal vegetables accompanied for a welcome freshness among the heaps of hearty meat and flavours that were already piled. Apparently it all wasn't enough because dessert was ordered, a very beautiful chocolate torte. It was dense and reminded me of a brownie but a nutty, expensive, dark chocolate one. The little sliced fruits on the side were as cute as they were helpful for a sweetness break. With the fresh whipped cream, with the raspberry and mango sauces, it was a well worth it end to the meal. With a cappuccino on the side, I might as well have been in France. read more

I made a reservation for the dinner and looked at the menu before going so I knew in advance that I want the fois gras for entree. It never fails. I ordered the quack and track (duck and horse) for main course - very interesting. He horse tasted like steak. Over all, loved it. The service was wonderful - very friendly. The price is fair, a little on the higher side but worthy for the great adventure. Decor gives me a very warn and cozy feeling. Seems like the only thing missing was a nice warm fireplace. read more

A group of about 10 of us made a reservation for a late Saturday night rendez vous. For most of us, it was our first time there, upon the recommendation of two of our friends who have been visiting the restaurant on regular intervals over the last few years. We (my fiancee and I) were only planning on having a few drinks and then heading home, but we decided to try some of the food since it was raved about so much. Well, the portions are small. Which, in reality, isn't an issue for me if the quality is there. I had "Le Végéterién," ($26) consisting of bland, tasteless lentils, a forgettable celeriac purée, and tasty (but very few) roasted mushrooms. I am not one to leave food (especially when there is so little to begin with), but I did not finish the lentils, and I have to say that I made better while in the height of my undergraduate degree when I literally had no time for cooking. The service was mediocre for the type of restaurant they claim to be. We ordered a 1/2 litre of red for $40. The waiter brought us one clean, polished glass and one wet glass that had just come out of the dishwasher. We quickly grabbed it to wipe the water out of the inside before he poured the wine... he then proceeded to make a comment about how WE almost ruined the wine by leaving some paper napkin in the cup (YES... they only us PAPER napkins... so cheap). We then told him that we didn't want to ruin the wine with the water from the cup and he began lecturing us about how he was actually doing us a favour because the glass was too hot and he cooled it down for us. Maybe so... but you still polish the glass. I've had better wine service in a sports bar. All of that was topped off with a horrible conversation with the owner, Shamez. We disagreed with how he treated one of our friends at the table and politely told him so on our way out (we left before the rest of the group). He showed no sign of concern and basically told me that his restaurant is too high class for people like us and that he is amazing. Sorry, Shamez, but you have nothing special to offer. Customer service goes a long way, especially when your food and service are subpar. read more

Let's even call it 3.5 .... OK call me simple in a restaurant with a solid menu full of exquisite meats ... i am still craving my standard sirloin :) I tasted my friend's bison ribs, which were literally fall off the bone juicy and tender. I know that is an expression, but I'm talkin those bones were clean as a whistle cuz all meat just slid right off. Back to my steak. Meeei ... I opted for the 6oz version on the prix fixe menu in order to enjoy the sweet potatoe soup and cafe creme brule for dessert ($32) over the 8oz at $28 plus $7 for soup + dessert. The steak was tender. The sauce was great. The fries were fresh and hot hot hot. Still that steak only rates a 8.75/10 ... a bit more tender and a hair above (the never to be knocked and only marveled) Keg quality. Its a shame I notice I'm more interested in the one bite of the bison rib. Cremebrule cup could barely fit my spoon inside. Damn French. 3 different guys served our table. 1 stunk of cigarette smoke. Authentic French. I'd walked by this place enough times to finally drop in for a late night meal and glass of red. It surely didn't disappoint. I am very pleased to see Queen street toward the Spadina end get some better quality restaurants. All in favour. " I " ... There, the " I's " have it. In summary: - food 8/10 - style and decor: 7.5/10 - ambiance and vibe: 7.5/10 - cleanliness & presentation: 8/10 - service & timing: 8/10 - value for money: 8/10 read more

I took my boyfriend and his parents here for brunch because it seemed like the most decent option available for New Year's Day. (most everything was closed) I was excited about the menu when I looked online, from escargot to tartare to eggs benedict. We ordered the snails and it was...okay? I mean it wasn't excellent but it wasn't bad, I would say mediocre. I have had better because the flavors just didnt' stand out for me. My eggs benedict was burnt and the egg wasn't very poached. My biggest complaint about this place was the service. There were 2 waitresses, it was clearly not busy. I had to flag the waitress multiple times before I gave up and physically went straight to her (TWICE)to ask for more water and the bill. When I went to the waitress to ask for the bill, she irritably explained to me that she was coming to our table. I didn't appreciate her tone and excuse and I didn't appreciate that she was not attentive to our table at all when it was seriously not busy. Horrible experience, and mediocre to below average food. Will not come back again. read more

A French restaurant with amazing food, great service (courtesy of an amazing bartender) that's completely down to earth and not pretentious at all. The bartender will help you pick out the wine if you are novice. The food ( I ordered duck confit and escargot) is a delicious twist on French classics. Highly recommend! read more

I absolutely adore the food here. I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars because they can do with some upgrading in the furniture, since the little rickety tables and chairs do not complement the divine food they serve. This is one of my favourite restaurants in the city, hands down. While it is not featured in Winterlicious/Summerlicious, it has plenty of fans and does not need that form of advertising. The food is french fare at its best - I usually like getting the prix fixe meal which comes with appetizer, main course and dessert. I like the escargot for the appetizer and then move on to ordering the steak frites for my main, but I also opt to add foie gras on top of my steak. I recommend this to anyone looking to add an extra bit of indulgence to their delicious meal because their foie gras is mouthwatering. Service here is pleasant and professional, no complaints. The wine is also great, as they have pages and pages devoted to wine. The desserts here however, are above average at best - I haven't found any particular dessert to recommend, however the main courses are so good that it makes up for this. read more

La Palette great food and chic atmosphere. I have probably been to La Palette 4 or 5 times now and it has yet to disappoint. The food and service have always been excellent. La Palette is the type of place where you can easily spend the entire night chatting, sipping wine, laughing, and just purely enjoying the act of eating with others. I have seen others comparing La Palette and Le Select. Yes they are both french restaurants, but I think beyond that the comparisons pretty much stop. The style of food at La Palette is much more country/rustic french, while Le Select is much more akin to Parisian cuisine (or at least my experience of Parisian cuisine), which is much more refined. Both offer highly accomplished food, but by no means could dishes from one be confused with dishes from the other. Furthermore, the atmospheres of these two restaurants could not be more different. La Palette is small, dark, and eclectic (in a very charming, comforting sort of way). Le Select is open, bright, and while not formal, it certainly can't be mistaken for a casual restaurant. So while both restaurants are french and in the same neighbourhood they offer very different experiences. Both are certainly worth checking out, but currently given the choice, I would choose La Palette. read more

Wasn't expecting much from this place, but the food quality was great. We had the escargot, the baked cheese dish and the soup to start, all of which were great. Finished with steak frites and for the price point, it felt at par with many other more expensive French bistros and restaurants. A bit squished inside but great service. Would come back again. read more

Vivurlafrance. Had the Prix fix, starting with Escargot (beautiful), Steak/Frites(VG), Flourless Choc cake (VG). My friend had chicken which was completely pink on the inside, but the server was very good about the error and cooked a new one from scratch. I would give them the benefit of the doubt. Ambiance is intimate, music is fabulous at a nice low volume. Bonne chance mes amies! read more

my bf and i came here a while back but i recall the service staff to be very friendly and kind as well the drinks were excellent. e tremely professional and love the atnosphere would love to have dinner here sometime. read more

I'm a regular here, thought it about time I write a proper review. I go here for one reason: only place I know that does a great job with game meats. This is not a spot for vegetarians. Their mixed grill will offer things like wild boar, muskox, etc and is spectacular. Also, Sunday brunch is a favorite of mine here; only place in the city that has eggs benny with wild game (venison, cheval, etc). The escargot is excellent as well. So what else? Wine list = great. Service = great. This is just a reliable spot for great food and vibe. Only complaint I have is the bread. For a place where every dish is generally great, the bread is almost always stale or just plain bad. read more

Food: 5 Service: 4 a bit slow Ambiance: 4 a bit too warm We had the cooked foie gras, mussels and the horse/duck. All were perfectly cooked, the presentation and taste were great. Unfortunately the wine list is a bit small. Summary: expensive but you get what you pay for. Good food selection expertly crafted, little bit light on the wine. Overall a great meal! read more

I always love coming here. The steak is one of the best I've had I don't know what they do to it but it's magic. It's a lovely ambiance and very authentic without trying to hard. read more

Great beer selection, disappointing food. There are better places to go for French food at the same price, or cheaper.

Almost missed this place. Glad I didn't. Menu was amazing, service was friendly while not over bearing, and the atmosphere was not at all pretentious. read more

Let me just clarify that this review is almost entirely centered around this restaurant's customer service, as I unfortunately didn't even get the opportunity to eat there. I'm not one to go and write reviews for many places I go to, so it should really say something that I still feel it necessary to share some kind words about this restaurant and the people who work there. To make a long story short as to how I ended up here without even eating, I was in Toronto very briefly - only a Sunday and Monday night - for work. I had eaten at a restaurant near my hotel but wanted to find somewhere to try some Cuban rum. (I'm from the US, and we can't import Cuban products because then the Soviets would win, obviously. Psh...) Anyhow, I was told to try the Queen Street West area, and I stumbled upon La Palette after a few other failed attempts. My first impression when walking in there was "Awesome decor!" The place has a very relaxed, vintage French vibe going on. If I lived in Toronto, this would definitely be a spot I'd take a date. Then I got to talking with some of the employees (one of whom may have been the owner), and asked if they had any Cuban rum. They didn't, but they would find some place that did for me. ...are you kidding?! I don't know if this is just a Canadian thing (you guys are exceptionally polite and friendly, by the way), but that was such a nice gesture. While the (suspected) owner was ringing his restaurant posse to score me some commie booze, a waitress showed me the menu, and I was really impressed. They've got some awesome game meat (horse, rabbit, etc.) on there and other French plates that looked amazing. I then got word that my rum was about a 5 minute walk away, at which point I was given a makeshift map drawn on a napkin or something to help get me there. Toronto, as soon as I can come back to you, I will celebrate my arrival at La Palette. read more

First time going to this restaurant. Im in love. Decor/Setting: - First thing I noticed was the open kitchen. It's a plus because it adds a sort of aura around the restaurant, hearing the pans, sizzling, etc. It's great. - The inside of the restaurant is pretty sexy I must say. Lots of great french posters, beautiful bar, nice dim lights with candles (it's not that dark! just perfect). - Seats are a little crammed Food: - Food was very good. I had the duck liver pate and the Steak frites done medium. Pate was very good, it was served with some veg and mustard, and just enough bread. The steak frites was excellent as well. The portion size was very good as well (I had the prix fix menu and I was expecting a tiny potion but it was pretty generous). Steak done perfectly, very very good. Fries were nice as well, but there were a couple that I didnt bother to eat because they were hard as rock. Wine list was good as well. Service: Seem like cool people, pushy when it came to wine. And didn't fill water often Overall: Great restaurant. Do want to come back here And just so you guys know: The menu in the restaurant is a little bit bigger, and they have specials in stuff. So dont think the menu on the website is all that they have read more

Was not really impressed with the food. Had the duck leg with beans. Peasant food. However, if you are looking for authentic French food, this is the place to go. The food they serve is actually typical French. But, not all the French food should belong in a restaurant. Maybe it's just because I'm not too impressed with the French kitchen. I just think it was overpriced to pat $46 for 2 plates of simple white beans + a duck leg. Yes, it's French, is it worth it? Don't think so, it's actually a traditional peasant meal. They also served horse tenderloin. From retired race horses. Now I don't think it's necessary the best choice to eat from an old and retired race horse which they most likely used lots of drugs and antibiotics for. read more

Had one of my most favourite dining experiences of the year and possibly my life. Was entertaining a friend who was visiting out of town and we stopped at La Palette. So there was four of us and it was busy on a Saturday evening in October. However, the owner gave us a glass of champagne to wait with while he figured something out. Once he found us a seat, we were able to sit and enjoy the amazing food. Everything from duck, to my appetizer of Indian/French infused mussels for the big seafood fan I am, to the main of my rare steak, was so deliciously decadent. It was fine dining at a very reasonable price and portions. We then were treated again, I might add, to shots with the owner and bartender to finish off a lovely evening. There was nothing more to say. La Palette is simply the best!!! read more

Cute little French place. Lots of selection for tartare, my favorite! I even had a horse tartare which I've never seen or eaten before. The service was average and the decor wasn't the greatest either. Would recommend for fans of French food since choices are slim in Toronto. read more

Horse meat. They say you should try it at least once. I had the platter with my colleague there. He took me there as it is his favorite French spot. Wild boar, venison, and cheval. My favorite was wild boar. Cheval was perfectly tender. My colleague also ordered the escargot. Delicious. I also loved walking to and from the restaurant. Queen street was amazing. Somehow it reminded me of the 1990s south Philly, but clearly more hip, and has a lot of great restaurants along the way. We got lucky, the evening was warm and many were sitting outside as the rain came down. Also reminded me of summer in Paris. I am now a bit of a Toronto fan, having just spent 6 days there for work and for play. I would go back in a heart beat and I will definitely be going back. And I will have to go back to the same restaurant. How come they don't serve cheval in San Francisco? What about wild boar? I already miss it. read more

Four stars for the horse! I went to eat dinner here a while ago while visiting Toronto, and despite my love for the beautiful animal- the horse was amazing!! Everything else was delicious too. It is a lovely restaurant, but it can be pricy if you aren't careful. If you're in the area and you love great French cuisine, make a night of it and head to Queen Street. Those of you from my home town of Louisville, KY- don't plan on watching the KY Derby again with out thinking of this place!! read more

My wife and I are always in search of good French restaurants. Specially the ones that may open till late so that we may go there after theaters, and movies. This is a really impossible desire in Toronto. We are so fortunate to discover La Palette. Just to add the context, we have previously been to Scaramouche, Didier, Tati, Bistro 990, Loire, and some others. We travel to these establishments from Mississauga. When I called La Palette, to seek a table for 2 at 10 PM. The call was eagerly and most amicably attended, and I was told that we can certainly come at 10. It seems that La Palette is happy to receive customers till late. Upon arrival the reception was amicable and warm. One minor discomfort was that we were offered seats near the coat room, in an area which is very chilly due to some kind of persistent draft from some door. Had to change tables twice, and were lucky that at that time the restaurant did have some available. Everything after that was outstanding. The server gave us the specials menu, and we did not find it as impressive as their main menu. We ordered Escargo La Palette, and Riz de Veau to share as appetizers. Pre appetizer bread and olive oil was delicious, we enjoyed the toasted crust very much. For the main my wife chose the Norwegian Macakarel, and I chose the Duck n Buck. Every single one of the above orders was fantastic. For the desert, despite being too full, we ordered the Cloufati which was very light and great to end our meal. Even the Cafe Americano was quite perfect. Service was very friendly and non intrusive. I would say that we will place La Palette just after Scaramouche and Bistro 990 and equal or very close to Loire. It is only because the first two are in a different class due to their locations and market segment. One thing is certain: We will go to La Palette again and again till they get fed up with us. read more