What a great restaurant to have a celebratory meal. Impromptu gathering last night of 5 people, and we had great food and fantastic wait staff. The host is charismatic, charming and super nice! He offered to give us a taste of any wine from the wine list before committing to a bottle. When I was making a reservation for the impromptu birthday celebration I asked about bringing in my own cake and they said that was perfectly fine, but that there would be a cake plating fee, which I agreed to. After paying the bill and coming home, I realized they did not apply the cake service fee -- I call that AMAZING customer service here in Toronto! The food was spot on -- my steak frites were cooked to medium rare perfection. Crispy little fries. What a gem of a place - two thumbs up! read more

La Palette - French Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

One of the best restaurants in the city. Consistently great food, great wine and the best service. The owner, Shamez Amlani, should teach a class in how to do front-of-the-house. It's a joy to watch him work. He knows wine inside and out and has a lot of offerings that you can't find at the LCBO. Can't make up your mind? He'll happily give you a taste or three, no charge. Look at his selection of cheeses, too; again, varieties you won't find anywhere else. Punctilious attention paid as well to public safety. I've been eating at La Palette since the second week it was open, and that's a long time ago. But regulars and newcomers are treated exactly the same -- as friends rather than customers. read more

The atmosphere is the main attraction for me at La Palette. You step into the space and suddenly you are in a cozy bistro in France. Complete with red checkered tablecloths, french posters on the walls, candles on the table and all the romantic mood that comes with it. The food is consistent with the atmosphere, with escargots, duck confit and other french classics on the menu. They have a special dish where they make a sausage out of a duck neck. It's not something I've ever seen anywhere else, so it's worth a try. For something less adventurous, the duck confit is a classic that is well executed here. The size of the mains are deceptively filling, so no worries about leaving hungry! read more

I noticed this restaurant for the longest time since it is along busy Queen Street. I was in the area shopping and decided to stop by. The setting is cozy and comfortable. My friend and I had the escargots, horse tartare, pate, and duck confit. I enjoyed the food but the service was lacking. Our server was friendly but she wasn't around very often. read more

Perhaps the rudest staff and owner I have ever encountered. Tried to make a reservation over the phone and the staff was beyond unnecessarily rude and pretentious for no reason. Didn't bother to make a reservation. 0/10 do not recommend. read more

Had an amazing experience last night, lovely atmosphere, food and staff! The bone marrow escargot was our absolute favourite and cheeses were out of this world. I would definitely recommend! read more

La Palette - French Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

La Palette is an unassuming, dimly lit French restaurant known for its horse tenderloin (hello, what?!) The restaurant has character inside; it really is the definition of my kind of restaurant. It's dimly lit, cozy and pretty romantic. A red brick interior wall, high ceilings and an array of interesting things on the walls like a horses head, some interesting pictures, and variety of odd knick knacks. The servers are all dressed quite casually but most of the clientele are dressed up. The food was to die for. Before every meal comes warm soft fresh bread served with olive oil for dipping. The French onion soup was flavourful without being too salty with a sharp rich cheese. The Fromage Fondant (fried Camembert) is an absolute MUST. This stuff is sinful and delicious to the max and the maple-glazed pumpkin seeds that come with it are beautifully presented and surprisingly great. Horse tenderloin. I was a bit nervous about this one, but if you can wrap your head around the fact you're eating horse, it's like the most tender steaks you have ever eaten (not gamey at all). Truly, we ordered this medium rare and once you got through the charred outer crust your knife cuts through the meat like butter. YUM! (You HAVE to order this when you come here...) We also ordered the Confit de Canard, the safe option, which was equally delicious. The Bottle of Organic Pinot Noir we had was perfect. We were offered the option of tasting the wines before we purchases a bottle since they serve everything by the glass, 1/2 bottle and bottle. The service was quick, a bit casual and friendly as can be. There are two main seating's 6:00-6:30 and 8:30-9. (There were also people coming in around 11:30, this place is open late!) Honestly, I couldn't have asked for more from this restaurant. As we say in French: C'est Incroyable! read more

La Palette - Kitchen on the left, bar on the right, tables at the front and back of the restaurant. - French Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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We salvaged this mediocre experience by laughing together at the absurd service and offensively bad dessert. Let's talk service: 1. We made a reservation weeks in advance and told them it was a special occasion. Despite this, we were sat at the absolute worst table in the house rather than any of the other open, more appealing tables. We were in the middle of the room, right next to foot traffic, and almost on top of the patrons at the next table. It's extremely amateur for a restaurant not to take note of a reservation and special occasion. This lack of attention was so disappointing. 2. We were escorted to a table where two patrons were still gathering their belongings. Our host muttered under his breath "I didn't think they would still be there." We shot apologetic looks to the poor couple frantically trying to get out of our way. It was embarrassing for all of us EXCEPT for the one person who should have been embarrassed: the unprofessional host. 3. When explaining the specials, our waitress suddenly stopped in what seemed to be mid-sentence and just walked away. We looked at each other and said "wait, was she done?" 4. The restaurant has an open kitchen so not only will you leave smelling like food (not in a good way), you are watching the cooks. One of the cooks was wearing a tshirt and on the back was the backside of a half-naked woman wearing a thong. This complaint makes me sound like an old lady, I realize, but when I go out to a nice restaurant (especially one claiming to be French), I expect a certain level of professionalism. These are small details that can really add up. Let's talk food: 1. We both ordered from fixed price. $35. Good price for the selections and the portions were what I would expect. I started with soup which was delicious and then went with the duck confit. It was okay but nothing special. My date's entree was much better (white fish with pickled cauliflower) and I had serious food envy. 2. I almost want to give this place 1 star based on the absolutely terrible dessert. This is a "French" restaurant - the dessert should be one of the highlights! I ordered a chocolate almond tort. After trying a bite, my date accurately said: "this tastes like it came out of an easy-bake oven." How does a dessert lack ANY flavor???? I was so disappointed and frankly insulted that they would even consider serving this. We have no plans to return. There are too many good restaurants in Toronto. This is not one of them. read more

I had high hopes for La Palette. I had been before when they were in their Kensington Location and I remember liking it a lot. We went last night for my boyfriend's birthday, and we were a little disappointed. We had a nice time, but on the way home we both mused that we wouldn't be able to give them 4 stars as there were highs and lows. Since it was his birthday, we were sparing no expense and looking to have a fabulous meal. They get points for having a great menu and a lot of wonderful daily specials that feature game meat, which we both love. The girl who sat us explained these in detail. In order to better decide, we asked our server to recommend a few things. We asked him about the Frog's Legs and he replied that he had not tried them because of a gluten allergy. Well, ok, but are they regarded as being good? What is the feedback from other diners? Could you ask another server? The service wasn't bad, it was quite good, but I'm always stumped at why servers think that diners need to hear about allergies or eating habits. Even if you're a vegetarian, it's your job to sell the food on the menu, so you should be able to describe the steak. We had a glass of Pinot Noir to begin and then ordered a glass of Muscat with our foie gras, as per he suggestion on the menu. However, they were out of Muscat and the bartender suggested a Sweet Hungarian Wine, that she would give us for the same price?? I'm thinking that a sweet Hungarian wine that isn't even on your wine list, should be LESS or even free in place of not having the advertised pairing, The foie gras helping was of a decent size, but we both felt that it was under seasoned and the texture was not that great. I don't think I've ever had that complaint about foie gras before. Frog's Legs were good -- like less meaty chicken wings with a nice flavour. The escargot were nothing special and we found them to be more of a garnish on a salad, which was underwhelming. i wouldn't recommend the Prix Fixe as the portions seemed to be much smaller than those on the A La Carte menu. I had the quack and track and the Horse Tenderloin was exceptionally tender and flavourful. The barley risotto was nice, and the duck confit, while flavourful, lacked the nice crispy duck skin that I enjoyed the last time I was at La Palette. The Wild Boar Rib that my boyfriend had was nice and smoky and came with a warm cabbage slaw that was really good, but only the half of the rib that was still on the bone was tender. The rest was a bit dry. The lemon tart was delicious and I had three cheeses that were very nice. Our bill came to $230 and I couldn't help but feel that we could have had a better dinner elsewhere for far less. I might go back for the atmosphere and to have a few nibbles off the appetizer menu and a glass of wine, but we were not very impressed with La Palette. I wish we'd gone to Le Paradis, where almost everything is half the price and twice as delicious. read more

Had one of my best meals in Toronto so far...and it revolved around the horse tenderloin We started with the foie gras, which was perfectly seared, silky, rich and flavorful. I had the horse tenderloin, which I've been dying to try since I read about it. I didn't know what to expect...but i'll say this- it's better than any filet mignon i've ever had. Juicy, tender, buttery and so flavorful. I savored every single bite of it. The risotto that accompanied it was delicious...but the tenderloin was definitely the star. It was quite a hefty piece of meat too; they definitely were not cheap with it. The ambience is great; cozy, unpretentious and just like a French bistro. We had a great wine that went with our meal...french...can't remember the grape...something i've never heard of (fer...?) My carnivore friend had the bison which was good, but not as amazing as my horse. He enjoyed his meal too Highly recommend read more

Had brunch here recently. Service was good, although, the restaurant was near empty (only 3 tables occupied) so it was hard to be slow. The brunch menu was a bit uninspiring, although I was tempted by the eggs Benedict variations with horse meat. I opted for a daily omelette with bacon and red peppers. It arrived and it was soooo BACONY. Yum! My friend ordered an eggs benny though, and unfortunately the eggs were WAY overcooked - yolk completely hard. She returned it and was brought a second plate, this time with the eggs a bit undercooked. Not acceptable really - when your brunch menu has 6-7 eggs benny options, ideally the chef should know how to poach an egg. God. read more

The FAMED La Palette! It was okay. It's supposed to be one of the best in Toronto. If I had not tried a lot of other French places in Toronto I would have given it a 4 star. To tell you the truth: IT's good. But it's not THAT good. You know what IS 'THAT' good? Le Select Bistro http://www.yelp.ca/biz/le-s%C3%A9lect-bistro-toronto-3#hrid:hzm9zEzwmr44QfIR-k3JHA The food is good- not going to be counter to any other review on here. However I'm not too crazy about the setup of this restaurant. I always loved the way this looked from the outside but on the inside I felt the general restaurant a little.... grotty or like I'm sitting on my grandma's really old-never-cleaned upholstered armchair. It's not like my grandma is dirty..it's just that it's not the "freshest" restaurant. I much prefer Le Select, it's classic without being musty. Oh, and the food at Le Select is a star above. read more

I am shocked this place has such great reviews. Sure, it's cute and the service is good, but the food didn't blow me away. I had better food at Le Select though the service was atrocious! Still on the hunt for a go to French restaurant in the city. read more

Food - 5 Service - 5 Atmosphere - 5 Price - 4 I'm greedy! There, I said it. I always want more that I can handle but I straight up devour everything that is on my plate. That being said, I would have liked a little more food for the price so they get 4 stars instead of 5. The service here is second to none. I had the duck and it was amazing. My GF had: Poulet - Pan roasted chicken breast supreme, fried thigh, savory sweet potato bread pudding, strawberry-sage brown butter and rapini. For someone who doesn't like to try anything without knowing what it is, she devoured the bread pudding without hesitation and questioning what she was eating. In addition; she usually only eats chicken breasts but this time around she ate the thigh too. Words such as moist, flavorful and utterly delicious were muttered throughout the entire course. For dessert she had the flourless chocolate cake, it was rich, moist, and great ending to a wonderful meal. read more

**4.5 stars** If you know me, you'd know that when I hear game meats, high ratings, and cozy atmosphere, I am there! So I can't quite justify why it took me so long to finally check out La Palette. But I am glad I finally did... better late than never! They offer a very good sized menu to satisfy a wide range of guests, from the tradition to the bit more adventurous, and from surf and turfers to vegetarians. I absolutely loved the decor and the book of paintings!! Escargots La Palette: $8 (4/5 stars) I LOVE snails! I love snails even more when its served with stuff, rather than just in an escargot dish with garlic butter and cheese (although there's nothing wrong with that). By "stuff" I mean cool mushrooms and spinach and drenched in a LEMONY DILL BUERRE BLANC. Never thought the memory of some snails would make me drool... Moules aux Lardon : $12 (5/5 stars) There were so much stuff i wanted to get that "mussels in broth of the day" didn't quite seem exciting enough at first... until the server described it. Then it was sold like King Cole! I think her magic words were "lardon" and "butter". She even advised that the lardon were chunks of fat and bacon... even better! Everything was delicious! Quack and Track: $35 (4.5/ stars) 4oz horse tenderloin served juicy and rare with a leg of duck confit. Sides of oats risotto and seasonal vegetables. One of the better duck confits I've had. Everything was cooked perfect. I just prefer regular rice risotto over oats. Bison Ribs: $?? (4/5 stars) Very good portion of meat! Super flavourful and fall-off-the-bone tender, but edges were slight dried. Service: (4 stars) Very nice, quite knowledgeable, and attentive. Not bad, not amazing. I promised myself I will come back. It's a very nice space for a casual comfortable dinner with a date or a small group of friends. The overall bill was slightly pricey, but food was great and Perhaps I will come back for brunch next time, assuming I will wake up early enough.... no, won't happen. Ok, dinner it is then! read more

I went to La Palette recently with my favourite guy for a late dinner. We asked to be seated in the row of seats facing out the front window. I like the vibe here - it's cozy. For appetizers, we ordered the fried camembert and the escargots - both were good. For the main course, I ordered the horse tenderloin and my date ordered the chicken. The horse was flavourful and more tender than I expected horse meat to be. The chicken was interesting because the breast and the thigh were cooked differently - the (exceptionally moist) breast was roasted while the thigh was deep-fried and both were seasoned differently. For dessert, we ordered the chocolate mousse and the creme brûlée. The chocolate mousse was very light but not chocolatey enough for my tastes. The creme brûlée came as three mini creme brûlées: vanilla, chocolate and lavender & honey. I like the lavender one the best. I would go back for the chicken dish and the lavender & honey-flavoured creme brûlée. Note to management: please don't pile the garbage on the sidewalk right in front of the restaurant. For those of us who were sitting at your window seats, looking out at garbage wasn't the most pleasant view. read more

I've only gone here for drinks a couple times and I'm meaning to eat there one of these days. I need to eat horse sometime. They have a decent beer selection. Not a huge selection, but some different options from your average bar. The thing that really wins me about this place is the vibe. It has the kind of bar where you actually sit at the bar and maybe can even talk to the person sitting next to you. Some of the bartenders there are pretty cool too and are more than happy to explain anything on the menu to you and get into a conversation. Last time I went they had some hungarian gypsy band playing. Pretty nice stuff. read more

We walked by this place so many times andd ecided to give it a try for brunch. The food is AMAZING . The chef was a young man cooked alone and so talented. Ordered the Bacon and spinach eggs benedict, and the mushroom and spinach one. One came with fries and the other with their house salad. Everything was perfect. The mushrooms were a different kind and so crisp and tasty. The bacon was also thick and crisp. But the hollandaise sauce was so delicious and light at the sam time. Will definitely go again. Service was great, and the wait was not very long for food read more

One of the most exceptional, and satisfying experiences to be had on Queen St. West. Service, Food & Ambience were amazing, all of the suggested offerings were spot on. Wine, Beer and liquor selection interesting and unique, well curated. read more

First of all, I'm disappointed in myself. How can I call my self a Yelper formally known as Elite and not have written a review on my absolute favourite place in this city. I mean I wrote about it when it was in Kensington but haven't bothered to put ink to paper (or keys to computer) and write about the new-ish location. I have been going to La Palette since it's Kensington Market Glory Days as I mentioned above and I had severe apprehensions when I saw they were moving to Queen Street West. I mean, half the elegance of La Palette was the quaint and coziness of their Kensington location. But alas, I bit the bullet and went and I have to say, I'm still thoroughly impressed. Because most recently I went there for Valentine's day, let me discuss the greatness of their menu on this day. They do two sittings and 7 courses. The found this year was outstanding. I had lobster, Steak Frites, salad, Crème brûlée, A Camabert dish and then two amuse bouch. Delish. The thing I also love about here is that you can get a liter of wine that won't break the bank and is still quite drinkable. On none special nights, I still love to come for the prix fixe and I always tend to try something different. It's so incredible how the kitchen has NEVER made a bad dish. There has never been a meh meal and I have always left wanting more (for the taste, not the portion!) If nothing else, go there for some french wine and soak in a little bit of paris. You won't regret it. read more

After a typical long Monday (hey everyone feels down after the first Monday when the Daylight Saving has ended!) I decided to try this place as they have the Delirium Tremens Beer on tap. I really wanted to try this beer and this place had decent reviews so I decided to give it a try. I went for the Prixe Fix menu which has 3 courses for 32$. I went the escargots, Steak and Creme Brulee'. Escargots were excellent. Nicely Balanced with crisp croutons and just right spinach. Steak was ok and I think the portion was tiny but the fries made the dish better. The Dessert was tiny made with real vanilla beans and topped with Pineapple bits (I think they were too chewy) The beer selection was great so I tried out a bottle in addition to my Delirium Tremens. The place is laid back and I had a nice chat with the couple next too me. We ended up sharing a drink together which is great as the place is not stuffy. 3.5 Stars IMO. Good bistro food if you are looking for one. read more

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Great atmosphere, very good food, and service was good too. We had the bone marrow, which was fantastic; duck confit, great flavour but not as tender as I would have liked; Cornish hen and apple crumble. We'll be back. read more

The hubs and I stumbled upon La Palette while walking around the neighborhood where we were staying. As we passed it, I decided I wanted to eat there for our anniversary dinner the next night. It was definitely bustling but not overly crowded, and I loved the open air set-up they have. The next evening, we were able to be seated right away without reservations. We ordered drinks and the guy (who we assumed was a manager) brought them over with some playful commentary (to say the least). It was entertaining. I savored the house red wine which suited me just fine. I ordered the steak and frites, and he ordered the mussels special (right before they ran out -- great timing again!). Both were absolutely delicious. I will say my steak was a tad too salty, but it was cooked so perfectly that I almost didn't care. I just downed extra wine and water to make up for it :) The mussels were seasoned so deliciously, and they provided bread to soak up the extra juices....just divine. We couldn't decide between desserts, so we got two (naturally). The creme brûlée and Gâteau au Chocolat (basically flourless chocolate cake). The creme brûlée was fantastic - perfectly crunchy topping with creamy insides. The chocolat was just as bitter as it was sweet -- clearly they used quality chocolate. Overall, it was a lovely experience and very romantic dinner for our anniversary. Definitely check it out if you're looking for a classy place to dine! read more

The bone marrow butter is life changing. Came here and all four of us did the prix fixed menu and it did not disappoint. The restaurant was decorated with antiques and the atmosphere was quaint. For appetizers we tried the soup du jour (don't recall what it was), salad verte, and pate grand mere. The soup was delicious as was the salad. The late was good but a bit much for an appetizer and not enough crostinis were served with it. For the mains we got the steak/frites, pocket, duck confit, and le vegeterien. All the mains were good, but the best was the steak/frites. That bone marrow butter was amazing. It added great flavour to the steak what was seared perfectly, crisp skin and medium rare inside. I'd eat more than one serving of the steak/frites. For dessert we got, the brownie (no longer on the menu), gateau at chocolat, tarte au citron, and an apple dessert (no longer in the menu). Of the desserts our favourite was the apple dessert. I'd come back again. read more

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Party of four on a Tuesday night, and we were very pleasantly surprised. Toronto has a lot of fancy and expensive restaurants, many of which, I feel, don't deliver either a unique experience or good value. La Palette gets it right, beginning with the atmosphere. Good bistro feel, with a laid back but attentive approach to service. We were presented with the wine list, and our server was obviously an enthusiast...she not only was able to describe the different offerings, we were welcome to try anything on the list before making a final selection. Turns out our initial choice was not as good as our second, so we were able to hone in on a winner. The menu is varied, and carries such real bistro fare as chevalier, hare and duck. The appetizers, Brie in a crust and snails, were a touch over done, with the brie running out and the snails a bit dry, however when we brought the snails to the server's attention, apparently it is a style of cooking you either love or you don't. The mains, however, were fantastic. A rack of lamb you could cut with a knife, a pressed chicken dish that made our toes curl, and black cod that was the best ever tasted. Presentation was simple but attractive, and the service the the right level of care. We finished off with two desserts shared; the clear winner a lemon tarte that was just right in its tartness and flakiness of crust. Dinner for two with a glass of wine each, around $100 not including tip. Definitely on the ""go back" list, if only to see if they can knock it out of the park again with different selections. Parking tip...just east of the restaurant, north of Queen is a municipal lot. Parking on Queen is not easy to find. read more

La Palette - A French Bistro - French Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Absolutely classically deliciously French. La Palette, despite moving a few years back, is a fixture. French comfort food at cozy tables well prepared and served by friendly, knowledgeable staff. It's like eating at your friend's place, if your friend is a French chef. It puts you at ease. Fat, happy ease. Things not to miss: their mussels are great, as is their charcuterie (much of it cured in house). They have tame mains, but I would find whatever exciting meat they're making and steer directly towards it. I've had my first musk ox at la palette and, years ago, when I was a youngster, maybe even my first wild boar. Their bison steak is lovely, as is their venison. Their tartars are a personal favourite. Their wine list is hand written, changed regularly, delicious and affordable. Because you're really just over at your friend's place, of course you can taste any wine before ordering, and of course everything's available by the glass. Their beers are local and well chosen, too. You will eat and drink well here. You should come today. You should save room for the crème brûlée trio, whose flavours change regularly, but are always exquisite. Pro tip (pay attention here, because this tip is important): eat the horse. Either on its own as a 6oz tenderloin, or as part of their sometimes-on-the-menu, sometimes-secret "quack and track" combination horse and duck confit plate. Served with oat risotto at the moment, it is a tender and savoury cut, without being at all gamy or gross. Get over the taboo, and give it a try. It won't disappoint. Have I steered you wrong before? read more

Want an amazing gluten-free meal after 10 in Toronto? Want a trip to France for about $130, for two? Do you want impeccable service and beverage recommendations with samples? Do you want your food to elevate your taste buds and take you on a ride to flavor-town? Eat here. Please! I can't say enough good things about this place. My bf and I were desperate for a bite to eat after traveling all day to Toronto for the first time. Unfortunately, I have Celiac's and I can't just eat anywhere we walk by. This was a little piece of heaven in a sea of fried bar foods. You will not forget your experience here! ENJOY! read more

La Palette - French Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Their new location is certainly more apt for this perfectly pleasant french bistro. The old spot, at the outskirts of Kensington felt strange for a place which boasts such a traditional french menu. The open concept kitchen is great, and gives the place an exciting and intimate feel. The tables and chairs seem kind of cheap, as if they were going for rustic but ended up ghetto instead. But the reason you go is for the food. We had the pheasant to start which was succulent and full flavored. We then both had steak frites, and this is where the place shines. I'm not sure if it's grilled or pan seared in cast iron (the more traditional method) but it's damn fine and the shoestring fries are delish. It was a fun night, and apart from some gentleman who seemed to want to play romantic guitar (read: my absolute nightmare) it was perfectly pleasant experience. The only 'but' to all this is that for the price - it could be better. read more

What a cozy little spot!!! I just loved this place from the decor, the music, the lighting, and the staff. I celebrated my 5th wedding anniversary here and couldn't have been happier. Everyone was so friendly and the food was absolutely delicious! My husband and I got the prix-fixe which was definitely worth the price as most everything on the menu seemed to be included which was nice (Definitely try the escargot for the appetizer, yum!) We also ordered a bottle of house wine for $35 which is as reasonable as you're going to get in most restaurants. My only complaint was that the tables were a bit too close together which is fine, I suppose, depending on who you're sitting beside. It made me feel like I had to keep my voice down the entire night though. I also ended up feeling really sorry for the guy sitting next to me with another couple who would not stop talking about their wedding and honeymoon for the entire evening! ;) Overall it was a wonderful atmosphere and a great restaurant. We will definitely return! read more

Honestly thought this place would've been way better than it was. Not having often been around the area, I -naively- made reservations for a Friday night; we had our choice of tables. Even so, service was cordial. However, we were subtly rushed out. (Maybe because we were occupying the prime table?) service was professional, but also felt a bit condescending for some reason. For me, the food tasted microwave-reheated. I had the fish. I'm not sure what was on the side, but It was like a hard-as-a-rock hash brown topped with sardines and olives, and I couldn't cut into it, and didn't want to try it. My partner had the steak and loved it. So I guess it depends on what you like/order. The whole theme is kitschy-French bistro. (On the menu: let us know if you're on some kind of weird cleanse) ! read more

This place has gone way downhill! They focus on selling wine, the decor is weird and confusing its like sitting in a barn, food is bland and forgetable, service subpar and inattentive read more

I'm a big fan of Shamez and his head chef Brook. They've recently opened this new location on Queen St. W. in order to expand the market they can reach with their flair for French Bistro cuisine. For those who know the brand as well as the new comers: you'll love the new joint. Open and airy with high ceilings, a skylight, and an original full-length brick wall to one side, you simply can't deny the charm of this eclectic space. The building served as a barn and was built in 1880 and a lot of that vintage design has been carried over. The art and posters are as quirky as ever, and the atmosphere is open yet intimate. This is helped by the small two-seater tables and completely mismatching chairs dotting the back of the restaurant (where you have seated meals). That area is roughly similar in size as the original restaurant, but the new space has an amazing entrance that houses a long curved bar around which you'd mingle, and a totally open kitchen that showcases the gastronomic magic of this restaurant. Of course, in the end, that's why you're there. The food is delicious. The menu is similar to the old establishment but there are some new items too. Expect to see your favorite game meats. Thus far, I've only tried one item off of the brunch menu: eggs benedict on crispy bacon combined with horseradish sitting on rye bread with a mixed green salad. This is a must eat dish. The open kitchen design is brilliant in the fact that it lets you sense the aromas of your dish and build up mouth watering anticipation before being able to dig in. Mimosas with fresh orange juice helped wash down the delectable meal and we walked away not feeling overly stuffed or light in the pocket. $50 (ex. tip) for 2. I highly recommend La Palette (South) along with its sister restaurant in Kensington Market. read more

I had brunch here on a sunday. I started with the fried camembert, which was great. The exterior was crunchy, the inside ranged from liquid to gooey. The berry coulis was neither too sweet nor too sour, and complemented the camembert very nicely. Despite the fat content, overall it didn't feel too "heavy." Next I had a boar crepinette, which was a little dry, but only slightly so. It came with a fried egg, and when I ate them together it was just fine. The green beans on the side were nice and crisp. The duck confit omlette was satisfactory, but nothing special. The duck was mostly lost in the omlette, neither the texture nor the flavor were sufficiently prominent. For dessert, I had the trio of creme brulees. The vanilla was a well-executed classic, with a rich full-bodied flavor. I was quite happy with the lime (I'm generally a fan of lime) which had sweet and sour flavors well balanced. The chocolate-chili (which they warned me was still in an experimental stage) was okay, but I had to use my imagination a bit to taste the chili. The service was prompt, accurate, and friendly. While some of the food was not awesome, I decided to award 4 stars on the strength of the fried camembert and the creme brulees, and also on account of the great service. read more

This small boutique restaurant is an amazing find and can't believe I've never been here before! Staff, food, and atmosphere are equally amazing! The camembert with pear is one of my favourite dishes. I have nothing bad to say about this place! read more

La Palette - Bacon wrapped Duck Neck - French Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

This place was a great yelp find! My Mom just arrived in town and she was thinking of just going to the Keg. I, however, was looking to try something new and decided on a cute French place close to the hotel. This place was a winner! I thought I would be disappointed with the brunch/lunch menu, but everything was perfect. We started with the foie gras and a bottle of the Malbec (Mi Terruño, I think?). Then we each decided to take the 2/3 prix fixe (with the plan to share everything). We ended up getting the escargots, the burger, and the Quack of Dawn (ducks egg served inside a duck sausage contraption. Delicious! The only bad comment that we both had (which, to be honest, is mostly our fault) was that the food is super rich. Never the less, we ate every bit of the brandy icecream. :D read more

One of my favourite restaurants in the downtown core. Went there for an engagement celebration, and had the chance to try a number of dishes. Everything I had was amazing. You really can't go wrong. Some dishes you have to be adventurous for (horse meat) but why go to a restaurant if you don't want to experiment? The atmosphere is very unpretentious, something rare in Toronto these days. Great place for a date or just a night out for good food. read more

I love the atmosphere and vibe of this place! Great service team and tantalizing menus. I've been a few times, each time the service has been exceptional and just reading the food menu makes my mouth orgasm (the food itself is mind-blowing). Not to mention the drinks list, which is worth the 5 stars alone! Having lived in Vancouver, Montreal, Germany, and Peru, and having always been a foodie, I can definitely tell you this place is worth checking out. Try this place out. Bring a friend. It's a must. read more

I love it here! The food is great, the atmosphere is good and the staff are incredibly friendly, and they are pretty helpful in choosing wine if, like me, most of your booze expertise is rather grain-centric. All three times I've eaten there, the man who I assume owns the place has been present, and he very genuine enthusiasm for food and drink. As much as I hate to say that my favorite place to eat is a French restaurant (as opposed to something obscure serving things most English people wouldn't touch), it really is the best place I've eaten in Toronto, and one of the best places I've eaten at anywhere. The price is the only thing that keeps me from being a regular- I don't feel that La Palette is overpriced though. It's worth it, just not cheap. read more

There are few places when you go on vacation you rave about to people later. This is a kitschy hole in the wall I would urge ANYONE to go visit on a trip to Toronto. Bartender was very friendly and had me sample a number of wines to make sure I was happy with my selection. You can see the chef cook your food with a open concept space, I love this idea because the space has to be very organized and clean. Food was prepared perfectly and they have a great fresh menu. I had the Creme Brule for dessert and I almost died it was so good! read more

La Palette - Cute menu and the bartender was super helpful - French Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Environment: 5/5 Employees: 5/5 Food: 5/5 Drinks: 5/5 Cost: 4/5 Accessibility: 2/5 Total: 26/30 Story Time: The Toronto Crew (Steven, Nick, Austin, Tom and me) decided on a whim to just go to Toronto and stay there one night. And..they were all straight, except for me of course. And if you know me, you would know that I don't go with just straight guys to anywhere. I had to take this opportunity and wave my gay wand around. Before arriving here, we went to a place called Bar Chef, which was full of shit, but from that shit they suggested we come to La Pallette for French food. We took the advice with a grain of salt, but it turned to the best thing that touched our tongues. What is this magical place with magical food and magical music. I felt like the queen I am being serenaded and indulging in utterly awesome food. Synopsis: I did the course meal as my friends did the horse meat and duck leg. Everything that I tried was amazing, even the ciders they had. Just ugh...on-point with everything, even the service. Are we still in Toronto, or heaven? Environment: A rectangular restaurant that was dimly lit for a more intimate setting and to keep the ugly peope pretty. Hahahha. We were sat all the way in the back, because you know they like to put baby in the corner. Hahhaa. No, but seriously it was very nice restaurant, which apparently the bar turns into a stage and a bunch of gypsies just play music. Employees: This was the cherry on top! So very awesome. When I left, I had my muscle bowl still on the table, but wasn't finished with it. I was told the busser took it and then the waitresses retracted that execution and brought it back because she knew I wasn't finished drinking the broth. Food: Where to even begin on the journey of awesomeness! Bread: What? This condensed homemade bread as amazing. The best bread, from a restaurant, that I have ever tasted. I swear we had thirds of this. Thank goodness I am not diabetic! 5/5 Escargot: Not the best I have ever tasted, but not the worst. I loved how it was displaced and it gave you a nice mouthful, especially with their amazing bread! 4/5 Muscles: Holy mother of Jesus! This was out of this world good. I don't know what the broth was made out of, but I'm sure my blood pressure sky-rocketed as I started drinking it like soup. I even used the bread to soak up all the salty-goodness. 5/5 Horse Meat: I have horse meat before and it was gamey. Some how with their magical powers, they made the meat tender and "melt" in your mouth like BUTTTAAHHH. After sampling a taste, I was ban from getting seconds. Aww...how can you be so mean? 5/5 Duck: Although this was the least of my favorite meats in comparison, it was still good. I mean, it's duck. It wasn't dry at all, and the crispy skin! I'm so glad my friend couldn't finish it all because I DEVOURED it as if it was my last suppah! 5/5 Fruit Custard: This was actually my least favorite out of the entire course. I was kind of disappointed that the follow-up of all the delicious food didn't come with a wonderful tasting dessert. It was meh... I could have honestly done without. Perhaps more sugar in the crust? A more of a twist to it? Cream cheese? I have no idea. 3/5 Drinks: Thomas Lavers Ginger Beer: This thing...omg, was the best ginger beer I had in my life. It was the elixir of life and every one of us wanted more of it. We loved it so much that we made it a point to TRY TO FIND IT THE NEXT DAY and bought every single bottle a small shop had. This was with the Dark and Stormy drink. Very delicious! 5/5 St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout: With coffee and chocolate flavors, it really seemed like it was a Guinness but even better. I love my beers dark like my men ;) 5/5 Apple Cider with Bourbon: Definitely best with bourbon, secondary vodka. It was sweet, but beautifully made. With the bourbon, it was a nice smooth spiral down your throat. 5/5 Apple Cider with Vodka: Definitely a no, no. This was more of a bumpy ride down your throat. 2/5 Cost: Definitely on the pricey side, but because the dollar is stronger it was a "little" cheaper. IT WAS DEFINITELY, DEFINITELY worth it though. So delicious. I want seconds. Accessibility: Well the public transportation isn't great....and you need either a car or the cab. read more