Simple Bistro

We went to Simple Bistro for brunch last weekend because we did not want to go somewhere too far south.  It turns out that indeed everything is very simple inside -- with white walls and 1 waitress who was serving the entire restaurant (around 15+ people when we were there).  I ordered the Crêpe aux Champignons and Hubby ordered the Simple Burger. 

The crepe had just the right amount of goat cheese so that its flavor did not overpower the other ingredients in the crepe. 

For the burger, hubby said it was average, nothing special. 

Overall, we both felt nothing too special about our dishes (crepe was good and burger was average), the place was very small and we felt like our elbows were always hitting something. We don't think we will go again unless we are really in that area and there is nothing else we like to try.

Simple Bistro
619 Mount Pleasant Road
Toronto
M4S 2M5
Tel: 416.483.8933

... more ...

Le Sélect Bistro

Woohooo!!! Second brunch in the month of May! ^^

This time we went to Le Sélect Bistro located in the heart of Toronto and yet tucked away from the downtown busy streets. As a result, finding parking was not a problem for us. I loved the atmosphere of the entire place, from the front patio to the interior decoration -- very charming and elegant (sorry, no pics because I was busy carrying Baby J). In addition, the lady who served us was also very attentive and friendly.

I ordered the Escalope de Foie Gras aux Lardons et aux Figues -- seared fresh foie gras on a thin French Toast with lardons, pears fambe in Brandy and a fig compote. Served with an egg en cocotte and a Port maple sauce. It was a well prepared dish, everything in the dish paired well with the foie gras but at the same time I did not find it extraordinary.

Hubby ordered a Steak Grille, Ouef a Cheval -- grilled centre cut filet, topped with a "fresh air" egg, and served with mushrooms and frites. The meat was tendered and we loved the sauce and it was a better dish than the foie gras that I ordered.

Baby J had the Ouefs Bebedicte -- two poached (well-done) eggs on a croissant with ham and Hollandaise, served with frites -- from the kids brunch menu. No complains from Baby J, he enjoyed a bit of everything and 1 fries (first fries for him ^^) and we finished the rest for him.

Overall, we enjoyed the atmosphere, the food, the service and we will definitely be visiting again.

Le Sélect Bistro
432 Wellington Street West,
Toronto
M5V 1E3
TEL: 416.596.6405

... more ...

Grains Bistro

I love brunch but almost always there was no time to go in the past year.  However, I was determined to go this weekend and after some last minute research, we went to Grains Bistro.  Grains Bistro is a modern, child-friendly, relaxed place.  The patio looks great too but we decided to sit indoor by the windows anyway.

We were impressed by the toddler (under 4 years of age) eats free menu because the food, and the plating exceeded our expectation in a free food point of view.  I cannot recall the last time we had free food, let alone free food with good portion and decent plating.  I guess this point is well-known by its neighborhood because we also saw other tables with many toddlers as well. There is no free lunch, but there is free brunch ^^

I orderd a latte, and a Smoked Salmon Benedict.  The latte was average but I was satisfied with the delicious benedict.  Eggs were poached perfectly with warm, creamy, runny egg yorks and Hollandaise sauce.  Yum!

My hubby ordered the Certified Angus Roast Beef Melt which he did not like because the meat was too tough. He ended up not able to finish the entire plate.  Despite the fact that his dish did not come out as well as he wished, he still would give Grains Bistro another chance because he tasted my benedict which he loved too.

Overall, we were happy with our experience and will likely return to try another brunch or lunch / dinner.


Grains Bistro
8707 Dufferin St., Unit 12
Thornhill, ON
L4J 0A2

TEL: 905.907.9000
Website: http://gbistro.ca/

... more ...