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Bonjour Brioche
Categories: Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Restaurants French Breakfast & Brunch, French [Edit]
812 Queen Street EToronto, ON M4M 1H7
Neighbourhood: Riverdale
(416) 406-1250
- Hours:
Tue-Sun 8 am - 4 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Breakfast, Brunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
83 reviews for Bonjour Brioche
Review Highlights
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"Nonetheless, the baked french toast was exquisite." In 11 reviews -
"Had the special, smoked salmon, poached egg on brioche." In 14 reviews -
"there are always three tart du jour choices and three..." In 3 reviews
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82 reviews in English
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Review from Kendall D.
Toronto, ON
4/26/2012
Reviews seemed to be mixed, - but I don't think it's fair to the people who give it a low review.
The seating is rather limited in the winter, the patio double's its size, there can only be fifteen tables in the restaurant - so of course good food attracts people, and people don't like to wait too long for good food.
I used to work around the corner, so for lunch, it was easy to get in and get out un-scathed - the entire menu is delicious - though I recommend the custard tarts over anything - and the marmalade - it is the only place that warms my brunch soul. -
Review from Justin C.
Mississauga, ON
4/18/2012
Came here for Sunday brunch in the spring.
Based on the reviews, I had been expecting tremendously long line-ups, but I think the timing when we arrived was simply perfect.
We managed to arrive and get seated (for a table for 2) immediately. We were given an inside seat by the window. The seating arrangements were a little tight, understandably so though given the size of the place.
Food:
I had the Poached Eggs With Smoked Salmon And Hollandaise; while she had the Baked French Toast.
I found my meal to be very delicious and filling. I'm not the CRAZIEST fan of Hollandaise sauce, but it went very well with the poached eggs and the salmon. My friend is allergic to melon - and unfortunately is mixed into the fruit salad that accompanies the Baked French Toast. I tried the Baked French Toast as well, and wouldn't hesitate to order that if I were to return.
Service:
Service was a little sub-par. Besides being seated almost immediately, because of our seating location, it was not easy to get the waiter's attention (hard to believe if you were to see how big the place was). We went somewhat un-noticed in the corner for a few minutes.
Besides that, when asked for alternatives on accompanying sides for the Baked French Toast (read above re: allergy), the waitress was not being very helpful and had a poor attitude towards the situation.
Overall, it was a good meal. The Baked French Toast was unique to me so I would come back for that. But otherwise, I am not a fan of long line-ups and would consider a nearby alternative if I were in the area again next time. -
Review from Michael F.
ON
3/4/2012
My actual review for Bonjour Brioche is 3.5, but it was more appropriate to round down rather than round up in this case.
I live in the neighbourhood, and I end up at Bonjour Brioche frequently. The first that strikes you is the smell from outside. It literally reminded me of Paris the first time, with the smell of butter croissant in the air.
We usually get take out - either the Eggs Benedict, the Croque Madame, or simply a couple of Croissants. They're always delicious. The price (case only!) is generally a few dollars more than other neighbourhood breakfast/brunch destinations, such as Joy or Lady Marmalade.
The service generally leaves something to be desired. When stopping in for a few croissants, I often find myself standing at the counter, wondering if anyone is ever going to serve me. -
Review from Paul B.
Toronto, ON
5/1/2012
Now, this is what I was expecting for Brunch when I moved to the East end! After a sub-par experience with the food and service at Lady Marmalade down the street, my girlfriend and I were eager to find a brunch place in the neighbourhood. Thankfully, we found this place!
Other reviews are right, it'll be a wait to get a table, and the place is busy as busy can be. That being said, we've never had anything but fantastic service, and amazing food!
Whether it's a croissant and coffee on your way to work during the week or a full sit down brunch on the weekend, the food here is astounding! Personally, my favourite is the Smoked Salmon and scrambled eggs, but the Baked French Toast is great and the Croque Madam looks amazing!
I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for brunch with french flare, and is willing to wait a little and be in a busy place. If you're looking for no wait and lots of space, Joy Bistro down the street never seems that crazy, busy...but I'm sure there's a reason! Enjoy! -
Review from Joanne W.
*4.5 STARS
If only there was more space here, or have a better way to handle line-ups, I would give this restaurant a full 5 stars.
My friends and I were planning to head to Lady Marmalade for brunch on Sunday, however, with the extensive line-up, we decided to come to Bonjour Brioche (found it on the yelp app).
The line-up seemed shorter, however, unfortunately, I was waiting for another 45 minutes just to get a seat for 4. I was getting hungry and cranky. Joanne being hungry and cranky is not a fun sight.
We finally got seated, and I absolutely loved our waiter. Fun, smart, and had an amazingly great memory. I had ordered the special that day: poached eggs, smoked salmon, caramelized onions, on a croissant. Goodness gracious, this was probably the best benny that I had (next to Vancouver's Teahouse). The caramelized onions was a great touch. The fresh pear/ginger juice was okay as well, but I could have passed.
My friends had ordered the croque monsieur, and the smoked salmon & scrambled eggs. They said that my poached eggs was a lot better (which I have to agree with).
For dessert, my girlfriends and I had ordered the flourless chocolate cake. It was a bit too dense for my liking (and I'm not the biggest fan of chocolate-related pastries... Please don't kill me). I would love to try the apple tarte tatin next time. Too bad I was pregnant with a food baby at the end of the meal.Listed in: I love brunch (& breakfast).
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Review from steve t.
Toronto, ON
4/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
I love this place for brunch.
Fresh selection of baked goods. Amazing croissants that sell out quickly. Baguettes with their whipped butter are delicious.
Great for pairs. Not good for large groups. -
Review from Mauricio A.
Toronto, ON
2/6/2012
I remember hearing about the line-ups a long time ago and I have been here three times.
To be honest, yes, the food is not bad at all but definitely it leaves me wondering that maybe us Torontonians are sadly lacking good brunch places because I would NOT wait 25 minutes for a brunch here.
Yes, this is much better than Cora's, Sunset Grill and any other standard issue greasy spoons, of course Bonjour Brioche does not even compare and it is another completely --and better animal.
And yes, it does have a certain European appeal, but I really don't think is all that to be five stars or four.
Due to the service that is so-so, which from my experience in France, I have to say that they got that down pat. Not rude, just not overly friendly either.
Would I come back, yes. Yes, I would but I do not think it is all, the pastries although better than many places in Toronto are still not as good as I have tasted elsewhere since there are a few better places in town, perhaps not at this price point, but it shows.
Also I would still recommend La Palette as a somewhat more French experience than Bonjour Brioche. -
Review from Peter H.
Vancouver, BC
12/11/2011
Alright everyone, easy with the haterade. This place is good, 5 star good. It has great food, and hey look it's a bakery & cafe, not a restaurant. If people are poo-pooing it with low reviews, complaining about limited seating, you're soured by your own expectations instead of being open to the wonderful experience at hand.
I know, I know, those are fighting words. To back them up I present to the jury the following facts:
1. I typically don't bother reviewing places if they have more than 10 reviews, but I'm reviewing it anyway because it's that good.
2. I'm reviewing it 7 months after I was last there as I still think about it because it's that good.
3. Oh, I also ate there three days in a row and canceled other Toronto home town travel stuff to do so because it's that good.
4. I have taken to looking at home prices in the area pondering if I sold my place in Vancouver, and moved to Toronto, how oftern could I eat there because it's that good.
Really, just go and yes I'll be jealous of you. -
Review from Sharon F.
East York, ON
2/6/2012
Regardless of the packed space, the poor set-up/line-up during winter and the sometimes pushy staff, Bonjour Brioche is undeniably the stalwart of the Leslieville brunch scene.
If you love a good bistro brunch/lunch, this is THE place in Toronto to go.
The tarts du jour range from figs with gorgonzola, to anything sweet and enticing. The omlettes are always fluffy in a way that Julia Child would approve and their croque monsieurs knows no rivals. Traditionalists will love it for the lightly dressed salad and proper cafe au lait bowls, and everyone else will love it for the intimate space, fresh ingredients and consistent quality.
Whenever my girlfriends and I go for brunch we wait for the moment that we set down our forks, about 80% through our meal, and as if telepathically-inclined, a beautiful server will walk by with a big plate of dessert tarts and a twinkle in her eyes, offering us the most delectable chocolate tart, which always gets packed up, smooshed from transit and devoured at home. Bonjour Brioche to me is a magical experience that gets better every time. -
Review from Steph L.
1/9/2012
Bonjour Brioche, I want to wake up to your croissants.
Buttery.
Flaky.
Delicious. Crunch.
Mmmm.
I have to say, I didn't miss lining up at Lady Marmalade at all.
The menu has brunch items along with quiche and other great lunch items.
I ordered smoked salmon with scrambled eggs on rosti.
It was heavenly!
The salmon and creamed horse radish and caviar was a magical combination.
The rosti was hot and crispy and added heartiness to breakfast.
I found my breakfast light and there was still room for dessert!
...Dessert that they bring to your table!
The waiter brought over a small but impressive showcase of their desserts.
I gave into temptation.
Bonjour, creme brule tart!
Served up with creme fresh, it was my favourite dessert in tart form. It even had a crackable crispy caramelized sugar top. What a perfect end to a fantastic brunch!
Ah Bonjour Brioche, a la prochaine! (kiss, kiss) -
Review from KL M.
Toronto, ON
11/20/2011
This is my favourite brunch spot in the city as it reminds me of the European patisseries I frequented while living abroad. The pastry selection is seriously dangerous in the best possible way: croissants, cookies, tarts, baguettes, breads, spreads, you name it. And I dream about the spicy bacon and avocado sandwich. Even the side salad with the basil vinaigrette is delish!
They always have a dozen daily specials (highly recommended) and some interesting fresh juices.
You can always expect a bit of a wait, but it's so worth it! -
Review from Kent P.
8/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Alright Eastend. Calm down with this whole "you've got the best brunch" thing you've got going for you. I was not very impressed with BB. It was busy, the selection seemed homogeneous (egg with chive/cheese and brioche), serving was small, our server looked like he was from a steampunk convention, and I had to run to the bank for cash because they don't accept plastic.
Average meal. Still was hungry. Ate a crepe on the way home.
Fuckin' steampunk!? -
Review from Linda M.
8/12/2011
Sadly, my regular BCo (Brunch Companion) has left Toronto, westbound back to her home city of Vancouver. I'll miss you and our culinary adventures!! In her memory (haha), I thought I'd review one of our first brunch stops, and her favourite.
I live on the far west end of the city, so to be willing to go all the way to Leslieville for brunch shows the trust I put in my BCo when she told me that this is her favourite brunch spot in all of Toronto. Okay, really, who am I kidding - I'm always willing to go out of my way for great food.
I arrived and was a little confused about where I was supposed to enter the restaurant. Even after finding the door, I thought I might be at the wrong one. But, my BCo spotted me and waved from her table. I was very glad that we had decided to continue our tradition of arriving at opening, because by the time we left there was a line out the door (and this was in the middle of winter!).
The main thing I remember is how delicious the French toast was. I've said in a recent review that I'm usually disappointed when I select a sweet option - this was an exception. Generous, hearty, delicious. That's how I would describe the plate that was put in front of me. I was disappointed that they couldn't (wouldn't?) accommodate my request to have no melon in my accompanying fruit salad. Melon is an evil fruit that infects its flavour into everything it touches. I'm not a fan. Apparently their fruit is pre-mixed so I was out of luck. But back to the French toast. It was raisin brioche bread, dipped in French toast batter and fried...then covered in real maple syrup. It was divine. It almost made me forgive the melon on my plate...almost.
The café itself was cute, but not a lot of tables for a place that's so popular. I noticed that you could also bakery items, and was told by my friend that their bread is fantastic.
All in all, delicious French toast, cute atmosphere, okay service, but it should really have a better waiting system and the inability to customize my order slightly bothered me. What if I was allergic?
Oh, and please note: cash only!Listed in: Brunch!
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Review from Anabel L.
Toronto, ON
8/31/2011
This cafe-bakery already gets enough praise so I'll keep it short. Go for brunch, go get a baguette or just go eat a doughnut. I do all three.
Bonjour Brioche makes these sinfully delicious jelly doughnuts called the Brioche Royale. If you're lucky you can get there in time to eat a fresh one. Timing is everything. Regardless, they're so good I thought about buying clothes one size up to compensate for the added weight. I enjoy their doughnuts that much...they are dirrrrtyyy good. -
Review from Ksenja T.
10/31/2011
Having driven by this place a few times and always seeing the long line-ups, I had high expectations for my Sunday brunch. Thankfully, we didn't have to wait once we got there and were seated right away, probably because it was already after 2 pm. Our waiter quickly told us the specials (one being this hot chocolate with real Belgian chocolate and some type of liquor which ended up being pretty tasty), and took our orders.
I had the fruit salad with yoghurt granola and honey, which satisfied me. It even had some pomegranate bits, so I was glad to see them using seasonal fruits. Because I was going to go to get a proper latte after brunch, I only ordered a coffee which did not taste fresh at all. The French toast was tiny with two little slices, and they forgot to bring me my brioche.Once I got my brioche, it was the tiniest brioche ever known to mankind!!!! I was confused actually, as the ones from the bakery upfront looked way bigger. Actually, I liked our waiter, I guess this place is just too busy!! Cute ambiance though. -
Review from Bryan C.
Toronto, ON
2/15/2012
A good sandwich, but not in respect to the wait time. All of my "trendy" or "hipster" friends seems to rant and rave about this place, so I decided to give it a shot. The first thought when I walked up was that I was glad I finished work early because I will be standing in line all day. While it wasn't all day, 45 minutes is quite ridiculous for a sandwich at lunch. Maybe I am not with the times and it is actually trendy to waste your whole lunch hour standing a waiting, but I just don't get it. Because of the rave reviews I have heard about this place I decided to suck it up and wait patiently.
When I finally got to the point where I could order a sandwich I had to actually take half a step back just to take in how rude the server was. I thought that maybe it had something to do with my attire (which is not exactly business-like) which would have been semi-acceptable, but then I paid attention to how she was with others and it was just as bad. I wasn't relieved at all, but I was thinking of how great this sandwich must be if they can treat people that way and still have a lineup around the corner ALA Soup Nazi from Seinfeld. When I got to the point that I could order, I went with the Rare roast beef sandwich with brie and garlic aioli on a baguette.
Being in Leslieville, the price was actually pretty surprising. There are very few places that have lunch for under $10, which I personally deem to be top dollar amount for a weekday work lunch. When you factor in wait time of course that jumps way above that price point, but it is still a rare occurrence. I got the sandwich and it was full of flavour. The roast beef was fresh, the brie was thick and smooth, the garlic aioli was a little bit stronger in the garlic that expected but it complimented the rest of the sandwich nicely. The sandwich was a very good sandwich for $6.75 in that area, but I don't think it really lived up to expectations. With all the great reviews on Yelp (that I was quickly going through while waiting in line) and all the hype that it was given by people I know, I think it got a little over-hyped and I was expecting the best sandwich I had ever had. Very good, but not the best by far.
With the food being as good as it was, it troubles me that everything else about the place is really poor. I don't know if it is just them being really cocky because they know they have a consistent lineup or if I should be making some sort of judgement about the French people. Before you jump with the racist card, my other recent French experience is detailed in my review of C'est What?; also a French restaurant with bad customer service. Even though the sandwich is really good and well priced, I don't know if I would return because of that. Not to mention it is very rare that I have that kind of time to kill in the middle of the day. It really does suck that they are so bad when they make a sandwich that is so good. Shame. -
Review from Jess W.
Toronto, ON
8/5/2011 3 photos
Came here on a Friday for brunch. I arrived close to 1 to find a small line outside. Luckily most tables were finishing up so my friend and I were able to get seated within 10 minutes. The place is a kinda small and since it was extremely hot that day, it was extremely stuffy inside the restaurant. So, we opted to sit on the side patio instead.
We ordered the Baked French Toast - with fresh fruit & maple syrup ($8.50). It consisted of two thick slices of cinnamon bread topped with powdered sugar. It was pretty dense in the middle and had a consistency of bread pudding. Unfortunately, I'm not a huge fan of bread pudding, so I didn't enjoy the french toast too much (the middle anyways). Despite this, I actually really enjoyed the outsides of the french toast (the parts which weren't heavy/creamy).
We also ordered the Smoked Salmon and Scrambled Eggs - with chives, rosti potato, creamed horseradish and caviar ($10). The eggs were cooked perfectly (I can't stand overcooked rubbery scrambled eggs!) and the combination of the horseradish and fish roe was nice. The rosti potato didn't have a whole lot of flavour on its own, but tasted pretty good with the eggs.
Although we were both stuffed, we couldn't resist ordering a dessert after seeing the dessert tray the server brought around to show the customers. Since the server recommended the raspberry tart ($5), we went with that. The tart was filled with custard and raspberry. Overall, a decent tart.
Overall everything was good but I don't know if anything was good enough to warrant another visit (for brunch, anyways), since I don't live in the area! -
Review from Juliana H.
Toronto, ON
10/23/2011
My actual rating is 4.5.
What can make a beautiful sunny fall morning even better? A good breakfast! I am lucky to live a block away from Bonjour Brioche, but I don't come here all that often. Why? Like most other breakfast spots in this hood, it's just too damn busy!
Today, I was up early enough to beat the line. We got a table right away and after debating whether I should go with the special or stick to my regular the Croque Madame, I opted for the special. It was a double decker delux grill cheese with a fried egg, provolone, arugula, and prosciutto. My partner got the other special sandwich, bacon, avocado, and cheddar. I think I preferred his because it was on one of their amazing baguettes. I had a bite of it and it was heavenly.
What I love about this place is the quality of their food. What I dislike about this place is how cramped it is. I know some people feel that it's cozy, but I always feel uncomfortable and that makes me feel like eating fast and getting the hell out of there. -
Review from Jen C.
7/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
While I can't stand to wait in line for brunch, they do have an excellent peameal bacon sandwich if you're inclined to sit-down and eat. But as tasty as it is, I wouldn't wait more than 15 minutes in line for it.
You can, however, skip the line and pick up one of their awesome croissants to munch as you go. Their croissants are good - light and flaky as they should be. And grab a baguette for later! The baguette has a nice chew to it and is best with a simple smear of butter. Both are worth getting.Listed in: Leslieville for the Foodie
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Review from Eric L.
4/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Another great french bakery. The owners are a husband and wife from Lyon, France. The pastries are just amazing, flaky, light, sweet, rich. They have them all, croissants, turnovers, baguettes.
I went there for lunch and had the roast beef and brie on a baguette. To die for. C'est à dire, magnifique! -
Review from Teresa C.
5/31/2011
PROS:
- lovely, lovely pastries and croissants. grab a croissant and meander down Queen Street to the Dark Horse to get a coffee on a nice summer day. perfect!
- the wait isn't ever too long. that being said, there is ALWAYS a wait...it's just not that bad of a wait
- patio!
- decent prices. $8.75 for the croque madam, the tart du jour and the quiche du jour (which all come with a salad and baguette w/ butter).
- light, refreshing meals. i don't ever feel heavy after a meal at bonjour brioche. especially good for hot summer days when you just want to have something light but still filling
- there are always three tart du jour choices and three quiche du jour choices. lots of variety to choose from!
- always really friendly and helpful service. always.
CONS:
- the space is small, which means it's squishy in there. be ready to bump elbows with the people next to you
- because there is always a wait and the space is so squishy, i feel compelled to eat quickly and get out fast. i know this doesn't have to be the case and that i can take my time, but that's how it feels to be in there
FAVOURITE ORDER:
the croque madam! packed full of flavour (the ham and the gruyere make that happen). it's brioche that the sandwich is made on, which is so buttery and heavenly.
(if you are looking for something lighter though, i would choose one of the tarts du jour!)Listed in: Best Brunching
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Review from Jill H.
9/17/2011
Still searching for the best brunch in Toronto...and Bonjour Brioche has been the best thus far! (I'm reserving my 5 stars for when I blown away!!!).
The spot is really cute -- we had a lovely seat on the side patio, which was quaint and perfect for a Sunday morning. The smells that are coming out of the bakery are just divine....and everything that is being served by the wait staff looks amazing!
The quiche was excellent!! Served with a cute bed of yummy greens, I have to say that the quiche was one of the best we've had in a while! My partner-in-crime had eggs benny, which came out lovely as well. The fresh veg/fruit juices complemented the breakfast perfectly, as did the hot cup of fresh coffee. We couldn't resist having one of the sumptuous desserts after seeing them in the bakery window -- the lemon tart was very yummy and tasted exactly like you'd imagine buying one from a small little patisserie in France. MMMM.
YAY for Bonjour Brioche. Still on the search for the best brunch in TO, but you're a memorable meal as the search continues..... -
Review from Denise S.
5/29/2011
J'aime ca.
Came here for the first time today. I have been meaning to try this place for a long time but was sort of turned off by the stories of its infamous long lines on weekends. My DC and I arrived a bit after 10AM and we just had one group ahead of us, and waited 5 minutes. Not bad at all. Although, during our brunch we watched as the line grew longer and longer (by the time we left, it was almost curling around the block).
The service is prompt. I think everyone is aware of the line, so the wait staff are very quick at taking orders and clearing dishes immediately. When we sat down, we were asked right away whether we'd like some coffee and croissants to start. I just had a tall glass of freshly squeezed OJ.
I ended up deciding on the quiche de jour, which had spinach and feta. They also have a lorraine available every day. The quiche came in a generous portion. The crust was buttery and flaky and the filling with delicious (the eggs were fluffy and light, not too dense). It came with a pretty standard side of mixed greens with a basil-y vinaigrette dressing, and their lovely baguette served warm with butter. The DC had the Croque Madame, which looked like the perfect hearty hangover brunch.
Mid-way through our brunch, the owner very apologetically asked if we could move tables to accommodate a large group. It was no problem (we just had to slide over one table), and she gave us each a croissant of our choice for free as a 'thank you'. I opted for the chocolate croissant, which I enjoyed later this afternoon. It was just perfect -- soft, flaky, fresh, without too much filling.
Other notes:
- Tables are very close together and some groups of 3 were sharing just a tiny table meant for 2.
- The side patio looks nice.
- Cappuccinos come in those huge bowls.
- Clock on the wall is 7 minutes fast.
- According to my DC, this place is a "gay hipster mecca". I dunno. The crowd seemed pretty mixed to me.
- Bill Cosby ate here apparently; his autograph is on the wall.
All in all, a nice brunch spot but I don't think I would line up more than 15-20 mins. for this place. The food is great, but there are also lots of other similar places that are less hyped with no lines.Listed in: Patio Season!, Brunch
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Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
3/12/2011 5 photos
Having a leisure lunch at Bonjour Brioche on a cold winter day with the sun beaming in does made me feels I am not in Toronto.
The small wobbling table and the cramped interior does give this place a certain "European" charm.
I was a little unlucky because they were all out of baguette!! But I have a craving for sandwich and that wonderful side salad. The dressing is lemony and refreshing good!
Service is like Chinese restaurant = fast, efficient and lukewarm.
I might come back for some other dishes.. but definitely not going to line up for that! -
Review from Alice T.
The food was great, if I was just voting on food I'd give it 4 stars, but cash only?? Really?
In a location that has no banks nearby and their ATM was also broken, and it was winter... lame! I had to borrow money from my friend who I hadn't seen in ages, awkward! Sure I could have checked online or they could join the modern age and get a machine. If they can have an ATM machine, not really sure why they can't have a transaction machine. OK, cash only rant aside...
I ordered the croque madame which was good, wish I could have chosen how I like the egg because wasn't a fan of the runny white. I love runny yolk but usually order my eggs over easy or poached so the white is cooked. But overall it was a very tasty sandwich.
The side salad had an incredible dressing. I had to keep myself from licking the plate. It came with a side of bread (baguette) which I thought was a bit weird as a side for a sandwich but the baguette had great texture and let me soak up the dressing so it was all good.
I also had the pear tart for dessert, delicious short bread crust, with a little cake like interior and pears topped with whipped cream, very yummy!
4 stars if they'd just get a transaction machine... -
Review from Faye C.
6/26/2011
*3.5 stars
Today was my first day having brunch here. We decided to go with the daily special, poached egg, with smoked salmon or peameal bacon and hollandaise sauce. (that's right eggs benny, without being called eggs benny). I had the smoked salmon, and my bf ordered the peameal bacon. It was delish - there were lots of different flavours so its was hard to tell what was going one.
Pros: the eggs benny came on a fresh butter croisant, and not an english muffin. Also came with some pickled celery and caramelized onions, which sweetened the dish. The salad with their house dressing was amazing.
Cons: The hollandaise sauce was thinner than most places and a little bit more lemony, the side of baguette with butter (a super huge pat of butter) was a bit of overkill.
I couldn't help myslef and ordered their savoury tart du jour (fig caramelized onion, and blue cheese). It tasted like a small quiche. It was ok, I would try a different flavour maybe next time, or maybe I was just full.
I ordered the pecan tart to go. This had a nice consistency, not to runny, and caramelized butter tart filling, yum.
Overall 3.5 stars b/c they did some things really well, and other things not so much.
BTW we got a seat inside and it was boiling like a sauna, and it was so loud it was hard to have decent conversation. It was also pricey, with tax and tip it came to over $50. -
Review from L B.
Toronto, ON
3/20/2011
I met family here for brunch on the weekend. I had the baked french toast - it was delicious! The place is very quaint - definitely feels like you are in Paris!
I would describe this place as a definite A-OK. I wouldn't give it any higher due to my personal tastes. My issues are that it's cash only, very busy and very loud. -
Review from Nicole M.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 3/6/2011
Bonjour, you've redeemed yourself and earned the 5 stars I know you deserve.
I went with the quiche that I know and love and it didn't disappoint. My friend ordered the french toast. It's hearty serving so she shared some of it with me - that is some damn good french toast! It's a thick cut cinnamon bread and it's not at all greasy. It's the kind of thing you just can't stop eating because it would be a crime for any of it to go to waste.
Dilemma, dilemma - what will I order next time???Listed in: Worth the trip to the east end, Toronto Brunch - Hot or Not…
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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1/5/2011
My parents go out for breakfast just about every weekend. My Dad orders the same thing every time -… Read more »
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Review from Cindy H.
Toronto, ON
3/8/2012
The food is good. Staff are good. I used to go frequently but I can no longer tolerate the owner's wife. I have witnessed way too many mean acts and rude comments to justify continuing to support her business. Nasty, nasty, nasty.
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Review from Ash B.
Toronto, ON
12/25/2011
I've been working on saulter st for a year, brioche has been my everyday morning coffe for a fair good price, always pack nd smell good, sandwich cheap and good come down for coffee n croisant now for $2.75
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Review from Isabella L.
Toronto, ON
11/7/2010 2 photos
3.8
I did not get a chance to sit inside, but the side 'patio' was nice as well. I was expecting to get a cold from sitting there, but they have 3 big heat lamps which made it very cozy, even a jacket wasn't necessary! However, my neck was burning since I was right under it... which made it a bit uncomfortable. The tables were literally right beside each other, but that's nothing new for a brunch place.
The wait time was 12 minutes. Just a heads up the line died down at 1:45pm.
As usual, I ordered my eggs benedict with smoked salmon. The good about this dish was that the smoked salmon was not very salty compared to other places and it was accompanied by a huge salad with the right amount of dressing and soft warm french baguette with a huge slab of butter! My eggs were not perfectly poached...which dissapointed me greatly because I get a thrill cutting eggs open and just seeing that river of golden yolk pour out with no solids. Oh well, the hollondaise was good as well. Another thing that bothered me was the celery underneath the eggs... it had a tangy taste to it which, I'm neutral about but could do without.
The two girls beside us asked for a dessert display and by god, it looked absolutely mouth-watering and heavenly. I wanted to push the guy aside and just grab all the damn pastries and run for it.
After my meal, I headed inside to check out the showcase of pastries. There are danishes/croissants/tarts/different breads which all looked delectable, but I was pretty damn full from my meal. But no worries, 'cause I will be back.
Overall: I've already made my mind up for what to order next. QUICHE and either a chocolate croissant or danish. YUMMAY. -
Review from Giuliana B.
SCARBOROUGH, ON
9/27/2010
We woke up hungry and hungover yesterday, so we decided to hit up Bonjour Brioche for a meal big and delicious enough to soak up the alcohol of the night before. There were three of us, and we arrived at BB around 1:00pm, and saw a line up. Surprisingly, this line moved quickly and we were given a table less than 10mins into our wait.
The server came around and told us the drink specials, and then left while we looked at the menus and made up our minds. We decided on the Spicy bacon sandwich with avocado and tomato, the croque madame, poached eggs with hollandaise and smoked salmon, and baked french toast for the table to share. We also got 2 pomegranate mimosas, two cappuccinos and 2 croissants to nosh on while we waited for the massive amounts of food that we ordered.
We were seating in the patio (not by choice) and it was chilly, so when we saw a table closer to the entrance become available, we decided to switch. We asked the waitress and she became visibly annoyed that we'd wanted to move. But we were cold! She sighed loudly and said "fine, I'll clean it". Our cappuccino's came out a few minutes later, along with our mimosas, but no croissants. The waitress then disappeared, and did not come back until a few minutes later with out respective plates. We asked about the croissant's and were told that she'd go check on them.
Now, on to the food: The Croque Madame was OK. This is basically 2 slices of brioche with smoked ham and Gruyere, and a fried egg on top. The brioche was dry and a bit mealy, and there wasn't enough Gruyere to actually make a difference on the taste. Not impressed. On a more positive note, the greens were fresh and the vinaigrette light and delicious, I really enjoyed it.
The Spicy Bacon Sandwich: This was frigging' good! I really liked it. Fresh baguette, with salty bacon, fresh tomatoes and ripe avocado, yum!! Totally delicious.
The Poached Eggs with Hollandaise and Smoked Salmon: Also OK. I wasn't impressed with the Hollandaise, it was lemony and not terrible, but it also didn't knock my socks off, like I was expecting. I was a bit disappointed. However, I'm not sure if this is my own fault as maybe I'm just not ever really impressed by breakfast items. So I've decided to make a commitment to trying out a new brunch/breakfast spot every week and see if there's any out there that can really blow me away. I'll report.
The french toast: Yummmmmmmmmm.....absolutely mind blowing delicious goodness! This was purrrfect! We were meant to share it amongst the 3 of us, but I ended up eating most of it. Moist, sweet enough but not cloying, cinnamony, and caramely. Just divine! I'm salivating just thinking of it! The fruit it came with was pretty gross ( bitter cantaloupe, 2 grapes and mushy watermelon cubes). And if this had come with fresh berries or any other *fresh* fruit, it would had been THAT much better.
The mimosas were good, and the cappuccinos had chocolaty goodness on them, but were lukewarm when served to us, and I like my coffee hot.
At the end of our meal, a different waiter came by with a tray of tarts and gave us a description of each and asked us if we wanted any. We were stuffed at this point, but couldn't resist trying at least one. We got the sour cherry tart, and it was meh. The filling was a bit mushy, and the cherries weren't tart enough.
The croissants we asked for never came, and they also didn't show up on our bill, which is good. However, I wasn't impressed with the fact that our server never did find out what happened to them. We would have asked for them to go, but at this point we were too full to be able to imagine eating them, and we didn't want them to become soggy before we got to them.
All in all, the food was ok. 2 really good dishes, and 2 lacklustre ones. I do want to try out BB again, but next time I want to have their beef bourguignon, which the guy on the table next to us got and it looked delicious! Also, I really want to try their quiches and other sweet tarts. I'll return, but I'll be staying away from anything too "breakfasty". -
Review from Sarah O.
12/3/2011
This place is VERY "cozy", and by cozy I mean small and cramped. I was at the end table on the patio, and I think if I was sitting anywhere else I would felt clautrophobic. (Watch out for the wobbly tables- it's very easy to spill your over-priced beverages) I have traveled to Paris and I loved the food I had there so I was really looking forward to having brunch at BB despite the negative reviews and my friend's apprehensions.
BB seemed to me be to a pompous, self-aggrandizing and pretentious place which, I suppose would be tolerable if the ambiance and food really were great, but they fall short on both counts. Maybe I am being too harsh, but this place tries painfully hard to be authentic and they just aren't. My brioche french toast was well-portioned, but too heavy, and "fresh fruit" was the jarred type, feebly disguised with a few fresh berries.
Our waitress was an absolutely miserable young woman. When asked politely if there was an alternative to milk for coffee, she simply said "no" in a very stern tone. He demeanor was very off-putting. She was reasonably attentive, but she seemed irritated to be doing her job. Thankfully we didn't need any re-fills or to items sent back so we didn't have to incur her wrath. -
Review from Kat F.
...and we're back. Service has returned to "I'm French, fabulous, and only partially care about you being here, but will still serve you with a modicum of courtesy and concern," which is a far cry from the former attitude of "I'm French, and I essentially don't give a fuck about you."
My triumphant return to Bonjour Brioche after a one year (!) boycott was delightful. Bread pudding french toast was better than I remembered, and the carafe of red berry & orange sangria ($16) should have come with an impending warning of coma. That shit knocked me out good & proper. I got a text message from my dining companion six hours post brunch confessing: "I think that sangria had sedatives in it. Like, actually. Just woke up from a three hour nap." Moi avec, mon ami!Listed in: The Best Places To Eat, Shop &…, Leslieville's Best Brunch!, Sangria!
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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7/2/2009
I go to Bonjour Brioche consistently almost once a week and generally leave between 25-40% tip - the… Read more »
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Review from Jeff M.
Richmond Hill, ON
11/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Cash only but there is an ATM on site... That's a dirty cash grab. The French toast was really good but I probably won't come back because of their need to squeeze an extra couple bucks from me on the ATM thing.
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Review from Amy L.
9/16/2011
Brunch is one of the best things in life. Spending a gorgeous weekend morning catching up with family and friends, spoiling ourselves with an eggs benedict, french toast, or crêpe, and sharing laughters over a freshly brewed cup of coffee - that image denotes nothing short of blissfulness. Its times like these that make us realize how simple happiness can really be :)
I was able to experience one of these delightful moments at Bonjour Brioche on a sunny, warm Saturday with my good friend Colleen. She usually leaves the restaurant up to me whenever we meet up, and I was thrilled that she enjoyed our brunch experience at Bonjour Brioche as much as I did :)
A popular brunch destination known for their infamous long weekend queues and delicious baguettes and tarts, Bonjour Brioche is a delightful and cozy café located on the eclectic Queen Street East in Leslieville. When I stepped inside, it immediately reminded me of Lady Marmalade, mostly due to the presence of numerous avid brunchers and limited space, as well as the absence of air conditioning and a comfortable seating area. Similar to several other brunch hot spots, the entire party must have arrived in order to be seated. Colleen and I sat in an incredibly cramped area directly across from the pastry display, with wooden furniture that were evidently too large for the tiny space. After squeezing in and relieved that we were finally able to sit down, we noticed the menu on the chalkboard along with the countless frames hung neatly against the wall.
Carefully going through their delectable menu, my eyes were set on one item that I knew I had to try - the Baked French Toast with fresh fruits and maple syrup ($8.50). Intrigued at their twist on the traditional pan-fried french toast, and an empty stomach excitedly awaiting for something fantastic, I ordered it. It must have been 30 minutes from the time our orders were taken and when they were placed in front of us. Nonetheless, the baked french toast was exquisite. I could fully appreciate the delicate cooking process that resulted in a soft, moist, and delicious french toast. I particularly liked the natural layers coming out as I gently carved through the toast with my knife; almost spiral-like. I enjoyed the subtle sweetness of the toast itself, and baking it made it a less heavy meal altogether. The fresh berries and the natural sweetness of the maple syrup was an excellent pairing for this baked french toast, without taking over the perfect texture of it. This was a dish worth its hype.
Collen went with a special of the day - Bacon, avocado, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and fresh greens on a baguette. She gave me a portion to try and I found it really appetizing ;) The baguette was so fresh, crisp, and soft at the same time. The combination of ingredients went really well together, and sitting between an already perfect piece of baguette, how could I not drool just by the sight of it? Her sandwich was to-die-for. Period.
We were both very satisfied with the food at Bonjour Brioche. Although the space is tiny and there's usually a line-up at the door, their food won't let you down. As much as I loved my baked french toast, I will choose a sandwich at my next visit without any hesitation as it tasted incredible. The bacon sandwich was absolutely mouth-watering goodness. Bonjour Brioche sure knows what they're doing when it comes to delivering a tasty and gratifying brunch ;DListed in: Brunch Places
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Review from Tony C.
8/6/2008 6 photos
"The granola bowl that rocked our world."
By the time we visited Toronto, we'd already become jaded with Chicago brunch spots from Bongo Room, Jane's, Sweets & Savories to Orange, Overeasy, Jane's, Dodo, ad nausea. Hence when she wanted to order a simple bowl of granola bowl, I almost chewed her out for being not "serious" enough about our meals in Canada.
Ceres, god of grain, proved me so damn wrong here that I forever ate humble pie. To this day, we search aimlessly for that mythical bowl of heavenly granola. I'd also like to attribute a brilliant cup of granola yogurt parfait we had at Cafe Chloe in San Diego http://www.yelp.com/bi... with allowing me to be with my "honey" today.
Onto the granola: slight touch of sweetened Greek-style yogurt, house blend of granola with at least 3 different grains. Bits of coconut? (this is from memory), bits of flax seed? or was it sunflower seed? small chunks of pomegranade and .. passion fruit?
ahh SHIIIET . n'mind! i wrote about it here!
http://www.goodspot.ca...
"tonyc" existed before yelp. yay for me! -
Review from Eric P.
Ottawa, ON
9/5/2010
Have the baked french toast! If you like french toast and you also like pastries it's a no brainer. The baked french toast is basically crumpled pastries made into french toast - it's an awesome breakfast, although heavy on the calories I'm sure.
The restaurant itself looks a bit dated but the food was great and service was satisfactory. -
Review from Erwin M.
Ajax, ON
11/17/2011
Their croissants are so amazing. The wife and I always walk out with a bunch of them to take home after our meal. They always have specials on the chalkboard. First off, their fresh fruit juices are really good. We had the pear and ginger, which sounded odd at first, but when we actually drank it, it made me want to buy a juicer just to try and make it myself. I usually have the tuna salad on a milk bun, but I tried the pea meal sandwich. It was good but nothing out of the ordinary. If you ever get a chance to come across their tomato basil soup-GET IT. Get some to take home too. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.
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Review from Matthew S.
Toronto, ON
7/15/2010
Five star brunch brought down a star by weak service. The Eggs Benedict was excellent, hot chocolate in a bowl was good, and they have a nice patio.
The bad news is that the service was lacking. The woman running the joint was straight up rude and gave the impression she really didn't want to be there; she fully rolled her eyes and sighed when I asked if it was possible to sit on the patio. Our server was alright but not super friendly and she seemed like she was in a ridiculous rush, which was odd given that there were plenty of servers and the place wasn't that busy.
I got a few croissants to go and they were phenomenal.Listed in: Breakfast and Brunch
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