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Le Kensington Bistro
Category: Restaurants French French [Edit]
256 Augusta AvenueToronto, ON M5T 3A9
Neighbourhood: Kensington Market
(416) 792-9440
- Hours:
Wed-Sun 12 pm - 10 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
4 reviews for Le Kensington Bistro
4 reviews in English
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Review from Carolina M.
4/17/2012
The place is quaint and small. We were seated right away and the manager/owner took care of us. Very good service, very french place.
The food was solid. Everything we had was delicious form the wine to the desserts.
We order a goat cheese and beets salad, i had the beef bourginon and my hubbie had the steak. It was cooked perfectly and it was very tender.
The manager was friendly, and knowledgeable.Very nice parisienne.
Toronto is filled with good restaurants, we tried quite a few but this is one of those that stuck in my mind. -
Review from Derek P.
Toronto, ON
1/30/2012
I just went here for my first wedding anniversary dinner with another couple. Best steak I've had in a long time! The Charcuterie plate for two was phenomenal (chicken liver to die for), homemade mustard that was delicious. True french cooking! Although we made the mistake of bringing a vegan to a french restaurant, they were more than accommodating and our friend raved about the root vegetables.
All in all, one of the best dining experiences I've had in a while. I can't wait to go back for brunch soon and try the croque monsieur. -
Review from Angela L.
12/18/2011
"Wow! That was so good. I can't wait to come back again." was our unofficial greeting to Le Kensington. The exiting party that we were stepping aside for at the entrance was positively glowing. We took that as a very promising sign indeed.
Finally entering into the empty dining room (late) at 1:30pm, we felt somewhat silly for having made a reservation. However, not even before our entire party of five had shown up did it start filling up. The service from our very friendly Montreal-born server was most excellent. She was very pleasant and made plenty of helpful suggestions throughout our meal.
Even in hindsight, I still cannot decide whether sharing the charcuterie between two (while everyone else looked on) to start was gluttonous or ambitious. Regardless, the dish of assorted cured meats, in-house pickled baby veggies, and homemade condiments was awesome. I was actually so full from this incredibly rich first course that it's something of a wonder that I managed to plow through most of my steak and eggs main too afterward. While my brunch mates' goat cheese omelet, moules, and ox tail eggs benedict were reported to be most excellent as well, the croque madame was apparently only so-so (due to the "too chewy" ham).
At the end of a very satisfying meal, we all agreed that (including juice, coffee, and sparkling water, but no alcohol), the bill was trés bon marché. We definitely walked away sharing the sentiments of the guests we met upon our entrance. Next time though, I will do my best to save room for dessert. I'll just promise myself to come back again and again in order to try all the dishes one at a time. -
Review from Robert K.
9/17/2011
Do I want pork belly with fried eggs, boudin noir with scrambled eggs, or steak tartare? Tough decision, but the kind of conundrum I am happy to face. Eventually, I chose the boudin noir. Friend had poached eggs in red wine sauce (the day's special).
The Kensington Bistro brunch menu is a menu that speaks my language. Simple dishes, prepared well, at a reasonable price. With several good options for the more vulgarly carnivorous among us. Also, they open at noon, which is I think quite a civilized hour for breakfasting (though I would admire anyone willing to knock back a plate of steak tartare at 10:30am). I'm always pretty skeptical of brunch as a concept, but this spot does it as I want it (on the rare occasions when I want to bring things up a level from the standard greasy spoon).
The owners of Kensington Bistro are the same duo who run Loire, on Harbord, so they're no slouches when it comes to the food. This is their down-market location, a casual French bistro to take over the location that previously housed La Palette. Lunch came in at just over $20 a person, after adding coffee and taxes and tip. It was fairly empty when we got there, just after 12, but I believe they just opened so word hasn't really gotten out yet (FTR!). Service was prompt and friendly, with one of the owners on site to ensure things ran smoothly.
Dinner menu also looks promising, and I'm sure the wine list is good (though, it being a casual bistro and me being a drunk, I'd like to see some $5-6/glass plonk).Listed in: Kensington Market
