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Le Sélect Bistro
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 11:30 am - 11 pm
Thu-Fri 11:30 am - 11:30 pm
Sat 11 am - 12 am
Sun 10:30 am - 10:30 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
93 reviews for Le Sélect Bistro
Review Highlights
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"I highly recommend the Steak Frites, and the Creme Brulee." In 7 reviews -
"Try the Duck Confit - you cannot go wrong." In 10 reviews -
"Excellent spot for a good Sunday brunch." In 17 reviews
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93 reviews in English
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Review from Shannon F.
Toronto, ON
5/15/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Everyone knows by now, I love French food. And this place is terrifically French. Very classic and traditional French food cooked well. Quite a large menu with daily specials and a wine list to die for - the wine "list" is novel sized and daunting but their house selection is perfect as well - I suggest the Rhone for Red. But their staff is very knowledgeable if you're looking for something extra special.
I've had a quite a few dishes here - which being a vegetarian at a French restaurant can be a nice surprise - their frites are AMAZING, perfectly salted and come to the table nice and hot. The omelet with brie cheese and potato rosti is a perfect brunch meal as is the quiche. The salads are lovely and a nice size and the desserts rich and sweet as they should be! Coffee comes served with a beautiful piece of chocolate - every part of your experience here feels controlled and catered to in all the right ways.
They make a delicious martini! And I'm assured by my friends, bf and colleagues that the meat dishes are spectacular as well. They take care with their ingredients, where they come from and how they are raised which always wins me over. Its on the higher end of pricing for restaurants of a similar ilk but I think it's totally worth it.
Perfect for business, pleasure, romance, family dining, this place has it all. Cozy romantic tables and booths, larger flat tops for business, including a back room worthy of a good sized party, a lovely patio out front that is nicely decorated by some bushes so you feel away from the somewhat industrial nature of Wellington. Everything I love about French decor and ambience is here. -
Review from Christian P.
Toronto, ON
4/18/2012
The reputation of this "bistro" in Toronto has turned it into a place where I would probably never go back. Food is ok, with some pseudo-French creations (I never found or heared about cretes de coq in Paris) but is not transcendent at all. Overall, everything was globally tasting too flat to me (apart from the chocolate mousse, really good - even though more creamy than fluffy).
Also and importantly, I was really disappointed by the pushy service/waiters (only few speaking French by the way), who want you to take the priciest of everything, from still water (big Evian bottle rather than tap water, Perrier 1 liter bottle instead of 30 cl) to wine glasses or desert. Such a behaviour spoils if not ruins the ambiance. And do not expect any of the 6 or so waiters to greet you with a goodbye when leaving, despite the expensive bill and even a good tip.
Overrated to me. Had better meals and much bettter experiences in Le Paradis or Tati. -
Review from Steve S.
Toronto, ON
3/14/2012
Ever since I actually got to spend a goodly amount of time working in Paris, living like a local and enjoying all the French cooking I could shove in my face, I've despaired of ever finding something back here at home that compares.
Well, while Le Sélect Bistro does deliver, in atmosphere, and a great selection of authentic French specialities that are impeccably prepared ... unfortunately the service is nothing like the rude, wanton disregard, and snippy, stare-down-the-nose attitude that brings back cherished memories of the Parisian Restaurant experience.
In it's place, Le Sélect has unwisely chosen to staff their gorgeous establishment with warm, funny, knowledgeable servers who know the menu backwards and forwards and have an almost frightening grasp of the wine list ... all of which totally destroys the "I'm in Paris!" illusion that would have completed the experience perfectly. As it was, I had to settle for the excellent food, and I'll have to continue to search (in vain) for the the elusive French uppity waiters who are obviously far too busy with something else to possibly bring you your silly-ass english-speaking food... I'll let you know when I've found it! In the meantime, enjoy Le Sélect Bistro! -
Review from G J.
Toronto, ON
5/20/2012
I feel like the food should be so much better tasting. It seems hard for the to cook the steak to perfection.
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Review from Sergey S.
2/23/2012
Le Select Bistro is so good that I actually invited my mom in law, trying to impress her with the best Toronto places. Should I say more?
Well, I guess I can add some more details...
Excellent service. They know what they are doing and love that.
Excellent food. Reasonably authentic (though who am I to judge), impressive quality.
Very nice ambient, love it.
So why 4 stars?
Price-to-portion-size relationship. It is wrong, sorry. I am not saying that such a great food served in such a wonderful environment by such a professional folks should be cheap. Not at all. However, I strongly feel that main platter should fill me better than a starter. Otherwise it's like paying for a car to get a bicycle - not quite even.
Otherwise, highly recommended! -
Review from Scott M.
Toronto, ON
2/4/2012
Fabulous physical facility, with an open room at the rear of the restaurant for larger groups, or more private booths and tables up front. Front patio AND back terrace. The Kitchen is in the lower level and patrons can watch the action like an episode from Iron Chef. The wine cellar is one of the best in Canada, and also in plain view in the lower level.
Menu was extensive and authentic Parisian bistro fare. The French Onion Soup was the best I have ever had; and a Black Cod over Alsatian Sauerkraut w/mussels was impressive. Expertly prepared and presented.
Only compliant was the server, while knowledgeable, was easily thrown off his game and getting the bill and the end of the evening was troublesome. Yes, we were a large group, but it shouldn't take 30 minutes to sort out the bill... -
Review from James P.
5/7/2012
What a great experience and a great meal! The service was great (Odd that I came all the way from California to Toronto and had a server from California.) and the food was exquisite. Had the cassoulet and the duck confit and lamb were perfectly prepared. An excellent (if pricey) wine list just added to the overall excellence. Yes, you'll spend some money, but it will be well spent. Looking forward to my next trip to Toronto. (Oh, and to my server: sorry I kept stealing the coasters!)
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Review from Juliana H.
Toronto, ON
12/30/2011
My actual rating is 4.5.
I had a chance to have lunch today at Le Select. Instantly, I liked the place. It felt spacious yet still had some elements of classic bistro charm without being gimmicky. And I'm feeling the location; I would like to go back in the summer and try their patio.
I shared the gravlax and tartare for an appetizer and it was absolutely delicious, but so rich! This should have prepared me for the next round! My Croque Monsieur was decadence defined! There was so much yummy melted cheese that I could only handle half of the sandwich... and the frites were great too, but again, I had to doggy bag some. From what I saw, no one can accuse Le Select of being tight on portions!
Four of us shared a bottle of Chianti ($55) which we all enjoyed, but it was a tough decision with such an extensive wine list.
I want to return very soon for dinner and try out some of the other amazing dishes on the menu. -
Review from Roma M.
12/21/2011
Jennifer K brought us here after our awesome Elite event this month. It's great to know that you can get a decent meal in this area (no pizza, subs, or fries) late at night while avoiding King West.
The restaurant itself is super cute and authentic, while avoiding kitsch, and the service is solid considering the time of night. Cute hipster waiter aside.
The prix fixe menu is good (2 of the 3 courses for $20), though I generally prefer a little more option beside the 1 vegetarian meal. I get French cuisine doesn't really do vegetarian but I've been spoiled by the options in Toronto -so why settle?
I had the risotto (squash, parmesan and white wine) with chocolate mousse. Granted, I could have gone with salad but I'm a sucker for the carbs. The texture of the risotto was great, but my dish was somewhat oversalted. The delicious chocolate mousse was light and fluffly.
I'll definitely try Le Select again, this time I'll be back for an earlier meal.
Maybe lunch? -
Review from Viviana M.
Toronto, ON
Dining Experience: Lunch and Dinner
Specialty: Authentic French cuisine
Menu items: Confit de Canard, Beef Cheeks, Bone Marrow and Mussels with smoked bacon
Le Select brings me back to my days in La France. It is an intimate, unique and perfectly decorated French bistro located in the heart of downtown Toronto; yet it gives you a feeling of space, elegance and tradition.
From their fantastic wine cellar located in the basement, to the outdoor garden in the back that let's enjoy summer in a unique French way, this place holds a dear place both in my heart and appetite.
From duck, to beef cheeks and even bone marrow; Le Select's menu is unique, versatile, creative and oh so tasty. I never really do get enough of Chef Albert Ponzo's creations; his cooking style not only roots from tradition, but also from the heart.
A traditional Confit de Canard at Le Select presents you with a savory duck leg and a very crispy skin. The skin is the key to a great tasting duck dish, especially if doing it the classical way. It's a rather difficult task because the chef needs to make sure the duck meat is not overcooked while the skin, well, almost is. And all this without getting a burnt taste or marks.
Going from complex to intriguing, Le Select's fantastic Beef Checks will definitely take you down the road of "different". On the menu, this dish is called "Joue de Boeuf Bourguignonne". My eyes were quickly drawn to it as this was the first time I was ever trying beef cheeks...I mean is that even a part of the cow one eats?
Well ladies and gentleman, its not only a part we eat, its a part we should always eat! The cheeks are braised with red wine and cooked with mushrooms and lardons (aka bacon). The meat is juicy and quite honestly just feels like butter in your mouth. What a delicacy.
And with the topic of unique and different in mind, on the same night, I ventured deeper into it by also ordering, and quite honestly potentially clogging an artery in the process, the famous Bone Marrow.
"Le Os de Cro-Magong", meaning bone marrow, is Le Select's featured appie item and one of the best executed items of the menu. The server not only makes sure you know exactly how this is eaten, but also Chef Ponzo ensures you indulge in it with the right accompaniments. For example, you just don't get salt, you get a special sea salt...and what you see its not just toasted bread, its toasted slices of baguette. So working your way through this dish is not only fun, but also experimental, tasteful and delightful.
And what will a French bistro be without Mussels? These are Atlantic mussels steamed with a strong Quebec Ale beer with smoked bacon. In my mind, the creativity within this dish is the beer itself. It gives the dish that Je ne sais quoi that has you digging for your bread to get that one last bit of juice left on the plate.
Buen Provecho,
Viviana.Listed in: Best Restaurants in Toronto
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Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
Le Select Bistro
- Late Night Prix Fixe ($20) means Value
- Steak Frites and Creme Brulee
- Yelper friends meeting up after an Elite Event
- My 2000th review
I been wanting to go to Le Select Bistro for their Late Night Prix Fixe for the longest time. Steak after 10 pm, might not be for everyone... but for me a deal is a deal, I can eat anytime of the day....
After the Elite Party, my Yelp ladies asked where are we going for after party snack... I knew I want to go to Le Select Bistro, but would they come or would they enjoy that?
Steak Frites, Risotto, Creme Brulee. Dark Chocolate Mousse all made an enjoyable experience... Portions were perfect, I was satisfied but not stuffed!
Bistro vibe was cozy, intimate and casual at the same time. We would have kept chatting through the night if not because it was close to midnight and I don't want to be stuck on the Night bus again...
I'll be back.... I just could not pass up a deal.... -
Review from Solomon C.
1/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Cool French Restaurant. You've got the usual duck confit/steak frites, I decided to give their Chicken Supreme and Lamb burger a go.
The lamb burger was delicious. It was seasoned with similar spices you find in Tandoori Chicken. I very much recommend this.
Le Select's Chicken dish was disappointing. To dumb it down, it was a chicken parm without the parm. It was a chicken breast with a delicate tomato sauce but nothing really stood out about this dish. I don't recommend it. -
Review from Mel C.
10/23/2011
I really like this restaurant! I actually stumbled upon this place randomly and decided to host my birthday dinner here.
I've never had bone marrow before so I decided to start off my meal with that. I didn't quite know what to expect so I kept an open mind. The bone marrow was good. Was it something I would order again and again? Probably not because it was a bit too rich and I prefer ordering appetizers that I can share with the rest of the table.
My friend ordered a vol-au-vent d'escargots which is a tiny pastry with escargots in it. It was delicious and I highly recommend that dish.
I wanted to try steak tartare since I've never had that before but they ran out so I went for a safe choice - filet mignon. It was good. I would say just as good as any other steakhouse's filet mignon. It came with a side order for fries which was SO delicious. It was thin and crispy and just perfection.
At the end of the meal, the restaurant gave me a free dessert of my choice. I got a lemon pie which was very good and they even wrote happy birthday on my plate! However, I would say that my friend's creme brulee was much more delicious than my lemon pie so make sure you get that if you're in the mood for desserts!
The food was good here but what really stood out was the service. They were kind and thoughtful and it was such a lovely experience dining here. I'm definitely coming back when I get a chance!Listed in: 30-Day Yelp Challenge
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Review from Lauren M.
9/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Solid 4.5 star!
Le Select Bistro feels a little bit off the beaten path as it's hidden away down the "quiet-ish" side of Wellington street (east of Spadina). They have a lovely tree-lined patio and a fairly spacious interior.
They have some amazing tables at the back which fit two people in a half-circle shaped booth with a small round table. Very intimate and absolutely perfect for a romantic date.
The menu had every single one of my favourite French dishes and it was hard choosing just one. I ended up picking the Boullabaisse, which is a soup with mixed seafood. It had a really delicious tomato-based broth which was different than when I've normally had this dish, but it was a nice change. It came topped with rouille (mayo based sauce) on toasted bread slices. A perfect dish.
The wine list at this place is somewhat ridiculous; so big that it even has an index page at the beginning. Apparently they also have a corkage fee of $18 if you BYOW, which seems quite reasonable.
They have a prix fixe but the options were very limited (choice of 2 apps, 2 mains).
Service was a B+ -
Review from Jiao S.
10/30/2011
Big fan of Bistro~
I was in my vegetarian days when i went to Le Select, so that I might not be the best person to comment on the food.
I order the cheese as appetizer, and they have great collections. Main dish I order the mushroom, one of the best mushroom dish I ever had.
But on the other hand, my friend claims that the dinning experience wasn't very pleasant. Such like the ham appetizer was to the too salty side (whatever it means) and the steak is very dry. So that I was really hesitate to give out the 4 star.
However, I love the dinning environment and even the menu design ~
Just put it on the list of places you would like to try. Will be a shame if you just deny it right away. -
Review from Steph L.
12/11/2011
Le Select Bistro! C'est le yum.
I had no idea that this place was here!
Back in the day, the only reason I was out here was to go to C Lounge.
Well, it's been a damn long time since then, so I was surprised that there was this cute bistro here!
Continuing our Yelp night out (and YAY for Jenn K.'s 200th review!) we found ourselves here.
The decor captures the essence of a French bistro. Dim lighting, decor of dark wood, brass, and tiles. The hipster waiters are friendly and attentive, but I prefer bistros with cute French waiters (*cough, Le Societe, cough*). =)
It's hard to resist a Prix Fixe menu... and steak frites for $20 bucks!
There are a few options available for the late night dinner.
For mains: Steak, duck confit, asparagus and Parmesan risotto...
Your choice of soup or salad or dessert.
Creme brule, please!
The steak is 5oz, so it's snack size.
My steak was slightly overcooked but still salty and good.
The fries were skinny and crispy.
I liked my meal here and I would come back here if I'm in the area, maybe.
But there are other French Bistros that I prefer. -
Review from Simika K.
11/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Excellent spot for a good Sunday brunch. Delicious offerings such as french toast, goat cheese quiche, a lamb burger (with Moroccan spices) are a perfect complement to a rainy Sunday morning with friends. Or a nice date. They also have a great selection of desserts worth checking out.
This is a very busy restaurant, and I would suggest making reservations ahead of time. We went there at 11:30 - and it was packed, with a steady flow of people. The noise is a little too loud, but not annoyingly so.
I'd love to check this place out during the summertime, since it seems like they also have a patio section out back. -
Review from Richard s.
Toronto, ON
2/15/2012
We arrived at Le Select at 9:30 last Saturday night for our 9:30 reservation. There were three of us. We were escorted to a table that would not have comfortably fit two much less three. Why such an inappropriate table would be offered us is beyond me, but hey, I guess the rule is always get rid of your worst table first. I informed the hostess that we would not be able to sit there and were told we could wait at the bar for another table to open up. Fine. I have no problem waiting. As we sat at the bar she gave each of us menus. "We aren't eating at the bar" I said, but she just ignored me and left them. There were two bartenders and another restaurant person behind the bar. They were cleaning glasses, chit chatting amongst themselves and generally ignoring us. Finally, after about 10 minutes I asked, "you do serve alcohol here don't you?"
At around 10pm we were finally seated and low and behold....it was the same table but with an extension on it. Oh well, it is now ten and everyone was hungry so we sat.
Service was slow to adequate. The food was just above average to poor. Both women had the Steak which was not bad. I had the grilled chicken which was horrible. How can you screw up grilled chicken?
I eat out almost every night of my life and I know that restaurants have good nights and bad nights. My girlfriend however was really unimpressed. She felt so strongly that she wrote them a note the next morning. It wasn't a harsh letter, just a chronicle of an unsatisfactory dining experience. Their response....nothing. No, "we got your letter and are looking into it" or "sorry you had a bad experience please try us again".
That they didn't respond to her is symptomatic of what I think the place is about. They just don't care about their clientele. It is a beautiful restaurant, expensive by TO standards, serving mid range chain restaurant food. Take the food from Milestones and serve it up at Le Select and I am sure the regulars would not notice the difference.
Its unfortunate because the place has so much potential to be first rate. That it neither achieves or aspires to anything more than mediocrity is disappointing. -
Review from Alicia T.
Toronto, ON
10/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
All i've had here was a half-litre of wine and a small cheese platter; however, I LOVED the atmosphere and the menu looked delicious. I plan to go back when I'm not watching my carbs/fatty meats and having a proper go at the food.
Incidentally, the cheese platter had a lovely variety of cheeses that went from smooth and creamy, to dry and crumbly, to fabulously stinky. They have my vote on the cheese platter. -
Review from Silvano G.
York, ON
11/5/2011
First visit last night. Liked the duo de gravalax although it was a bit salty. The poulet grille was awful . Very bland chicken and vegetables were covered in sauce that was too sweet and had a powerful vinegar taste. Room is very nice and they were accomodating despite no reservation.
We also had the steak frites which were a bit of a let down as well. Frites were good but steak was tough. Strictly for french food lovers -
Review from Lucas B.
Toronto, ON
1/18/2012
Well prepared traditional French Bistro fare. Escargots, foie gras terrine, bone marrow and paté appetizers are really well done. The cocks' combs are an acquired taste, which apparently I haven't acquired as of yet. As for entrées, the choucroute is fantastic, the beef cheeks are all right (a bit on the salty side for me) and the duck confit is proper. Always a good dining experience with good service.
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Review from Munis T.
Toronto, ON
7/19/2011
I went for dinner on a monday.
I began with the goat cheese and beet salad. No complaints, good but not exceptional. There was a citrus note that I could not precisely identify which was an amusing twist.
The soup of the day was potato and bacon. I'm not really a soup person, but I decided to be "adventurous" and give it a try. I found it quite boring, and with a sourness that I found unpleasant.
The "neanderthalesque" bone marrow was rich and satisfying, served with small crisp toasts.
The lamb neck, which I had as my main, was tender and moist, with a bit of springyness to it. It was unfortunately a little too salty.
My dessert, the B52 creme brulee was quite successful. It had a nice texture, and I could clearly taste the orange and cream, though perhaps not the coffee.
Service was polite, attentive, and prompt. -
Review from Anabel L.
Toronto, ON
8/31/2011
The strip between Spadina and Portland has two of my favourite restaurants in Toronto, Marben (closed down, revamped and now open) and Le Sélect.
It seemed fitting to take my sister to this Parisian bistro while she was in town - she hails from Montreal and loves her a terrasse.
I usually go to Le Sélectfor dinner. It's charming and serves classic French food with flavourful flair at a good price. It's also a nice place for brunch when the sun is out. Their patio is the best way to say goodbye to the weekend - a cup of coffee in hand and a warm mini baguette to start. My sister found her Benedict on the salty side, but a bite of my house-made sausage saved the day. As for me, anything served with Rösti potatoes is, by default, amazing.
OEUFS ET SAUCISSES FERMIÈRES
OEUFS BÉNÉDICTE
Sunday was warm and sunny - perfect for a sit on the garden patio. Two coffees, two classic dishes, me and her...goodness comes in twos. -
Review from Laura C.
Toronto, ON
2/23/2011
Wow, I"m surprised I haven't written a review about this yet, but let me preface it by saying that I haven't been since last summer, but it has always been a favourite since I discovered it at least 5 years ago.
It's a real bistro atmosphere, even their menu reflects that.
I've had the chacuterie plate, and it was very good. As well as the fall off the bone pig knuckle.
Sorry this review isn't as detailed as usual, but I just want to tell everyone that I love this place, stop looking and come have a try. -
Review from Rosie S.
5/15/2011
YES. Thank you. GOOD French food in TO.
Didier was such a disappointment, so I approached Le Select with caution. I wasn't expecting much. I was cynical, but it was a business lunch, and someone else had requested this place, so I went with it.
I had the omelette au fromage. It came with green beans and potatoes. It was fantastic. THANK GOODNESS. I had essentially the same thing when I ate at Didier (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...).
It is definitely on the snooty side, but they are waaaay more relaxed here than at a lot of the other upscale French places in T.O.
Our party of four was extremely pleased.
It was a bit hard to find because of construction, but I understand that as of this summer (2011), all will be back to normal.
Thanks, Le Select! -
Review from Paul R.
Toronto, ON
7/30/2011
I attend with a group and we all had a great time. They made room for us on the patio and didn't seem at all upset we arrived 30 minutes late for our reservation on a Friday night.
The service was attentive and the waiter was on the ball. The entrees took awhile to arrive but we enjoyed the extra time to digest the apps. Nothing felt rushed and everyone enjoyed their meal. The melon soup was a bust but the steaks (strip, bavette) and steak tartare were a hit.
A great thing about this place is the BYOW. Its hard to find good restaurants in Toronto that will let you bring your own wine but for $18 (or $25 to decant) you can bring the pick your cellar to Le Select. If you don't bring your own they have a very respectable wine list to pick from. -
Review from Jess W.
Toronto, ON
My second visit to Le Select was for brunch. We called to make a reservation and was told they only had 10:30 available (the time they open on Sundays), however throughout our entire visit there, I didn't find it to be particularly busy. Oh well..
I started with the freshly squeezed OJ ($4.50), which was served in a small champagne glass. I can never resist fresh OJ!
I started with a freshly baked croissant ($1.95). Although it was decent, it certainly wasn't anything to write home about. For a great croissant, I'd recommend Pain Perdu, which in my opinion, makes some of the best croissants in the city!
For my main, I decided to go with the Croque-madame - the classic gratinéed sandwich with ham and cheese, served with frites ($14.95). They also had a Croque-monsieur, so I inquired with the server as to the difference between the two, and he informed me the madame ($1 more) came with a sunny side egg on top. Of course I had to go with the madame. Everything tastes better with a fried egg on top! The dish was pretty heavy (particularly cholesterol-heavy) and when it was first served to me, it was glistening with the oil from the melted cheese on top. The dish was essentially a ham sandwich, with melted cheese on top, all topped with a fried egg. The dish was really delicious, but I only managed to eat about half of it, due to the heaviness of the dish and the fact that it was served with a large side of frites (also really good - crispy and well seasoned).
My boyfriend ordered the Pain doré aux pommes -French toast stuffed with apples and cranberries served with Canadian Maple syrup ($11.95). The French toast was made with a two-inch thick piece of brioche. The toast itself was really delicious, but I wasn't a huge fan of the filling (since I don't really like cranberries).
The other couple we were dining with ordered the Omelette au chèvre et aux champignons - seasoned goat cheese omelette with fine herbs, served with a mushroom medley and young bok choy ($13.95) and Oeufs et saucisses fermières - two eggs any style with house-made breakfast sausages and rosti potatoes ($13.95), which they both really enjoyed!
I love the french-bistro feel of this place and the service was great. A fantastic brunch experience! -
Review from Yvonne T.
12/23/2010
Went out for dinner tonight with 2 friends. Located in a rather remote part of downtown but not hard to find. The restaurant was surprisingly crowded for a Tuesday night but then again it is the holiday season. I ordered the Bouillabaisse and split the Baba Rhum cake with a friend.
To start the bread was amazing. Prolly one of the best restaurant breads in Toronto. I think it's a sin to serve cold bread so I was delighted to find that Le Select served up warm bread. Crisp on the outside and airy and soft on the inside. My fellow diners ordered the Prix Fixe Menu (starter salad, duck confit and chocolate mousse). And also a smoked (can't recall which fish) mousse. It was savory and was served with naan bread. He had the Beef Bourgignon which looked good.
My Bouillabaisse was amazing. They bring the rouille separately and pour it for you once the dish arrives at the table. The fish was pan fried and had a great crunch to it. The scallops were a bit overdone. The baba Rhum cake was nice and light. They pour the Rhum on at your table... We should've told her to stop pouring way before as the Rhum was just too strong for my palate. Will definitely come back and try some of their other dishes.Listed in: The Best of Toronto, Sate a Date, J'aime manger!
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Review from Kavi G.
Toronto, ON
8/2/2011
Facing into the restaurant makes you feel like you're in France. Facing out reminds you that you're sitting on the ass end of Wellington Street.
Pricey menu with good quality food. If you're not feeling adventurous then try the set menu. $35 gets you a selection of their best dishes. I highly suggest going for the duck confit rather than the steak. Amazing dish.
Staff is friendly and the atmosphere is great. Again, just don't look out onto Wellington street. -
Review from Alexa M.
Toronto, ON
5/5/2011
Bien sûr c'est tellement chic! The atmosphere is amped to the max and I swear you'll think you are in some Parisian Bistro, or even a little something you would find more so in the southern coasts of France. There were times when it felt a bit too overdone, but that could be overlooked, and forgiven.
The price tag was a bit steep but the food was worth it, and I guess that is why it didn't reach a five star with me. There are places that could deliver the same punch for your buck, but nevertheless a spot in Toronto worth discovering. -
Review from Katie G.
Toronto, ON
12/6/2010
Le Select is a fabulous bistro - almost like Pastis in NYC or L'express in Montreal with a great French bistro atmosphere and tasty food. I had brunch at Le Select back in October. We sat out on the patio, and it was a fantastic place to enjoy the last of the nice weather. The service was really slow at first, but it seemed they just forgot about us and once we got that straightened out it was better.
We all enjoyed our brunch food and drinks - especially the Caesar, but the food portions are small for the price. Parking is good if you have a car. I'd definitely recommend it,and plan to go back to try it for dinner soon. -
Review from Joe L.
Vancouver, BC
1/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Food was excellent at Le Select! You are greeted by a bar at the front of the restaurant. 2 galleys of dining areas follow and an expanded dining room is located in the middle and at the back. No matter where you are seated, you wil get the same refined and yet casual French bistro ambience.
I attended a work dinner function with over 100 colleagues and our event took up the entire restaurant for the evening. The hors- d'eourves that were passed around are not available on the nighly dinner menu but there were fantastic - grilled prawns on skewers and bison tartar. The tartar was smooth and full of flavour and it melted in my mouth. I had onion soup and joue de boeuf bouguignonne for dinner. My meal could have stopped after the soup. It was full of baguettes topped with a thick thick layer of Swiss cheese. I even scraped of the cheese from the side of the bowl at the end. My beef bouguignonne was exceptional also. The beef cheek was cooked to the right tenderness. The flavour was rich and it was a rather heavy dish. I could only finish half of it since I was stuffed from the hors-d'oeuvre and the close to meal-size soup.
It's a little out of the way and a trek for us Vancourites from our hotel on Front and Lower Simcoe in -10c weather with mixture of snow, slush and salt on the roads. However, it was worth it. -
Review from Robin D.
11/5/2010
French food in Toronto!! Yay!
I wish I could say I liked the food, but I am not sure. I always like trying new things so it was worth it. Food was so exotic minus the soup.
I got the soup of the day, it was smooth and creamy and good. Moving onto the main course began the start of my exotic adventure. I wish I could remember the menu item names.. too French-y.
Waitress was really nice and made the dinner very pleasant. In a very good mood, I was happy to order desert. Got the glace et sorbet... and was shocked to find the taste pretty exotic as well. I will have to come back here again and try some more dishes. -
Review from Precilla C.
Scarborough, ON
3/29/2011 5 photos
Loved this place!
We came here for a birthday celebration, and the restaurant kindly offered us free desserts on the house! They even thoughtfully wrote "Happy birthday" on the plate, which was a nice touch.
Besides the free desserts, the food itself was excellent. Both my French onion soup and escargot vol-au-vent were delicious! My friend had the steak frites, which was cooked perfectly and accompanied by a delicious peppercorn sauce. The fries were also very tasty. -
Review from Claudia C.
Toronto, ON
12/11/2011
Merely passable French fare, though having just visited Paris, I may be unfairly biased.
I didn't think the atmosphere here was particularly authentic - a touch too industrial, perhaps? - but it was nice. The seating is a bit cramped in the bar room section for me to consider it romantic at all.
The wine and beer selection is pretty decent, and the waiter recommended a great beer for my meal on request, but I cannot remember what it was. The couple we dined with opted for the BYOW. The waiter chilled the white for them and served it in an ice bucket next to the table.
My starter was the escargot, which was served in a small pastry vessel and generally lacking flavour. I asked the watier if I should have the cassoulet or the bouillabaisse, and he recommended the cassoulet so I went with that. It was humongous, hearty, artery-clogging and quite delicious. I was heartbroken when I realized I forgot the leftovers.
My husband had the steakfrites and gave it a "meh".
The server, while friendly, did not refill our water at any point and had difficulty splitting the bill amongst three credit cards when it came time to pay up, which, speaking of paying up, this place gets pretty expensive pretty quickly.
I like the food and atmosphere at the Paradis in the Annex just as much and the price is 1/2 to 2/3 what it is here.
I might come back to try brunch, but for dinner, I'd rather go to the Paradis. -
Review from Pavel B.
Toronto, ON
11/5/2010
Just came back from lunch at this place with friends. It was quite tasty, great little (within reason) bistro.
Everybody loved their food, plus they have Chimay White beer, which is awesome! Would gladly come back here again and definitely recommend. -
Review from Akvile H.
5/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
What a delightful restaurant!
This place is bright, welcoming, and the staff is very friendly. I went here for the first time this weekend for brunch and it was a wonderful experience. I've heard quite a bit about Le Select but haven't had the chance of going until now since I was visiting in Toronto.
We called and made a reservation Saturday morning since the place fills up quickly for brunch. We got a comfortable little table for our party and were seated right away. The staff was courteous and brought out our drinks and food quite quickly. We got some freshly squeezed orange and grapefruit juice..delicious!
For brunch, we got a variety of scrambles, salmon, and I ordered the Eggs Benedict. The eggs were prepared perfectly and their hollandaise sauce is superb! It was well priced and the venues decor was lovely. It's a perfect place for brunch, a dinner date, or even to take your mother out for mother's day! I would love to come back and try out their dinner menu sometime! -
Review from Alan K.
11/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love the French food here. We had some great Champagne, bread, foie gras, charcuterie, steak, and confit de canard. The service was great. The whole place makes you feel like as though you were in Paris. Rumor has it that they do have one of the largest wine selections in Toronto in their wine cellar.
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Review from Pascal P.
Toronto, ON
12/6/2011
I went to Le Select for Brunch on Sunday without a reso. we were stuck in the cafe at a dinky tiny table. My eggs Benny was quite nice and my bf had the lamb and thuroughly enjoyed it. That being said i wasnt overly impressed. I do plan on giving it a second chance for dinner.
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Review from Rachael T.
Toronto, ON
10/17/2011
This is a 2-meal review:
First Experience: Dinner, group of 7, Saturday night at 6pm
Seated promptly and very excited to try the nicoise salad.... but they only served it at lunch :( Since it was a special night for me, we asked the kitchen if they could specially make it for us.. but no dice. Tempted to get the Nicoise tart instead, I was not really up for eating pastry. For a $35, a tempting 3-course prix meal was also offered... but didn't feel like red meat. So I ended up opting for the Salmon with Quinoa.
Having a taste of the french onion soup, it was very flavourful, loaded with cheesy goodness and extremely satisfying for the tastebuds. The salad was dressed nicely as well, and complimentary warm bread and mini pickles were a nice add-on.
Then the main course comes... and I was very happy with the salmon, a little undercooked, just the way I like it. However, the quinoa was really undercooked, making it a little hard to chew, and the dish was just lukewarm, which was a major turnoff. I felt like my dish was finished cooking first and sitting underneath the heat lamp.
The desserts - creme brulee and chocolate mouse was very decadent and if I wasn't so full, I would have eaten my friends' entire dish. It was unfortunate that while the starters and desserts were very well presented, the main star of my meal was subpar.
Second Experience: Lunch, group of 7, Monday afternoon at 12:30pm
Not surprised that at lunch time on a Monday, this place was packed with business workers in the area - looked like mostly groups too. Service was very scattered as our waitress disappeared for long periods of times to give us drinks and take orders.
Remember that Nicoise salad that was only available at lunch? Well it's not on the menu anymore so do not get excited. The tarte nicoise is still there is anyone's interested. There was a seared albacore tuna with julienne radiccio salad, with walnuts and hierloom tomatoes - so that's what I got. When it came out, it was not what I had expected, but it was nicely presented. The salad portion was presented as a circular mold, and the tuna was cut into 3 pieces (I had not recognized it, as I thought it was be seared into thin slices). The tuna was a little bland, but with the rest of the salad gave it a refreshing bite.
There are a lot of things I would like to try on this menu - however, both times I was not blown away by the overall dish, and believe me - I love french.
Since this will be in my little hometown neighbourhood, I may stop in for a late night bite and a glass of wine.... we'll see.
