ZEE GRILL SEAFOOD RESTAURANT & OYSTER BAR

ZEE GRILL SEAFOOD RESTAURANT & OYSTER BAR

LOCATION:

641 Mt Pleasant Rd

Toronto, On

(416) 484 6428

www.zeegrill.com

RATINGS:

Ambiance: 3/ 4

Service: 3 / 4

Food: 3 / 4

Price: $$$$

The Zee Grill is an excellent spot for a romantic dinner. It has a rather intimate setting with dim lighting and excellent wait staff.  All the food is well plated making you take note of what everyone around you is ordering as it all looked so beautiful. The owner and chef Jac Eckhardt is there each night personally preparing your meal.

The DIVER SCALLOPS were large and perfectly cooked. They were accompanied by fondant leeks, grilled mushrooms, ricotta dumplings, saffron and trout caviar sauce. The scallops melted away in my mouth. They were so fresh and nicely seared which  added a wonderful contrast in textures. The ricotta dumplings on the other had were a little underwhelming next to such beautiful scallops.

 STEAK AND FRITES. The US prime NY strip loin was served with hand cut fries, dijon mustard, jus and aioli. The steak was enjoyable as it was cooked a wonderfully to a nice pink medium rare. Although  as we saw all the wonderful seafood leaving the kitchen the steak seemed like the wrong choice.

Would we go back? One day

STANDOUT DISH OF THE NIGHT:

The Diver Scallops

LE PAPILLON

LE PAPILLON

LOCATION:

1001 Eastern Ave

Toronto, ON M4L 1A8

Neighbourhood: Leslieville

(416) 649-1001

http://www.lepapillonpark.com

RATINGS:

Ambiance: 3 /4

Service: 3 / 4

Food: 2 . 75 / 4

Price: $$$

As soon as you arrive at Le papillon the polite service begins as they walk you through the slim yet spacious seating areas. The numerous fire places help to warm up the french Canadian inspired cottage decor. We made our way there for a week day dinner with family.  The menu is similar to what you would expect in Quebec, with an entire section of the menu devoted to crepes.

We started off with the BLUE, a very tasty salad. Yes i said it, I loved every bit of this leafy adventure.  The spinach and arugula mix was served with blue cheese, granny smith apples, mixed nuts and maple red wine vinaigrette. If you like blue cheese then you are in for a treat.

The CROQUETTES DE CRABE were a little disappointing.The pan seared crispy pancake was consisted more of breadcrumbs than crab and as a result was quite bland and dry. Not such a hit, which is a shame for $14.

We all had the FRENCH ONION SOUP, the broth was well seasoned and full of flavour. My only hesitation about the dish is that they used Mozerella cheese instead of Greyer, not authentic French Canadian at all.

The MOULES CHARDONNAY was a large portion of steamed muscles, garlic and dill smothered in a thin chardonnay white wine herbed butter sauce. Make sure you ask for extra bread when these muscles arrive for you will want to soak up all the remaining sauce.

I was so excited to see my order arrive the PLATEAU PAPILLON. A large plate full of  garlic butter shrimp, scallops, calamari, grilled fennel, organic tarragon and a béarnaise sauce. As soon as I began to eat I started to regret ordering the seafood medley, it was quite boring and bland. All the seafood was well grilled but had nothing else to it.

The STEAK AU POIVRE on the other hand was just as good as it looked. The large cut of Angus filet mignon was crusted with crushed peppercorns and then smothered in a brandy peppercorn sauce. served with frites and seasonal vegetables.

Would we go back? Yes, but in no rush

STANDOUT DISH OF THE NIGHT:
Steak au poivre

BONJOUR BRIOCHE

BONJOUR BRIOCHE

LOCATION: 

812 Queen st E

(416) 406 1250

bonjourbrioche.com

RATINGS:

Ambiance: 2 /4

Service: 3 / 4

Food: 2 . 75 / 4

Price: $$

TM and I finally made our way to BONJOUR BRIOCHE the quiant little riverside breakfast spot. We made sure to stop and get cash before we dined as this joint is cash only. Grabbing breakfast here during the week was a nice treat as on the weekends there can be line ups out the door to sit on their patio. When you look around at the tables you can tell that they specialize in fresh baked goods as every one seems to be enjoying fresh croissants, baked treats and breads, but don't be fooled they make some pretty tasty eggs as well.

The SMOKED SALMON AND SCRAMBLED EGGS were delicious. The soft fluffy scramble was mixed with chives, and toped with creamed horseradish and caviar all on top of a crispy potato rosti. It certainly was a mouth full of flavour but it was also quite rich.

The TOMATO BASIL AND GOAT CHEESE QUICHE was served with mixed greens and their famous house made dressing. 

Would we go back? Yes