Le Paradis – 166 Bedford Rd, Toronto, ON M5R 2K9
Country: France       
Must-try dish: Cuisse de Canard aux Cerises
Seating: Indoor seating only. 
Dinner guests: Dr. Cheese, Onie & Pornstar Sam 
The high: The old world service and decor inside the restaurant transport you to France. 
The low: This would be a perfect destination for a long lunch, but they’re unfortunately only open in the evening. 

If you know anything about French cuisine, then you know it’s rich, it’s delicious, and it’s meaty. Le Paradis is a French brasserie tucked away on a side street in the Annex just north of Yorkville that has been operating for a couple of decades. As you walk through the door, you step into a traditional French bistro that could be anywhere but in Toronto, yet it’s right in the heart of the city. The menu has all the French classics with affordable prices, and the old-world service transports you to another time in history that will never get old. 

As French cuisine enthusiasts, Le Paradis was everything we ever wanted and more. After a glance at the wine list, the Charcuterie was ordered while further important decisions had to be made. This platter takes itself seriously with a collection of terrines, foie gras, rillettes, and cured meats from a variety of animals. This is a great starter to pick at different items and start to build an appetite while perusing the menu. 

An order of the Steak Tartare for the table was immediately obvious – this is a classic French recipe with herbs, dijon mustard, and egg mixed with chinks of beef tenderloin. It’s worth ordering before getting a heavier meal from the large plates list. This particular dish is as refreshing as a plate of raw beef can be because the meat flavour is highlighted by the accompanying ingredients that have a secondary, lingering flavour profile a few seconds after the first bite. 

One vegetable was required to legitimize this meal so we picked the Artichauts Frits, a bowl of battered and fried pieces of artichoke. For thos who like fried vegetables, it’s advised to order, while those who prefer the meat route, you can skip this one. The only thing from the sea on the roster was the Gambes a d’Ajillo, sautéed shrimp in a sauce with olive oil, garlic and adobo seasoning. This is a classic on any menu, ever, and it’s the perfect sauce for dipping warm bread.

There was a spread of meat for the main course: beef, lamb, and duck. The Boeuf à la Bourguignonne is a famous meat stew with a red wine base. It’s a comfort food in the cooler months, and an excellent dish during the Canadian winter to have with bread and a glass of wine. The pieces of meat and the root vegetables were soft from the slow-cooking that’s so crucial to this recipe. 

Although there are a few veal options, we ordered the Paleron Aux Poivre to keep things simple. It was dressed with a savoury pepper sauce that was the highlight of the dish. We ordered it medium rare and it was exactly that on the inside while the outside was crispier and saucier and served with ratatouille and frites. A few in our group even said this dish was their favourite of the night. 

The Jarret D’Agneau is a braised lamb shank with meat that floated off the bone without touching it. It laid on a bed of mashed potatoes that paired perfectly with meat and the red wine port sauce that the meat was marinated in. If you enjoy lamb, then this one’s for you! 

The most unique and delicious dish of the night was the Cuisse de Canard aux Cerises. The flavours of the salty and oily duck thigh were balanced with the sweet and tangy flavours from the cherry sauce that topped the meat in a way that none of the other dishes accomplished. The duck was cooked in a way that the meat melted upon the first bite, and then there was a burst in flavour that satisfied a variety of tastes. This dish isn’t always available, but when it is, treat yourself to it. 

Between the good company, terrific food, and the flowing wine, none of us wanted the night to end, which was easy enough to execute with the decadent dessert menu available to tease any person’s palate. There are several options with fruit, caramel, chocolate, and cheese. We opted for a strawberry number and a chocolate cake, and a plate of cheeses to wash it all down. Wherever your sweet-tooth takes you, let it take you to the dessert menu. 

The service at Le Paradis is unparalleled – something that makes it a memorable experience. It’s the old way of treating guests who are eating, you could almost say that it’s a lost art. If for nothing else, go there for that, but you’ll certainly leave with a satiated appetite at the same time. 

Note – They tend to change up their menu so some of the items listed may or may not be available, but nevertheless we are confident you’ll enjoy it here!

Eat with you soon, 

Mandrea Bike
(Mat & Andrea)