Sauvignon Bistro & Bakery  – 1862 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4L 1H1
Country: France       
Must-try dish: Foie Gras 
Dinner guest: Pornstar Sam 
Seating: Indoor and outdoor seating 
The high: The decor is fun and eclectic both inside and on the patio. 
The low: Although it’s classically French, there are fusions that are interesting but take away from the traditional dishes in certain instances. 

With the Summer Olympic Games kicking off in Paris this weekend, we want to highlight a French restaurant in the Beach that you can check out while you’re in the east-end. The atmosphere and the menu are in a French bistro style, with a few ingredient twists on traditional recipes coming from South America and Asia. We mostly stuck to the classics to get our fix and hype ourselves up for some Canadian gold medals. 

If you aren’t familiar with the eastern Toronto neighbourhood on Lake Ontario called the Beach (aka The Beaches), then now’s the time to go. This area lights up in the summer months with boats on the water, volleyball courts in the sand, and cyclists riding along the extensive boardwalk. Torontonians come from near and far to enjoy everything the Beach has to offer from restaurants, views, and of course, outdoor activities. Many of the restaurants and bars take advantage of the temporary population growth with patios in the warmer months, and Sauvignon Bistro & Bakery is one such place. 

Inside the restaurant is eclectic and funky with a French flair that’s both inviting and exciting if you’re hungry. Within minutes, a bottle of red was sorted out and we got to deciding on the roster for the evening. The Foie Gras was an evident choice, and it tasted even better than the description given on the menu. It was orange notes from a marmalade that dressed it and toasted brioche as a vehicle to get it in your mouth. It came over a simple but delicious arugula salad. We were already off to a good start and eager to keep eating towards the finish line. 

Our second appetizer, which also comes highly recommended, is the Grilled Calamari. If not done well it can lead to chewy, rubber like textured rings, but if it’s cooked correctly, the pieces of squid melt in your mouth. This was exactly the case here with the squid rings cooked perfectly and marinated in olive oil and fresh herbs over a green salad. 

As we pass the baton on to the next course, the plates are more traditionally French with only a couple exotic ingredients like the salsa verde with the with dish. The Pan-Seared Halibut was flaky and moist – everything you want in this hearty white fish that’s served with seasonal vegetables and a tangy Mexican-inspired sauce to spice things up. Similarly, the Duck Confit fell off the bone, and although it had many traditional elements, some of its unique flavour comes from the Chinese five-spice that coats the meat. But seriously, not ordering duck at a French restaurant is a loss for everyone. 

Equally as important on a French menu is a beef dish – the top thing in this section and a special served over the course of the summer is the Grilled Flat-Iron Steak with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans. It was buttery, and worth every bite. The meat was tender, which is a win for the chef as this cut can be tricky sometimes. A chermoula sauce accompanied the other ingredients adding flavour and character to a normally classic French dish. This sauce hails from North Africa adding zest with its lemon, herb and chili base. 

This meal deserves a sweet course to place on the podium. We opted for the Kentucky Butter Cake served with vanilla ice cream and a generous portion of bourbon. A hint of salted caramel brings together the rest of the flavours for a gold medal in decadence. 

Whether it’s rain or shine, summer or winter, Sauvignon is a winning bet, plus as we always say, French food is a favourite. 

Eat with you soon, 

Mandrea Bike
(Mat & Andrea)