📍Batifole – 744 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1Y3
🌍Country: France 
🔥Must-try dish: Cassoulet Royal
🪑Seating: Inside seating with a couple tables out front in warmer months.
👍The High: The owner Pascal greets every table to check in throughout the night, giving the atmosphere an old world charm. 
👎The Low: Just a heads-up, don’t forget to let the kitchen know you want the soufflé for dessert, since it takes almost 25 minutes to prepare.

If you’re craving a true French bistro experience, Batifole is exactly where you want to be. It’s the kind of place with a loyal crowd of French expats getting their fix, plus locals who know where to find a hearty, comforting meal on the east end. Whether you’re crossing the city for dinner or strolling over from down the street, Batifole never seems to miss.

The menu delivers all the French classics you expect, and there are always thoughtful specials that highlight seasonal ingredients or new recipes they’re testing out. Most of the staff are French, and the owner–who also happens to be the head chef–usually pops out of the kitchen to chat with tables during service. You feel genuinely welcomed here. And honestly, it doesn’t hurt that you eat incredibly well. 

Starting with a bottle of champagne? Always the right move, treat yourself, you deserve it. The menu features a handful of dependable staples across appetizers, mains, and desserts, but the daily specials are where the magic happens, seasonal twists that shake up the usual routine. Coming with a group? Go for a mix of the classics and the specials, you’ll get to taste a whole lot more and make the meal feel like a proper celebration.

The “Les Entrées” section features the smaller plates. 

• Cassolette d’escargots: This is a suped-up, saucy escargot experience, no shells, just pure decadence. Think of it as a rich, velvety soup that cradles each escargot perfectly. With six pieces, it’s a little bit of fun in every bite, and don’t forget to save some bread for dipping! 
• Tartare de boeuf: This elegant tartare leans on Dijon, in the best way. Unlike many French tartares, there’s no egg here; the flavour comes from the meat itself, a touch of mustard, and a few carefully chosen herbs and spices. Simple, refined, and absolutely delicious.
• Sweetbreads with asparagus and pistachio sauce: This isn’t always on the menu, but when sweetbreads appear, it’s a no-brainer. Rich, savory, and indulgent, they’re a rare treat that never fails to delight the palate.
• Pan seared scallops:Scallops are a frequent special at Natofole, but the sauce and seasonings change with the day and season. This version featured a chayote brunoise and chorizo, adding a twist that complemented, but didn’t overpower, the delicate flavour of the scallops.

With three heavy hitters on the way, a bottle of red wine was required to keep up. 

• Cassoulet Royal: No matter the season, this dish is always on the menu. It’s a classic—decadent and worth every bite. Perfect for sharing, it’s rich and hearty, with a generous portion that’s ideal for a group. A trifecta of meat takes center stage here: duck confit, pork sausage, and pork belly, all mingling with creamy white kidney beans. It’s not something you have every day, but when you do, it’s unforgettable.
• Lamb shank with thyme jus: You can never go wrong with a lamb shank. Yes, it’s rich, but the meat is incredibly tender, and whatever seasoning you choose seeps all the way through. It’s not always on the menu, so when it does appear, it’s a treat best enjoyed and shared with others.
• Rossini beef filet: This is a meal made for a king, or someone who totally loves good. The beef is tender and served with foie gras, mille feuille potatoes, and truffle sauce. Yum. 

If this wasn’t enough, it was time for dessert. 

• Soufflé: This dish is flambéed with Grand Marnier and cooked with egg in a rich vanilla sauce, giving it an extra layer of flavour, you can really taste the orange liqueur. It’s the perfect combination of fluffy and decadent.
• Assiette de fromage: You can go for the three-cheese or the six-cheese board, we went small this time. It comes with a hard, a soft, and a blue cheese, served with crackers. Just the perfect thing to help wash down all the other dishes. 

This is without a doubt one of Toronto’s best restaurants: consistent, welcoming, and full of that cozy neighborhood vibe. The owner makes a point of visiting every table, which adds a personal touch you don’t find everywhere. While I haven’t documented most of my visits here, our last meal for the blog was at Vive la France! À bientôt!

Eat with you soon!