What used to be the home of Dynasty Chinese Restaurant on Bloor is now a Parisian bistro.  The restaurant transformation was pretty amazing – like stepping into movie set for 1920s film in Paris. I guess with four million dollars, you can create anything you really want, even if it means bring Paris to Toronto.

While the menus at La Société Bistro aren’t expensive, it’s not your average everyday meal fare either.  There is a 3 course prix-fixe menu at $36 as well a daily special from Monday to Friday with price ranges from $18 to $25.

We started with their Gratinée Lyonnaise – a classic French onion soup ($11).  The sweetness from the caramelized onions really comes through in the broth and the onions were plentiful at the bottom. Joe had the Tartare de Thon ($18) – Yellowfin tuna tartar served with coriander, apple and pine nuts, these combined ingredients really worked quite well.  For an appetizer, the portion was pretty generous.  The four of use shared the Terrine de foie de canard ($16). With the macerated cherries, it was very rich and decadent. You’ll definitely need more toasted baguette.

For the main, I had the Bar Raye Poêlé ($26) – the pan seared striped bass with shrimp and tomato parsley sauce.  The skin was nice and crispy.  Other mains included standard bistro menu items like their Steak Frites ($29) – striploin steak with compound butter, cooked medium just the way we like it.  La Marseillaise ($38) – a bouillabaisse (seafood soup) with halibut, mussels, clams, shrimps served in a saffron fish broth and the Duck Confit ($28) served with cabbage, roast figs and shallot jus.

By the time we finished our meals, we just didn’t have any room for dessert. I guess we will have to wait until another time perhaps we’ll also try their fruit de mer as well.

La Société Bistro
131 Bloor Street West, Unit 211, Toronto, ON  M5S 1R1 » View Map
t.416.551.9929