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La Banane absolutely lived up to the hype. The space is beautiful, and our server was attentive and genuinely welcoming throughout the evening. I had been wanting to try this restaurant for a long time (especially for the pommes aligot) and it did not disappoint! The Eurobass was also excellent; it was baked in a salt crust, which our server wisely advised us not to eat, as it's extremely salty (curiosity got the best of me and I did end up trying it... he did not lie ). The fish came with a delicious yuzu sauce that really elevated the dish. The venison perfectly tender and full of flavour. My favourite cocktail was the Sonic the Hedgedog, it had a nice citrus & somewhat salty taste. Even as someone who isn't a cocktail expert, I found it creative and very enjoyable! Highly recommend for both the food and the atmosphere.
More than just good food, La Banane was a proper dining EXPERIENCE. They serve French inspired cuisine with a top tier bar. They take resos on Opentable and I heard they can get busy during weekends so best to book ahead! FOOD (5/5) You can order dishes a la carte or opt for the carte blanche (tasting menu) for ~$175 pp which is what we ordered. The waiter walks you through the menu and asks what you like and don't like. They serve you about 2 raw bar items, 2 entrees, and a dessert and is at the discretion of the chef. Note there is an upcharge if you opt in to more premium menu options. 4/5 - Brown Butter Scallops. I thought they were gonna be served as full scallops but it comes diced and topped with a brown butter sauce tableside. Fresh and naturally sweet-smoky scallops plus the warm decadent sauce was a beautiful combo. 5/5 - Maitake Mushroom. SUPER UNASSUMING BUT ABSOLUTELY DELISH. Probably my fave dish of the evening. Big hearty piece of mushroom apparently grown at the base of an oak tree, grilled, and served with the most rich and creamy sauce ever. Absolutely blown away. It doesn't even taste vegetarian, it had the heartiness and fullsome flavours of a red meat. Absolutely reco! 3/5 - Bass en Croute. Delicate fish baked in a cured croute to give it an even and flavourful cook. They bring out the uncut croute to show you the cooking process then they bring it back to the chef to cut open for presentation. The beurre-blanc sauce comes in a gravy boat and pairs really nicely with the fish. The side it came with was a tomato and steamed egg dish that was a bit too acidic imo. Good food but just didn't wow me on this dish. 5/5 - Steak au Poivre. Tender, decadent, and mouthwatering. The beef (we ordered med rare) was so juicy, well rested, and maintained all the beautiful flavours of good beef. But the shining star is the black pepper sauce that is so creamy and brightly peppery it elevates the beef. Our side was the gruyere mashed/whipped potatoes that was so really fulsome but not heavy and was a nice contrast to the bright au poivre sauce. Highly recommend! 4/5 - Gateau a La Banane. Their signature Banana flavoured basque cake that has nice crispy edges and a soft interior. Topped with a salted caramel gelato. Lots of great contrasts; warm and cold, crispy and soft, sweet and salty. I'll add it got a bit too sweet towards the end but still a great dish to share with 2-3 ppl. AMBIENCE (4.5/5) Cozy interior with a bar and banquette seats. Some of the banquette seats are a tad low for the table but overally really nice candlelit-esque vibe. SERVICE (5/5) The wait staff was super friendly, helpful, and welcoming. It didn't feel snooty at all, and made fine dining feel down to earth. Food came out at a very reasonable pace. VALUE (4/5) Definitely a higher ticket meal but you get amazing food made with great quality ingredients and a memorable dining experience. LOCATION (4/5) Located right at Ossington and Dundas it's in a core area with lots of great restos and bars around. Accessible via streetcar (albeit sporadically) and there's street parking avail in the neighbourhood. OVERALL (4.5/5) I came for a birthday celebration and we all really enjoyed the food, the ambience, service and left feeling really satisfied with the experience! I love that it makes French fine dining feel so approachable and welcoming. Would love to be back for future celebratory dinners!
I tried more dishes during a recent visit to La Banane. The serving speed this time was much faster than last time. Food was still amazing. The Sea Bass was cooked perfectly. The venison was wowing me, with the meat being so tender melted in my mouth. The fois gras pate was delicious too. The truffle omelette was mediocre though without the flavour of mushroom being highlighted.
came here to celebrate my partner residency match! la banane is one of the best french spots in toronto in my opinion. the menu specializes in raw seafood, so we ensured to get both the mussels and scallop. my favourite dish overall was the roasted maitake mushroom, while my partner's was the lamb neck. a lot of the dishes we ordered had heavy creams as the base of their sauces so we got pretty full by the end. i would recommend getting 5 dishes if you're coming as a pair. our server was so friendly and helpful. we were eating for a good 2.5 hours and we never felt rushed during our dinner. she also gave us complimentary champagne to celebrate the special occasion!
I adore this restaurant! Came here for a special occasion and the service was incredible, we were treated so wonderfully by our waitress and the rest of the staff. The food was amazing, we got the pomme aligot, beef tartare and the fish baked in pastry. It was also a very lively joint, so we enjoyed the atmosphere as well. Highly recommend for a nicer but still grounded dining experience!
Second visit to this French spot in Toronto and still loving it Petit Banana The standout of the night was definitely the steak . They use Jacob & Co dry-aged, which is a bit fatty so it can get rich if you eat too much. Best to share with a group. The Mummy was our second order. The fish is very tender, and the salt coating on the outside really infuses flavor. The beef tartare was also excellent. The little fries on top paired with the beef added a great texture contrast. Foie gras came with grilled pineapple , which was a really creative touch. At the raw bar, we tried oysters . First time having New Brunswick oysters honestly, nothing too special, but still enjoyable .
We came here for our engagement dinner! Food was good and Sylvain was a great host, he treated us so well and everyone was very hospitable. The dishes came out a bit slow but overall the food was good - I would definitely go back for that eurobass. Overall a nice ambiance and vibe inside and they did a great job taking care of us.
My boyfriend wanted to treat my family members and I for a dinner on a Saturday evening. All of us were excited as this was our first time visiting this place. As soon as we arrived, we were warmly greeted by the staff by the front desk. He confirmed our reservation and took us to our table, where our family members were siting at. Our waiter was a friendly young man, who welcomed us warmly and gave us suggestions about the popular items on the menu. Then he brought some water and left, so that we could look at the menu and decide what to order. Each of us ordered one dish, four in total (1 Bass en Croute, 2 Ling Cod, and 1 Flatiron), two sides to share (1 Celeriac and 1 Green Salad). One of my family members ordered a beer (Sober Carpenter Blond). While waiting for our meal, we received a complimentary basket of bread (four slices) and dollops of soft butter. The bread and the butter were delicious- however, all of us agreed that there could have been more pieces of bread (as most restaurants bring this to the diners multiple times). When our meal came out, we were so excited to eat! All of us enjoyed our dish and the drink, each dish was cooked well. However, the portion size was very small for the price. Therefore, we were still quite hungry. Thankfully, that left some room for dessert, so we ordered 2 chocolate cakes. The cake was so rich and delicious, every bite was better than the last. However, it was very small for the price. Overall, the food was delicious. However, we felt that the portion size of the food did not match the price. Also, the place was very loud, so it was very challenging to have a conversation (although we were sitting side by side). I think this place would be best if you want to have a quick drink or a dessert.
La Banane is an absolute gem! The food is consistently flavorful and beautifully presented, the service is warm and attentive, and the ambiance is cozy yet sophisticated. Every visit feels special, and I can't wait to come back to try more of their creative dishes.
Dinner was decent, but honestly way overpriced and kind of overrated. Gave this place a second chance after a disappointing Valentine's menu... turns out it wasn't just the holiday. - 6/10 appetizers - 8/10 very good cocktails - 5/10 averaged dry aged steak, we even did not finish it. Most disappointing item.
La Banane was a tasty French journey from start to finish! Good food with French influence coupled with balanced cocktails and excellent service makes a fantastic date night! We started the evening with the Espressly Delicious and A Scotsman in Paradise. The espresso cocktails tasted like a good chocolate mousse with strong hints of coffee, while the Scotsman was tart and balanced. The bread came shortly and it was an impressive start - soft with just a bit of chew, great browning really coming through in flavor. The scallop quality is not bad, though the butter and onions drowns it a bit too much. Meanwhile, the maitaki was a flavour bomb, sauces perfecting the dish pairing beautifully with the earthy flavour of the mushroom. For the mains, we had the lingcod with a strong ocean fish flavour complimented by a tart lobster essence, and venison which was oh soooo tender, the gameyness coming through strong but enjoyed with the tart sauce. On the side we got the celeriac roulade, which was a bit sweetie than we expect but still a decent "veggie" selection. To finish, the almond cake comes in a hefty portion with light cream on the side. This was a bit sweeter for my taste so I'd pick something else in the future. There's definitely a lot to love on this menu, but the maitaki and the lingcod definitely deserve especially high praise!
Located on Ossington, this French restaurant has a nice ambiance. The highlights of the meal were the warm bread, the inventive cocktail, the scallops served on a seashell, the potato accompaniment and the banana cake. The chicken was good, but was not a standout; I found it too salty for my liking. I enjoyed the meal, and was glad to have tried it.
Came here for Valentine's Day dinner and was very impressed by the food and service! Given that it was a special night, I was only able to reserve bar seating but they were really nice about giving us a table instead due to a last minute cancellation. I've been to places where they don't allow that despite there being available tables. The ambiance of the place is dark and hip; I loved that there were different seating areas with nice comfortable cushions. Service was very friendly and interactive; each dish was presented with a little description by the server. I like how the service was attentive but not too stuffy and in your face. Water was always filled. Onto the most important part: the food! Everything was honestly a hit. My partner and I opted to share a bunch of apps and mains: -Hokkaido Scallop; raw scallops dressed in a brown butter sauce. My FAV dish of the night. The flavours and freshness of the scallops were incredible. -Beef Tartare; very tasty but I would have preferred it served with regular crackers instead of the potatoe sticks (tasted like hickory sticks) -Seared Foie Gras: SO GOOD. If you're a fan of foie gras you must get this! The pineapple and duck jus really balanced the strong flavors of the foie gras -Maitake Mushrooms: a very popular dish, it has a really unique and savory flavour and worked so well with the other meat-heavy apps we had -Eurobass: The fish was melt in your mouth and so tender! The yuzu sauce gave it a light tarty flavour. I loved loved loved this paired with some a glass of Chardonnay -Roasted cabbage: a little too charred and oily for my liking but goes well with the fish -Pommes aligot: potatoe and cheese, can't go wrong with this if you need some extra carbs Their menu online isn't updated and a few of the dishes were a little pricier than what was stated online. They also don't serve the popular duck breast dish anymore. I'd say everything was honestly delicious and surpassed our expectations. Only negative thing would be the value is a little low and the dishes are quite pricy for the serving size. For example the pommes aligot was $23 which is a little hard to justify for a small bowl of mashed potatoe and cheese. With this being said, I'd def come back for a special occasion or date night!
This might be one of my top dining experiences of the year so far, and I've travelled to quite a few cities around the world. The absolute star in my opinion was the shrimp cocktail... like sashimi quality not over cooked shrimp, like sweet ebi. Was PHENOMENAL. Very close second was the mushroom, we had to order more. The leeks were also a very pleasant surprise to the group. We were a big group of 6 and got to try everything on the menu. Our server was amazing and remembered everyone's names and was extremely attentive and helpful. read more
A cute little modern french spot. Featuring a raw bar as you enter. Service was exceptional! They really make sure everything is perfect for you. Even the trainee whom made a few mistakes but came to apologize and let me know he's new. All good. Theres always a first day for everyone. And the food!!!! The scallops were my fav. Fish here i delicious and impressed with how the debone the entire fish. Whether its girls night, date night, this is a great option. read more
4 months ago
If friends are visiting from out of town, I always make sure they try La Banane. It's one of my favorite comfort spots in Toronto. A few tips: avoid the black truffle steak, as the truffle doesn't blend well and can be a bit overpowering. Must-try dishes are the eurobass and seared foie gras. The foie gras is perfectly prepared and paired with a rich pear sauce. The eurobass is stunning with a delicate salt crust, inspired by Mediterranean cuisine. I had wanted to try the confit duck but went with the confit lamb instead; it's slightly sweet but very enjoyable. Overall, La Banane is always my go-to for a refined and satisfying dining experience. read more
La Banane absolutely lived up to the hype. The space is beautiful, and our server was attentive and genuinely welcoming throughout the evening. I had been wanting to try this restaurant for a long time (especially for the pommes aligot) and it did not disappoint! The Eurobass was also excellent; it was baked in a salt crust, which our server wisely advised us not to eat, as it's extremely salty (curiosity got the best of me and I did end up trying it... he did not lie ). The fish came with a delicious yuzu sauce that really elevated the dish. The venison perfectly tender and full of flavour. My favourite cocktail was the Sonic the Hedgedog, it had a nice citrus & somewhat salty taste. Even as someone who isn't a cocktail expert, I found it creative and very enjoyable! Highly recommend for both the food and the atmosphere. read more
10 months ago
More than just good food, La Banane was a proper dining EXPERIENCE. They serve French inspired cuisine with a top tier bar. They take resos on Opentable and I heard they can get busy during weekends so best to book ahead! FOOD (5/5) You can order dishes a la carte or opt for the carte blanche (tasting menu) for ~$175 pp which is what we ordered. The waiter walks you through the menu and asks what you like and don't like. They serve you about 2 raw bar items, 2 entrees, and a dessert and is at the discretion of the chef. Note there is an upcharge if you opt in to more premium menu options. 4/5 - Brown Butter Scallops. I thought they were gonna be served as full scallops but it comes diced and topped with a brown butter sauce tableside. Fresh and naturally sweet-smoky scallops plus the warm decadent sauce was a beautiful combo. 5/5 - Maitake Mushroom. SUPER UNASSUMING BUT ABSOLUTELY DELISH. Probably my fave dish of the evening. Big hearty piece of mushroom apparently grown at the base of an oak tree, grilled, and served with the most rich and creamy sauce ever. Absolutely blown away. It doesn't even taste vegetarian, it had the heartiness and fullsome flavours of a red meat. Absolutely reco! 3/5 - Bass en Croute. Delicate fish baked in a cured croute to give it an even and flavourful cook. They bring out the uncut croute to show you the cooking process then they bring it back to the chef to cut open for presentation. The beurre-blanc sauce comes in a gravy boat and pairs really nicely with the fish. The side it came with was a tomato and steamed egg dish that was a bit too acidic imo. Good food but just didn't wow me on this dish. 5/5 - Steak au Poivre. Tender, decadent, and mouthwatering. The beef (we ordered med rare) was so juicy, well rested, and maintained all the beautiful flavours of good beef. But the shining star is the black pepper sauce that is so creamy and brightly peppery it elevates the beef. Our side was the gruyere mashed/whipped potatoes that was so really fulsome but not heavy and was a nice contrast to the bright au poivre sauce. Highly recommend! 4/5 - Gateau a La Banane. Their signature Banana flavoured basque cake that has nice crispy edges and a soft interior. Topped with a salted caramel gelato. Lots of great contrasts; warm and cold, crispy and soft, sweet and salty. I'll add it got a bit too sweet towards the end but still a great dish to share with 2-3 ppl. AMBIENCE (4.5/5) Cozy interior with a bar and banquette seats. Some of the banquette seats are a tad low for the table but overally really nice candlelit-esque vibe. SERVICE (5/5) The wait staff was super friendly, helpful, and welcoming. It didn't feel snooty at all, and made fine dining feel down to earth. Food came out at a very reasonable pace. VALUE (4/5) Definitely a higher ticket meal but you get amazing food made with great quality ingredients and a memorable dining experience. LOCATION (4/5) Located right at Ossington and Dundas it's in a core area with lots of great restos and bars around. Accessible via streetcar (albeit sporadically) and there's street parking avail in the neighbourhood. OVERALL (4.5/5) I came for a birthday celebration and we all really enjoyed the food, the ambience, service and left feeling really satisfied with the experience! I love that it makes French fine dining feel so approachable and welcoming. Would love to be back for future celebratory dinners! read more
I tried more dishes during a recent visit to La Banane. The serving speed this time was much faster than last time. Food was still amazing. The Sea Bass was cooked perfectly. The venison was wowing me, with the meat being so tender melted in my mouth. The fois gras pate was delicious too. The truffle omelette was mediocre though without the flavour of mushroom being highlighted. read more
came here to celebrate my partner residency match! la banane is one of the best french spots in toronto in my opinion. the menu specializes in raw seafood, so we ensured to get both the mussels and scallop. my favourite dish overall was the roasted maitake mushroom, while my partner's was the lamb neck. a lot of the dishes we ordered had heavy creams as the base of their sauces so we got pretty full by the end. i would recommend getting 5 dishes if you're coming as a pair. our server was so friendly and helpful. we were eating for a good 2.5 hours and we never felt rushed during our dinner. she also gave us complimentary champagne to celebrate the special occasion! read more
I adore this restaurant! Came here for a special occasion and the service was incredible, we were treated so wonderfully by our waitress and the rest of the staff. The food was amazing, we got the pomme aligot, beef tartare and the fish baked in pastry. It was also a very lively joint, so we enjoyed the atmosphere as well. Highly recommend for a nicer but still grounded dining experience! read more
6 months ago
Second visit to this French spot in Toronto and still loving it Petit Banana The standout of the night was definitely the steak . They use Jacob & Co dry-aged, which is a bit fatty so it can get rich if you eat too much. Best to share with a group. The Mummy was our second order. The fish is very tender, and the salt coating on the outside really infuses flavor. The beef tartare was also excellent. The little fries on top paired with the beef added a great texture contrast. Foie gras came with grilled pineapple , which was a really creative touch. At the raw bar, we tried oysters . First time having New Brunswick oysters honestly, nothing too special, but still enjoyable . read more
We came here for our engagement dinner! Food was good and Sylvain was a great host, he treated us so well and everyone was very hospitable. The dishes came out a bit slow but overall the food was good - I would definitely go back for that eurobass. Overall a nice ambiance and vibe inside and they did a great job taking care of us. read more
My boyfriend wanted to treat my family members and I for a dinner on a Saturday evening. All of us were excited as this was our first time visiting this place. As soon as we arrived, we were warmly greeted by the staff by the front desk. He confirmed our reservation and took us to our table, where our family members were siting at. Our waiter was a friendly young man, who welcomed us warmly and gave us suggestions about the popular items on the menu. Then he brought some water and left, so that we could look at the menu and decide what to order. Each of us ordered one dish, four in total (1 Bass en Croute, 2 Ling Cod, and 1 Flatiron), two sides to share (1 Celeriac and 1 Green Salad). One of my family members ordered a beer (Sober Carpenter Blond). While waiting for our meal, we received a complimentary basket of bread (four slices) and dollops of soft butter. The bread and the butter were delicious- however, all of us agreed that there could have been more pieces of bread (as most restaurants bring this to the diners multiple times). When our meal came out, we were so excited to eat! All of us enjoyed our dish and the drink, each dish was cooked well. However, the portion size was very small for the price. Therefore, we were still quite hungry. Thankfully, that left some room for dessert, so we ordered 2 chocolate cakes. The cake was so rich and delicious, every bite was better than the last. However, it was very small for the price. Overall, the food was delicious. However, we felt that the portion size of the food did not match the price. Also, the place was very loud, so it was very challenging to have a conversation (although we were sitting side by side). I think this place would be best if you want to have a quick drink or a dessert. read more
7 months ago
6 months ago
La Banane is an absolute gem! The food is consistently flavorful and beautifully presented, the service is warm and attentive, and the ambiance is cozy yet sophisticated. Every visit feels special, and I can't wait to come back to try more of their creative dishes. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
Dinner was decent, but honestly way overpriced and kind of overrated. Gave this place a second chance after a disappointing Valentine's menu... turns out it wasn't just the holiday. - 6/10 appetizers - 8/10 very good cocktails - 5/10 averaged dry aged steak, we even did not finish it. Most disappointing item. read more
La Banane was a tasty French journey from start to finish! Good food with French influence coupled with balanced cocktails and excellent service makes a fantastic date night! We started the evening with the Espressly Delicious and A Scotsman in Paradise. The espresso cocktails tasted like a good chocolate mousse with strong hints of coffee, while the Scotsman was tart and balanced. The bread came shortly and it was an impressive start - soft with just a bit of chew, great browning really coming through in flavor. The scallop quality is not bad, though the butter and onions drowns it a bit too much. Meanwhile, the maitaki was a flavour bomb, sauces perfecting the dish pairing beautifully with the earthy flavour of the mushroom. For the mains, we had the lingcod with a strong ocean fish flavour complimented by a tart lobster essence, and venison which was oh soooo tender, the gameyness coming through strong but enjoyed with the tart sauce. On the side we got the celeriac roulade, which was a bit sweetie than we expect but still a decent "veggie" selection. To finish, the almond cake comes in a hefty portion with light cream on the side. This was a bit sweeter for my taste so I'd pick something else in the future. There's definitely a lot to love on this menu, but the maitaki and the lingcod definitely deserve especially high praise! read more
11 months ago
Located on Ossington, this French restaurant has a nice ambiance. The highlights of the meal were the warm bread, the inventive cocktail, the scallops served on a seashell, the potato accompaniment and the banana cake. The chicken was good, but was not a standout; I found it too salty for my liking. I enjoyed the meal, and was glad to have tried it. read more
Came here for Valentine's Day dinner and was very impressed by the food and service! Given that it was a special night, I was only able to reserve bar seating but they were really nice about giving us a table instead due to a last minute cancellation. I've been to places where they don't allow that despite there being available tables. The ambiance of the place is dark and hip; I loved that there were different seating areas with nice comfortable cushions. Service was very friendly and interactive; each dish was presented with a little description by the server. I like how the service was attentive but not too stuffy and in your face. Water was always filled. Onto the most important part: the food! Everything was honestly a hit. My partner and I opted to share a bunch of apps and mains: -Hokkaido Scallop; raw scallops dressed in a brown butter sauce. My FAV dish of the night. The flavours and freshness of the scallops were incredible. -Beef Tartare; very tasty but I would have preferred it served with regular crackers instead of the potatoe sticks (tasted like hickory sticks) -Seared Foie Gras: SO GOOD. If you're a fan of foie gras you must get this! The pineapple and duck jus really balanced the strong flavors of the foie gras -Maitake Mushrooms: a very popular dish, it has a really unique and savory flavour and worked so well with the other meat-heavy apps we had -Eurobass: The fish was melt in your mouth and so tender! The yuzu sauce gave it a light tarty flavour. I loved loved loved this paired with some a glass of Chardonnay -Roasted cabbage: a little too charred and oily for my liking but goes well with the fish -Pommes aligot: potatoe and cheese, can't go wrong with this if you need some extra carbs Their menu online isn't updated and a few of the dishes were a little pricier than what was stated online. They also don't serve the popular duck breast dish anymore. I'd say everything was honestly delicious and surpassed our expectations. Only negative thing would be the value is a little low and the dishes are quite pricy for the serving size. For example the pommes aligot was $23 which is a little hard to justify for a small bowl of mashed potatoe and cheese. With this being said, I'd def come back for a special occasion or date night! read more
Booked via Google/SevenRooms for a weekday dinner. The place fills up during dinner time so I'd definitely recommend booking in advance. Ordered the East Coast Oysters (24) which included 2 from each of: P.E.I., Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. They were fantastic, also paired with a lemon and 3 different sauces. We also got the Eurobass-en-croûte (54), Roasted Cabbage (12), and the Beef Tenderloin Au Poivre (55). I really liked the Eurobass, it had some hints of yuzu and was presented in quite a unique way, I'd say it's a must order here. The Roasted cabbage had tons of butter and had a strong charred taste, definitely a strong taste, it was decent. I thought the tenderloin was honestly just OK, I kind of expected it to come with something else along with it maybe some veggies and whatnot. But the overall beef was good. A pricey spot but well worth it for the eurobass and those oysters! read more
Beautiful interior and great staff! This is definitely a special occasion restaurant. Portions could be bigger, especially with their chocolate cake. It was literally a cube smaller than the palm of my hand. Also sad that they don't have the Ziggy Stardust Disco Egg anymore. Also the salade vert was a letdown...literally a head of lettuce with dressing. Don't order that if you go here. If you're into complex, more *interesting* dishes, I wouldn't recommend coming here as La Banane seems to specialize in more simple dishes. This is a place better suited for the vibes, drinks and if you want something simple for a meal. +1 star for the ambiance and staff read more
It has been a while since we had dinner at La Banane. We ordered a dozen of oysters and Hokkaido scallop to start. Oysters are fresh and decent size. For main courses, we had duck breast, seabass and beef tenderloin (rossini). A lot of review said the seabass is too salty, but definitely not for me. Beef tenderloin with foie gras and black truffle is a very good combination. I never tried the tenderloin and foie gras together, I am surprised with the texture in my mouth. However, it is a bit pricy for the 6oz steak. Finally finish up with the banana tart and chocolate cake. Both dessert comes with ice cream. The banana tart is a must try, it is their signature dessert. Overall very good experience! read more
La Banane will only get 3-stars from me because of the uncomfortably inflated cost for food that, in my opinion, wasn't worth it. I ordered the Roasted Maitake Mushroom ($24) and the Eurobass-en-Crust ($64) while my husband ordered the 18oz Rib Steak ($175) and the Roasted Cabbage ($13). We shared a Banana Cake ($16) for dessert and our total after taxes and tip was just shy of $400. Realistically, I expected to pay a bit of a premium here given the accolades but I think charging $175 for an 18oz is just a little bit unreasonable. It certainly wasn't an exceptional piece of meat and in fact, they served it in a way that didn't retain heat well so we ended up with a cold steak halfway through. Instead of just tossing the cooked steak on a room temp serving pan, they should've served it on a sizzling hot pan and layered it ontop of an intermediary such as onions so it wouldn't continuously cook the steak but allows the customer to sear and heat it as they wish (they do this in Japan for Kobe steak). It's the least they could do for $175. Otherwise, the eurobass, cabbage, and banana cake were tasty but the portion of eurobass was a bit small. The salted crust (not meant for consumption) is quite thick so it makes the dish look larger than it actually is. Unfortunately, I found the maitake mushroom dish tasted too greasy and made me queasy after a couple of bites. Overall, I left feeling unsatisfied with the cost of the meal for what it was worth. read more
3 years ago
One of the first things they asked when we got to the table was whether anyone had any allergies/dietary restrictions, so I felt really safe here. The entire meal was excellent, and we felt very taken care of the whole time. My personal favourite was the trout, my family really enjoyed the cabbage and the duck as well. We got in at around 7pm and it was a bit busy, though I had no trouble having a conversation at a reasonable volume. It was noticeably busier around the time we left (9 I think?). Not a criticism but my dad couldn't really read the menu because it was a little too dark at the table for him, so he had to turn the flashlight on on his phone (it was a harrowing experience). read more
3 years ago
After a terrible non-experience at a restaurant where we reserved but were ignored until we left, we ended up walking into La Banane. We were treated with respect even though we were a walk-in. For example, they promptly filled our water. They smiled and said hello. The service throughout was actually jovial and everyone seemed to be having a good time. Both of the mocktails we had (tomato and cucumber) were refreshing and tasty. I wish more places did cocktails/mocktails based on tomato that weren't just a Caesar. First, I'm glad their brioche is still as buttery and fluffy as it used to be even though it looks different (see my 2019 pic). The luscious flesh of the butter-poached trout was delectable paired with a tangy dill sauce. The perfect gooeyness of the pommes aligot was accented with the right balance of gruyere flavour. The roasty notes of the maitake complimented the rich garlic sauce, which was then cut by the herbaceous green oil. The tartare was also quite good, though it got to be a bit too rich/salty by the end. This may have benefited from some type of crostini or other more neutral-tasting thing to accompany. We will definitely be back to La Banane. read more
My fave restaurant that I went to during my birthday week last month (anyone else just use their bday as an excuse to cross restaurants off their menu?) I loved the ambiance, service, and ofc food at this place so much I brought my mom back for her bday the week after It was my first time having fish served this way with literally every little bone deboned and it was amazing for my fear of fish bones. We also got to try the 18 day dry aged steak (sourced from Jacobs Co) from their carte Blanche and was perfectlyyy cooked As for the sides, I thought the pommes aligot was very unique (sort of like mashed potatoes with tons of Gruyère cheese) and gave the potatoes the stretchiest, smoothest texture I'd also recommend oysters as always cuz they've got an amazing red wine mignonette! on our menu: Eurobass en Croûte (9/10 ) Dungenness Crab Tonnarelli (7.5/10) Yuzu brown butter Hokkaido Scallops (7.8/10 ) Dry Aged Rib Steak w Truffle (9/10 ) Oysters (9/10 ) Salt Spring Mussels (9/10 ) Pommes Aligot (9.5/10 ) Grilled Little Gems (7/10 ) Brown butter roasted cabbage (8/10 ) Tartare de Boeuf (7/10 ) Roasted Maiitake Mushroom (8.5/10 ) read more
Celebrated my birthday here. Our waiter was very friendly. We did the tasting menu, everything was delish. The brioche buns are to die for they're SO good. Seafood platter was fresh, scallop were sweet. This is a great place for date. Cocktails are good. read more
Sooo yummy! Best French food I've had so far in Toronto. Seared fois gras was phenomenally fatty and the petit pois side (must get) was so good (it is fresh peas + crab + dried egg yolk). The liver anolini was alright but everything else was a solid 9.5/10. Service was also incredible except if you're a party of two you might get seated in the back which is less desirable than the fun booths on the side if you're a party of 3-4. read more
4 years ago
Been here twice and highly recommend. Great fresh seafood and also their bread is to die for. Only thing i dont recommend is their shrimp cocktail - for the price it is not worth it. The mushroom and flat iron steak is delicious! Cute bar right next door as well read more
Great place for special occasions. Service was impeccable. The wait staff suggested the order of how the dishes should be served, which is important. We went here for our holiday special dinner and it did not disappoint. Everything was rich and flavorful. Loved the steak with the cheesy potatoes. Didn't think the maitaki mushroom was worth it. The steak tartare was amazing. Best one I've had. I loved my cocktail with bourbon and passionfruit. A bit tart and refreshing. Loved the sweet dessert wine pairing with the banana cake. What a treat. Wish it was a bit less salty; that's why I took off one star. Would love to come back but it was expensive, so it would have to be in the far future. read more
Really good service and atmosphere! Came here one night in November and made reservations in case. The oysters were so fresh, we ordered two dozen of a variety of types of oysters. Had the bass en croute which was wrapped in a salted dough, not recommended for eating because it was salty, I didn't try it but it looled good. I thought that the yuzu butter was amazing and added so much flavor to the fish. I enjoyed the presentation experience where they brought it out first showing it encrusted then bringing it back with it cut opened. Steak Au Poivre just melted in your mouth, tender pieces but the presentation didn't look like that exciting. Overall, this fine dining experience was really good and 9/10 would recommend. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
La Banane is a restaurant for a special occasion, or a place to impress that special someone. The prices are steep for this stretch of Ossington. But, if you are willing to splurge, you will have a wonderful dinner here. The fare is pretty traditional French, with some modern flare, but don't expect unique flavours of fusion influences. Still, they serve tasty dishes, well executed, it an attractive setting, with flawless service. Here's the rundown: Albacore Tuna Appetizer $16 Rating: 4/5 A tasty serving of fresh tuna with tangy capers sauce Traditional bouillabaisse Rating: 4/5 Tasty bouillabaisse, cleanly executed, but too light on the safron. Served in an attractive presentation with puff pastry on top. Eurobass en croute $39 Rating 4/5 One of their staple dishes. Beautiful fish, elegantly crusted. Rainbow Trout Rating: 4/5 Beautiful, traditional French sauce. Accompaniment: Mushroom Confit - $10 Rating: 2/5 Skippable. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
Alex is a superior waiter and took great care to explain the menu in detail and suggested particular dishes. Massive curved leather banquettes and a clean glass and steel bar and counter with raw-bar facing into the restaurant made the entrance attractive and inviting. I went with shellfish to begin with - The Hokkaido scallops was by far the most memorable item on the menu. I started with the seafood sampler platter. Crab, Argentine beer infused shrimp, 12 x selection of three different oysters. Foie-gras over chestnuts and citrus was a great middle course (it's a small Dish and the waiter suggested another "main" dish and he was absolutely right. So I went with a plain white fish - i chose the Steelhead Trout served over celeriac- and I loved the simple clean presentation of all. Sides of baby tomato salad (skins peeled which was a nice touch) over a creamy pesto sauce with fresh dill. And Gruyère whipped potatoes clogged my arteries happily Vodka Martinis and a Muscadet for the fish and ended the evening with a fine glass of Calvados. Memorable meal and I look forward to returning- I almost forgot to mention the home baked brioche - which reminded me of school in France - so fluffy and hot and creamily delicious. It's a joy to tear them apart and see the butter greasing your fingers as you eat happily! read more
Raw marinated scallops - garlic buttermilk ($23) Sauce is spicy, scallop texture is way better than the slight fishy taste Albacore tuna - brown butter, capers, dill ($16) Loaded with capers. Perfect tuna taste & texture Seared foie gras - hazelnut, passionfruit gastrique ($28) Sharp passion fruit sauce Fried chicken - buttermilk, Cayenne ($18) Juiciest fried chicken. Ranch sauce is heavy in flavour Smoked sweetbreads - endive, mushrooms, sauce blanquette ($28) With pickled onions. Sweetbreads were probably the thymus gland. Soft and seared exterior. Best sauce. Like mushroom parsnip cream soup. Gateau a la Banane ($12) add salted caramel icecream ($6) Overly ripened bananas. Really good dessert. Perfect crust. Salted caramel goes well with it. read more
Seafood galore! Our server suggested the 'petit plateau' with oysters, mussels, shrimp, Dungeness crab, lobster, scallops and king crab. This platter serves about 3 or 4 people NOT 2. It was good but way top much (cold) seafood for our liking. The 'eurobass en croute' was wrapped in salted dough and baked with a yuzu butter. The fish was light but didn't stand out, flavor wise. Additionally, the 'tartare de beuf' was served different than what we were used to, paired with a side of fried potatoes that looked like hickory sticks. It didn't have great flavor and the oiliness of the fried potatoes were overpowering. Heard great things about this restaurant but was let down. read more
Managed to make a last minute reservation here for 2 at 9pm and we were so excited to come. It was really packed by the time we got there and they took us to the end of the restaurant in a little corner seating area - the area was quieter and away from the bar so I liked how intimate it was. We decided to get their tasting menu with the additional request of their Eurobass en Croûte and oysters from their raw bar. The raw bar did not disappoint... their oysters were incredibly fresh and the Argentinian shrimps were to die for - super meaty and fresh. My favourite dish was the Albacore Tuna with Smoked Brown Butter. It legit blew me away because of how good it was so I would say that it's a must get. The Eurobass was an interesting twist to the traditional Brazino and I enjoyed that I could taste how fresh the fish was. Was it as good as the tuna? Perhaps not, but I recommend ordering it. A little less underwhelming dishes were the Bibb Salad and the Lamb. The Bibb salad was too tangy since they overdressed the red wine vinaigrette and the Lamb was too salty and unimpressive in all aspects. Last but not least, get the chocolate egg just for the sake of it. read more
I love love loved this restaurant. Came here for my birthday dinner, as it's a bit pricier and you need reservations, but it was awesome. Everything was so delicious and I see why the hype. I was with a group of 3, and we ordered the following: - shrimp cocktail - chilled lobster - eurobass en croute - lobster pasta Everything was a 5/5. The portions were perfect, and it was pricey, but that was to be expected! read more
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More info about La Banane
227 Ossington Avenue
Toronto, ON M6J 2Z8
Canada
Ossington Strip, Little Portugal, Trinity Bellwoods
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(416) 551-6263
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http://www.labanane.ca
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