I visited Sassafraz last night as part of their Summerlicious promotion. After reading a couple of other Summerlicious @ Sassafraz reviews below, I was a bit skeptical so I admit that I went to the restaurant with low expectations. Perhaps it was because I wasn't expecting much that I was pleasantly surprised at the experience and the food. The hostesses were extremely friendly and our waiter was both attentive and polite. Contrary to what a few other commenters have said, I actually found the portions to be generous. I had the creole shrimp and grit cake to start, and there were at least five huge shrimp on the plate. With an extra side, this could have been a meal in itself! For my entrée I had the pork chop with mashed potatoes and collard greens. The pork chop was HUGE and I found myself unable to finish it. (This is shocking because I have a talent for eating.) As something of a mashed potato fiend, I was a little disappointed with their offering but the collard greens were well-cooked and tasty. I ended the meal with the cheese plate with flatbreads and fruit. Though the cheese was delicious (and award-winning according to the menu!) I found myself wishing I had gotten a "real" dessert instead. I had a bite of each of the other desserts: the blueberry tartlet, and the cherry "soup" with chocolate mousse. I would highly recommend the cherry soup and mousse. It had some kind of crunchy bits on top that were so tasty! All in all, I enjoyed the experience. The food was delicious and I liked the décor and ambiance at the restaurant. I would definitely recommend the Licious experience at Sassafraz to others. read more

Came on a Thursday evening and have difficulty giving this place more than 2 stars. The food was good. Presentation and flavours all at the levels you would expect for a place like this. But service. I find it difficult to describe how slow and bad it was. The waiter was so nice when he came. But 2 1/2 hours - we saw him 4 tines. Not sure I would tell anyone to come here with the choices available in the area. read more

I went to this restaurant during Winterlicious on a Sunday afternoon. The yellow color of the exterior wall looks cute and bright. You can not miss it Their Winterlicious menu is great, very good deal with high-quality food, as well as the great portion. My appetizer is Chef's Feature Soup. Very smooth and fresh. My friend ordered the Smoked Salmon. The fish is a little bit fat but overall a good appetizer in terms of the dressing. We were very surprised at our main course.The 9-Spice Roast Harrison Co-Op Chicken Breast.Beautiful presentation and big portion. My chicken breast tastes awesome, very tender and I guess the 9 spice just play a magic to the flavor. Ontario Pork Chop is not bad, very chewy and without any pork smell. The texture of my Flourless Chocolate Cake is between a brownie and fudge, quite strong. read more

It was my first time here, my girlfriend brought us here to have brunch before her wedding dress fitting at Whites Canada. She really liked dinner here, so she wanted to try out the brunch! We came on a Saturday afternoon with reservation, and it was very busy. Our food took about 25 minutes to come out. The server gave us extra fruits because it took so long, so that was really nice. I ordered the {Lobster Croque Madame} because it sounded delicious ~ It was pretty much like an open faced sandwich/eggs Benedict. The egg was perfectly poached, and had the delicious runny egg porn going on! The house brioche was lightly toasted with the cured ham on top, the texture of the brioche with the lobster tasted absolutely amazing!! The lobster was also perfectly cooked, still tender with a slight crunch to the bite. The sauce was not too salty and added a nice touch of creaminess to the eggs! The arugula salad was fresh, I loved the vinaigrette with it. The salad was sorta like a palate cleanser, so refreshing. Highly recommend this dish for my eggs Benedict lovers! {Caramelized Banana and Blueberry Pancakes with Fresh Whipped Cream and Blueberry Maple Syrup} Even though our bride was going to a wedding dress fitting, that didn't stop her from ordering two brunch dishes! She ordered the pancakes because she wanted to try it. I'm glad she ordered it because it was delicious!! The pancake itself wasn't amazing (because I am biased with Mildred's Temple pancakes ), it wasn't fluffy, sorta just regular. However the flavour of the blueberries really complimented it. The blueberry maple syrup wasn't overpowering either, it only had a slight blueberry flavouring to it. The caramelized bananas was a real treat to this dish, wasn't too sweet too! So yummmms. I could only have a couple of bites because I was so full from the lobster croque madame. {Chicken and Waffles with Watermelon Dragonfruit Compote & Maple Gravy} Our friend was starving, and so she wanted a lot of food. Of course I had to try some rightttttt The chicken was juicy inside, but I wish there was some sort of spice on the fried batter. A bit bland, but good for those who don't like spices on their fried chicken. The waffles was crunchy on the outside and soft in the inside. I really liked the compote, although I was expecting it to be a sauce, it was cool that it was cubed fruits! Really refreshing to a heavy dish. The maple gravy pulled whole dish together, sweet and savoury read more

See all

My main appeal for this place is the location and ambiance. Truly in the heart of Yorkville, Sassafraz is surrounded by trendy shops and restaurants in Toronto's most posh neighbourhood. We stopped in for some drinks and small bites on a Thursday night, taking a table up on the sidewalk patio. It was cozy and not busy - which was great. I assume that the happy hour / Thursday crowd likely had thinned out from earlier in the afternoon/evening already. Service was a bit sparse at times, but the waiter was polite and attentive (when present). I had a couple of the barrel aged vodka Manhattan (martinis) while she had the gimlet. We munched on an order of frites and baby kale and honeydew salad. Both tasted great. All in all - a trendy place to hang out, people watch, and have a good time. read more

Sassafraz is my favourite brunch spot in Yorkville. The dining room is bright and airy. Service is top notch and the brunch menu is reasonably priced. You can usually get a reservation day of which is great because most other brunch spots are lined up to the door on weekends. read more

I was here for Brunch on Valentine's Day. My boyfriend ordered roses from a 3rd party, and the hostess delivered it to our table. I'm happy they offered that service, but I am a bit disappointed because my boyfriend had requested to have them delivered to our table at the end. Brunch menu was a bit limited in my opinion. The blue cheese was delicious, the fresh bread was to die for! (Mouth watering as I type). The main course was okay. Ambience is nice. My only other complaint is that we were next to the corner booth - thank goodness we weren't stuck there because the tables were jam packed so tightly. I had higher expectations of this place but I left with a content restaurant experience, but a great overall Valentine's Day. read more

I came here for Summerlicious. The restaurant was very cute; painted a soft yellow, the building really stood out amongst the neighbouring brick walls. Inside, the decor was minimalist and clean. At night, the restaurant feels very cozy and intimate because of the dim candle lighting. The restaurant is separated into 2 sides; the side where the entrance is houses the bar, so this section is a bit noisier with the increased foot traffic and louder music. The other side however, is much more calm. I had the grilled calamari to start. There were 4 or 5 pieces on my plate, so I thought it was a pretty decent portion. The calamari was tender, and seasoned very well; I was almost embarrassed at how fast it flew off my plate (and into my tummy). For my entree, I had the seared diver scallops. The scallops (3) were seared perfectly; they had great colour and weren't rubbery at all. I also really enjoyed the other elements in the dish despite not knowing what the hell I was eating (the online Summerlicious menu doesn't seem to match what I had last night). The mystery broth was delicious, the lentil/rice/grains in it was equally delicious, and the tiny, crunchy baby asparagus-like things added some texture and colour. Dessert was alright; I had the chocolate torte. It was dense and rich. Nothing to write home about. The service was A++. My boyfriend reserved a table online and made a request for the "most romantic table in the restaurant" and they definitely delivered; they gave us one of two corner booths at the back of the restaurant under the garden wall/waterfall. Definitely romantic. The wait staff were efficient and courteous and provided excellent service. I will most likely come back for their regular menu. read more

Used a Groupon for two for a 3 coarse meal. The service was excellent and I really enjoyed the food. I ordered the steak and lobster bites. Both dishes were delicious except I ordered my steak medium rare but it was more medium. It still tasted really good as they placed a melted butter on it and the outside was charred. For dessert I got the chocolate mouse which came with a passion fruit sauce, a custard sauce and placed on top of a butter like cookie. It was tastey especially with the hint of lemon and basil. My husband got the escargots, it was so creamy and filled with meaty bits. It was alot of filling. He ordered the Cornish hen which I didn't taste but said was bland in comparison to my steak. He got the maple beignets, filled with custard and a sauce around it. Yummm. My husband also got a whiskey drink with ginger beer and grapefruit juice. I actually took it for myself after a sip. The service was really great. I've had experience with Groupon and the service being really bad because of it. But they were all helpful. I actually ordered a shrimp dish and changed my ordered to the steak and the waiter said it was no problem. I'd go back again. Their charcuterie board looked good with a glass of wine after work one day. The decor is beautiful. Love the green wall and water feature. read more

Sassafraz - Lobster bite - groupon menu - French Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

came for a wedding and was absurdly impressed. the venue itself is beautiful.. the lighting, chandeliers, exposed brick, wooden floors, tasteful centerpieces.... really beautiful space. the FOOD was phenom. cocktail hour featured lobster, tuna, fried chicken "lollipops", mac and cheese, a beets concoction- all excellent. for dinner, i ordered the salmon over risotto- SO fresh and delicious. my beau ordered the steak.. which literally melted in our mouths. a very special place and excellent option for wedding venue. read more

I came to Sassafraz and ordered from the Summerlicious lunch menu. For the experience (food, ambiance, service), the $28 + tax + tip was worth it! The restaurant is absolutely beautiful. We sat in a booth next to the waterfall wall, in a well-lit area. The service was also good as the servers ensured checked up on us consistently and were very accommodating - for example, when I asked for another scoop of ice cream because the one I got was partially melted. As for the food, I loved everything I ate (to be fair, I rarely complain about food). I had the blue crab salad, atlantic salmon, and dark chocolate cake. Overall, this summerlicious experience was incredible for me in terms of value. I would definitely recommend the restaurant for a nice lunch or dinner out because the classy atmosphere is really nice and great for conversations. read more

Great summer patio. I like going for brunch in the winter sometimes, but really it's all about the summer patio. This is where you go for people watching 100%. The service is pretty good and as far as the swank value, it's pretty affordable. I like the nicoise, but that's kinda a standard for me. This is a great place for an after work drink. read more

Very classy and upscale, given that it is situated in Yorkville. The food was absolutely delicious and the staff were very professional and accommodating. Will go there again when I can afford it. read more

See all

Service: A server came to give us bread 10 mins after we sat down but we had to wait another 10 mins before our server asked us which water we wanted. I felt so ignored, generally the service level was disappointing especially for a restaurant of this class. Food: the pasta, couscous and steak were all average. Salmon was nicely cooked but crust was slightly too salty. Interior: very nice, French style with a waterfall. The best part was the environment; food was average and service was a letdown. read more

One of my favourite restaurants in Yorkville. Great food and drinks. Patio is great for people watching. read more

See all

I have been to Toronto many times and have tried spots in the FiDi, West district and Yorkville. This place is very affordable for what you get. The decor is trendy and nice but still approachable in denim and a jacket. The food is impeccable in terms of preparation, taste, flavor and portion size. It is a fraction of the price compared to any steakhouse in the area. The cocktails are on point to your taste pallet - Asif provided amazing service and personalized cocktails. I will be back on my next visit! read more

Sassafraz - French Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

I had dinner two times prior and I remember the food being delicious and filling. Went back for the third time in December. I notice the menu has changed. Ambience was as I remember, romantic enough for a dinner date and buzzing with conversation. Waiters were busy, but tend to your needs. Ordered the Ontario Lamb Meatball and Veal Chop, however the taste was not up to par,lacking in flavor. I was seated at the back against the very high booth against the back wall, but I was freezing the entire time. read more

Tried this place for the first time on Monday, pretty fancy. Large couches, nice tables. Pretty much exactly what you'd expect from a French restaurant in Yorkville. I met a friend for tea here, it was nice, but nothing special. They had a grand piano in the main dining room, unfortunately no one was playing it, maybe it was just for show. I'm generally a huge fan of places that have live music (especially piano), but maybe I'd have to come back another night. If you're looking for a place to grab a tea/coffee like I was, I wouldn't recommend it, but perhaps the food is good enough to justify it for dinner! read more

Sassafraz used to be my favourite brunch place, I got the eggs Benedict with spinach instead of ham. I went back recently for my usual and it was a COMPLETELY different experience! The spinach was just tossed onto the bun, it had bland dry roasted potatoes and barely any hollandaise sauce. Very disappointed, and definitely not coming back! Went for lunch also, very bland and expensive. All the food is things you could make at home for half the price, nothing special. read more

It's a nice place to go to for a special occasion! Their plates were fairly portioned and I love their menu selection. I tried this place for summer Lucius the first time and they've made a positive impression for me to return again for my birthday. read more

See all

Great ambience and amazing food ! Went with my friend for summerlicious lunch. Ordered scallops, beef short ribs and chocolate torte. The scallops were perfectly cooked with chorizo. There is a slight kick to this appetizer. The beef was so tender and flavorful. I would highly recommend trying this restaurant for summerlicious. Our sever was very attentive and friendly. read more

See all

The first time I came here I was walking by and I thought the restaurant looked really cute so I wanted to try it. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the food was. Was it as good as some of the higher end restaurants I've tried in France? No, but it was an interesting mix of French/Canadian cuisine that delivered consistently delicious food. Service is always excellent here. The servers are always so nice and helpful, not at all pretentious. Atmosphere is relaxed and the space is really lovely. I usually get seated in the back near the waterfall which I think is really pretty. I've never been here for Summerlicious so I can't speak to that menu but I highly recommend going any other time so its not as crowded. I've never had a bad experience here and I recommend it to friends all the time. It's a nice place to take a date or a bunch of girls for lunch. read more

Great ambiance. Great service. Great food!! It all comes with a price that I'm not always willing to pay. It would say I'm a fan and would definitely return, but maybe not on a weekly basis =P Worth checking it out! Live music on the wknds... Ah, that was nice!! read more

Got a Groupon for a 3 course meal for 2. Overall, good food, drinks and service. Good value for getting the Groupon compared to regular price. read more

See all

It was our friend's birthday dinner. She decided summerlicious & it was wonderful. Service was superb and food tasted amazing. Definitely will return. read more

See all

Surprisingly, I lucked into an outstanding piece of fish on a bed of black quinoa for lunch. Grilled to perfection, with a lovely Sauvignon to go with it, I have no complaints about the food or the service. Yea! I did sit outside however, and with a lot of construction going on nearby, I decided not to linger for dessert. Never mind: I'll definitely be back! read more

Sassafraz - Grilled salmon - French Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I didn't find the food to be anything special... I absolutely loved the atmosphere of the restaurant, my friend booked a table right by the manmade water fall they have in doors, it was beautiful! read more

Love love love love love this place! Now we were a bit spoiled because it was a large travel industry event but the food they served is from their regular menu. That zucchini lentil soup is the best soup I have ever had. I can't believe how good that was! All the other food was great too. Also, the wine list is impressive. I can't wait to go back sometime! Great service, lovely ambiance, delicious food. What more do you need?? read more

This is and has always been our go-to place when visiting Toronto. Food is great, service is always topnotch and the location is perfect. In the summer you can enjoy the patio and in the winter it's a cozy place to watch the world go by. Also love that fact that they allow you to dine on the patio with your puppy! read more

Sassafraz - Dude loves the patio!!! - French Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

We took over Sassafraz for our rehearsal dinner in August. We were 150 out of towners and everything was perfect. Food was excellent, service was outstanding and location was absolutely perfect. We planned this entire evening from 2000 miles away and the restaurant was so accommodating I highly recommend read more

My fiancé and I came to Sassafraz for our 10 year dating anniversary and couldn't have been happier with the experience. The location is fantastic and the atmosphere is so welcoming and effortlessly alluring, with the water running down the back wall, big ceiling windows and plants. It made a bitter cold and grey day, seem so much warmer and bright, once inside. I went with a early reservation as we had tickets to Second City that night and we didn't want to rush dinner. I was quite literally the first person in the dining room for dinner and the staff was great. They came over to talk to me without hovering and made sure I had a glass of wine while I waited. Dinner was amazing! We had the Brown Sugar Pork Belly to start which were great, nothing too crazy, but a decent pick. My fiancé had the Ontario Crab & Corn Chowder, which he said was one of the best soups he had ever had and still talks about it, weeks later. We both had wine to start and then moved to cocktails - I had the French 75, one of my favorite cocktails and he had the Southern Gentleman, both were wonderfully made. For dinner, I had the beef tenderloin and he had the veal chop. My meal was out of this world good. I literally ate every last drop of food on my plate, it was to die for. I got it cooked Med Rare and it was literal perfection on a plate. My fiancés food was delicious as well and he absolutely loved it. He did try mine and he said mine was better than his, since mine was out of this world and his was just really good (like that's a bad thing- its not). We actually enjoyed our steaks so much, we told all of our steak loving friends and family this was worthy of a visit. We ended the meal with a flourless chocolate cake with chocolate house made ice cream. Neither of us care for dessert and we finished it all, it was that good. So what I'm saying here is, make yourself a reservation at Sassafraz and go enjoy some really good food, atmosphere and service. I highly recommend taking your time there and trying something from every course since they have so many great offerings. I will definitely be back! read more

They have a great patio for dining in the summer. It can be considered a place to see or be seen! I came here for lunch and I ate the sablefish. I also had a B52 coffee. Both were made to perfection! I was impressed with the service and the accomodation of the staff. Please be aware that the portion sizes are small to moderate. If you are really hungry, have a snack before you come here. read more

I held my wedding reception here - the food was amazing, the service 1st class and the decorations were beautiful. The staff really made my day run smoothly. I highly recommend sassafraz! read more

This place is continually a great place to dine. While the service is a little quiet and aloof, I actually prefer that so I can enjoy the food and the company. Happy to report that after several years, this is still my preferred date venue. read more

Excellent service from the moment we entered to the time we finished eating. Food portions are perfect and the taste is heavenly. Staff is super accommodating. Loved every second of it. Classy decor and classy selection of food. Good job team Sassafraz! read more

Sassafraz - Cornish hen!! A must have at this place!! - French Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

I went here last summer with my mom she was visiting Toronto from Italy, we set outside and enjoyed the Saturday crowd passing by and showing off cars and dresses on a nice summery early afternoon. We enjoyed our visit, the food was good and not expensive has I thought it would be. Definitely a must try in Yorkville. read more

The environment is perfect, with a very romantic glasses roof. And the drink is fantastic read more

See all

Such a yummy place to eat in yorkville ! They have the best risotto in Toronto hands downnn !

Nothing stands out . I would say sangria pretty cute. Nice display , taste is good , typical cuisine you get for this price . Good for regular eat. read more

See all

Found this restaurant by chance while walking around the area and decided to have lunch there with my husband. Their french lentils dish is a completely must. They're the best I've ever had. The puff pastry they serve with it was absolutely done to perfection (I'm a pastry chef, so I can tell :) ) and the kale was crunchy in the way I like. Service was friendly, efficient and the place is very accessible if you don't have a car (it's a couple of steps out of Bay Station). You won't find a bunch of options there (at least not in lunch time), but I'm pretty sure you cannot go wrong with anything you order. Food is not cheap, though, but I've been to some other places downtown who charge as much and aren't as tasty. It's definitely a must go! read more