After Splendido closed, a place for a luxe brunch also
disappeared. But, when a friend suggested visiting Colette Grand Café for a
celebration, it was apparent that someone’s filling the void. At $54 a person,
the pricing certainly points to luxury; but being a buffet, I had doubts
whether the food could be executed with precision.
Colette’s buffet consists of two areas: cold options
surrounding the bar and hot foods set up separately further into the dining
room. Along the bar, there’s a seafood station, salad bar, antipasto, charcuterie
& cheeses and the dessert area.
As a lover of the sea, the shrimp and crab claws peeked my
interest; they were already peeled and prepped so eating was a breeze. The
accompanying cocktail sauce had a strong horseradish bite and interestingly
incorporated some herbs (mint perhaps)? The seafood salad of calamari,
imitation crab and shrimp was also refreshing, but a tad sour.
Within the chafing dishes were breakfast staples - eggs,
bacon, sausage, pancakes and French toast, just a few of the options. When the
fried chicken was being replenished, the smell made me take a piece.
Thankfully, it tasted as great as it smelt: succulent, crispy and surrounded
with a well-seasoned crust. You could make yourself a great chicken and waffles
at the restaurant.
The carving station was serving a moist salmon wellington,
which had nicely seasoned mushroom and spinach layers, but the pastry too thick
and not cooked through so it was left as a clump rather than rising to
flakiness. It was still delicious, if you just ate the inside.
Luckily, the roast beef wasn’t overcooked, but needed a
stronger rub given the meat wasn’t served with au jus (there was mustard and
horseradish).
Being an upscale French restaurant, Colette’s hot buffet
filled with American diner favourites was off-the-mark for me. Why make
pancakes when there could have been crepes? Is chicken and waffles really the
most appropriate, when mussels and frites more culturally correct?
For a country that is known for their delicious desserts,
this was the most disappointing course at brunch. Although everything was
beautifully presented, many simply lacked taste. Of the things I tried, the square
of green tea cake was passable but the eggy French toast from the breakfast
area was much better.
There was a yoghurt parfait that could easily pass as
dessert – the dairy thick and creamy, fruit compote sweet enough, and granola
buttery and spiced like crumble.
An honourable mention to the bread basket filled with crispy
soft baguettes (went perfectly with the selection of soft cheese) and flakey chocolate
croissants.
Included with brunch are all non-alcoholic drinks including
coffee, tea and juices; these could easily add $7 onto any meal. I rather
enjoyed the strawberry and passion fruit juice, which seemed freshly made and
free of added sugars.
Overall, Colette is a great atmosphere, especially to
celebrate an occasion (there were about five birthdays on our visit). A
personalized card and cake lit with an impressive sparkler was a nice gesture.
Despite having a constant stream of customers, we weren’t rushed and felt
welcomed to sit and chat after the meal (the ideal time to enjoy their
selection of Sloane herbal teas).
Service is the one area I’m glad Colette deviates from
French origins. Unlike the stereotypical French reputation, the restaurant’s
servers were gracious, warm, and friendly.
How To Find Them
Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 550 Wellington Street West
Address: 550 Wellington Street West
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Gastro World's Grading System
- Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
- 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
- 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
- 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
- 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
- 10 - absolute perfection!
Is That It? I Want More!
Other Gastro World posts similar to this:
- DT Bistro
- Colette Grand Cafe for dinner (coming tomorrow)
