Batifole

Bo Ling Chop Suey pala… errrm I mean, Batifole, under the ownership of Chef Pascal Geffroy since 2013, offers an intimate and wonderfully cozy dining experience that transports you far from the city bustle. This small dining room is the perfect stage for refined, approachable French cuisine. Our evening began with a minor hiccup; the initial phone call for the reservation felt a little rushed and distracted. However, that momentary blip was instantly forgotten upon arrival. We were immediately met with a warm welcome, seated promptly, and offered water. The initial waiter explained the menus, giving us time to settle, before Melissa took over. Melissa and her team provided truly outstanding service, knowledgeable, attentive, and friendly. We especially appreciated her thoughtful suggestion to have the kitchen split the soup of the day for us. The team's attentiveness extended to noticing and swiftly correcting a wobbly table without us having to ask. It was also a pleasure to see Chef Geffroy making the rounds to visit each table and ask about the meal, a great sign of genuine hospitality. The cooking here is focused and flavourful. The menu balances rich classics with delicate seasonal creations. Butternut Squash Soup (10/10): This soup was pure autumn perfection, velvety, intensely flavourful, and utterly delicious. The final touch of tarragon oil on top added a beautiful aromatic finish. Beef Tartare (9/10): The beef was expertly diced, and the seasoning and sauce were perfectly balanced; the subtle taste of capers and other seasonings was a delight. The accompanying crostinis had a perfect thickness and satisfying snap. My only slight critique is that it was slightly fatty from the added oil, and I personally prefer the richness a quail egg yolk would provide. Fish of the Day (8/10): The main was a beautiful piece of cod served with bok choy and a mushroom cream sauce. The fish was buttery, flaky, and delicious. The mushrooms were perfectly cooked, and the bok choy was a lovely textural element to balance the richness. Potato Gratin (9/10): Thinly sliced potatoes, layered in butter and cream sauce, offered subtle but deeply pleasant flavours. The cheese on top was beautifully caramelised. The only thing I wished for was that the dish had been served slightly hotter in temperature. Grand Marnier Soufflé (10/10): A masterful dessert. This was beautifully executed, airy, super light, and with a perfectly subtle Grand Marnier flavour that wasn't overwhelming. The orange marmalade waiting at the bottom was a brilliant, complementary surprise. The overall experience at Batifole is defined by its outstanding cuisine and dedicated staff. Even the small details, like the fact that the washrooms were small but well-maintained, contribute to a sense of care. Fun Fact: Before Chef Pascal's Batifole, this building was once used as a scene of a Chinese restaurant. The intimate dining room once housed the legendary Chop Suey Palace, where Ralphie and his family famously ate their Christmas dinner in the movie A Christmas Story after the Bumpus hounds ruined the turkey. As Ralphie's Old Man might say of the delicious, French food at Batifole, "It's smiling at me."—though, thankfully, this time, it's not a duck! Batifole is an exceptional dining experience that we would happily recommend for any special occasion.

It was an classic french authentic experience. If you crave that this is the place. Tartare was extra spicy and couldn't taste the meat hence my 4 star instead of five. Also wine choices were limited. But overall it was amazing. Go with out a doubt french cuisine lovers. Souffle is a must.

It was ok for its price range. We had some vegetables did not very fresh. And it was raining, but the roof of the patio was leaking a lot of rain water. Ordered one appetizer and main, and the whit sauce tastes exactly the same. I feel that was a lazy way to prep food in a restaurant with this price range. The dessert was very good though.

Outstanding meal and service! As one in my party said “the soup changed my life!”. The cassoulet and duck confit were wonderful. Everything we ordered was excellent! Highly recommend the soufflé for dessert.

Had a very enjoyable meal here with my family. It was nice seeing the chef come out to explain the menu and the dishes as they were being served which made you feel welcomed at the restaurant. All the dishes were prepared beautifully and tasted great such as the souffle. We especially liked the duck confit dish. We will definitely visit again in the future!

This was my first time trying French food, and it gave me a big surprise. Both the service and the taste gave me an excellent experience. The chef was very kind and friendly, asked us if we liked the dishes. I don’t know what dishes to recommend because every dish we ordered was delicious, and I want to try other dishes next time, they will definitely be delicious! My husband raved about the beef tartare. He had tried it twice somewhere else but was not impressed. This time he fell in love with the dish.

One of the best duck confits I’ve ever had. I would go there again for it. Other menus were okay. My company and I ordered Cassolette d'Escargots (escargot soup), Cuisse de Canard Confite (duck confit) and Cassoulet Royal (pork belly, pork sausage, etc.). It was my first time trying escargot soup l, so I was excited about it. But, it was just okay and I would rather have a classic oven baked escargot with herbs. The cassoulet royal was just okay as well. Nothing too fancy. However, duck confit was definitely a top notch that I would go there to have that again. The servers were all very nice and attentive. The interior was cozy and felt like a little bistro in suburbs of France.

We celebrated our last meal of 2024 here and the food was absolutely fantastic! The servers were very attentive and it was nice that the chef went from table to table to introduce himself. The fact that the servers were all French-speaking made us feel like we were dining in a restaurant in France. Great place for authentic french food!

The food was amazing. This was the best meal we have had while in Toronto. This is a small restaurant in an interesting part of the city, a quick bus/trolley ride. The service was also great. Try it, I think you will love it.

such a cutie, cozy neighborhood fresh bistro serving some very comforting dishes. we got the classics: escargots, beef tartare, poached fish of the day, and soufflé. everything tasted great and loved the laid back vibes from our server and chef. bonus points for patrons speaking french that made us feel like we were in little paris.

From the moment we were greeted at this Gerrard Street gastronomic French gem, we felt transported to a time and place where bon vie and good food are central to the human experience. This may sound overly dramatic for a restaurant review, but in the spirit of French New Wave cinema, I feel compelled to shrug off the conventions of food reviews and embrace a less literal style. ACT 1. La Decouverte An attentive and thoughtful server patiently explained the menu. It was more than information sharing. It was immersion, acclimatization. We started with the sardines. Simple, even peasant-like but luxurious in flavour and texture. Served on crispy and thin house-made crackers. The accompanying bread was also exceptional. ACT 2. L'essence de la vie The gap between appetizer and main was protracted but also civilized. I simultaneously found myself wondering how much longer the mains would take and being thankful that they were giving us a leisurely break between courses (more on that later). My wife had the cod. I had the lamb wrapped in pastry. Both were flavourful and rich but not overly heavy. The lamb was slow cooked and shredded and then wrapped in a pastry resembling an oversized spring roll. The reduction used as the sauce was perfectly savoury without being too salty. The side of frites was heavenly. The chef explained he blanches then freezes the potato before frying. This creates a beautiful crispy skin and a soft, almost creamy centre. Absolutely artful. As we ate quietly and contently, the essence of life crossed our minds. ACT 3. La delice de la fin d'un reve Sated and completely full after our mains, we were tempted by dessert more out of curiosity than appetite. With food so good, how could we pass up a sweet finish to this remarkable meal? We succumbed and ordered the lemon tart. It was very tart, not too sweet, with silky custard filling and a hard pastry base that was butter-forward and offered a nice crunch. The espressos were a perfect accompaniment . As we basked in the glow of this fading dream, we were presented with the bill sans the charge for the coffees...a gesture of goodwill to compensate us for the long wait between the appetizer and main course. We had not complained about the wait, indeed, we appreciated it. Yet we were delighted one last time. Fin.

As soon as we entered the staff greeted us and let us choose between sitting outside or inside, we chose to sit in their patio and it was very cozy and quiet. The food was great! The duck was perfectly cooked and the beef tartar well seasoned with complementary bread at first but be prepared it's very filling and can be a little much if not paired with a right appetizer or drink.

This is a hidden gem! If you love French cuisine, specifically Provençal, you must come here! Ditch the white table cloth French restaurant for a more relaxed dining experience. The food is impeccable and the service is attentive. The menu changes daily. Plenty of fish and meat. The here is always a vegetarian option. You must order the pomme frites!

First Visit to This Local French Gem We finally decided to visit this French restaurant in my local community after passing by so many times and reading all the glowing reviews. Having traveled and spent some time in the South of France, I came in with high expectations. Sadly, many French restaurants in Toronto have let me down, but this one was a delightful surprise! To start, they brought out bread accompanied by clarified, whipped butter. I was genuinely impressed by the chef's attention to detail in creating such a light and natural butter--it set the tone for the meal. For the first course, we ordered sardines served in a tin with olive oil. While this presentation didn't quite meet our expectations (as it felt like a pre-packaged dish), the rest of the meal more than made up for it. The main courses were exceptional. The seafood dish came with a beautifully aromatic sauce that was both flavorful and unique. The presentation was extraordinary, and it elevated the dish to another level. The steak with bone marrow, however, stole the show--it was simply out of this world! We finished with a soufflé, which was perfectly fluffy, warm, and just the right level of sweetness. It was the ideal way to end the meal. For two people, with half a bottle of wine, our bill came to about $200. Considering the quality of the food and the experience, I found this to be very reasonable. We will definitely be visiting this restaurant again!

Overpriced, over-salted, under-delivered. Michelin star prices for tourist trap quality. This was the worst meal I have eaten in recent memory. Spending $500 on a dinner for two left me feeling robbed. I have always been sceptical of event-based set menus but decided to give Batifole the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately my instincts were correct as the menu disappointed on almost every level. My partner and I arrived at Batifole last night with excitement and high expectations. We were greeted immediately by the host and promptly seated. The first thing we noticed were the placemats on our table. They were wilted, old and cheap. The set menu ($150 per person) started with a truffle fois gras crème brûlée which was clearly premade and an interesting choice for an amuse bouche. The caramelized sugar was cold and the fois gras was bland and had absolutely no trace of truffles. The appetizer was worse. We both chose the seabass tartare which was almost inedible. The fish was slimy and over-salted. The tomato "mousse" was creamy, heavy and slimy. We thought the bread would make it more enjoyable but it was cold. Going into the main courses, my partner and I were ready to go home. We both had the baked sole fillet. When it arrived, there was no filet to be found. The fish was in a cylindrical shape and covered in sauce. It appeared to be a fish loaf; not as advertised. I powered through it but my partner could not. She asked for it to be packed away. Not even a question from the staff. Two more courses to go. At this point it was laughable and we bonded with guests at the table next to us on our shared displeasure with the experience. I took bathroom break to work myself up to finish what I had started. The bathroom was dingy, dim, cold and smelled of stale cigarettes. The pre-dessert dish was fourme d'ambert millefeuille which consisted of runny blue cheese between sheets of filo pastry. It wasn't bad but there was a strange, sweet cream on the side that none of us knew what to do with. Finally, dessert. I ordered the macaron and my partner the chocolate cake. This was the worst macaron I had ever tasted. It was extremely hard. I could barely cut it with my knife, as the photo suggests. It tasted like stale fruit loops. I told the waitress and received a blank stare. The chocolate was nice but not enough to save the disaster we endured. At the price point, Batifole should be ashamed of what they served. What was supposed to be nice night out turned into a regrettable experience. I hope the chef improves and treats his customers better in the future. One star is generous.

Just happened to pass by this little French bistro and I'm so happy we did! Casual and classic French dining. They have a cute little patio. I recommend you make reservations. This is not the place to come to if you're in a hurry. This is the place you come to when you want to slowly enjoy and give yourself a bit of a breather in between courses. The servers were lovely and knew the menu well. They checked on us regularly! Everything was so good! We may have over ordered but I suppose that's what happens when almost everything on the menu appeals to you. Can't wait to go back! We had: * Pan Seared Scallops: served with fennel compote, lemongrass hollancaise - large scallops and oh so delicious! * Cassolette d'Escargots: pan seared escargots, vegetable brunoise, amaretto & cream served with crostini - loved that it was saucy so that we could dip our bread into it and enjoy every last bit. * Country Style Paté served with crostini - great taste and texture. * Truffle Zucchini Royale: topped with smoked eel tartare - really enjoyed the different textures of this dish. * Cassoulet Royal: Rustic baked white beans, duck confit, pork sausage & pork belly - heavier and richer than we had anticipated. Good thing we were all sharing. Every last bit was enjoyed. * Cuisse de Canard Confite: Confit duck leg & sliced duck breast with potato gallette & caramelized apple sauce - well prepared, not overly salty or dry. * Angus Hanger Steak: Served with potato mousseline, bordelaise sauce - we couldn't get over how good the sauce was! * Soufflé au Grand Marnier - be sure to save room for dessert. This is a must try! * Lemon and raspberry tart - simple and fresh.

Absolutely delicious! Such a cute local French restaurant on the east end of Toronto. The dishes were flavourful and well prepared. Love the friendly staff and when the chef came out to say hello and check how we were doing. I would come back to try the other items on the menu.

Recently enjoyed a lovely dinner on the patio on a bustling thursday evening. Despite the full house the chef toof the time to come out and meet guests. I had the cod in saffron sauce, it was spectacular (fish was perfectly cooked, sauce delicate and flavourfull) my partner had the lamb special and loved it too. will definitely be going back

Loved our dining experience here. We did a belated Valentines dinner here. We live close and had been talking about coming here for a while. I ordered the soup special (butternut squash) and my boyfriend got the crab and rock fish soup to start. Mine was definitely better. His was very watery and not what we thought it would be, but the flavour was good. As for the mains, I had the canard a la peche, and he had the pulled lamb in a phyllo pastry. We also got the side salad but that was completely unnecessary. I liked my main better, but that was after doing some research on Yelp. The duck was so flavourful, and the hash brown thing at the bottom stayed crispy despite the au jus. I would order the duck again 100%. Would come back to try something else!

Such a nice spot in the heart of the city. So unexpected to have such good food in the edge of Chinatown. The food is French and so rich in flavour. The service is excellent. The soufflé was so good, one of the best I've ever had. Just a wonderful spot for a dinner date or night out.

Delicious food. Wonderful ambiance. Best bread I've ever had. Entrees were great and don't miss the soufflè for dessert.

Outstanding food and service. Best soufflés outside of Paris Affordable luxury in dining. Great atmosphere. Great for dates.

Went for dinner at this restaurant with my friend. We had foie gras, duck, fish of the day and Paris bras. All the dishes were very appetizing and delicious. It was Tuesday night but the restaurant was full-house with many of their regular customers. Nice french vibe with french staff and nice interior decoration.

This was our first time to Batifole and we will definitely be back! The food was exquisite and the staff were incredibly attentive and friendly. The chef came to our table twice to see how we enjoyed our food. I'm a huge fan of French food and Batifole did not disappoint - rivalling any restaurant we have been to in either Quebec or France. The scallops were cooked and seasoned perfectly. We also had sardines (canned from Paris but smoky and delicious), steak with blue cheese, the duck confit (I could literally eat every day...it was divine!), and the lightest, fluffiest soufflé I have ever had! We had tickets for a concert near by, which the staff were aware of, and they made it a high priority to time our meal so that we would be able to leave on time. Stupendous food and service and I will definitely be returning and recommending!

Heard great things about this place in East Chinatown and had to check it out. We had the duck confit, scallops, oysters, steak tartare, escargot (not pictured) souffle and chocolate lava cake. The duck was just ok, the scallops were good, the steak tartare had too much pepper, and the escargot were small and texture tasted mushy as if they were canned. The souffle was kind of bland no other fruity flavours or anything exciting, and the chocolate lava cake was overcooked and not runny. A bit disappointed since there are SO many great reviews online. The service was also slow

I've been wanting to eat here for some time and it was very much worth the wait. Amazing staff, attentive, and friendly. The chef comes out to chat with all his guests which is an added touch. Probably some of the best escargot I've had. Duck confit was amazing as a main. One of our diners was vegetarian and they provided great options as well. Solid wine selection, fresh cocktails. Relaxed atmosphere. This is French cuisine that is simple and classic. Ah the macaron for dessert! Simply delicious. I did see a review here where a certain gentleman complained. Clearly he knows nothing of macarons of French food in general so ignore his post. You'll have to go a second time as you simply need to try everything on the menu!

My wife and I had a great evening here. The food was delicious and the ambiance was very romantic, very quaint. The steak was cooked to perfection and the duck was delicious.

Loved this quaint little restaurant at the outskirts of Chinatown! Wouldn't consider it a whole in the wall as others had said. It was casual but classy with a definite authentic French flair from the accents of the waiters to the decor :). France is my favorite country food wise I felt like I walked right into another country. Chef came out to greet each of the tables, staff were very attentive and helpful. Food was delicious!!! I looove French food and it was definitely rich and flavorful. We tried the rack of lamb, duck, and fish which were all hearty and mouthwatering. The best part was dessert! Best soufflé I've ever had! See pictures - worth a thousand words. Also, they only give you one free piece of fresh bread in the beginning which was sad but then again I didn't stuff my face with bread with no room left for desert and feeling awful afterwards so there is a method to the madness ;). I will definitely make the trek out there next time I have friends in town.

This place is located in the Old Chinatown near Gerrard. With a lot of on the street parking and it was free after 6pm on a weekday. We were greeted with the lovely server who provided great customer service and humour. This restaurant has been here for a long time and he mentioned those who dine with them usually return. I can see why. The price was a little steep, leaving you to spend at least $20 on appetizers. We opted for the Cassoulet Royal and the Pork Cheek Confit. We also ordered their cocktails, the French 75 and the French Martini. I am definitely becoming a loyal customer to this establishment PROS: Customer Service was top notch There's a little outdoor patio Food is AMAZING Cocktails are unique and tastes great CONS: Pricey (but worth it, so not really a con)

We happened to see this lovely small French bistro driving in the neighbourhood and decided to give it a try. Reserved for patio and had to postpone a week later because of bad weather. For some reason instead of the patio reservation we were seated inside. Service was friendly. We tried the hor d'oeuvre of the day which was sardines choice of olive oil, lemon or smoked. We expected to see fresh grilled sardines and were surprised to see this served in a can with crostini. Sardines tasty enough but that was a bit odd. Cocktail of the day was mojito with raspberry but I hardly tasted the lime, raspberry or mint. Assiette de fromage was a selection of hard , soft blue cheese and good portion. Despite our request for hard cheese only and the server agreeing we got the standard selection. Rouleau de printemps was nicely done had a tasty filling of crab meat. Mains were overly salty. Pan seared scallops heavy on sauce covering the beautiful scallops with no real sear but more like poached scallops under a blanket of sauce. The other main we tried was a hearty pork dish also heavy on the sauce on a bed of risotto. Poisson du jour was orange roughy and this was beautifully presented, two medallions of fish fillet on top of a zucchini type quiche on a lot of butter cream sauce. Others in our group also had the sardines, escargots, Cuisse Canard de confit. For dessert we tried the dessert of the day choux pastry with raspberry filling and the lemon tart. Unfortunately one raspberry on the tart had a small bug on it probably due to the summer heat. The cream filled pastry was the largest choux I've been seen but nicely plated and looked delicious. Despite the hiccups we all had a great dinner experience. Owner is very attentive and came by twice to ask if everything was good. Overall classic old school home style French bistro in the neighborhood.

Authentic. Delicious. Fantastic service. Bistro at it's best! Well considered wine list matches the food. Some incredibly creative flavour combinations. Kitschy French decor. If you're an off the beaten track Toronto diner, do not miss this place. Classic.

Probably one of the best French restaurants in the city. Though the area around it can be dodgy, once in Batifole it truly is a quaint and romantic dimmed environment with its hints of French decor. Their service is impeccable and the staff are French speaking, whether Quebecois or Parisian I couldn't tell. For starters we shared their French soup and their deliciously dangerous foie grass that's made in-house. Both dishes were beautifully put together. As for the mains. I had their Beef pate served with crostinis, side of frites Jen had their Fish with a lovely Medallion sauce and seasonal veggies. Overall we're so happy we came here. It's definitely a place I would recommend.

Batifole loosely translates in English to "frolic about". And that's exactly the joyful experience I felt dining in this enchanting restaurant. Each course put before me was simple, fun, fresh and incredibly delicious. I started with seabass tartare. I was immediately transported back to sunny days spent in the the South of France. It was charming, delicate and divinely fresh. For my main I enjoyed the Croustade of Lamb confit served with a thyme jus. It was a piece of heaven. Perfectly balanced flavors. I couldn't put the knife and fork down. I became completely lost in the dish. My friend had Crab cake served with a fennel salad and tarragon beurre blanc sauce. It was simply done and looked phenomenal. I was also lucky enough to steal a bit of his Ribeye Steak with beurre maitre d'hotel. The one bite I tried was complete joy. If a dead animal can bring joy, this cow did that. Merci vache. Batifole was most pleasurable experience in a restaurant since visiting Toronto. The service is quick, but not so quick you feel rushed. It was such an intense culinary experience I swear I needed a smoke afterwards...and I dont even smoke.

We had a lovely experience at Batifole. The patio was very pleasant, nicely decorated and welcoming. We enjoyed a nice wine, and amazing fish soup ( soupe de poissons) a specialty of the south of France, which we rarely see on menus. One of us had the duck, which was excellent and succulent, and the other had the steak, which he really enjoyed. The souffle for dessert was one of the best we've ever had. Truly the chef is an expert. Service was warm and friendly throughout. Can't recommend this restaurant enough.

Oh, Batifole, how I wanted to still be in love with you. Hubby and I returned to Batifole on a date night after 3 years and how things have changed. The restaurant has gone through a remodeling and a owner-chef change since our last visit. The restaurant was not as dark as it used to be which was a welcome change. But the renovations seemed to have done worse for the noise level and two of us seated at the bar still had to lean in to have a conversation. We arrived at the over-crowded restaurant (with a reservation) and sat down at the bar only to wait for another 10 minutes before anyone came to take a drink order. Our server, Sophie, was very congenial and knowledgeable. She assisted us with a wine selection that would compliment both our dinner choices of fish and pork. The new decor (since the current chef took over 2 years ago as we were told) is still comfortable but the entry was over-crowded with waiting patrons, we felt a little crammed seated at the bar. We shared a simple green salad and a dish of fois gras with sweet cakes for appetizer and had dory with sorel mushroom cream sauce and pork chop with raclett cheese and pork belly for our mains. The simple green salad was too salty and did not make a very good start to the meal. The fois gras with sweet cakes accompanied by caper berry, beet relish and some gooseberry fared better. Since the fois gras was so rich, it was perfect for sharing. My dory with sorel mushrooms in cream sauce came atop some sauteed zucchini and tomoatoe slices. The fish was light and flaky and it went very nicely with the accompanying cream sauce. My only beef with this dish was that there was no sorel mushrooms to be found in the sauce. Instead, there were some other mushroom (most likely king oyster) chopped up in matchstick styles. Oh well. My husband's thick cut porkchop arrived topped with a few slices of thick pork belly and was covered with melted raclett and some sauce resembling a gravy. There were slices of potatoes underneath the behemoth of a chop that was cooked very nicely without being dry. However, beware, diners. This dish is really a heart attack on a skillet. The chop with all the trimmings were so hefty and so rich that my husband who can easily demolish a few hearty slabs of prime rib with no issue had a difficulty finishing this baby. The chop, albeit being tasty, was too rich for our gentle tummies. :p We barely finished our mains and had no room at all to sample the dessert. The verdict. Will I return to Batifole again? That's a big fat maybe. Although the dining experience and the food wasn't really terrible, I just wasn't as thrilled with Batifole as I was when I first visited.

I grew up on a street about a 10 minute walk from this little restaurant. It popped up about 13 years ago out of nowhere on a unassuming part of Gerrard, just a little east of Chinatown. I Never paid much attention to it although I walked by it many times a week. Approximately 4 years ago, I have heard from a French family whose son had recommended them to go here... And it's been on my list since.Recently, I have moved back into the area, and I have chose this restaurant to have my birthday dinner with the bf! Foie Gras Medallions: 4/5 ($24 ish?) Anything with foie is delicious. To be honest, I was actually disappointed that it wasnt seared, but I guess I should have known that. I just think it's a shame because it would really elevate the dish. Beef Tartare: 4/5 ($?) This was the BF's favourite. It is also one of the better beef tartares I've had, and I've had many. The portion was also quite generous. John Dory special: 5/5 ($27 ish?) VERY delicate, white fish served atop a white mushroom cream sauce. A bit similar to a very well-cooked cod... But even more delicate in flavour and texture. This was cooked PERFECTLY, and the sauce was pretty light and still bold in flavour. Definitely recommend it! Duck Confit: 4.5/5 ($28 ish?) Duck 2 ways- leg confit with smoked breast on top! Much better than duck confit I've had in another well-known French restaurant in the downtown core. The breast was smokey and tender with just a hint of fat to balance the texture, and leg wasn't too salty but was very tender. Sauce was a great compliment! Recommended for any duck fans. Service: 3.5/5 Polite service and patient with explanations of dishes. However, nothing spectacular or beyond any other service in other places. The extra .5 was bumped by the chef whom visited each table to make sure the food was good. I really appreciate that. Overall, I had an amazing birthday meal here. I am glad I finally visited. This restaurant is recommended to anyone who wants a simple classic French meal.. not the new age stuff.

What a great find. A hip and cozy atmosphere with top quality French fare. I went with a group of 7 and we were served by the incredibly warm staff; felt like dining with family. It feels like each piece of decor in the room carried some sort of significance. Glassware of a country feel. A nice selection of French wines! The appetizers were excellent. Pâtés and confits of different textures and flavours. You'll ease in to the cuisine with the familiar fries and tarragon mayo. I loved my "cassoulet"; a stone dish of beans, sausage, cured pork belly, and duck. A homey stew with three vastly different tastes of meat. I wish I had a sort of bread along with the dish, but I blame my group for devouring the first baguettes that made it to table. We didn't try the desserts, seeing as the restaurant had actually accommodated us an hour past closing time and still served us wonderfully.

I had really high expectations after reading all the amazing reviews. I live in the area and always pass by so I was so excited to finally try this place out. Sadly, the entire experience did not live up to those expectations... 1) My partner and I were chatting for so long we forgot we were at a restaurant since NO FOOD CAME. The cooked food took over an hour to come... even the charcuterie board took ages. (How is that even possible?) This is something that I can excuse for a brand new restaurant that's still learning the ropes. Not really ok for a supposedly classic restaurant that's been around for ages. 2) No apology from staff for the long wait. I'm guessing this meant this was a regular occurrence. When food finally came, the server made it seem like WE should be grateful that food was even made. 3) I was starving. Usually when I'm starving, anything tastes good. The food was.. just ok. I felt like the flavours were nothing special. Felt a bit ripped off for the price I paid. I'm not sure if I felt that way just because the experience was tainted from everything that happened. The interior of this place is really rustic and quaint. The decor is very beautiful and the layout feels intimate. Everything was not horrible since the chef at least came out to greet every table personally, which I thought was really sweet. To be honest, I'm very surprised by all the positive reviews. Maybe the poor experience we had was just an anomaly. Probably won't be back anytime soon though... there's so many other restaurants in the city where you get a great experience on your first visit.

Went to Batifole tonight with 4 of our friends for a dinner after golf. I had been assigned to "pick a good place" so I went to Yelp and searched the areas east of the DVP. Lots of interesting little places but Batifole jumped of the page with many good reviews. We'll add one more. I had made the reservation for 6 at 7:45 and we arrived on time to find the small place buzzing. But front and centre was our table for 6 just waiting for us to sit down. The waiter was quick to set us up with water and menus and then let us jabber away before coming back to answer any questions about the menu and take our orders. I should say that this a small Family run business which suffers a little from it's own success. With only 2 staff out front aided by the Owner/Chef who also brings out EVERY dish himself it can get a tad slow with the service. However everyone is pleasant and truly makes you feel at home. And then there is the food. Oh! The food!! I had the Canard a l'Orange which was perfect. I started with the Terrene de Maison which was exceptional and my wife had a fish dish I cannot remember the name of but she raved about it. The he other people had a variety of dishes all of which were excellent. In summary, if you arrive here in the right frame of mind (namely relaxed and wishing to spend some serious time absorbing the feeling of a genuine French Bistro) you will be rewarded with a meal that will motivate you to write an epic review like this one. Do it. You won't regret Much later. We are back at Batifole for a second visit. Has anything changed? Thankfully - no. The last thing a restaurant wants to hear is some effusive, hollow promise about "coming back twice a week ". Your mom was right when she said "familiarity breeds contempt ". Far better to successfully repeat a previous memorable experience and thereby elevate yourself to the "go to place " for all future occasions when the urge for a special French Bistro evening just has to be satisfied. Congratulations Batifole, you are decidedly qualified as true icon on the Toronto food scene. We will be back for sure. And we won't be alone!

Amazing restaurant, chef and waiters! The food is really good, especially the fish specials! We had some special requests due to medication and they did their best to accommodate to our needs. The atmosphere is also great, cozy and perfect for a lovely dinner :). I would definitely recommend this place!

Going to eat out on the west side is really a painful process nowadays. Unnecessary attitude, hipster service, road closures, lacking of parking, super expensive... I am still looking for another joint on the east side that I can frequent. House on Parliament is definitely my number one. I have tried a few places east of the DVP, but nothing really. Il Ponte is a fine place, but it is time to look for another one. Many years ago, I came across a bistro in the middle of east Chinatown. However, I never had a chance to try it. Last night, I finally did. All the signature dishes were well executed. Specifically, the fish soup and seafood stew were excellent. However, I have to say that the dessert I ordered, boule de neige in English sauce (condense milk) was exceptional.

OMG --- run don't walk to this delightful French bistro on Gerrard. What a wonderful spot! My hubby booked here for my birthday and it was wonderful. I started with the Escargot Fricasse -- which means it is in a Tarragon Broth -- so not dripping in fat -- and unbelievably flavorful. Loved them! I had the duck both ways -- and if you love duck -- do not think about having anything else on the menu... it was sooooo awesome. My hubby had the Steak Frites and he absolutely loved it. The chef came out and asked the diners how they were enjoying their meals. The food and wine were just outstanding. Do check it out, you will not be sorry!

This was a delicious eating experience for us after so many months of lockdown . The cod was perfection as the main, subtly herbEd and gently sauced, topped with a lacy squid 'hat'. Really! The house-made lemon tarte was surrounded by giant raspberries, unfamiliar to those of us used to boxes of squished ones from our grocery. The staff and chef were gracious, the chef personally serving us some of our choices. a lovely and warm place, with The Leg Lamp in the main dining room indicating a sense of humour accompanies your visit. Enjoy!

After seeing such amazing reviews, I figured this place would be unreal. Maybe my expectations were too high because it really didn't meet them. The service was unmemorable, a bit slow but quite polite. The food was mediocre and not quite filling enough for the price. I ordered a fish broth main that sounded amazing on the menu, but was served salty fish in warm water that was simultaneously overcooked and falling apart on my fork. Well seasoned though and served in a short mason jar so points on creativity. Appetizers were good - we had the cheeseboard and venison tartare. It's nice that you can't mess up charcuterie. Overall a bit disappointed with the experience, wish I could have enjoyed it as much as other Yelpers, but would not be going back to try it again.

Batifole came recommended by a number of friends - two thumbs up. Nice decor, simple yet elegant. Our sever greeted us immediately upon arrival and seated us at our table of choice. Whilst we perused the menu the kindly brought some Rosemary infused water. She then proceeded to provide a very detailed breakdown of the day's specials, so far so good :) My partner settled on the duck croquette starter and I on the Pernod sautéed shrimp. As we awaited the started we enjoyed the warm baguette and creamery butter - two thumbs up. Woohoo, the starters are here. Very nice and as we agreed to share we get to savour a little of each. Both of us agreed they were delightful - 2 thumbs up. We patiently await the mains whilst sipping on a cold Krononbery - I have to say the choice of beer is pedestrian and uninspiring, c'est la vie! It's here :). I found the frites over salted and after consultation with she who must be obeyed we determined they were! No thumbs up . The veal chop and crustade of Lamb confit both were fine but certainly not overwhelming and to a degree over salted - one thumb up Time for our cycle back to the beach, let's hope the ride doesn't make us too thirsty. We'll have to decide if we wish to return, at these prices it could be risky.

Batifole is absolutely incredible. I've been there many times and they always impress me. We had the French onion soup (which was a featured special) which was domed with a golden gruyere infused puff pastry, it was delicious and looked beautiful. We then had the steak tartare, scallops special, and frites. The combination of flavors in the tartare is the best in Toronto- the perfect amount of Dijon and capers. The scallops always cooked perfectly and sat on a tasty layer of mushrooms. We also had the cheese plate which always has a unique selection that I cannot find anywhere else. The service is always fantastic. Damien (who served us last night) and the rest of the staff are so friendly and helpful. They make the experience even more enjoyable. You can tell they are passionate about the food and wine they present. Finally, Chef Pascal Geffroy always greets us to see how we are enjoying the meal. It is always great putting a face to the food! We have been to France many times and I can confidently say if you love French cuisine you must come here. Thanks Batifole.

A sweet buzzy little french restaurant with impeccable service and a very interesting menu. The food is excellent but rich, so eat lightly the rest of the day and come hungry! The baguette is made in house (I think) and is too good. We normally don't fill up on bread first but the texture and taste were irresistible. We shared the duck croquettes which were milder tasting than most duck and paired with peaches and a light chive dressing. Then had fish (so can't speak to the meat dishes). Both were perfectly cooked, one with a mushroom cream sauce and one with a crayfish tomato sauce. I had fun trying one you never see on Canadian menus - the prehistoric looking but sweet tasting John Dory fish. The couple beside us shared a substantial charcuterie board which also looked like it would make a great lunch option. Dessert was out of the question. But lots of others in this busy restaurant seem to be indulging and enjoying it. Highly recommended.

Great little spot, inside the decor makes you feel like you are in a French bistro in France. The wine list has lots of options. To start I ordered a steak tartare and a ratatouille. Both were delicious, the ratatouille was different as there was a soft boiled egg inside, what a great idea as it balanced the dish. For my main course I order the cassoulet it was very rustic and flavourful. My date ordered the duck 2 Ways and it was well cooked and delicious. I didn't order a dessert but overall the service, food and dining experience were fantastic. The best part is it is a little less known and less commercialized.

I'm french and i was homesick then i decided to reach a french restaurant, so I had dinner to Batifole with friends, there's a big French flag in front of the place: you can't miss it. We thought that it was quite strange to find such a restaurant in Chinatown East, surrounded by Asian places but it was a wonderful experience! We appreciated the very fresh and traditional French bread and butter (so important). I had the clams, very tasteful and interesting because it's unfamiliar to marry it with merguez (lamb sausage) but it works very well. Then I had the duck prepared confit and pan seared, good as well. But the chocolate Creme for dessert was exceptional! The service was really helpful and made us feel welcome. I would strongly recommend this restaurant, thanks again for this dinner experience. :)

4.5 stars really. Yup, it's that good. After living fairly close to Batifole for many years and not knowing that it was on this lesser travelled part of Gerrard. We happened by after not finding a table at Wynona. Their small menu allows the kitchen to concentrate on the details and flavours. Old school French. Duck confit here is as good as it gets. Cassoulet is a gem or "lovely" as the kids say. Gran Mariner Soufflé is spectacular. We will be back.

Note to other restaurants: Bow down to Batifole, motherpuckers. I went back recently and wow. Batifole does so many things right from their execution of food, to service, to extremely reasonable pricing. They've added bouillabaisse to the menu, and with one sip I was transported back to the South of France. The heady broth is scented with plenty of fennel, and the fish and mussels were cooked perfectly. Do you know how much work goes into this seafood soup? I will probably never attempt to make this at home so I'm happy to shell out the $18 they charge for this dish. At this price, it's an absolute bargain. I tried my dining companion's baked filet of smooth-dory topped with zucchini ($18) and it made me think that every restaurant should send their cooks to have mandatory fish training with the Batifole chef. The dish is perfumed with aromatic herbs and the fish just melts in your mouth. Batifole is a small, unassuming restaurant but it somehow delivers food that tastes like a team of French cooks in chef whites and funny hats have been slaving over it all day. Unfortunately, my starter of chicken liver brulé was less successful. It was boozy and the candied brulé topping was too sweet for the dish. I prefer the elegance of the chicken liver parfait at Biff's. The frites were stellar and have become my gold standard for spuds in this city. They have cute signs in the restaurant that say Batifole is "The best restaurant in Chinatown" but after my visits, I think they could broaden the parameters of that claim. (No credit cards, but debit is accepted which is one way they keep their prices low.)

I was expecting to be wowed at Batifole. I wasn't, but I was happy with my choices. Bottom line: it's a solid French restaurant with semi-fancy dishes in a low-key setting. For the neighbourhood it's excellent. Overkill, even. The cassoulet is excellent. The bouillabaisse is delicious. Loved the escargots. Bread and butter never tasted so good. Wine list is extensive. One of my favourite creme brulees of all time. (And I've eaten many a creme brulee.) Service was friendly and the atmosphere is more low-key than I expected. Those were the highlights. The rest was not bad, but not superb. The lobster and Sebaste soup was extremely fishy tasting. And I love fish. I eat anchovies and caviar, and put fish sauce on veggies. It was not a good fishy taste. The dory provençale was bland. And lemony. (Should provençale be lemony?) The two meat dishes ordered at our table--veal flank steak topped with shallots and beef tenderloin in a Dubonnet demiglace with blue cheese--though both delicious and cooked nearly perfectly, came with nothing but the meat. With only three choices of sides (salad, sauteed veggies, or fries) a vegetable paired directly with the main would have been nice. The fries had good consistency and flavour, but far too much salt, IMO. I might go again and try other things on the menu because what was good was VERY good. But what wasn't so hot wasn't worth the trip. And I live just a few blocks away.

Excellent hole in the wall French place. Great service, excellent mean. Will be coming back. Try the escargot, pork cheeks, soufflé..: try it all

Not the first place one would expect to see a French restaurant (in the middle of old china town), but a great place. We are vegetarians and were skeptical of finding good veggie French food --but the chef (Jean-Jacques) is very creative and accommodating when we called a day in advance and asked "What can we get if we are vegetarians"--he turned it around and asked --"what would you like to eat". First time such an open honest proposition, we left it to the chefs imagination. We enjoyed our appetizers and main dish--though the chocolate mousse was frozen in the middle--and the server said "oh thats expected, its semi-frozen". Wine list is extensive and the ambience is perfect for a no-attitude is right. This is a place I will be visiting again and insisting the mouse be completely non-frozen :)

Four stars but only just. My brother and I went out to Batifole for his birthday dinner. We're both French food neophytes and we wanted to try something different. The food, service, and atmosphere were all good but nothing blew us away. The menu is small and has a simple pricing structure: $8 for appetizers, $18 for mains, $6 for sides, and $6.50 for desserts. They brought delicious complimentary bread to our table. Not sure if this is house made or not but it was one of the highlights of the meal for me. Our orders: Appetizers: Escargot ($8): Not your typical escargot. I liked it but perhaps not as much as other reviewers. It's only served with two small pieces of toast so save some of your bread for the escargot. Pork Belly and Lentil Salad ($8): A few pieces of pork belly on a bed on lentils with an awesome maple dressing. I wasn't a huge fan of the lentils themselves - a little boring - but overall the dish was tasty. Mains: Horse Tartare ($18): This was the first time I've ever had tartare of any kind and I wasn't a huge fan. I didn't find it gross - I like my meat rare - just boring. You get half a dozen pieces of toast, various garnishes (mustard, mini pickles, carrots, caramelized onions), and in the centre of the plate what looks like a uncooked hamburger patty. The toast was great, but the garnishes were boring, and the horse was seasoned with mustard (unfortunately I don't like mustard). I blame myself for not liking this dish. I'm sure it was prepared well it just wasn't what I expected. My rating ignores this dish. Cassoulet ($18): As my brother said "it's like classy franks and beans". This was my favourite dish. Duck, pork belly, and sausage cooked with white beans and a delicious sauce. Simple, hearty, and delicious. The portion is huge and there's a ton of meat. Sides: Fries ($6): Amazing. Thick, salty and served with a delicious tarragon mayo. Dessert: Lemon Crepe ($6.50): Two crepes with butter, icing sugar, and lemon. FYI: the lemon is not lemon curd or spread but, I think, lemon juice. This was a very simple dessert that complimented the rich meal well. Among the best crepes I've had.

I came here on a Living Social deal for three-course souffle adventure. This restaurant is slightly off the beaten track...a French restaurant in Chinatown, but why not? The FOOD: We started with the soups. The appetizer soups were pretty good, especially with the crab. The tomato soup was rich and had a nice texture. The main course souffles looked beautiful when they reached the table. I had the Gourmand which contains pork belly and swiss....it read as an incredibly rich dish without much textural contrast. Dessert involved the Grand Marnier and marmalade souffle. This disappointed me slightly. I kind of think they forgot the marmalade and skimped on the Grand Marnier...i primarily got sweet as the flavor component with just the lightest hint of orange. The SERVICE: This left a bit to be desired. Maybe they were just a bit busy with demand of being near the expiration of the vouchers, but we did have to ask for our glass of wine 3 times. The meal took a lot longer than it needed to as there were delays getting menus, delays ordering, and delays paying. The ATMOSPHERE: Tables are close together with some underwhelming decor. It felt homely though in a fairly pleasant way. Not fussy at all. Overall, it was fairly good, and a bit uneven in terms of food and service. With the voucher, it was so cheap, I can't really fault them. Interesting enough that I might try it again, but not at the very top of my list.

Wonderful French food with authentic French service! Batifole is one of my favourite restaurants in the city that combines delicious, flavourful food with a wonderful welcoming atmosphere. Every time I visit I end up ordering far too much and sit enjoying the food for hours while sipping delicious wine. The service is very good and friendly, although typically French. There is no rush for servers to get drinks or clear plates but that is one of the things I enjoy. It is the 'old way' of eating out where quality takes time but is well worth it ensuring a consistent, relaxed atmosphere even when the restaurant is full to the brim. The chef/owner has always come out at the end of the meal to ensure it is enjoyed and to say hello. Two of my favourite dishes are the veal chop and duck two ways. Both are generous portions and even though I am not a meat lover in general I cannot help but finish the full plate every time. If you are a chocolate fan you should not leave without having the chocolate lava cake served on a bed of caramel. The cake is to die for - perfectly balanced, it is rich and sweet without being overwhelming. Please note that if you are in a rush, don't eat here - you would be doing the restaurant and yourself a disservice. Batifole is where you go to savour and enjoy food at your leisure.