[Review] Le Baratin French Cuisine

Website: http://www.lebaratin.ca/bienvenue-lebaratin-toronto/
Location: 1600 Dundas St. W, Toronto, ON
When I visited: June and July 2016, Dinner
Rating: 4, $$

Mary’s Happy Belly was at the media preview in the spring to try out the paté, housemade gravlax and other hor d’oeuvres. With great first impressions after an intimate and well organized event, I was drawn to try out the dishes at Le Baratin.

The restaurant is owned by Chef Jean Regis Raynaud, a Chef from France who landed in Toronto 7 years ago with a passion to follow his dreams (read about Chef Regis’ story). Having met the humble Chef during my visit, he informed me that he wanted to make quality honest food, which he has succeeded.

The restaurant has a welcoming atmosphere with an open kitchen with local jams and coffees for sale, with French rap playing in the background. Chef Regis can be seen behind the counter plating the dishes carefully, and also walking around speaking to customers.

Le Baratin

At first glance at the one page menu, I was not excited as it showcased dishes I have seen many times at other French restaurants like duck confit and steak frites. However, once the dishes came out, it was a different story.

What my husband and I ate (drinks excluded):

Gravlax ($9)- I loved the peppery finish on the housemade gravlax. The fish was mild and not overly salty, served with toast and radishes.

Gravlax

Assiette De Charcutaille (Charcuterie plate) with duck rillettes, paté, proscuitto and “Rosette” salami ($11). It was the first time I had duck rillettes. I enjoyed that it was spreadable like paté, but had a thicker texture with the shredded duck meat.

Mange De La Betterave ($8)- Beautiful roasted beetroot salad with pickled red onions, cracked goat cheese and a cumin dressing. Great combination.

Souris D’agneau Grand-Mere ($21)- I have had lamb shank, but oh man, this wins for flavour! The demi-glace used in the sauce takes 5 days…yes 5 days, and the fall-off-the-bone braised lamb shank was cooked for 5 hours with rosemary and a red wine sauce, served with confit white beans in tomato. This dish was incredible!

Lamb shank

Steak Frites ($19) with marinated flank steak served in a shallot and peppercorn sauce, with frites & mixed greens. The flank steak was tender soaked in a flavourful sauce. Worth the price.

Steak frites

Tarte Tatin ($6)- Great combination with apples and caramel. A tad too sweet for me but still a great end to our meal.

Our server was friendly but the speed of being served our dishes could be a bit quicker. Good thing I was not in a rush as it took a span of 2.5 hours from the time I ordered the dishes to getting the bill. With a laid back atmosphere, it makes for a great date night option.

Overall:

Le Baratin has a no fuss menu or fusion dishes; they serve classic French dishes done well. Chef Chef Regis’ passion for French cooking can be tasted in the dishes, with sauces, patés, and gravlax all done in-house. Great prices and large portions. Looking forward to seeing more daily specials and seeing the menu expand.