Restaurants
Liberty Belle Bistro
Liberty Belle Bistro has recently opened with first-time restaurateur and head chef Aidan Pascoe at the helm. Having cut his teeth at Le Select and Le Gourmand, his humble, month-old King West eatery exudes Gallic charm while offering some seriously soulful takes on bistro classics. Liberty Belle's card is solid, franco-comfort food that you'd knock out yerself if only your kitchen wasn't a mere 10 square feet of your 450 square foot condo--and, well, you could cook.
Non-descript from the outside (save for the period-inspired signage), the snow covered patio facing Lamport Stadium'll definitely require a reservation once the weather warms and the folks from the surrounding condosphere flock to it for weekend brunches, or animators arrive post-work to suck back some sunshine, a few Quebecois microbrews, a few perfect G&Ts made with Hendricks and Fever Tree tonic, and an order of sous chef Rob Green's cherubically plump, delicious daily changing moules ($12 app w/bread and $16 as a main with frites-- in white wine cream on our visit, garnished with a tangle of sweet bell pepper and scallion threads).
While inside, the smaller tables in the modest space could maybe use some tablecloths to soften the edges of the room (red and white check for authenticity sake, natch), on the whole you can't help but feel your blood pressure drop after a few minutes soaking up the restaurant's easy-going vibe which combines French pop music and fin de siècle photographs with a few well-placed conversation pieces like the 70s era pachinko machine that I'm told they're in the process of repairing, and the repurposed fridge door adorning the men's bathroom stall (complete with plastic eggs and veg) which all conspire to create a warm playful ambience.
Oddly enough, none of these details feel forced, delighting simply because that's their purpose, purely there to be enjoyed. Likewise the food. It's casual and very familiar but executed with care and the odd thoughtful flourish.
The time-honored poached-egg-crowned frisée salad with lardon, roasted vine tomatoes and aged balsamic reduction ($10) skews slightly new world with the addition of ripe slices of avocado.
The tasty house take on tartare ($12), rife with sweet onion mince and briny capers, could use an extra crostini or two on which to shmear the remainder of the flavourful chopped steak, but by the end of each you'll feel like you've com across a chance meeting with an old friend that you wonder why you don't see more often.
The moist, flaky salmon fillet ($20) arrives anointed with housemade dill-spiked crème fraiche, accompanied by a generous heap of garlic mashed potatoes and warm brussel sprout/crispy lardon slaw tasty enough to make any fussy kid eat their greens.
Those same sides are the supporting cast to the requisite crispy skinned, fork-tender duck confit elevated by the addition of candied orange peel garnish.
Short work is made of the dependable steak frites ($22): 8 oz of strip loin done to perfect medium rare (as requested) sided with traditional shoestring double-cooked fries and anise-y house made ketchup.
Desertwise the satisfying crack gives way to pleasantly bitter brulee and sweet, thick crème in the brown sugar and bourbon creme brulee which is perfectly chased with a cup of te aro coffee or outstanding steeped and infused early grey.
Service, while initially shaky--we waited a while for our bottle of wine to arrive--soon steadies into a dependable rhythm both utterly charming and wholly unobtrusive, that affects far more élan than ennui from the table.
Liberty Belle, while finding its feet, is definitely on its way to solid ground and as local haunts go, you'll wish it haunted your hood. It's not Edith Piaf's smoky coo piped over the PA or the can-can girls flirting from each menu's backside that conjures a bistro vibe; Pascoe and company share a philosophy bent on giving the classics their due respect, being a little cheeky and being cool without trying too hard--all of which is very, very French.
photographs courtesy Aislinn Smith
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Not sure why people are so pissed. You can see the hours when you click on "website." I don't find this article pretentious at all. Isn't using words like "verbose" pretentious? ;) people be hatin'!
BlogTO is probably the most hated on blog i read. Why are Torontonians so angry?! It's a restaurant review... Calm down! ;)
I live far from this place so I likely will never visit but it looks great!
Aidan Pascoe
Owner/Chef
Liberty Belle Bistro
647-352-3553
Frank, your "review" is good, but edit your sentences down to concise points. When I'm reading your review, I feel as though I'm listening to an ADHD kid who's in serious need of his/her Ritalin.
Haha I laugh because I was thinking the exact same thing myself. BlogTO could post a story about a guy losing his arm in order to save someone's life and people would still bitch.
Anyway, I have no idea why people need to see a whole menu when one can basically figure out the price range after seeing the price of the food that Frank ordered.
I think I might try this place out since the prices seem reasonable and the food looks delicious.
That's why you're a blogger.
If you want a cut and dried review, why are you reading a food blog?
This is a place that I've been meaning to get to, and the feedback has left me hopeful that when I do, I'll also have a fantastic experience.
Mouth-watering, as usual.
Aidan Pascoe
Owner/Chef
Liberty Belle Bistro
647-352-3553
I live in LV and will be coming by to check out the spot for sure... Best of luck!!
Always looking for ambience and a new find. Thanks Aidan for stepping up !
YOU DON"T HAVE TO PUT ME, MY CONDO AND MY COOKING SKILLS DOWN TO MAKE THIS BISTRO SOUND BETTER. If its good its good I'll try it.
No way I`m going to check out a new restaurant without knowing in advance what the urinals look like.
Why oh why did my hair fall out so young?!
Yours,
Slappy
Aidan Pascoe
Owner/Chef
Liberty Belle Bistro
647-352-3553