Iconic French bistro in Toronto is expanding with a spinoff location

The team behind one of Toronto's most popular French bistros is about to open a new spot in a completely different neighbourhood.

Ossington Avenue's Côte De Boeuf is frequently (and accurately) described as a piece of Paris transplanted onto the streets of Toronto.

Unpretentious though undeniably luscious, it's been a staple on the Ossington strip for over a decade, founded by Midas touch-wielding Toronto restaurateur Teo Paul, who is also behind staples like Union and Hamilton's Le Tambour.

It's the sort of place that earns a spot at the top of everyone's must-try list, not for its Instagram-worthy interiors (though we'd argue it has those too) or influencer endorsements, but for the simple brilliance of its food.

For nearly as long as Côte De Boeuf has existed, it’s been managed by Eamon O'Dea.

Now, O'Dea and Paul are teaming up to bring the Côte De Boeuf experience to a brand-new neighbourhood, venturing beyond the auspicious confines of Ossington to try their luck in The Annex.

Where better than the recently vacated former home of By the Way Cafe, a local staple of over 40 years that shuttered mere weeks ago, to do it?

Brasserie Côte, the soon-to-come sister location of Côte De Boeuf, will take the distinctly French, farm-to-table momentum that has been building over at the quaint Ossington location and unleash it into a new space and a new neighbourhood.

A true French brasserie through and through, the new spot will be a casual neighbourhood haunt, open, unlike its predecessor, for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Fear not, Head Chef Damien Cochez's staples from the original Côte De Boeuf menu will still make appearances, but this menu will be increasingly vast.

Also increasingly vast will be, mercifully, Brasserie Côte’s patio. Compared to the smattering of sidewalk tables that Ossington diners frequently find themselves waiting — albeit happily — hours for.

By comparison, the spacious corner patio at the northwest corner of Bloor West and Brunswick is downright expansive, roughly equal to its indoor space.

A representative from Côte De Boeuf tells us that, having only gotten the keys to the new restaurant two weeks ago, many of the finer details, such as menu specifics or an opening date, are still under wraps.

For now, though, they're aiming to have Brasserie Côte open at 400 Bloor St. W. by December of 2025. Let us be the first ones to say, it can't come soon enough.