Cafe Renée: The vibe
After seeing Cafe Renée pop up all over our feeds, we had to try one of the most hyped new Toronto restaurants for ourselves. Specializing in French pasta (huh?), it's a departure from the many downtown Toronto restaurants and bars that skew French.
Set inside a white brick row house nestled on Portland Street just north of King West, Cafe Renée is wonderfully cute and très French. If you've been longing to go to Paris this summer, a meal here might just scratch that itch.
The glossy white brick interior is punctuated with bright bursts of red leather banquettes and stools. Faux French windows lining the restaurant are filled with mirrored glass, making the long narrow space feel larger than it is. At the back, climbing vines and a greenhouse-esque atrium are gorgeous, and give an outside feeling to the seating area. If you want the real outdoors, the small front and back patios with bistro tables and umbrellas are adorable.
Inside the packed restaurant, the buzzy atmosphere of glammed-up King West babes is electric. It's not over-the-top though. It's the chic polish of downtown dwellers sipping espresso martinis.
Cafe Renée: The menu
Chef Nick Liu of DaiLo is behind the menu, but don't expect his homey new-Asian cuisine. Pastas take up the bulk of the page, along with French appetizers and a few main dishes.
Starting with the steak tartare is the move. It has all the right tart and savoury flavours, plus a blob of egg yolk truffle mayo for good measure. Crispy gaufrette potatoes (think waffle-cut potato chips) add an excellent texture and are easy to eat. Gruyère cheese sticks put every mozzarella stick I've ever had to shame. They're marvellously crunchy on the outside and oh so gooey inside. It's a race to indulge in the salty, melted cheese before it cools into a block.
The plate of Raviolies du Dauphiné looks a lot larger on Instagram than it is in real life. But it's nice to be able to eat a pasta dish without being disgustingly full or having to pack up leftovers and carry them around all night. The sheet of pint-sized pillows is fun to eat. It's got a great buttery flavour, and a nice firm texture.
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Read moreCafe Renée: The drink list
There are a number of original cocktails on the menu (and Cocktail Hour starts at 10 p.m.), but the daily 5–7 p.m. Martini Happy Hour coincides with our visit. "The options are endless," says the menu. We go for refreshing, fruity french martinis that fit the vibe and the summertime. Lovers of the espresso martini will have a field day with their three different versions. The crème brûlée iteration is part dessert, part cocktail, complete with torched sugary crust on top.
Cafe Renée is a great addition to a night out on King West. Get those cute Instagram pics, sip on espresso martinis and snack on a light meal that puts down a good base for a night of drinking.
Dinner and drinks for two: around $110 before tax and tip.
