Frenchy Toronto: What's the vibe
Hotel restaurants aren't supposed to be this sexy, but Frenchy Bar et Brasserie — a charming Parisian bistro located in the Hilton Toronto lobby — didn't get the memo. The space on the ground floor of the hotel is the brainchild of DesignAgency, who have done a très fantastique job of turning what was a cafeteria-esque space for lukewarm eggs into a divine dining room.
Frenchy weaves a rich tapestry with velvet banquettes; marble tables; and unique, tactile art that feels alive adorning the walls. The recent renovation commits to supporting local artistry, which can be seen in the artworks from the Distillery District's Thompson Landry Gallery. Wander the space and discover misty and ethereal European-inspired prints and photographs throughout the bar, private dining rooms and the lobby.
Elaine Kilburn
An oval bar provides the centrepiece at Frenchy, around which hotel guests and locals can perch on a hightop stool and peruse signature cocktails or freshly brewed coffee, depending on the time of day. There's also a big focus on live music, with local musicians jamming to every genre from funk and soul to DJ sets.
The Hilton Toronto suites also got a multi-million dollar facelift, increasing the comfort and luxury for guests and adding neutral colour palettes and blue accents. Once you're stuffed to bursting with duck confit, head up in the elevator to your suite and sink into one of the city's softest mattresses.
Alex Lukey
Frenchy Toronto: What to eat
Frenchy is leading the charge in Toronto's recent wave of Francophile eateries, but don't expect too many spins and twists on classic French bistro fare. Instead, prepare your tastebuds for the elegant and sophisticated dishes you'd expect to find inside one of Le Marais's many charming brasseries.
Paula Wilson
Beef tartare, foie gras terrine and escargot are all present and correct. The ooey gooey deliciousness of the French onion soup had as much pull on us as it did our spoon, which stretched gruyère in a seemingly endless string of cheese.
It just wouldn't be France without a great showing of cheese, and Frenchy pulls out the stops on multiple occasions. Gorge on a double crème brie, baked with truffle and drizzled with wildflower honey, or sample the fromage on one of their boards, featuring favourites like comté and bleu d’Auvergne.
Paula Wilson
There's also a fabulous selection of meat on the charcuterie board, from French ham to duck salami and country pâté. Once you've explored the shareables, move onto entrées like côte de boeuf in a red wine jus, half a chicken with Herbes de Provence, or bouillabaisse with clams, mussels and a heavenly tomato saffron broth.
Paula Wilson
It wouldn't be gay Paree without dessert: Choose from classics like decadent chocolate cake, zesty tarte au citron and a delightful crème brûlée that's just crying out to be thwacked.
Breakfast is well worth a visit, whether you're an overnight guest or a brunch lover looking for a new spot to dig into eggs benny and croissants. The pain perdu, drenched in dark chocolate, raspberry, vanilla chantilly and maple syrup might contain our weekly calorie intake, but it's worth every bite.
Frenchy Toronto: What to drink
Cocktails are well represented here, with names that are a cheeky wink to Frenchy's Gallic theme. Femme Libertine, made with vodka, grapefruit liqueur and elderflower, adds a scoop of lemon sorbet to your coupe so your drink keeps evolving deliciously with every sip.
Paula Wilson
We also loved the Frenchy 75, which takes the classic gin, lemon and champagne cocktail and adds a little hibiscus for good measure. Elsewhere, the Frou Frou is Frenchy's take on an espresso martini and the Beurre Noisette (translation: brown butter) is a riff on an old fashioned.
Paula Wilson
Pretty though they are, the cupboards of vintage wine aren't just for show. As expected, Frenchy has a beefy selection of Old World Wine from France (naturally), Italy, Portugal and Spain, plus some excellent port and fortified wine options. South Africa, California and homegrown wine from Ontario and B.C. are also prominently featured. And, of course, there's champagne and sparkling by the glass and bottle so you can put the ooh là là in your evening.
Dinner and drinks for two: around $140 before tax and tip.
