Cafe Leopold

January 27, 2010

• Address: 672 Saint Clair Avenue West
• Contact: (416) 652-0075

• 

Lentil soup by Stu spivack

St. Clair West is in a state of transition. The new street car system is finally finished and whether or not you are a fan of this so-called improvement along St. Clair, you can take solace that some wonderful new eating establishments have emerged west of Bathurst and east of Dufferin.

One of my favorites in this potentially trendy neighbourhood is Cafe Leopold. Anyone who dined at Pastis on Yonge and enjoyed the food will marvel at Chef Claude's new home. Some wonderful dishes at wonderful prices all under the baton of Maestro Claude!

Make no mistake about it, Cafe Leopold is a neighborhood French Bistro. A three course prix fixe for under $30 is available virtually every night. And for not a lot more money one can sample some true Bistro fare in comfortable but far from opulent surroundings. We have noticed a growing local clientele each time we have returned.

Moule by Man vyi

On a COLD night nothing warms like a bowl of steaming soup. If all you want is soup with some crusty bread, this is not the right place for you... If you want soup to whet your palate yet leave room for more, come and taste the Lentil soup. Unlike the thick soup that mom told you would "stick to your ribs" here we find a taste that rivals the rib sticking but a texture that is light and void of pieces of lentil or other thickening agents.

Moule with Frites are splendid. Moules are succulent, and swimming in just the right amount of juice to keep both them and the bottom of the bowl wet and ready for crusty bread dipping during the meal... Steak Frites was offered as an option and was prepared in the most traditional French manner. Thin, juicy and tender slips of beef cooked in butter and oozing with all the right flavors. A homemade mayonnaise is provided for the Frites.. and they are the traditional squares not the skinny ultra crispy.

Creme caramel by Jules Clancy

Leave room for dessert. We have had crème caramel which is crème-ier than most and the caramel oozes throughout. One sampling provided us with a Trifle which came with instructions. Pull the "good stuff" from the bottom to the top and enjoy. We followed carefully and absolutely did enjoy. Claude is a dessert master.

There is something for everyone at Leopold. Check it out for dinner. Not opened for lunch (yet). St. Clair just east of Christie.

4 out of 5 Stars...

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