Jeffrey (our waiter) and Ben (the owner/chef) were both incredible.Everything from the tartare to the chocolate mousse at the end were fantastic!Can’t wait to come back; one of our best dining date night experiences ever.Vegetarian options: Their ratatouille was on point! Super well done with a perfect balance of squash, zucchini, and zest (lemon)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak Tartare
Alex vT
We enjoyed our visit to Taverne Tamblyn. It has a simple menu with fresh quality food and we had the pepper steak, Beef Bourguignon, salad, and the frites. A little note, the frites done in beef fat are amazing, and I will never eat any other french fries again. Please note, you had better get a reservation as, based on our experience that night, it can be fully booked at times.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jessica Puentes
I went Saturday evening, my friend said the fries were highly recommended- well, I’m still dreaming about how good they were! We really should have ordered them again for dessert! We had the frisée salad, fries of course, steak tartare and bouillabaisse. Everything was SO good! We sat at the bar and we were right in front of the chef and sous chef. I loved watching all the magic happen! Highly recommend this cozy place! Oh and the negronis were perfect!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tom Arkell
Highly recommend Taverne Tamblyn.Had dinner there for the first time on Friday Feb 16 and all six of us left with the same impression "This place is great." Across our group we tried many of the dishes and all were terrific. The restaurant was full but the service was prompt and very pleasant. The atmosphere was a pleasant buzz of countless conversations.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lori Laudenbach
I enjoyed dining at this east end treasure on the Danforth Saturday night. The French Bistro did not disappoint, the experience enhanced sitting at the bar with full view of the open kitchen. Dinner began with a gin based cocktail, La Fleur d'Or followed by a smooth and creamy Lobster & Shrimp bisque. The Steak au Poivre was outstanding. The toughest decision was whether to dip my side of frites in the pan sauce or the Aioli. Looking forward to returning when in Toronto next, patio season can't come soon enough.Dietary restrictions: Many excellent gluten free options, be sure to ask your server.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Paul Edwards
Had a lovely time from start to finish. As always.
Honest review of my experience at Taverne Tamblyn.Went here on a Saturday evening for dinner. The ambience and vibe of the place is very nice, dim and romantic.Our server did not take the time to explain the menu and had very minimal communication. Didn't even make much conversation with us until it was time to pay the bill.The Food:Bread (2/5) - It was cold, not soft and served with cold butter out of the refrigerator. I asked to if they can warm the bread atleast, a gentleman came to our table whom I recognized is the head chef from their IG page and explained he can do it but it would dry out the bread. Then proceeded to explain what kind of dough, that it was baked daily and came out of the oven at 3pm. The team went through much experimentation to get the perfect balance of a crunchy outer shell with good level of rise. I love the passion here chef, I really do! But the bread was not soft, at least serve up some room temp butter especially if you're going to charge and not offer it complimentary.Steak Tartare (5/5) - Probably one of the best ones I've had, no complaints it was delicious.Cornish Hen Confit (2/5) - Looked better than it tasted. Not very tender and did not fall off the bone, skin was soggy, would have appreciated some crisp to it. The lemon/rosemary sauce was a broken and a bit watery. I wanted to order their pork chop that was the special that night but was sold out by the time of our 8pm reservation and got this instead. A duck confit would have been much better.Ratatouille (5/5) - Tasty, hearty and full of umami. Reminded me of a shakshuka. Wish they gave more of it.Beef Bourguignon - (3/5) Underwhelming, the meat was not tender and juicy as you'd expect it to be. The jus was watery and under-seasoned, a thicker sauce would really lift this dish. The portion was also small.Beef Fat Fries (3/5) - Like the other reviews said, they do taste like McDonald's fries but better, this is true, it's good but overrated. No garnishes present, not a sprinkle of parm or truffle or anything. If you're a French Bistro and the fries are what get the most praise then there's something wrong here.Creme Caramel - (2/5) Nice texture but it is way too boozy, I can appreciate alcohol used properly in a dessert but this was too much. Also it did not come with any garnishes (ex berries, a compote, chantilly) and was a rather boring dessert.Apple Tart w/ Salted Cider Caramel - (4/5) Tasty dessert with good flavour balancing. However it was served cold right out of the fridge along with cold cream. Why is everything coming straight out of the refrigerator? A great part of dessert is the sensation of hot and cold in one dish and this was not it.Overall Experience:I was excited to eat at one of the highly rated French Bistro's the city has to offer but was left disappointed. Service was subpar and the food is mediocre. Hot menu isn't very exciting, and half of it is beef. Maybe changing one for a different protein might shake things up a bit! The restaurant is known to be more affordable than others but honestly the mains do not come with sides which must be ordered separately. So you really just end up spending as much as you would with other places so I personally did not find much value .The restaurant is new and less than two years old, there is definitely potential but still has a long way to go to get to the level of other well known bistros (Le Baratin, Maison T, etc). I love the chef's passion for his food and I'm sure he will elevate it to the next level in the future. Perhaps I will visit here again at some point hoping for better dining experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Steak Tartare, Ratatouille
Jo C.
Ben, the owner of Taverne Tamblyn, brings a wealth of experience, transitioning from a butcher to running a steakhouse before establishing this classic French-inspired tavern. Upon entering, the ambiance immediately sets the tone for a friendly neighbourhood gathering spot. During our visit, the tavern was bustling with a full house, adding to the convivial atmosphere. We commenced our culinary journey with Moules à la Dijon, delicately cooked in saffron-infused white wine with a hint of butter. The mussels were impeccably fresh, bathed in just the right amount of flavourful sauce, setting a promising tone for the rest of the meal. Next, we indulged in the Plats Froids, featuring Chicken Liver Mousse accompanied by a dark cherry compote. This dish invited creativity as we assembled our own liver sandwich on crispy bread. Each bite offered a harmonious blend of rich mousse and sweet compote, making it a satisfying second course. For the main event, we savoured the Seared 12 oz Veal Chop, adorned with a luscious black currant and red wine reduction. The veal, cooked to perfection, boasted a succulent texture and was elevated by the complex flavours of the reduction, leaving our taste buds thoroughly delighted. As the grand finale, we delighted in a classic Apple Pie, a comforting and nostalgic conclusion to our meal. Overall, Taverne Tamblyn impressed us not only with its delectable fare but also with its reasonable prices, including a well-curated drink menu. The service was exemplary, adding to the overall enjoyment of the evening. Without a doubt, we eagerly anticipate our next visit to this charming establishment.
Patrick Gillis
We went for a Valentines dinnerThe host was so unfriendly when We arrived , a horrible welcomeI sat on a hard bench , very uncomfortableOur food was under cooked and red insideWe dine out often and this was a bad experienceOur server was friendly and helpfulDon’t bother goingWe won’t go backSo many other great restaurants to enjoy
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 3
Gary Lyon
Food 4 1/2 stars. We were four for Saturday lunch and ordered: moules-frites, 2 X quiche and bouillabaisse. All were excellent except the quiche was a little soft/creamy which may be a personal preference thing. Service was attentive and friendly. Apple torte for dessert was excellent. About $120 per couple incl wine.
We were excited to try this French restaurant based on a recommendation. We ordered the following items:1. Bread - 3/5. I would’ve preferred my bread to be warm or to have butter that was warm. It felt like day old bread, although they bake daily. To be honest, this should be complimentary at a restaurant. It didn’t really taste anything special to me.2. Steak tartare- 5/5. This was a great appetizer. It comes with a few bread crisps. Highly recommend.3. Beef bourguignon (main) - 4/5. The beef was tender. I just wish they made the jus thicker and added more vegetables to complement.4. Cornish Hen (main) - 3/5. I felt like this dish was lacking flavour. Presentation was good. The chicken was nice and tender.5. Fries fried in beef fat. 3/5. I felt like I was eating McDonald’s French fries. Nothing special. However, the white dip that they served the fries with was really delicious.6. Ratatouille - 5/5 - I enjoyed the flavours of this dish!7. Fleur D’Or (cocktail) 5/5 - Gin cocktail was very nice. If you like something more on the acidic sweet side, this drink is for you. Presentation was nice.8. Crème Caramel - 3/5 - I could taste an overwhelming amount of alcohol on the top layer or the sauce (not sure which one). It didn’t sit well with me. The crème itself was very delicious.9. Apple tart - 4/5 - I would recommend trying this. The entire dessert is cold. I was hoping to have a warm element to take this dessert to another level.Overall, based on the amount we paid, the restaurant was okay. My rating is based on my experience with other French restaurants in Toronto. More flavour for the mains could have enhanced the experience. The server looked overwhelmed & I was hoping they could’ve done a proper run down on the two menus we were given. The ambience is nice and romantic. I may come again in the future to give it another try.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Steak Tartare
Bill Petrie
Have been twice. The service is excellent and the food is great and fairly priced. It is one of the better places on the Danforth. The idea that the food is pre made is ridiculous. You can't pre make food like that . Definitely worth checking out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steven Boffa
We really like this place. It feels like fine dining, but without the expensive price tag. We come for the martinis, mussels, and french fries (frites). The fries are contenders for the best fries I've ever had. They are basically like McDonald's fries, but on crack (cooked in beef fat).
What a lovely local place. Great French cuisine executed very well. The dishes are simple but are absolutely delicious. They understand how to make it right. They also provide great level of service and are just very down to earth people. They also have great cocktail menu which is very enjoyable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Luke
Nice little French taverne serving classics dishes. Excellent cooking on the Cornish hen and the steak au poivr. Service was nice and friendly. Would like to see some more options for wine and the accompaniments.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Frites Cooked in Beef Fat, Roast Chicken Breast, House Baked Bread with Butter, Ratatouille, Pepper Steak
Jeffrey (our waiter) and Ben (the owner/chef) were both incredible.Everything from the tartare to the chocolate mousse at the end were fantastic!Can’t wait to come back; one of our best dining date night experiences ever.Vegetarian options: Their ratatouille was on point! Super well done with a perfect balance of squash, zucchini, and zest (lemon)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak Tartare
We enjoyed our visit to Taverne Tamblyn. It has a simple menu with fresh quality food and we had the pepper steak, Beef Bourguignon, salad, and the frites. A little note, the frites done in beef fat are amazing, and I will never eat any other french fries again. Please note, you had better get a reservation as, based on our experience that night, it can be fully booked at times.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I went Saturday evening, my friend said the fries were highly recommended- well, I’m still dreaming about how good they were! We really should have ordered them again for dessert! We had the frisée salad, fries of course, steak tartare and bouillabaisse. Everything was SO good! We sat at the bar and we were right in front of the chef and sous chef. I loved watching all the magic happen! Highly recommend this cozy place! Oh and the negronis were perfect!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Highly recommend Taverne Tamblyn.Had dinner there for the first time on Friday Feb 16 and all six of us left with the same impression "This place is great." Across our group we tried many of the dishes and all were terrific. The restaurant was full but the service was prompt and very pleasant. The atmosphere was a pleasant buzz of countless conversations.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I enjoyed dining at this east end treasure on the Danforth Saturday night. The French Bistro did not disappoint, the experience enhanced sitting at the bar with full view of the open kitchen. Dinner began with a gin based cocktail, La Fleur d'Or followed by a smooth and creamy Lobster & Shrimp bisque. The Steak au Poivre was outstanding. The toughest decision was whether to dip my side of frites in the pan sauce or the Aioli. Looking forward to returning when in Toronto next, patio season can't come soon enough.Dietary restrictions: Many excellent gluten free options, be sure to ask your server.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had a lovely time from start to finish. As always.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chocolate Mousse, Peppercorn Steak
Honest review of my experience at Taverne Tamblyn.Went here on a Saturday evening for dinner. The ambience and vibe of the place is very nice, dim and romantic.Our server did not take the time to explain the menu and had very minimal communication. Didn't even make much conversation with us until it was time to pay the bill.The Food:Bread (2/5) - It was cold, not soft and served with cold butter out of the refrigerator. I asked to if they can warm the bread atleast, a gentleman came to our table whom I recognized is the head chef from their IG page and explained he can do it but it would dry out the bread. Then proceeded to explain what kind of dough, that it was baked daily and came out of the oven at 3pm. The team went through much experimentation to get the perfect balance of a crunchy outer shell with good level of rise. I love the passion here chef, I really do! But the bread was not soft, at least serve up some room temp butter especially if you're going to charge and not offer it complimentary.Steak Tartare (5/5) - Probably one of the best ones I've had, no complaints it was delicious.Cornish Hen Confit (2/5) - Looked better than it tasted. Not very tender and did not fall off the bone, skin was soggy, would have appreciated some crisp to it. The lemon/rosemary sauce was a broken and a bit watery. I wanted to order their pork chop that was the special that night but was sold out by the time of our 8pm reservation and got this instead. A duck confit would have been much better.Ratatouille (5/5) - Tasty, hearty and full of umami. Reminded me of a shakshuka. Wish they gave more of it.Beef Bourguignon - (3/5) Underwhelming, the meat was not tender and juicy as you'd expect it to be. The jus was watery and under-seasoned, a thicker sauce would really lift this dish. The portion was also small.Beef Fat Fries (3/5) - Like the other reviews said, they do taste like McDonald's fries but better, this is true, it's good but overrated. No garnishes present, not a sprinkle of parm or truffle or anything. If you're a French Bistro and the fries are what get the most praise then there's something wrong here.Creme Caramel - (2/5) Nice texture but it is way too boozy, I can appreciate alcohol used properly in a dessert but this was too much. Also it did not come with any garnishes (ex berries, a compote, chantilly) and was a rather boring dessert.Apple Tart w/ Salted Cider Caramel - (4/5) Tasty dessert with good flavour balancing. However it was served cold right out of the fridge along with cold cream. Why is everything coming straight out of the refrigerator? A great part of dessert is the sensation of hot and cold in one dish and this was not it.Overall Experience:I was excited to eat at one of the highly rated French Bistro's the city has to offer but was left disappointed. Service was subpar and the food is mediocre. Hot menu isn't very exciting, and half of it is beef. Maybe changing one for a different protein might shake things up a bit! The restaurant is known to be more affordable than others but honestly the mains do not come with sides which must be ordered separately. So you really just end up spending as much as you would with other places so I personally did not find much value .The restaurant is new and less than two years old, there is definitely potential but still has a long way to go to get to the level of other well known bistros (Le Baratin, Maison T, etc). I love the chef's passion for his food and I'm sure he will elevate it to the next level in the future. Perhaps I will visit here again at some point hoping for better dining experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Steak Tartare, Ratatouille
Ben, the owner of Taverne Tamblyn, brings a wealth of experience, transitioning from a butcher to running a steakhouse before establishing this classic French-inspired tavern. Upon entering, the ambiance immediately sets the tone for a friendly neighbourhood gathering spot. During our visit, the tavern was bustling with a full house, adding to the convivial atmosphere. We commenced our culinary journey with Moules à la Dijon, delicately cooked in saffron-infused white wine with a hint of butter. The mussels were impeccably fresh, bathed in just the right amount of flavourful sauce, setting a promising tone for the rest of the meal. Next, we indulged in the Plats Froids, featuring Chicken Liver Mousse accompanied by a dark cherry compote. This dish invited creativity as we assembled our own liver sandwich on crispy bread. Each bite offered a harmonious blend of rich mousse and sweet compote, making it a satisfying second course. For the main event, we savoured the Seared 12 oz Veal Chop, adorned with a luscious black currant and red wine reduction. The veal, cooked to perfection, boasted a succulent texture and was elevated by the complex flavours of the reduction, leaving our taste buds thoroughly delighted. As the grand finale, we delighted in a classic Apple Pie, a comforting and nostalgic conclusion to our meal. Overall, Taverne Tamblyn impressed us not only with its delectable fare but also with its reasonable prices, including a well-curated drink menu. The service was exemplary, adding to the overall enjoyment of the evening. Without a doubt, we eagerly anticipate our next visit to this charming establishment.
We went for a Valentines dinnerThe host was so unfriendly when We arrived , a horrible welcomeI sat on a hard bench , very uncomfortableOur food was under cooked and red insideWe dine out often and this was a bad experienceOur server was friendly and helpfulDon’t bother goingWe won’t go backSo many other great restaurants to enjoy
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 3
Food 4 1/2 stars. We were four for Saturday lunch and ordered: moules-frites, 2 X quiche and bouillabaisse. All were excellent except the quiche was a little soft/creamy which may be a personal preference thing. Service was attentive and friendly. Apple torte for dessert was excellent. About $120 per couple incl wine.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Frites Cooked in Beef Fat
Restaurantji Recommends
We were excited to try this French restaurant based on a recommendation. We ordered the following items:1. Bread - 3/5. I would’ve preferred my bread to be warm or to have butter that was warm. It felt like day old bread, although they bake daily. To be honest, this should be complimentary at a restaurant. It didn’t really taste anything special to me.2. Steak tartare- 5/5. This was a great appetizer. It comes with a few bread crisps. Highly recommend.3. Beef bourguignon (main) - 4/5. The beef was tender. I just wish they made the jus thicker and added more vegetables to complement.4. Cornish Hen (main) - 3/5. I felt like this dish was lacking flavour. Presentation was good. The chicken was nice and tender.5. Fries fried in beef fat. 3/5. I felt like I was eating McDonald’s French fries. Nothing special. However, the white dip that they served the fries with was really delicious.6. Ratatouille - 5/5 - I enjoyed the flavours of this dish!7. Fleur D’Or (cocktail) 5/5 - Gin cocktail was very nice. If you like something more on the acidic sweet side, this drink is for you. Presentation was nice.8. Crème Caramel - 3/5 - I could taste an overwhelming amount of alcohol on the top layer or the sauce (not sure which one). It didn’t sit well with me. The crème itself was very delicious.9. Apple tart - 4/5 - I would recommend trying this. The entire dessert is cold. I was hoping to have a warm element to take this dessert to another level.Overall, based on the amount we paid, the restaurant was okay. My rating is based on my experience with other French restaurants in Toronto. More flavour for the mains could have enhanced the experience. The server looked overwhelmed & I was hoping they could’ve done a proper run down on the two menus we were given. The ambience is nice and romantic. I may come again in the future to give it another try.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Steak Tartare
Have been twice. The service is excellent and the food is great and fairly priced. It is one of the better places on the Danforth. The idea that the food is pre made is ridiculous. You can't pre make food like that . Definitely worth checking out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We really like this place. It feels like fine dining, but without the expensive price tag. We come for the martinis, mussels, and french fries (frites). The fries are contenders for the best fries I've ever had. They are basically like McDonald's fries, but on crack (cooked in beef fat).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak Tartare, Frites Cooked in Beef Fat, Ratatouille, Pepper Steak
What a lovely local place. Great French cuisine executed very well. The dishes are simple but are absolutely delicious. They understand how to make it right. They also provide great level of service and are just very down to earth people. They also have great cocktail menu which is very enjoyable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice little French taverne serving classics dishes. Excellent cooking on the Cornish hen and the steak au poivr. Service was nice and friendly. Would like to see some more options for wine and the accompaniments.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Frites Cooked in Beef Fat, Roast Chicken Breast, House Baked Bread with Butter, Ratatouille, Pepper Steak