After much fanfare and anticipation, Toronto’s Colette Grand Café opened in July, giving the burgeoning King West neighbourhood a touch of Parisian flair. Located in the Thompson Hotel, in the space that once housed Scarpetta Restaurant, the 5,000-sq.-ft. resto features 150 seats divided among an upscale dining room, café and bakery and a covered outdoor terrace.
Designed by Toronto’s Gianpiero Pugliese, with architecture by AudaxArchitecture, the restaurant features barrel vault ceilings, classic French café-style seating and hand-painted tile in traditional Parisian hues of blues, yellows and whites.
Colette’s menu celebrates modern French cuisine with dishes such as Duck Magret with roasted breast and crisp leg ($44); La Tour de Colette ($58 for two), comprising prepared and raw vegetables, crab, shrimp, mussels with aioli and bread sticks; as well as Shellfish Marinière ($34).
Owned by Chase Hospitality Group, partners Steve Salm (right), Michael Kimel and chef Michael Steh (far right) also operate The Chase, The Chase Fish & Oyster and Little Fin.
