Restaurant Chalkboard

Le Paradis, Toronto, ON

Review by Anne Garber

166 Bedford Road
Toronto, ON
416-921-0995
website

This local secret offers outstanding French bistro-style fare in Toronto’s centre. Recommended items include the melted Brie appetizer and herb-roasted chicken. The atmosphere is casual and the wine choices are unique. University types, writers, and actors from the surrounding neighbourhood come to this authentic French bistro-on-a-budget for the ambience and modestly priced wine list. Even my hard-to-please parents love this place!

La Paradis is a true hidden gem in Toronto. The service is very friendly, albeit a little slow on busy nights. Reservations are recommended (see below).

The atmosphere here contributes at least half of the experience: Opt for the room directly at the end of the restaurant, as opposed to the sunken room to the right (from where you enter). The far room more closely resembles a Left Bank bôite than any Toronto eatery that I have visited.

Steak and fries, the aforementioned crisp herb-roasted chicken, and exotic tajine de volaille (a Moroccan stew of chicken, prunes, olives, and a plethora of seasonings) get the creative juices flowing. Owner/Proprietor is David Currie; Chef de Cuisine is Craig Domville.

Don’t overlook the daily pris-fixe menu and be sure to check out the daily chalkboard specials, as you enter.

We visited for Mother’s Day (a hint: for special occasions, arrive when they open at 5:30 or risk disappointment — or a ridiculously long wait), and in our group of four (including TWO mothers), we tried the Provimi calf’s liver-bacon-and-onions, with demi-glace (superb), the Truite aux Amandes (Rainbow trout with almonds), and a mélange of shellfish, calamari and other seafood (the dish is called “Bourride à la Provençale”) — perfect for the non-meat-eater in our group; my daughter’s only “regret” — once she spied the sumptuous servings at the table next to us — was that she hadn’t ordered a regular entrée, as the side dishes were brilliant. I had a large scoop of wonderfully flavourful squash, a mound of whipped potatoes, and a hefty serving of greens.

For dessert, we four shared a trio of freshly house-made sorbets: pineapple; papaya and raspberry, positively radiant in their flavour.

The bill — for four hungry adults — came to a modest $85, including generous tip, beverages and usurious stipends for Messrs McGuinty and Martin (ie taxes).

Hours: Lunch, Tuesday to Friday, noon to 3:00 p.m.; Dinner, Sunday & Monday, 5:30 to 10:00 p.m.; Tuesday to Friday, 6:00 to 11:00 p.m.; and Saturday, 5:30 to 11:00 p.m.

Major credit cards accepted. Reservations recommended.

About the Author

Anne Garber is a seasoned international journalist whose focus includes consumer product reviews, challenges and issues, internet scam and problem-solving, book reviews, travel and food features. She is an expert product and recipe tester, and pulls no punches when it comes to differentiating between products and services that perform well (five stars) and those that don’t (bombs).She writes a weekly column in Canada for TV Week, and international columns online (evalu8.org, Travellady.com) and maintains a regular blog on consumer matters at http://www.annegarber.blogspot.com/. Anne welcomes polite feedback and interesting ideas for new reviews or articles at anne@evalu8.org. Anne divides her time between homes in Vancouver, Canada, Seattle, WA and Paris, France.

Cucina Kitchen Black Chalkboard $42.95 Our Cucina chalkboard will make a charming and functional accent for any Italian or Tuscan theme kitchen, Cucina, which translates to Kitchen in Italian, measures 14 in wide and approximately 20 inches in length. There is a chalk tray at the bottom of the blackboard. We use a high quality chalkboard surface so this can be used for years. We include a piece of chalk to get you started. Made in the …

Nobody Cooks Like an italian chalkboard item 556B Created from an original carving by Al Pisano (who believes no one does cook as well as Italians!), this restaurant quality chalkboard will look great in your kitchen or in your restaurant. Measures approximately 22 in wide and 24 in high. We hand paint each one and then seal it with a clear lacquer top coat so it is well protected. A hanger is included. Made entirely in the USA….

Ceramic Bistro Chef Waiter with Chalkboard Menu $35.89 This adorable little waiter chef is holding a real working menu chalkboard. Write important memos or tonights dinner on for a fun way to let your household know important events! It stands a foot tall. Collect the whole chef set!…

40 Oval Chalk Labels – Chalkboard Labels in Ovals – Chalkboard Stickers $9.00 Organize your home, office or classroom with super-cute mini chalkboard labels that are the perfect size for so many different uses. Simple to use…just peel and stick! Makes a great gift for teachers or your favorite neat-freak! Write on with regular chalk or chalkboard markers (like Chalk Ink®) and wipe clean with a damp cloth to reuse over and over! Just grab a piece of chalk and start labeli…

30 Small Heart Chalk Labels – Set of 30 Chalkboard Labels Hearts – Chalkboard Stickers for Organizing, Weddings and More $9.00 Organize your home, office or classroom with mini chalkboard labels that are the perfect size for so many different uses. Simple to use…just peel and stick! Makes a great gift! Write on with regular chalk or chalkboard markers (like Chalk Ink®) and wipe clean with a damp cloth to reuse over and over! Just grab a piece of chalk and start labeling right away. Labels are perfect for use on: jars …

Double Side Sidewalk A Frame Chalkboard menu board $69.00 This is one of our best selling products. We sell more than 2000 pieces per year. We offer the best quality at very competitive price. Our A-frame chalkboard measures 20″x39″ with double side 17″x28″ writing area. The frame is made of durable and well finished wood. You can create your message on the signboard. It’s perfect for restaurants and shops. This chalkboard is only for regular chalks, DO …

Tuscan picnic Restaurant and kitchen chalkboard and menu board item R1541 Our Tuscan Picnic chalkboard is created from an original wood carving by Al Pisano. Al carved a beautiful array of Italian foods at the bottom of this Italian theme chalkboard and menuboard: bread, cheese, peppers, garlic, mushrooms. This chalkboard measures 30 in high and 14 in wide. It is hand painted and stained to capture all the detaIl of the original carving. Made in the USA. You can also pe…

Aarco MA-3 Sidewalk Chalkboard, 18W x 42H, black board, solid oak A-frame $129.10 Sidewalk Chalkboard, 18″W x 42″H, black board, solid oak A-frame, steel reinforced corners, full width aluminum hinges, weather resistant hardware, plastic camel foot floor leveler, cherry lacquer finish…

LED Writing on Board, LED Menu Boards Sign, LED Chalkboard – 23 x 18 Includes Display Easel $145.00 All flash speeds (fast or slow) can be adjusted by a touch of a button The writing surface is a High-Hardness Abrasion resistant PMMA board Anti-scratch and high transparence Black Aluminum Alloy Outer frame Super thin and lightweight makes it easy to ship The ability to use fluorescent pens for special wording Easy to erase-just clean with a soft towel or tissue Can be used over and over again Ec…

LED Illuminated Writing Sign Board LED Message Board LED Menu Board 17 X 17 $69.00 Specifications:Size: 17″x17″.Simple button control with 7 color lights, changing in rotation, for multicolor combinations.The writing surface is a rigid abrasion resistant PMMA board, easy to write-on and wipe-off.Large firm writing area for unlimited creative choices.Portable, easy to set up by hanging vertically.Energy-saving, environmentally-friendly, durable and long-lasting.No computer necess…