Despite the difficulty of owning or starting a restaurant during the pandemic, a new French bistro has just opened its doors in the Christie Pits neighbourhood.
Maison T serves up elegant French fare in a cozy corner spot at Shaw and Dupont, former home of Universal Grill which was unfortunately forced to close down near the beginning of the pandemic. Luckily for folks in the area, the restaurant has taken over and is offering a warm and inviting space for guests to enjoy comforting and thoughtfully prepared food, complete with a heated patio for an ideal outdoor dining experience.
Toronto chef Masayuki Tamaru dreamed up the menu of French classics with a twist, offering sophisticated dishes that utilize seasonal produce, quality meats and fresh seafood. An extensive wine list is the perfect mate to Tamaru's rich food and provides much-needed extra warmth for a late autumn patio meal. To start, nibble at light appetizers like warm goat cheese and beet salad, a bowl of silky squash soup and paper-thin tuna carpaccio before moving on to the main course options, which consist of flavourful and well-executed meat and fish plates.
A juicy 8oz strip loin steak is served with seasonal veg and creamy potatoes, and meat lovers can also choose from pork loin, duck confit and braised beef short ribs. In terms of seafood, the chef whips up an ocean trout and a sea bass, each delicately adorned with spices and served with its own pairings on the side. The lunch menu follows a similar style, with daily soup and sandwich options plus mussels in a light broth, an endive salad and a poutine made with golden, thick-cut French fries. For a sweet ending to your meal, be sure to grab the house-made and impossibly luscious chocolate terrine.
If you're on the hunt for a lovely and inviting neighbourhood spot that still has an open patio, stop by Maison T for a delicious meal and a coffee or glass of wine (served all day). A brunch menu is coming soon as well, so stay tuned for more on their Instagram!
