Merlot Restaurant - Etobicoke

Awesome place, great atmosphere, reasonably priced and food that never disappoints!

We shared and enjoyed the lamb kidneys and tripe over lunch, while it flurried outside.

We love this Restaurant. We are always greeted warmly, seated quickly as we always book a table and show up ON TIME not like all guests. If we are going to be late we call and inform them. Once seated we are always attended to to and the service is exemplary. The food is to die for and the Wine selection is exquisite and reasonably priced. <br/ <br/ Best French restaurant this side of the Atlantic!<br/ <br/ Colm and Rita.

In Toronto, few genuine French restaurants serve the real deal and Le Merlot is one of those staple establishments situated in southern Etobicoke.<br/ The owner used to own 2 locations.  The other one was sold and regrettably did not survive.  The menus were very similar and serve classic bistro restaurant classics that I enjoy.<br/ At Le Merlot, there is also a patio that has a shorter menu focusing mainly on grilled entrees and sandwiches.<br/ I was in the main dining room to get the main impression and found it up to top standards.<br/ Starting with a lovely and generous serving of grilled calamari with not too much balsamic vinegar I was ready for the main course.  I normally would have selected pepper steak or rack of lamb among the many choices but I wanted to test out the steak tartare.  This is a special item for connoisseurs and is mentioned at the bottom of the menu.  It is indeed rare meat but of course prepared with onions, Worcestershire sauce (not too much), capers an egg and other chosen ingredients.  Served with a lovely portion of frites, all you really need is a good red wine such as a Syrah to balance all the flavours.<br/ <br/ The dessert menu is nicely varied with tarts, chocolate mousse, crepes, fruit, and ice cream.  All beautifully prepared, I selected the Coupe Merlot with vanilla ice-cream, fresh berries, fresh fruit coulis, whipped cream, roasted almonds and a touch of red wine.  A digestif drink and/or coffee and you finish off a lovely french meal.<br/ <br/ The owner is French, most servers have been at this restaurant for a number of years, and the decor is classic bistro posters.....collectively they provide a real experience in Toronto.<br/ <br/ My next plan for a small treat will be to have the Crepes 'Normande ' which are crepes filled with fresh apple compote and served with whipped cream and strawberries.  My special coffee will of course be the Cafe Normand which is strong coffee with a touch of Calvados and of course more whipped cream.  Feel free to invite me!

First Dinner Out With Our Grand Daughter. We had a wonderful experience at your restaurant with our grand daughter your staff where warm and inviting the food was fantastic and our waiter was one of the nicest we have ever come across in all of our dinning experiences we have ever had he was just a super nice person and that's what will separate your restaurant from most others we have been to your restaurant three or four times in the past and have enjoyed your out door eating patio as well but last night was really great and I just had to thank you all again for a wonderful night out with our grand daughter and celebrated my wife's birthday and we cant wait to come back and dine at your place in the future and will be so glad to recommend your restaurant to all our friends and family!! Thanks again, The Shellys