La Banane — Restaurant in Toronto

Firstly, this is the second time I’ve ever written a review but some things need to be known to the general public.

I am genuinely starting to question the validity of the Michelin Guide in Toronto specifically- especially after eating at over 15 Michelin Star(s) restaurants across North America and Europe. This was one of the worst restaurant experiences my boyfriend and I have had in a very long time.

Total time at restaurant - 9pm - 12:15am. Other reviews will state the absurd length of time this experience takes - but over 3 hours for a dinner for two people??

We ordered: Hokkaido Scallops - decent at best. Very basic.

Seared Foie Gras - quite tasty. Would recommend.

Eurobass En Croute - very good. However, the server stated it was served de-boned where it absolutely was not. There were not only small bones, but dangerously large chunks of hard bone throughout. We found ourself digging through the pieces of fish to be careful of additional bones after having them stuck in our throat. While having to spit bones out of our mouths the whole time.

A5 Wagyu Rib Cap ($45/oz) - served completely raw. (photo below) Wagyu is meant to melt in your mouth and is incredibly simple to cook. This is not beef Wellington. Nobody should have to even question if wagyu is cooked it’s so simple. If you are having to chew and tear through wagyu then you know it is completely raw. The lack of cooking quality was astonishing. We sent the steak back and the server returned telling us that the Chef agreed the steak was well undercooked due to how the “butcher cleaned and cut it” as well as saying that this specific cut of Wagyu is more difficult to cook through due to the lateral marbling throughout. So essentially your chefs knew the cut was garbage but served it raw anyway?? Why would you still be serving it if it’s cut incorrectly and are incapable of cooking it properly?

The server then asked us if we would like it “re-fired” where it was unclear whether it was what we were served or a new one. Server then returned to tell us that they only had 4.5 ounces of the A5 wagyu rib eye and that it would take a bit of time. It took over 40 minutes to receive the new steak, where it too was completely raw again. Could not chew through it whatsoever and was no different than the first cut. How does this happen twice? We then left a cut piece open for the server to see when we asked for it to go as it had been 3 hours by that point.

Service: Incredibly slow. It took about 25 minutes between each dish to be served. The servers themselves were fine, they did what they could to rectify the issues from the kitchen. The problem was that they still tried to charge us $160 for the raw steaks instead of removing it from the bill and only offering to ‘take care of the drinks’.

Overall an incredibly disappointing experience - almost comical to the point that at home when we opened the remainder of the raw steak they sent to go, there was an entire piece missing- almost 2 ounces of steak gone. (Shown in picture below)

Just unfortunate as there is so much potential with the flavour of the...

Overview La Banane is a chic French-inspired restaurant at 227 Ossington Avenue in Toronto. Since opening in 2017 under chef-owner Brandon Olsen, it’s earned a strong reputation for blending classic bistro ambience with modern flair.

Design: Rich brass, leather banquettes, a marble bar, and playful Art Deco-meets-disco details create a fun yet upscale vibe. Vibe: Energetic, stylish, and filled with funk, Motown, and disco—a perfect “Sex and the City meets Ossington” atmosphere.

What We Ordered: Carte Blanche ($135 per person) A tasting menu highlighting the best of the kitchen.

Cold – Raw Bar

Shrimp Cocktail: Next-level freshness with a bold, homemade French cocktail sauce. Outstanding.

Hokkaido Scallops: Drizzled in a sauce so good it stops time. Incredibly fresh, perfectly balanced.

Hot – From the Kitchen

Brioche & Butter: Warm, hand-torn, melt-in-your-hands buns—a delightful start.

Roasted Maitake Mushroom: Rich, umami-packed, steak-like texture with a sauce that elevates the dish to memorable heights.

Main Course

Eurobass-En-Croute: Stunning presentation. A salt-baked pastry shell seals in moisture and flavour. Served with:

Ontario Asparagus: With Bayonne ham, hollandaise, pistachio, and mint. Possibly the best asparagus I’ve ever had.

We paused mid-meal—an appreciated break to soak in the atmosphere. Our servers were attentive yet unobtrusive, upbeat and deeply knowledgeable.

Confit Lamb Neck: Braised 36 hours. Fall-apart tender, with spring vegetables and an extraordinary sauce.

Pommes Aligot: Velvety potatoes blended with Gruyère and chives. Rich, glutinous, and absolutely perfect.

Dessert

Carré D’Or with milk ice cream: Simple, elegant, flawless.

The Service Our server was knowledgeable, warm, and enthusiastic—clearly passionate about the food and guest experience. She recommended the Carte Blanche, checked in regularly but never intruded, and exuded positivity. Service was impeccable from start to finish—professional, polished, and personal.

Final Thoughts I’ve been immersed in Toronto’s dining scene since the ’80s—before the rise of “foodies” and social media critics. I’ve dined at Alo, Don Alfonso, Scaramouche, Giulietta, Edulis, and countless gems (both upscale and humble). Places like Pho Tien Thanh or Badiali Pizza remind us that excellence doesn’t need pretense.

But La Banane is something else.

This was the best meal I’ve ever had in Toronto. It rivals the food and hospitality we experienced in the Loire Valley. Every course was thoughtful, generous (no tiny ramekins here), and meticulously executed.

I’ve long said nothing in Toronto compares to the culinary excellence of France. I now stand corrected.

La Banane is of that caliber. The detail, the service, the quality—it’s extraordinary. And yes, it offers real value, which feels like a lost art.

Do yourself a favour: don’t take my word for it. Go experience it. You’ll be treating yourself to something...

Le Banane, a high-end French restaurant tucked away in the heart of Toronto, provided us with an unforgettable experience as we celebrated our second anniversary. From the moment we stepped through the elegant doors, we knew we were in for a treat.

Our evening commenced with a tough choice: ala carte or the chef's tasting menu, "carte blanche." With the guidance of our cheerful and efficient waitress, who was always ready with recommendations and explanations, we decided to embark on the culinary journey that the tasting menu promised.

To start our evening off in style, Le Banane surprised us with complimentary glasses of champagne, setting the tone for an evening of indulgence. The anticipation built as we awaited the courses that lay ahead, and we were not disappointed.

The meal began with a warm brioche bread that was paired with whipped French butter, a combination that instantly won our hearts. It was the perfect prelude to what was to come.

Next, we savored the scallops and shrimp cocktail, featuring sweet scallops from Hokkaido, Japan, bathed in a delectable lime, rum, and butter sauce. The flavors danced on our palates, leaving us in awe of the culinary expertise on display.

A highlight of the evening was the roasted maitake mushrooms with garlic and parsley. These crispy, meaty mushrooms defied expectations and were a testament to the chef's creativity. As our server mentioned, even meat lovers would be enchanted by this dish.

The Eurobass encroute was an exciting adventure for our taste buds. Before serving, the server presented the encrusted fish, and later returned with the crust removed. The experience was as novel as it was delicious, although the pastry itself was a touch too salty to be consumed.

A pause in the meal brought us a plate of roasted summer vegetables, a pleasant interlude that allowed us to savor the anticipation of what was still to come.

The star of the evening, without a doubt, was the juicy beef tenderloin steak served with a rich pepper sauce (sauce au poivre). Cooked to perfection, the steak melted in our mouths, and the pommes aligot, an internet-famous creation, stole the show. This cheesy, stretchy potato delight was the pinnacle of our dining experience.

As the night drew to a close, we were treated to a delightful dessert: a salted caramel banana cake that provided the sweetest ending to our celebration.

In conclusion, Le Banane's chef's tasting menu was a culinary masterpiece that took us on a journey through French gastronomy. The impeccable service, delightful surprises, and unforgettable flavors made our second anniversary truly special. Le Banane is more than just a restaurant; it's an experience that we will treasure for...