Le Sélect Bistro

Great service and food! We had a large party for a special event and Le Select was able to accommodate us in every way.
Meal: I had the lamb burger with fries which at first glance I thought was a small burger but it was very filling. I was very satisfied with the meal selection and the menu had a huge range of French dishes to try. I also tried the bone marrow appetizer and the charcuterie. Both were delicious although on the heavier side.
All in all, I would definitely come again.

i have been meaning to come here for so long! I really wanted a nice french place that brings me back to Paris. I think i just found it!
We came here for Valentine’s day/​birthday dinner. we ordered double duck confit legs and the beef tartare — the quality and portions are superb! it’s definitely a nice date environment, dim lit and romantic. There are so many things on the menu I wanted to try but didn’t end up having the stomach space for it — will definitely return another time!
Yum!

***CURLY HAIR in my food and extremely poor service.
I was here for Sunday brunch on Valentine’s Day and while I expected the restaurant to be busy as usual, I did not anticipate the horrible experience we ended up having here.
To start things off, after we were seated, our waiter greeted us by huffing about how «busy» it was after we asked him how he was doing. As guests at this popular brunch spot, we expected it to be «busy», patiently waited and did not have a problem with the crowds. His comment made things awkward and we did not feel very welcome. We overheard him saying this to all the other guests as well — what do you expect, it’s Sunday brunch!
We placed our order promptly. It took over 25 minutes for our food to arrive: the quiche and lamb burger. We got started while still waiting for the lobster bisque. Our original server disappeared so when we followed up 10 minutes later (with another server we finally managed to flag down) he responded «did you still want it?». Did they not want our business or something? We requested for the soup to still be brought out but it was NOT worth the wait.
Just when I concluded I would give this place 3 stars for the lacklustre food and cold service, I discovered a hair BAKED into my quiche (see photo). I quickly brought this to our waiter’s attention and he went to inform the chef. A few minutes later he came back and offered his sincerest apologies from «the chef». For what I thought was a classy place, there was no acknowledgement from «the chef» or Manager on duty about this disgraceful incident. Simply a sad sorry from our waiter who clearly didn’t care anyways. When the bill arrived, the quiche was deducted from the total (obviously) but to our disappointment there was no effort to comfort us that this would not happen again or that it was an isolated situation.
As we left, our waiter and the Manager did not even acknowledge us. They sure did a good job of giving us NO incentive of ever coming back again.

I went twice here. Today I went for my friend’s birthday brunch. I had the Croque Madame. It was well prepared but I think the cost is exorbitant for what you’re getting. Not impressed with the dishes and they don’t wow me. Servers were nice though.

Came to Le Sélect Bistro for a Christmas GNO dinner. We loved it!
Service was great and the food quality was good. For my friends that drove here, they complimented on the availability of parking space.
DRINKS:
MERLOT/​CAB
CONFIT DE CANARD (⁴⁄₅)
(duck leg confit with crispy skin, served with veggies, potatoes au gratin)
Mm. this was so yummy! There’s an option for one /​two duck legs — I should’ve ordered two! The duck leg size was not that big so if you’re hungry I would suggest you order two duck legs. My friend and I grabbed snacks after dinner because we were still hungry. but this duck confit was so delicious! I’d come back and order this again :)

I’ve been here yeeaaarrs ago for brunch — which was delish. However, finally decided to check this cute spot out for some dinner and wine.
Started out with a bottle of Pinot Noir (Hidden Bench). I’ve had it before — nothing spectacular but will do the trick. Ordered the tartare to start which was really tasty. I had the duck confit as my entrée (because if there’s a duck option, I alllwayyss get it) and loved it. The duck was cooked perfectly and fell off the bone and the potatoes that accompanied it were really nice. Unfortunately after it all there was no room for dessert (sad face).
This spot just remains consistently good and oh-​so-​adorable.

Amazing on all fronts.
I came here for a dear friend’s post-​Bachelorette brunch.
ATMOSPHERE: Super classy. Gorgeous. Spacious. Old time, regal vibe here. Perfect for special occasion, hanging out with girlfriends or bring a date. In terms of attire, lots of people were dressed up, but many were casual — in jeans and t-​shirt. All were fine. There are lots of different dining rooms & spaces available too — so make requests for a particular space if you wish. Some are quite closed-​off so it’s nice for private functions. We were seated in the lovely back patio, on a sunny afternoon. Twas perfect.
SERVICE: Good service. Courteous and friendly staff. Made good recommendations.
PRICE: Average. Totally worth it for the quality of food, service, and beautiful space.
FOOD: Great presentation, fair portions, and tasty! Everyone in our party of 7 ordered vastly different things, and everything was perfect.
Definitely will be back.

Located on Wellington, with other residential and office buildings, it appeared hidden in the dark. Due to the fall season, the patio area was closed. My friend got a small table near the window for this Parisian style restaurant. I was surprised that the kitchen is located on the basement, open concept for you to view all the cooks; everyone wore white. At one point, someone was yelling the orders like Gordon Ramsay from Hell’s Kitchen. That was cool to see and hear.
The washrooms are located together and one must share the sink with the other gender. Reminded me of my time in Paris, France. It was clean!
Happy: I got a three-​course meal. I started with soup of the day which was a parsnip and potato purée and it came hot. It was the right texture. Crème brûlée was the choice for dessert and it was soft and sweet. I was too full to finish everything.
Not happy: For the entrée, I had the duck confit with minimal veggies. The potatoes were interesting as it was finely sliced and stacked up like a lasagna. Cut into a triangle for uniqueness. The duck leg had enough meat for me but too bad it was salty.
Verdict: The waitress was very attentive and respectful. The meals came at a reasonable time. By the time we left, the place was packed, but we weren’t rushed out. I would go back for another celebration to try their other dishes.

Right when we got out of the cab I felt I was transported to a french side street. Well mostly because Wellington west of Spadina is a strange, strange land. My boyfriend and I recently just went here to celebrate our two year anniversary and I’m really glad he picked this place. Great steak and a huge selection of wines, What more can you ask for?
We both got the steak frites which was so delicious. A 4oz steak piled high with caramelized onions. Aka foodie heaven. He got the red pepper soup to start and I got the salad. Both were pretty good and left us feeling quite full at the end of the dinner.
The service was also really great. Everyone there was very friendly and helpful. Over all it was a great night out. Woo anniversaries!

Bustling café with a lovely selection of brunch options. Pain Doré aux Pommes is recommended.

This place is a hit and miss some times the food is really great and flavourful and other times I have ordered food that was over salted or just bland.
Service has been okay. Portions are a hit and miss for some things. I don’t think I will be going back after my last visit though.

Looking for a patio to chill on w/​that snazzy French vibe on quiet Wellington? Grabbing a bev or two with some girlfriends? Le Select. If you’re a tad bit hungry, this bistro has decent food but on the pricier side of things.
AMBIANCE
+ Tucked away on quiet Wellington, Le Select looks rather modest from afar but as you edge closer, you’re greeted by a wonderfully open patio space with happy people chatting away over scrumptious-​looking dishes. Step through the doors and you’re welcomed by a beautifully quaint interior. Lovely!
+ Feel free to dress up or down — totally up to you
SERVICE
Note: Bustling place! Definitely a regular spot for many.
+ Servers are sufficiently attentive with water/​coffee refills.
+ Despite the busyness, the hostess was very accommodating to the change of our party size (3 to 4). Though waters were already set down, they changed us to a cozy corner without a fuss.
+/​-​I forgot to switch out the fries for salad and although I was lightly chastised (lol), the server allotted my desired salad
FOOD [Brunch review! $ 27 incl tax and tip steak tartare + croissant]
+ Complimentary starter: DELICIOUS butter, delightfully creamy in a subtle manner. Pairs nicely with the bread.
+/​-​Beef Tartare: I enjoyed this with the pepper on the table. This is supposedly best in the city (thanks, Unilocalers!) but was not to my fancy. I do confess that I’m not much of a beef tartare person to begin with though.
+/​-​Braised Brisket Brioche Sandwich: I sampled this and it was VERY flavourful. If you’re a hungry, savoury bruncher — this might be it. Brisket literally melted in my mouth. UNF. This is accompanied by vegetable chips (similar to the black bags you get at Porter) — yum! Personally, I wouldn’t have been able to eat the entire sandwich though, a bit too overpowering for my palate.
— Pass on the Rahier croissant — it isn’t anything special but if you must, ask for jam (no extra cost)! The jam was good!
Overall: I’d be down to come back here to try their sweet brunch foods.
COFFEE
+ Refills ftw

It’s been hit or miss with me. I had the salmon croissant sandwich, and it was just really cold and bland. The scallops are delicious, but it’s a very small portion. But I think they have the best fries in the city. So delicious.
The patio is nice, but has way too many insects in the summer.

The food was really good here! I had the beef brisket and I really enjoyed it. The service was not great — it was busy — but it wasn’t bad either. It wasn’t too pricey — for a downtown location.
I’d definitely go there again — if I was in the area!

Great ambiance and service. Went for lunch with team mates and had a great time.
We were seated in the back patio where it was just the right temperature.
Had the Kale and local Ricotta salad to start. It was light and fresh and the ricotta was amazing.
For entrée had the Pavé du Bouef. My-​oh-​my! The meat was soft, tender, like butter. The sauce, which I thought was going to be heavy and sweet, complemented the beef perfectly and had just the right amount of flavour. And the frites… YUM!
Desert was ok, had a lemon tart (huge serving) and some seasonal fruit.
Im still thinking about the steak… And they have a huge wine selection too.
Ps. Washrooms are downstairs keep to the right.

Le Select Bistro is good for all who love traditional French food. If you have a taste for some escargots, bouillabaisse, beef tartare or perhaps coq au vin, you can find it here.
The restaurant caters to a somewhat earlier dinner crowd. This is probably not the ideal place to begin a meal at or after 9 pm, as things tend to begin slowing down by then. They have a nice patio in front of the place that tends to run a bit later.
I had a special beef filet that was very good. The best thing I ate here was the escargots in a white wine sauce.
When you come here, be sure to check out the expansive wine cellar downstairs. The selection of wine here is second to none.
Probably because the kitchen is downstairs, service here can be a bit uneven.

Atmosphere: Parisian, beautiful music, friendly staff, nice décor
Food: exquisite! Finely done in a high end fashion. Great menu selection. I had the salmon croissant with cream cheese and cucumber which was wonderful for the summer. Along with freshly squeezed orange juice. The hash browns are crispy on the outside and perfect on the inside.
Will definitely be back for more brunch in the future. One thing I noticed was that even though it is a quality high end restaurant, the customers were laid back in their attire. This kept the place humble.

Ordered the eggs benny with salmon substitute. Served on a croissant with dill hollandaise sauce, which was great although slightly too salty for my taste.
Atmosphere is relaxed even though it has that bustling ambience of a parisian café. Giving a 4 because the front of house service was fantastic — I came in to dine alone and he gave me a great booth and made me feel very comfortable.

Came for dinner on Saturday night and thought everything was just okay — so 3 stars it is.
We tried:
–french onion soup: this was yummy but I don’t think it’s worth $ 15 for a bowl. –_​_​_​_​– I like how the bread was crunchy-​ish despite being in the soup though.
–foie gras: came out on a big platter and some bread but nothing particularly special
–some special of the day — 72 hr braised beef rib and barley mash risotto: I thought this tasted really similar to the Vietnamese thit kho dish. Huge and generous beef portion though.
–duck confit: this came w/​some veggies and potatoes. It was just okay — I think I’ve had better elsewhere.
–crème brûlée
Maybe i was expecting too much bc of the Unilocal reviews, but I think Le Select is more of a 3.5 star restaurant. It’s also worth noting that their $ 35 prefix menu isn’t at all bad if you want to try that.

First time coming here and it was for Mother’s Day brunch. The food was pricey but amazing quality.
Getting there by car wasn’t the easiest to get to and a lot of traffic in the area. Free parking spots in the rear but tight and limited.
The setting is small French bistro style.
The food: white fish terrine, beet risotto, and french toast stuff with apple and cranberry. The white fish terrine was smooth and favourful and the brrad was nice and soft. First time having risotto with beets so it turned out red but it works and taste good (very filling). Normally I am not a fan of french toast but I gave this a pass and I would recommend it (it is on their regular menu).
Overall good impression.

Came here for a brunch on a long weekend with 5 other people. We had reservations and were seated in the back patio area. Really nice. You get light and feel like you are outside but it is covered so you don’t have to worry too much about sun or weather.
Got the Kefir Pancake off the Brunch menu ($ 12.95). Delicious! Came with some poached pears and cherries and strawberries, stuffed with some berries. A great portion (1 big pancake). The kefir gives it density but it’s still light. Friends got the French Toast, Croque-​Madame, Eggs Benedict… all said their dishes were tasty.
The service was… touch and go. The hostess got us to our seat quickly but our waitress had some attitude after she messed up two orders. It got a bit tense and awkward. Usually I give waitresses slack but in this case, she was in the wrong. Also didn’t refill our waters regularly, took away a dish without asking the person if they were done and put things on the bill that I didn’t get.
But otherwise, the brunch itself was good! The menu overall is a bit pricy for entrees depending on your budget but it seems the quality is worth it. Would come back for the food and venue (what the rating is based on). The service, with this particular waitress, was… weird…

We came in for dinner at 7:30pm with a reservation and was seated promptly. Our waitress came right away and got us our drinks. We ordered the bison steak tartare. I’ve never had steak tartare before but I have some damn high expectations now since this was absolutely so tasty and very well seasoned. The seasoning didn’t overwhelm and brought the taste and texture of the bison out. It was garnished with crushed pistachios and came with a plate of fries. These fries were DA BOMB. OMG. They were like McDonald’s fries but 100 times better because, you know, they were real potatoes…
We also got the charcuterie platter that had assorted cured meats such as in house smoked ham, salami, pates, and they gave us a jar of small pickles that they make in house and it was awesome.
I ordered the roasted fresh Alberta leg of lamb with a lemon and rosemary jus. It was super tasty but for $ 34.95 I was like «oh…» You get what you pay for. It came with very delicious potatoes and veggies. I was very satisfied.
My friends all got the 8 oz centre cut steak filet with a green peppercorn sauce with Brandy and cream with fries ($ 29.95). If you thought the fries were da bomb, this sauce that came with their steaks was AH-​MAY-​ZING! Exclaimation point and everything. They all asked for more sauce. I don’t believe we were charged extra.
We were all feeling gluttonous so desserts it is! We all got ourselves a crème brûlée. Oh my word, this was fantastic. So thick. It was $ 11.95 each.
If I had all the monies in the world, this is one of the places I would go to on a regular basis. I absolutely love this place. My bill with my boyfriend came up to around $ 125. Pricey but so worth it.

Nourriture fraîche de saveur, incroyablement délicieux et très belle présentation. Un petit bout de France à Toronto. Brunch ++ service efficace et discret!

I’ve been here on numerous occasions for brunch and dinner and have yet to be disappointed. Definitely a place to go if you want good quality food and exceptional service with a smile.
Atmosphere is very Parisian with French music playing in the background and the charm of a real bistro. Love the décor because it’s simple, but yet elegant and you really feel like you’re in Paris.
I celebrated a birthday dinner here many years ago and remembered they offered a prix-​fixe menu for the group, plus had a specialized menu printed for the party that indicated it was my Birthday celebration. It was definitely a nice touch.
My recent visit, I came for a late dinner and we had a lovely server who was very friendly and attentive, but not intrusive at all. She came at the right time and was available when we needed her.
The menu is quite extensive and offers something for every palate. If you want real French cuisine, come dine at Le Select Bistro. Plus their crème brûlée is probably one of the best in the city. Bön appetit!

Je connais le Sélect Bistro depuis de très nombreuses années quand il se trouvait sur Queen West. Je n’avais jamais eu l’occasion d’aller au nouveau local sur Wellington et la surprise fut de mise: l’espace est impressionnant, le décor sobre … La carte est très bien fournie et les plats proposés sont d’une très grande variété: ce sont des plats classiques pour les connaisseurs de bistrots et restaurants français, ce sont des plats peu communs pour les consommateurs de Toronto. Qualité, variété, ambiance … excellent !