Restaurant Chantecler

As I really enjoy Bar Fancy’s award winning fried chicken, I’ve been meaning to try this amazing little gem that is Restaurant Chantecler as it is Chef Poon’s first restaurant.
I thoroughly enjoyed the east meets west tapas style and the creativity of the plates. We tried the whole menu minus the Kale, and I don’t think anything stood out accept the lettuce meal. Priced at $ 21, it’s easily doubled any other plates on the menu, but it’s more like 3 times as much food. The beef that came with it is seasoned perfectly, so tender and fall off the bone goodness. It comes with a few different pickles and it’s also fun to make your own little lettuce wrap and experiment different portions and combinations. The wings are also a stand out but i thought it was a tad pricey.
Pro tip — they let me reserve a table of 11 people! Love them for this.

Overall, cute little restaurant with good service but I wouldn’t rate this as Canada’s Top 100 restaurants– not even in the top 300. Overall, the food was just not seasoned perfectly — it was almost always over-​seasoned making it too salty and too saucy. For a top rated restaurant, I would expect every dish to be perfect.
Calamari — crispiness was good but too much fish sauce and way too much lime made it more sour than desirable.
Beef Tartare — The beef alone is very soft and delicious so I didn’t understand why the wasabi and soy sauce was used in excess as though it needed to mask the taste of the rare beef.
Fish wrap — This was good and not «too saucy» but the item itself seems pretty ordinary… I would have expected something more unique from the menu
Pork Special Wrap — good, and good to those who don’t normally eat Asian cuisine but it felt ordinary to me who normally eats this dish (or a similar variation of it) at home
Lettuce Meal — a good stomach filler since the other dishes are small. The beef was too saucy IMO. While I like a lot of sauce normally on my food, I don’t like it when it means my food is too salty. It would have been better if the sauce in the pan was milder as the beef itself was very well done and tender. I didn’t like the side of kim chi — too sour — and I am normally a kim chi lover.
Expect the food to take long to come out as they have a small kitchen. We waited probably 45−55mins before our first dish came out.
What I will say is their servers are nice. I ran extremely late for my reso but they found a way to accomodate me.
So, I would say this is a nice little spot for casual dining with a small group of friends or one other friend but don’t come with the expectation that the food will be incredible (because it’s a top rated restaurant) or you’ll be disappointed.

I’ve been wanting to go to Chantecler for a while and finally did last night for a friend’s birthday. The experience was underwhelming to say the least.
The only positive for me was the lettuce meal. The braised beef and pork shoulder were very well cooked although the side of house pickles seems like a poor version of kimchi.
Now to start with the negatives, firstly I’m disappointed by the level of service. We would ask for some water or order a drink and it would take quite a while before it arrived. In the case of water, sometimes it didn’t arrive at all.
As for the food, the beef tartare with the shrimp chips were a great idea… unfortunately the wasabi/​fish sauce was a little over-​powering. We also ordered the popcorn shrimp and we found that it was quite dry. The dish probably could benefit from a dipping sauce.
Lastly we were planning to split the bill when the waiter asked if he should split it for us, so we acquiesced. He split the bill in 8 (there was 9 of us) so that we could pay for the birthday girl. After all 8 bills were paid, we proceeded to leave. He then stopped me to ask «why only 8 people had paid, when there was 9 of us all together. The 9^th person hasn’t paid». I told him that he had split our bill into 8, so there were only 8 bills to pay. This is extremely frustrating to me since he was the one who had split the bill into 8 separate bills. Did he forget what he was doing for the entire 20mins previous (when we were all paying)?
From the lack of service to the dry popcorn shrimp and the actions of the waiter re: the bill, overall the experience left a bad taste in my mouth.

Went here for my birthday dinner this year. If I had to sum up this restaurant in one word it would be bizarre. I like to think I’m an adventurous eater but I found the flavour combinations and textures of the food I was served at Chantecler to be quite odd. My least favorite dish was the popcorn shrimp. I know it’s a popular dish here, but it just didn’t do it for me. I’m glad I tried it, it was an interesting experience but I don’t feel the need to go back.

My boyfriend and I tried Chantecler for the first time this Tuesday. We stopped in on a whim around 9pm and were seated within minutes even though it was pretty packed.
First of all, I love the décor and I think this small space is really warm and charming. I love the tiles on the walls and floor and the bar is absolutely beautiful.
We ordered two house lagers, which were pretty good, and asked the waiter for food recommendations. He advised us to get the calamari and popcorn shrimp. We also ordered some fish wraps. The calamari came first and it was our favorite. Seasoning and texture were pleasant and we quickly finished the plate. The popcorn shrimp came next and while we appreciated how large the shrimp were and the creativity of it being covered in actual popcorn, the shrimp itself was tasteless and the seasoning had no subtlety to it. While the concept of the fish wraps is great, they were also a little bland with too little garniture and the sauce tasted just like straight-​up mayo. Bottom line: this place is great for a date, grabbing a few drinks, and snacking. Don’t come here famished.
Overall, the staff was super nice and we have a lovely experience at Chantecler and think it’s a great little neighborhood spot.

Has a great night at Chantecler. It’s got a fun vibe, with loud music and a cozy space. I sat at the bar right across from the chef, great spot if you like seeing your food being made.
We got the spicy popcorn shrimp, kale salad, and lettuce meal, and were very happy with all the dishes. The salad’s a little small, but the three dishes definitely filled us up. The lettuce meal comes with some of the best meat I’ve had, the pork is so tender and juicy and falls right apart. The dishes came out one by one, and despite how busy the restaurant was, they didn’t rush us and we had a nice long meal.
Cash or debit only, and last night the debit machine was broken, so go with enough cash in your pocket.
Would definitely go back, I’d like to try everything on the menu!

Had a great little dinner at this cute spot in Parkdale.
Ambiance/​Décor:
Really chill spot and looks like it’s more suited towards a date spot or dinner with some friends, rather than a big group outing. We went there for a relatively early 6.30pm dinner on a Friday, so it wasn’t too busy while we were there, and was just picking up as we left. They were playing the new Tame Impala record (at a reasonable volume, not unlike some other Parkdale restos I know!) so that was definitely a major bonus. Really nice décor all around and cool open kitchen concept. I loved the Chantecler sign and floor tiles too!
Service:
All around no complaints. The server was attentive, helpful and not pushy.
Food:
The menu is small and focused on «shareables» so IMO best to come here with at least 1 other person, but not more than a group of 3 as some of the plates can be smallish (and because I’m selfish that way, haha). It’s a fairly eclectic menu — popcorn shrimp definitely being the standout dish! It was a really good and tasty snack — the seasoning was on point. The beef tartare was very good — perhaps a tad too much wasabi as pointed out by other Unilocalers — but very tasty combo with the shrimp chips. The kale salad was just ok — a little uninspiring compared to some of the other offerings here, but maybe that’s a good thing in the end. The hit was definitely the fish wraps. The haddock was perfectly battered and fried and the tartar sauce was oh so good. My gf had to order seconds.
I would definitely go back but would try everything we missed next time around — so pork wraps, spicy wings, calamari and perhaps the lettuce meal — which sounds very tasty.
Cost:
I don’t always put this down on Unilocal,but our total was pretty easy to remember for this night ;) It was $ 100 on the nose with tip included. We had 3 fish wraps, beef tartare, kale salad, popcorn shrimp, 2 glasses of wine and a pint of the draft beer. Not too bad…
Overall, it’s a great little spot if you are looking for a cozy, «sexy» vibe. Definitely a great date spot for the fellas if you are trying to impress your lady — but also a good spot to catch up with some close friends.

If you can appreciate a place that has lettuce wraps as a central dish, and then basically cooks/​fries up funky small plates of things that could pass for high-​end bar snacks, this is your spot.
They do amazing wings, calamari, tartare, and other such delights. Although they place a premium on their cocktails, they are worth the price. They don’t sell you a load of shit about how great their cocktails are, which is nice. They just have amazing cocktails and will definitely have something you will enjoy.
For maximum enjoyment, come here on a Sunday night or less busy night. Even though the space is small, it seems welcoming and warm. Service is usually excellent.

My friend and I came here at around 11pm on a Thursday for some munchies and drinks, and we were absolutely blown away :)
It is a small cozy restaurant with dim lights… nice place for foodies to hang out after work or for a late night drink :) Not really my ideal place for a family dinner tho lol.
Had some oysters and wine. Ordered popcorn shrimps! Literally popcorn. Flavours were fantastic. Also treated ourselves to a birthday treat… with caramelized banana, ice cream, sprinkles and all that goodness on top. I feel like a kid again lol. Love it :)
Love how the owner serves everything on traditional Chinese dishes, brings childhood memories back. I appreciate the he preserves and proudly celebrates the Chinese culture in his restaurant.
I have always been curious about the tasting menu at Chantecler. When I called in last winter, they were fully booked for the next 2 months.
From what I have heard (1) Taste fantastic, (2) Reasonable price… around $ 50+, (3) Excellent service (4) Only available Fridays and Saturdays (5) Book 2 months in advance.
Definitely coming back for this long overdued tasting adventure!

Such a cute place for food and drinks. Tried this restaurant in the summer and the very quaint. They have the front open so you have the summer breeze. Perfect while enjoying your cocktails with your friends or date.

I visited chantecler on a Monday evening. It’s a restaurant/​cocktail bar. There’s not much seating but luckily when I went there weren’t too many ppl. There wasn’t a lot to choose from on the menu, mostly appetizers and one main course. We had the spicy popcorn shrimp and the fancy wings as appetizers. They both were pretty good. For the main course, we had the only one available, the lettuce meal which was pork and beef. It was a big serving that was well cooked and delicious. The meat paired well with the lettuce and was cooked so tender it felt like it melted in my mouth. The cocktails were also good and strong.

I feel really bad giving low stars because I am a nice person, but with so many restaurants in Toronto I was quite disappointed with most of the food we tried. Before the bad, here are the two really good things I had.
Good
1) Diablo Con Fuego
2) Lettuce Meal
The drink was bright, flavourful, with a bit of sweet and heat. Don’t put your lips where the pepper was, it will burn, a lot. I did it 3 times: s Lettuce meal, sooooo good! The braised beef was cooked to perfection and full of flavour, unfortunately it was the only dish I enjoyed.
Okay, now the bad :(
Fancy wings, fish wrap, spicy popcorn shrimp, calamari, spicy beef tartare, oysters
The wings and calamari appeared to have the same sauce… so they kind of tasted the same. The wings were too garlicy, and I love garlic. The fish wrap was plain and with no special flavours. The tartar sauce tasted like regular mayo and the cilantro didn’t do anything to bring it together. Perhaps a bit of heat and extra salt would have helped. Spicy popcorn shrimp was a cool concept (literally popcorn battered shrimp), but so so. It needed a dipping sauce to bring the pepper and the dryness of the popcorn and shrimp together. Beef tartare was nice, but too saucy. When eating tartare, I love to feel the texture of the beef in my mouth. I liked the shrimp chip (I think it was a shrimp chip) that came with the tartare because when you topped it, it started to crackle, which was pretty cool. Oysters… I’ve had better.
To ensure I wasn’t having a bad day with flavours, I asked my supper club I was with (5 of them) and they all agreed with my opinion about the meal. Unfortunately, it just didn’t do it for us, and we eat out a lot.
I hate leaving off on a bad note, so one other good thing I have to mention was the ambiance. The restaurant is small and intimate with great mood lighting and would be a great place to hang with friends for some drinks.
Sorry Chantecler :(

The plates are asian tapas meant for sharing. Had the pork wrap, calamari, and the wings — our favourite was the calamari which was perfectly cooked with a spicy peanut sauce. For cocktails, I had the corpse reviver which was delicious. It’s a small place and definitely good for a date or a group of four. There was one table that sat 6. Highly recommend making a reservation. CASH/​DEBIT only. Will definitely be back here to try the fish wrap, popcorn shrimp and more cocktails.

I would give this place 2.5 — 3 stars.
I liked the atmosphere and drinks but their food wasn’t that great for my taste.
Steak tartare had too much garlic for my taste so it was a bit difficult to eat. Popcorn shrimps were pretty good. The most disappointing things were the wings and banana dessert. The wings were too sour and the dessert was one big bowl of bad ice cream whipped cream and fruit loops. It was just bad and wasn’t worth what i was paying for. I would come back here just for drinks but not for food.

This place is great. It is the brother restaurant of bar fancy and it did not disappoint. The interior is a very hip layout with an open kitchen concept. I love seeing the chef make the dishes, and here, it was like a show, he was very concentrated and mellow about his cooking and you could see your dish being made. It was awesome. It delicious and fresh. And oh by god the popcorn shrimp!!! Literally popcorn on it, seasoned beautifully my mouth is still watering. Martinis were delicious but expensive. Howevwr in each martini there was on average 2.5−3 oz of liquor so whose complaining? You come here for tapas and a drink and you’ll be amazed. Also, the night we went the service was a plus! Very on the ball and checkdd in frequently. As well as great conversation. We are fans for sure of this place and are already booking on next date here.

I am a sucker for hipster restaurants with innovative food, and Restaurant Chantecler more than met my expectation. It is a small place with a simple food menu, but everything I tried was delicious. The bartender was so friendly, eager to share, and knowledgeable. I enjoyed a couple of bourbon cocktails that he recommended, and two of the most popular dishes. I hate to admit this, but i had the fried calamari and the popcorn shrimp (fatty!). The calamari was tasty, but I think I would choose other options next time. It reminded me somewhat of orange chicken at a Chinese restaurant. But the popcorn shrimp — omg. Innovative, fun, delicious — all words that describe this dish. I have no idea how they get popcorn to stick to the shrimp, but it’s so good. I love the spice on top of the shrimp as well.
As a visitor to town, this was the perfect friendly, intimate bar experience for me, and I would love to return to sample more of the menu.

I would give this place a 3.5
Atmosphere 3./5.
It’s a cool vibe. They have this cool looking cute old school little oven in their kitchen bar area. They have wooden tables with candles, and wooden chairs. I think the place is a good spot to grab a drink or a meal.
3.5÷5
Their menu is fairy simple, they have a lot of tapas items on the menu. The cocktail list is extensive. The food was a fusion of Asian and American. We ordered the popcorn shrimp and beef tartar to start. I enjoyed the beef tatare. It came with a raw egg, which added a creaminess to the beef. They had a neat twist and served it with Chinese shrimp crackers. The was pretty spicy from the wasabi, which was a tad strong if you eat the tartare on its own. It definitely needed the shrimp cracker. Tried the shrimp popcorn. Wasn’t really a fan. I didn’t enjoy the popcorn batter, I thought it over powered the taste of the shrimp. Although, the shrimp was cooked perfectly.
We also ordered the lettuce meal to share. This reminds me a bit of the Korean bossam meals. Definitely enough for 2 people. This was my favourite dish of the night. The pork was melt in your mouth soft. The beef was the star of the night. It was tender and flavourful. The au jus sauce was yummy and had a great depth of flavour. The meat was accompanied by lettuce, sticky rice, kimichi, pickled veg, and saracha sauce, and mayo. If you do go here the lettuce meal is a definite must try.
⁵⁄₅
Service was excellent. Our server was attentive and friendly. He gave recommendations, filled water constantly. Came to check in on us from time to time to see if we needed anything. We didn’t feel rushed.

Sat at the bar and let the barman sling cocktails at us through an amazing dinner. The cocktails were carefully mixed and tested. The barman had his own homemade Tobacco bitters that really elevate a drink. The food was out of control. The kitchen is super tiny and they’re making the very most of it.
Fancy Wings were perfect and loaded with crispy garlic. If only all wing places turned it up this much.
Spicy Popcorn Shirmp was totally unexpected. It’s popcorn breaded shirmp, spicy and sweet. Great.
Spicy Beef Tartare with the puffy shrimp chips makes more sense as a garnish than I’ve ever had with tartare. More like crunchy cloud chips. So good.
Lettuce Meal is a steal at $ 21. Perfect for sharing.
GO EAT HERE.

It’s hard for me to review places that are SO. FAR. AWAY. from where I live, especially on days that I have to wait in –20 degrees weather for a streetcar just to get home.
But, let’s pretend I live close by.
The room itself was really cold, that little schmata covering the door does nothing. Bathroom stalls had no…“waste” basket in them, which makes disposal of unmentionables really embarrassing and gross. Get some trash baskets near the toilets!!!
Food was good, interesting variety. Drinks were well priced and a great variety. The place is cute, but I couldn’t see one seat I’d think was comfortable if I had any more tush. Service was s-​l-​o-​w. … but friendly and smiley, which is nice. I’d go back if I lived in the neighbourhood, or even during the summer as a nice destination walk.

Wow. It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed such a great meal.
Ambiance + Service: Cool, relaxed vibe with wooden furniture, great lighting. Service is friendly and gracious. Very attentive to check when you’re finished your dish so that they can clear it straightaway. Food comes spaced apart well enough that you can really savour each dish. Also, the dishes are adorably old fashioned. Duh great matching of furniture to dish designs.
Food: Truthfully, a couple of dishes were just okay, certainly not spectacular. But most of the dishes were too phenomenal (is there such a thing?)!!! We ordered almost all of the shareables, and the dishes that stuck out included:
Beef tartare: perfect seasoning of Wasabi, and crunchy texture of peanuts, slightly chewy and fresh chopped beef, all atop a shrimp chip; literally a taste explosion in your mouth, and so scrumptious you’ll want 8 more plates of it to yourself.
Popcorn shrimp: What is this heavenly deliciousness and why hasn’t the world taken up this dish as the global symbol of pure elation?! I forget what spices are on these deep fried shrimps, but you get to savour the crunch of popcorn pieces with the slightly spicy-​sweet spice frosted atop each of them. So, so good.
Tomato salad: apparently they change their dishes based on what’s in season, and tomatoes are currently in season. This dish is unbelievable. Seriously: you will not believe nor be able to fathom how fabulous this dish is. Pieces of plum tomatoes with a clean dollop of creamy cheese mousse on top, with some kind of vinaigrette drizzled over the entire thing. Oh dear, I want another 11 pieces of this.
Other items that warrant 3 – 4 star ratings: calamari, wings, pork special wrap. All of these were quite tasty, but weren’t exactly phenomenal. You can pass on the fish wrap and kale salad, both of which were completely underwhelming, and the oysters too, since they weren’t exactly flavour bombs.
I would definitely go here again, now that I know what fits my taste buds. Would suggest going with a minimum 4-​person group so that you can ty everything on their menu, and decide what suits you. Share a carafe of wine and watch the time pass while you’re ooh-​ing and ahh-​ing over plating and extraordinary scents of Asian spices.