From the quaint menu to quirky marketing, everything at Le Papillon on Front is done in house, and all staff lend a hand.
General manager Sean Gowland says the homemade rule goes a long way to not only keeping costs down, but also towards creating a positive, welcoming and inclusive environment for every walk of life. “We like to be able to cater to a lot of vibes,” says Sean. “We like to tip on the edge of trendy but there’s no 'I’m not hip enough to go there' or 'I’m too hip to go there.'”
Dishes like hearty French onion soup and tourtière – a traditional Québecois meat pie of seasoned veal, beef and pork with house chutney, potatoes and market vegetables – are comparable to what you’d be served at Grandma’s. The restaurant is stylishly impressive, yet stills feels homey, comfortable and relaxed.
Le Papillon on Front's eclectic team includes a few Francophone servers who help to give the restaurant its French-Canadian authenticity and also come in handy when Toronto classrooms come to learn the language and experience the cuisine. “It’s different being an independent restaurant,” says Sean. “We really do our best to make sure our customers leave happy.”
TERRINES MAISON
home made pork and cranberry terrine served with craquelins.
CREVETTES
4 shrimp, grilled pineapple, honey-coriander-pineapple-chili sauce.
ESCARGOTS
smothered in a garlic-parsley butter.
SAUMON FUMÉ
smoked salmon with pickled vegetables and craquelins.
SALADE VERTE
mixed greens, cucumber, tomato and sherry vinaigrette.
SALADE CÉSAR
crisp romaine lettuce, garlic-anchovy dressing, parmesan cheese, croûtons.
SALADE CÉSAR AU POULET
Chicken Caesar Salad
SALADE CÉSAR ET SAUMON
Grilled salmon on Caesar Salad
SOUPE À L'OIGNON GRATINÉE
our famous French Onion Soup topped with craquelins and smothered in melted Gruyère cheese.
SALADE PAPILLON
mixed greens topped with diced peppers, asparagus, Swiss cheese, boiled egg and tarragon dressing.
SAUMON
smoked salmon. caramelized onions, spinach and caper rosée sauce.
FLORENTINE
spinach, béchamel sauce and cheddar cheese.
ST-LAURENT
bacon, cooked apples and cheddar cheese.
DE LA MER
scallops and shrimp in our house tarragon cream sauce.
JEAN-PIERRE
broccoli, spinach, sautéed onions, tomato sauce, feta cheese.
BOURGUIGNON
traditional beef stew
ASPERGES
asparagus, béchamel sauce and cheddar cheese
TOURTIÈRE MAISON
traditional Québécois meat pie of seasoned pork and beef, chutney served with potatoes and vegetables.
SMOKED DUCK BREAST
served with mixed berry sauce, potatoes and vegetables.
BOEUF BOURGUIGNON
French beef stew served with rice and vegetables.
GRILLED SALMON FILET
served with lemon-butter-dill-caper sauce, rice and vegetables.
POULET À LA PÊCHE
chicken breast with a peach-brandy sauce, potatoes and vegetables.
BOUILLABAISSE
seafood stew (shrimp, scallops, salmon) tomato-Pernod sauce, toasted garlic baguette.
CASSOULET
white beans, braised pork belly, spicy pork sausage topped with a leg of duck confit.
TUNA STEAK
sesame crusted, seared and served rare, miso-soy sauce served with rice and vegetables.
COQ AU VIN
traditional French stew with bone-in chicken, merlot, bacon, pearl onions, carrots, mushrooms potatoes.
PÂTES AUX FRUITS DE MER
linguini with scallops and shrimp, chili flakes, olive oil and fresh basil.
POUDING CHÔMEUR
a long-time Papillon favourite!
rich golden cake topped with caramel sauce.
MOUSSE AU CHOCOLAT
Belgian chocolate mousse.
TARTE AU SUCRE
traditional Québécois sugar pie.
CHEESECAKE
traditional cheesecake with a blueberry coulis.
CRÈME BRULÉE
Vanilla cream custard topped with a hard layer of caramelized sugar.
Caesar salad dressing
Anchovies, capers, lemon juice, eggs, black pepper and parmesan.
500ml.
Caesar salad dressing
Anchovies, capers, lemon juice, eggs, black pepper and parmesan.
1 l.
Papillon salad dressing
Fresh tarragon sauce
500ml.
Papillon salad dressing
Fresh tarragon sauce
1 l.
French Onion Soup
our famous French Onion Soup broth
(bread and cheese not included)
500ml.
French Onion Soup
our famous French Onion Soup broth
(bread and cheese not included)
1 l.
Boeuf Bourguignon
Classic French beef stew with mushrooms, carrots and onions in red wine.
(stew only)
500ml.
Boeuf Bourguignon
Classic French beef stew with mushrooms, carrots and onions in red wine.
(stew only)
1l.
1/2 Tourtiere
Classic French-Canadian meat pie of seasoned beef and pork served with 500ml of home made chutney.
*sold frozen
Whole tourtiere
Classic French-Canadian meat pie of seasoned beef and pork served with 1 l of home made chutney.
*sold frozen
Terrines maison
home made pork and cranberry terrine served with craquelins.
Crevettes
4 shrimp, grilled pineapple, honey-coriander-pineapple-chili sauce.
Tuna Tartare
house tuna tartare on bed of avocado.
Escargots
smothered in garlic-parsley butter.
Brie Crémeux
breaded brie cheese, served with a mixed berry confit.
Saumon Fumé
smoked salmon served with pickled vegetables.
Salade César
crisp romaine lettuce, garlic-anchovy dressing, parmesan cheese, croûtons.
Salade Verte
mixed greens, tomato, cucumber, sherry vinaigrette.
César au Poulet
Caesar salad with grilled chicken.
César au Saumon
Caesar salad with grilled salmon.
Salade Papillon
mixed greens, diced peppers, asparagus, swiss cheese, boiled egg and tarragon dressing.
Soupe à l'oignon gratinée
our famous French Onion Soup topped with craquelins and smothered in melted Gruyère cheese.
All crêpes are made out of whole wheat flour
(contains eggs and dairy)
Saumon
smoked salmon, caramelized onions, spinach and caper-rosée sauce.
Florentine
spinach, béchamel sauce and cheddar cheese.
St-Laurent
bacon, cooked apples and cheddar cheese.
De la Mer
scallops and shrimp in our tarragon cream sauce.
Jean-Pierre
broccoli, spinach, feta cheese, sautéed onions and tomato sauce.
Bourguignon
traditional beef stew with carrots, mushrooms and red wine.
Asperges
asparagus, béchamel sauce and cheddar cheese.
Smoked Duck Breast
served with a mixed berry-cassis sauce, vegetables and daily potatoes.
Boeuf Bourguignon
French beef stews slowly cooked with onions, red wine, mushrooms and carrots, served with rice and vegetables.
Grilled Salmon
served with a lemon-butter-dill-caper sauce, vegetables and rice.
Poulet à la Pêche
Ontario chicken breast served with a peach-brandy sauce, vegetables and daily potatoes.
Tuna Steak
sesame crust, seared and serve rare with a miso-soy sauce, rice and vegetables.
Steak & Frites
10 oz. Canadian AAA New York striploin, flame grilled, served with herbed butter and french-fries.
Bouillabaisse
Seafood stew (shrimp, scallops, salmon) in a tomato-Pernod sauce served with garlic bread.
Cassoulet
white beans, braised pork belly, mild pork sausage, topped with a leg of duck confit.
Coq au vin
French traditional chicken stew, merlot, bacon, onions, carrots, mushrooms and daily potatoes.
Tourtière Maison
traditional Québécois meat pie of seasoning pork and beef, served with chutney, vegetables and daily potatoes.
Pâtes aux Fruits de Mer
linguini with scallops and shrimp, chili flakes, olive oil and basil.
Mousse au chocolat
Dark chocolate mousse.
Pouding Chômeur
rich golden cake with a hot caramel sauce served warm with French vanilla ice cream.
Volcan au Chocolat
dark chocolate Lava Cake served with French vanilla ice cream.
Crème Brulée
Vanilla cream custard topped with a hard layer of caramelized sugar.
Tarte au Sucre
Traditional Québécois sugar pie, served warm with French vanilla ice cream.
Cheesecake
traditional cheesecake served with our blueberry coulis.
Fruit Sorbet
daily selection.
Crêpe Banana Royale
our classic crêpe with fresh sliced banana, chocolate syrup and French vanilla ice cream.
Crêpe aux Fraises
our classic crêpe with fresh strawberries, chocolate syrup and whipped cream.
6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0 |
Oct. 4, 2019 partner and I had dinner before the theatre. Food was very good. Service was even better. New waiter Bishoy was gracious, friendly and watching to be ready to help whenever we needed it. Suplementary servers were also very polite and always helpful. Very nice experience worth repeating whenever we are in town.
The years have been kind to Le Papillon! The best onion soup in the world! Perfect crêpes! The service was so friendly. I had missed this restaurant and didn’t realize they had just moved! What a pleasant surprise to return to the flavours and textures we remeber.
The restaurant was exceptional along with the hosts and servers. Food was really good. Will definitely visit you again.
I have been going to the papillon for years. I have never been disappointed. Great service and friendly people.
Can't resist the crepes. Always enjoy the staff enthusiasm.
I can not beleive that no one else has written a review for the Le Papillion. It is my top choice for a restaurant if you want a romantic date atmosphere or a nice place to take your parents when the come to town. The serive is always great, the food is consistently great. The prices are quite reasonable. The crepes are always fresh and delicious, the salmon good, great French Onion soup. I also love the tarte au sucre (maple suger pie) for dessert- its the only place in Toronto that I know of that serves tarte au sucre. Great quebecois fare!
Lovely as always.
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Always good!
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
It had been a while since we’d been to le Papillion and we were not disappointed. Neil was a great server, informative about both wine and food. Four of us shared 2 appetizers - Brie and smoked salmon - then we each tried something different for our entres. I always enjoy the Crepe St Laurent and the Bouillabaisse is also great. We’ve been going to this restaurant for many years and plan to keep up the tradition.
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Delicious French onion soup, wonderful crepes and a very diverse menu with good prices. We have dined at Le Papillion for years and it never disappoints.
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
We came for dessert and specialty coffees to celebrate a birthday. Everything was great. Highly recommend this place.
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
We love the place and keep coming back.
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Very reasonably priced, quick service and nice atmosphere as always :) Awesome neighborhood restaurant to enjoy a quiet, delicious meal.
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
This was an excellent dinner. Great service, wonderful food, and a lovely atmosphere. More than that, the prices were more than reasonable. We will be back.
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Always a great experience and amazing food
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Le Papillon is an awesome restaurant. Great ambience and decor. The service is impeccable and service staff are very welcoming and personable. The food is amazing. A varied selection of starters and mains. So yummy. The Crème Brûlée is divine. Le Papillon is our go to restaurant for dinner every time we visit Toronto. A definite must go!!!!
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Have been going to Le Papillon for years and it never disappoints. The service, food and atmosphere was excellent. My friend was visiting from the States and loved it. Looking forward to my next visit.
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
A refreshing change of scenery - a quiet/uncrowded, simple and lovely dining room, beautifully-prepared and delicious meal with friendly (but perfectly professional) service.
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Excellent, as usual. Wonderful food.
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Yummy food. Server Neil was terrific.
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Delicious food, attentive service
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
As always!!! Thank you!!!
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Top to bottom a success. Great food and the hands that made and served it were superb!
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Had dinner at Le Papillon on Front for the first time and really liked the place: spacious and cozy at the same time, well thought interior design, with tables not too close to each other so you are saved from listening to your neighbours conversations; courteous and prompt service; tasty and reasonably priced menu. Great venue, we'll be back!
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
I have been a customer of this restaurant through its various locations for several decades and Le Papillon has never disappointed. Yesterday I brought 3 newbies after attending a theatre performance and we all had an excellent experience. I was so happy that nobody has “messed” with the French Onion soup recipe and it remains as perfect as it has always been. The staff was friendly and attentive. I can’t wait to return and I know you have several new converts as well!.
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
My martini was yummy! Meat pie was a little dry. Everything else is pretty good.
Ambiance: 4/5
Cuisine: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Food excellent but the servers seemed very rushed and we had different servers at different times in the evening.
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 3/5
Our first bowl of French onion soup at le Papillon was in 1974 and it is still fabulous 50 years later. First spoonful took us right back in time.
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 4/5
Service: 5/5
We hadn’t been for. Number of YEAS due to OBI Service fab.Food disappointing. Escargot overcooked and small, crepes dry, poor seasoning with beef bourignon. Dessert great. We invited friends and were embarrassed with our recommendation. Tough times for restaurants but but $275 for four with one bottle of wine…won’t be going again soon. was fab..food not so good escargot small and over cooked..creoeds dry and so much different than the PREDOVID EXPERIENCW.
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 2/5
Service: 5/5
Excellent as always. Highly recommend the atmosphere and the service and the food.m
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Franchesco was a phenomenally threat server. On the other side of the wall they made us a spectacular dinner top to bottom. Thank you!
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Hadn't been for a long time. Glad to be back and will do again real soon.
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
What else can I tell you. This was my first visit but certainly it won’t be my last. Upon arrival I was greeted with a smile and a welcome. The restaurant wasn’t busy that evening so I was able to choose a table in the area I preferred. All the courses were tasty and prepared and presented well. Our server did not hover but was there when needed. All the staff were courteous.
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
We had a great time because everybody was happy with the choices and their dishes. This restaurant is a sure thing.
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Great dinner with friends! The wonderful thing about Le Papillon is that you can actually have a conversation! The food and service was great!
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 4/5
Service: 5/5
We've been coming to Le Papillion and always enjoy the experience and food.
Ambiance: 5/5
Cuisine: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Think your friends might be familiar with this business? Ask your friends on Facebook to see what they think.