We are always trying new places in our hood and it was Ortolan's turn - it has a nice atmosphere, the server was really friendly. Empty for a Friday night - at 7 p.m. it was just my husband and I and another couple.
I ordered the Gnocchi with black trumpet mushrooms and the radicchio salad - my hubby the pickerel. I think we were both surprised at the portion sizes. His fish, for $18 was about 1 in. wide and maybe 3 in. long. There are no side dishes, you have to order those separately ($7 for cauliflower) - even when it says parsnips, they are in the sauce, not on the plate. It would be nice to have something on the side.
My gnocchi was good - a bit too salty and, if I'm being completely honest there was something gritty in the sauce that screeched like sand in my teeth. (Just thinking about it gives me chills).
While I love new places in our area, and are so excited to have fresh businesses in Bloordale - I don't think we'll be visiting again soon. There are other hipster places in the area that have a homey feel and delish (cheaper) dishes. But we gave it a shot!