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| - My fellow live theatre-lover friend Julie invited me to an afternoon show at Toronto's Soulpepper Theatre yesterday afternoon.
We decided to meet for lunch before the show so that we could properly catch-up on each other's lives.
The best choice for a quick pre-show lunch was Cluny Bistro and Boulangerie, which is directly across from the Soulpepper, in Toronto's chic Distillery District.
Now, if you know me, you'd know that I'm slightly obsessed with all things French, and specifically, Parisien, so there was no arguing from me. I mean, who says "Non, merci," when offered croissants, macarons or un Croque-Monsieur? Pas moi!
I would have liked to have eaten in le bistro, but we were a little pressed for time, so we opted for la boulangerie, which is really, the "take-away" section of the restaurant. (By the way, what is the real difference between a 'restaurant' and a 'bistro?')
Once you walk in you are transported to Paris...well, at least I pretended I was. The décor is a chic mix of old and new - I'm not sure what the building used to be, but the restaurant's designer did an interesting job of mixing black and white tiling, hard wood, leather stools with those gold button-like things on them (what are they called? J'ai oublié.). You are immediately drawn to the colourful and sweet goodies that are in full view in and on the display case. I think the lovely lady behind the counter tried to get my attention a few times before I snapped out of my baked goods reverie.
I was drawn to what they called a "Croque-Monsieur Panini", which of course, wasn't really like the open-faced street crêpes that you can buy in Paris, but rather a very tasty-looking Cluny version of them. I ordered one while Julie ordered an almond croissant and an Americano, while I picked a bottled cane-sugar Shirley Temple, that reminded me of my favourite version of the drink that I used to order at Swiss Chalet when I was a kid.
So maybe my lunch wasn't genuinely Français. But we sat on the patio and did a little people watching while we sipped and munched. Just like the little bistros in Paris. Again, I pretended.
My Croque-Monsieur Panini was delicious. The egg bread they used was divine. And Julie didn't even offer me a taste of her croissant, so I'm going to assume it was good too. I loved the little details Cluny does: a company decal that seals your sandwich in the paper they wrap it in. The same logo can be found on their serviettes, plates and cups. There is faint French music playing in the background. What a delightful find!
It's not a French bistro, but a French-based one. I took a peek at the bistro menu and they serve interesting dishes like ceviche, tartare and Moroccan chickpea soup....not French at all, but the Cluny version of them have a little `French sprinkling` in them, like a side of ratatouille. It`s a French fusion restaurant of sorts, really. That's okay. I am still a fan.
I do intend on going back to experience the actual restaurant - their photo gallery on the website made my mouth water.
I think the first thing I'd order is the Ginger Chili Fried Frog's Legs.
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