I came here for dinner last week and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. My server looked very familiar and I was racking my brain trying to figure out where I know him from. It turns out we attended the same university and he was a few years older than me. What a small world.
There really is a Jacques. My server's parents are from France and have owned this wonderful little hidden gem in Yorkville for 36 years. I have walked by several times, but have never noticed this place. Thank goodness for the Yelp app! In addition to the stellar reviews on Yelp, the restaurant has received many accolades from Zagat and Toronto Life Magazine and I can see why.
My server informed me that the french onion soup is among the best in the city and I opted for the dish, which didn't disappoint. It was hearty, chock full of cheese, and very delicious. I was quite hungry and also ordered the steak. The medium New York sterling silver striploin was accompanied with green peppercorn sauce and scrumptious fried potatoes and vegetables. As per the recommendation from a fellow Yelper, dessert was a must. So, I asked my server to kindly brown bag the steak, as it was quite a large meal. For dessert, my server recommended the lemon tart and he described it as eating a cloud. It was so delicious and the lemon was not too overpowering, as so many lemon tarts can be. It was fluffy and moist and just incredible! He also brought me a sample of the caramelized apple tart with warm sauce, which was also extremely delightful! All desserts are made in house.
I received wonderful service and it was nice to chat with a friendly former alumnus. I will definitely be returning for some authentic French food. The only thing that needs updating is the outdated decor, especially the wallpaper. Otherwise, the restaurant is very intimate and cozy. I highly recommend Jacques' Bistro du Park!