/
1x
Advertisement
Proudly Canadian, obsessively Toronto. Subscribe to Toronto Life!
Food & Drink

What’s on the menu at La Banane, Brandon Olsen’s fancy, French-inspired restaurant on Ossington

By Renée Suen| Photography by Renée Suen
Copy link
What's on the menu at La Banane, Brandon Olsen's fancy, French-inspired restaurant on Ossington

More on Brandon Olsen

What's on the menu at CXBO, a colourful new sweet shop in Brockton Village
Food & Drink

What’s on the menu at CXBO, a colourful new sweet shop in Brockton Village

Name: La Banane Neighbourhood: Trinity Bellwoods Contact: 227 Ossington Ave., 416-551-6263, labanane.ca, @labananeresto
Previously: The Saint Owners: Bradon Olsen (CXBO, Bar Isabel, The Black Hoof) in partnership with King Street Food Company Chef: Brandon Olsen and Basilio Pesce (Biff’s, Porzia, Cheese Boutique)

The food

A smattering of classic French dishes, like a fluffy omelette, as well as some with Olsen’s own twists, including his take on liver and onions. “This is the food that I want to eat,” Olsen says. “I want to be here for the next 25 years.” For dessert: the "Ziggy Stardust Disco Egg,” a chocolate egg embedded with apricots, ancho chilies and coffee beans, and filled with hand-rolled Peruvian dark chocolate truffles. The limited-availability creation from Olsen’s CXBO line is like a Kinder Egg for grown-ups.

What's on the menu at La Banane, Brandon Olsen's fancy, French-inspired restaurant on Ossington
Shrimp cocktail, with gulf shrimp from Honest Weight. $18.

 

What's on the menu at La Banane, Brandon Olsen's fancy, French-inspired restaurant on Ossington
Plump mussels from Honest Weight marinated in an espelette pepper vinaigrette. $14.

 

What's on the menu at La Banane, Brandon Olsen's fancy, French-inspired restaurant on Ossington
A classic French omelette with a shower of fine herbs. $15. (For an extra $80 they’ll throw in 30 grams of caviar.)

 

Advertisement
What's on the menu at La Banane, Brandon Olsen's fancy, French-inspired restaurant on Ossington
Liver and onions: chicken liver mousse with cippolini onions and hen of the woods mushrooms. $15.

 

What's on the menu at La Banane, Brandon Olsen's fancy, French-inspired restaurant on Ossington
Duck breast with charred endive and jus. $28.

 

What's on the menu at La Banane, Brandon Olsen's fancy, French-inspired restaurant on Ossington
Another shot of the duck, mid-jus drizzle.

 

What's on the menu at La Banane, Brandon Olsen's fancy, French-inspired restaurant on Ossington
The stunning European sea bass en croute is first presented at the table, then taken back to the kitchen where it’s portioned and sided with zucchini. It’s finished tableside with a drizzle of yuzu beurre monté. $32.

 

What's on the menu at La Banane, Brandon Olsen's fancy, French-inspired restaurant on Ossington
The raw bar is stocked with shellfish, much of it from Honest Weight and Hooked. Market-price seafood towers are also available.

 

Advertisement
What's on the menu at La Banane, Brandon Olsen's fancy, French-inspired restaurant on Ossington
Here’s a closer look.
The drinks

Besides wine, beer and cider, head bartender Christopher Weaver (Momofuku, Skin and Bones) mixes up revamped classic cocktails and house specialities, which will always include a banana-based number (currently it’s La Banane Royale made with dark rum, banana, cream and egg). Also on the drink menu: low-proof and virgin cocktails.  

What's on the menu at La Banane, Brandon Olsen's fancy, French-inspired restaurant on Ossington
The Charlie Chaplin, one of Olsen’s favourite classics, uses sloe gin, cherry liqueur and lime juice. $14.

 

What's on the menu at La Banane, Brandon Olsen's fancy, French-inspired restaurant on Ossington
The Maestro: white rum, Lillet Blanc, green Chartreuse and lime juice. $13.

 

What's on the menu at La Banane, Brandon Olsen's fancy, French-inspired restaurant on Ossington
Piña colada: rum, pineapple, coconut, milk. $14.

 

What's on the menu at La Banane, Brandon Olsen's fancy, French-inspired restaurant on Ossington
The Bambú: Pacharan with amontillado and fino sherries. $12.

 

Advertisement
What's on the menu at La Banane, Brandon Olsen's fancy, French-inspired restaurant on Ossington
Weaver mixes up a Bambú.
The space

The 80-seat restaurant is split into three areas: a front “garden” room with marble tables and booth seating, a “brasserie” with a raw bar and snazzy banquettes, and the rear salon. Each area is decorated with brass finishes, original artwork and antiques, like vintage glassware, from Olsen’s own collection.

What's on the menu at La Banane, Brandon Olsen's fancy, French-inspired restaurant on Ossington
What's on the menu at La Banane, Brandon Olsen's fancy, French-inspired restaurant on Ossington
What's on the menu at La Banane, Brandon Olsen's fancy, French-inspired restaurant on Ossington
What's on the menu at La Banane, Brandon Olsen's fancy, French-inspired restaurant on Ossington
What's on the menu at La Banane, Brandon Olsen's fancy, French-inspired restaurant on Ossington
Olsen and Keenlyside loaned art pieces from their own collection, including this pair of Douglas Couplands and one by Talia Shipman in the back dining room.

NEVER MISS A TORONTO LIFE STORY

Sign up for Table Talk, our free newsletter with essential food and drink stories.

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
You may unsubscribe at any time.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Advertisement
Advertisement

More New Restaurants

Inside the Latest Issue

The May issue of Toronto Life features the artists, professors, scientists and other luminaries moving north to avoid the carnage of Trump. Plus, our obsessive coverage of everything that matters now in the city.