Introducing: La Créole brings refined island cuisine to a romantic room on St. Clair West

By Renée Suen | April 14, 2014

By Renée Suen | 04/14/2014

Introducing: La Creole

Name: La Créole
Contact Info: 810 St. Clair Ave. W., 416-651-8228, lacreole.ca
Neighbourhood: Humewood
Owners: Ben Cherette and Paterson Louis-Jean of Manje Kreyol Catering
Chef: Manje Kreyol chef Magda

The Food: Six months after Jen Agg opened Rhum Corner, her laid-back Haitian hangout on Dundas West, the city has a second refined island kitchen. La Créole serves a mix of French Caribbean, Créole and Haitian dishes in a fabric-swathed room on St. Clair West. Appetizer platters come heaped with cod fritters, fried plantains and chunks of marinated beef served with plenty of picklese, a pickled condiment made with shredded cabbage. Main dishes include stewed snapper with black-bean sauce and a roasted quail glazed with guava.

The Drinks: Beer, wine and signature cocktails, like the Kremas, a mix of coconut cream, rum and spices. Non-alcoholic beverages include te jenjanm (ginger tea), kafe ayisyen (traditional Haitian coffee) and bottles of Malta Créole, a carbonated malt beverage that’s traditionally served ak let (i.e. with milk).

The Place: A gauzy draped ceiling and crystal chandeliers give the casual room a touch of romance. The cozy back area is outfitted with booths, colourful Creole paintings and a small stage equipped for Haitian-style music performances, like konpa and Creole jazz.

The Numbers:
• 75 seats
• 75 per cent imported ingredients
• 1 stage for live musical performances

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5 thoughts on “Introducing: La Créole brings refined island cuisine to a romantic room on St. Clair West”

johnappleseed says:

April 15, 2014 at 1:30 pm

Wish i could say I see this place sticking around for a while, but I don’t. Not to be mean but there are almost NO Haitians in Toronto, and St. Clair west types aren’t going to be eating all of that deep fried stuff repeatedly enough to keep that place alive.
Cindy says:

April 15, 2014 at 3:55 pm

Yes, how could that possibly escape all of us? After all, that’s what Toronto is all about: relegating minorities to their own cuisines and not being open to others’ culinary delights!? Give me a break. You are certainly free to stay away from the place if your vision of what makes a great meal is what you’ve gobbled down your entire life. My money is on Torontonians being more adventurous and open-minded than you perceive them to be…
Rianna says:

April 17, 2014 at 5:38 pm

Oh pls! Most of the racists i encounter in Toronto are minorities who like to support their own only and relegate themselves to businesses owned by pple who are originate from the same Countries. And who are not open-minded or adventurous themselves!!
johnappleseed says:

April 22, 2014 at 2:53 pm

Cindy, I’ve had plenty of Haitian food, while I love the fried pork, plantains, and picklis, it’s fairly boring. There’s nothing adventurous about Torontonians eating West Indian food. We’ve been doing it for decades. Look to the young chefs in the city that are doing things. This seems overpriced for how standard it is. Keep it in styrofoam takeout containers with a space half the size and 30% lower food cost and it might survive.
Nancy Soplokious says:

April 24, 2014 at 5:58 pm

I’m flabbergasted by the comments you have made so far! The fact that you have established Haitian food with Torontonians eating a lot of West Indian food shows how your culinary knowledge is close to none. Comparing Creole food to West Indian food clearly shows your ignorant and degrading character. .BTW fried pork, plantains, and picklis is probably a token of what they offer.And it’s funny that you keep saying that you “loved” it!You should encourage instead of destroying.