2. Brassaii

Cocktail Party
I attended a medium sized corporate event last week at Brassaii. It was a pretty standard size party, cocktail style, appetizers and open bar. They had everyone in the private room at the back which was perfect for the number of people that had showed up. The event went extremely smoothly. With only two bartenders they managed to get everyone a drink effortlessly and with no waiting. The staff was friendly and the room looked very inviting. The food that was passed around was incredible and there was more then enough to go around for everyone. I was so impressed that i called the next day to book our corporate Christmas party with them.

New Chef
Brassaii has always been a favorite restaurant of mine, so i was a bit disappointed when i heard they had changed executive chefs. However when my husband and i went for dinner we both ordered new dishes from the menu and i have to admit we were both extremely satisfied. I had ordered the Miso baked black cod and my husband went with the pork tenderloin. My fish came with an interesting mango salsa and wasabi mash which was extremely delightful and mouth watering. My husband allowed me to sample a piece of his pork and combined with the caramelized pears and haricots jus made the flavour of the pork come alive. We both will be back in the near future to sample other new dishes like the Bacon wrapped filet of beef or the beef carpaccio. Overall their new executive chef, Bruce Woods, will be an exciting new addition to the Brassaii family.

Fantastic New Menu
Had dinner last night at Brassaii Bistro Lounge …The new Executive Chef Bruce Woods has changed the entire dinner menu and it is FANTASTIC!!! The Salmon Tartar is so flavourful…with an asian twist! I also had the miso black cod with mango salsa and wasabi mash. The miso melted in my mouth. They also have a new cocktail menu created by their resident Mixologist… jordan. (make sure you ask if he can make your cocktail for you) – the balsamic bramble was yummy!!! i will definitely come back to this place….

TIFF - George Clooney
Brassaii Bistro Lounge hosted a celebratory dinner for the cast and filmmakers from the movie “Up in the Air” at the Toronto International Film Festival. Including actors George Clooney, Jason Bateman, Vera Farmiga, Melanie Lynskey, Anna Kendrick and director Jason Reitman. Others that came for the after party were actors Bill Murray, Amanda Seyfried and Rachelle Lefevre. It was a very cool party and the food yummy..

Executive Chef Jean-Marc Salvagno is possibly the most underrated chef in Toronto, having managed to keep a low profile since his arrival in Canada from the south of France. Michelin-rated in Avignon, in 2001 he joined forces with the renowned Claude Bouillet at Quartier, where he learned about his new Canadian audience. Chef Salvagno has a classic, technical French Bistro style, making Brassaii perfect for any foodie who not only LOVES French food, but knows that Duck Confit should never be crispy.