The crisply ironed white linen and plush, soft seats align just perfectly to create an elegant welcome for patrons of Auberge du Pommier. Thanks to the beautifully appointed dining rooms that remain the crown jewel in the Oliver & Bonacini restaurant group, this fine dining experience is unlike any other in the city.
“I would describe it as breathtaking. There are lots of beautiful restaurants in the city but there is nothing like this place,” says general manager Elizabeth Kerr. "The terrace – you would never believe it was in North York. It really looks like you have chanced upon a restaurant somewhere in the south of France.”
Auberge du Pommier is actually two woodcutter cottages built circa 1860. One cabin is called Sophie, after a beloved bartender who used to work there, while the other was named Oscar, after the son of Michael Bonacini, one of the founders of Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants. In the winter these cabins offer a cozy, warm atmosphere thanks to wood-burning fireplaces; in the summer, customers can go out on the terrace and enjoy the wonderful floral arrangements.
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Took my boyfriend for his birthday lunch on 01 Feb and ordered off the Winterlicious menu. Each course was perfectly presented and just right, portion-wise. When dessert came, they had put a candle on his plate along with "Joyeux Anniversaire" written in chocolate along the edge. A very nice touch! Our server Chad was very attentive, polite, friendly and knowledgeable about the wine list. Will definitely return for more!!
Your every day dining needs can still remain satisfied by the local joints offering well made, comforting, affordable food, but for a fine dining experience this is the place to go. The interior design of the place will amaze you with their somewhat unassuming but classy ambiance. You will see no plastic fake candles here, no straws (the ultimate tool in McDonaldization of the world), and no insulting request to hold onto your utensils from one course to the next. The waiter will never ask the annoying: "How's everything?" yet he will know exactly what you need and at the very moment you need it. Between courses, he will clean your table cloth with a crumber and make friendly chat with your party to make everyone feel comfortable. And then, there's the food. If you do not appreciate culinary art, the experience might be lost on you. But if you are one of us, you will be blown away. No truffle oil here, truffles only. Butter is not considered a sin, but a necessity, as it should be. My frog legs were fried in a tempura you will not find anywhere else. The bone will stick out of the tempura exactly 2 mm, long enough for you to see it before you enjoy and short enough not to disturb the perfect picture on your plate. The cheesecake is unlike anything I had anywhere else. The selection of wines is big enough to have at least two relatively good wines from every popular grape, so you should find at least your second best if not your preferred. My daughter had duck and could not stop talking about her dish for days to come. Our bill did come to over $100 per person, but this includes wine, desert and tip. After all, if you are going to be frugal with your money, expect to get a frugal plate. This place does not spare expenses to make you feel great so they should charge for such great effort.
One of the best restaurants in Toronto. Costly but worth saving up for!!
I had read some good reviews but after going there I wasn't all that impressed. The food was okay, my friend and I shared a few dishes; I was expecting more, it was probably 1 of those situations where there was too much hype
Went here for a business luncheon on my trip to Ontario. Colleagues highly recommended. I have been to fine dining restaurants the world over and many times. they have an ambiance of a regular downtownish reataurant. However it is in a chalet type environment. As you look closer, you notice the lack of attractive waitstaff and a veryd ecent wine collection. I remember I liked the food and the service. However I found the restaurant busy and pretentious. I enjoy dining in a place that is hipper and I can see something nice. Overall, the food was fanatstic, ``amenities`were lacking and I was glad this is on the expense account. Prepare to pay for the food.
Auberge du Pommier does know how to set the mood. My fiance took me to Auberge for a romantic dinner before he popped THE question. Although he did not propose in the restaurant, but a dinner at Auberge prior to a proposal is a guranteed "YES" from any girl, at least from me. We opted for Auberge du Pommier's tasting menu. Not only was the server courteous and helpful when it came to explaining the assortment of food that was served, he also accommodated us by providing us with samples of wine before pouring us the adequate amount that was paired with the food from the tasting menu. This restaurant earned 5 *s for Food, Services and Atmosphere. My fiance and I try to come back every now and then. The only thing with this restaurant is that, it leaves a dent in our pocket after every meal but it's definitely worth every penny!
One of the Best restaurant in GTA, for all occassions. Excellent Service and lovely meal
The overall experience in and of itself was incredible, I have absolutely no complaints. However, I do have a simple warning to those who plan to visit - you must like fennel in order to eat at this restaurant because the chef does incorporate it into many of the dishes. I personally do not enjoy this vegetable, so I found that it was somewhat overwhelming and disappointing.
We eat here every 'Licious - it's the one place we keep coming back to. The food is wonderful and the service is impeccable. I've never been made to feel like a lesser customer just because we aren't paying full price for our meal. Even the artichoke spread and bread they bring you before the meal is incredible. This is hands down my favourite restaurant in Toronto.
So... FREAKING... DELICIOUS. I went for Winterlicious with The Boyfriend, and to be honest, I had to look up the menu to remember what he ate. That's how much I was focusing on my food. It was amazing. FOOD... I had a cod brandade. For those not up on their Frenchified food lingo, it's a fish spread for toast. It was delicious... I just wish it came with more baguette. Four dime-sized pieces ain't enough!!! Boyfriend had a frisee salad... with caramelized pears and walnuts, in a tarragon dressing... everything was perfectly seasoned and super-fresh. Entree was a sea bream with beans in a cardamom cream sauce. One word - perfect. The skin was perfectly crisped. The cardamom cream was rich and soaked beautifully into the giant heirloom beans. BEST entree I've ever had, hands down. Boyfriend's entree was a duck quiche which he devoured in about 30 seconds flat. The desserts were the only flat note. My apple cake was rich, sweet, topped with a green apple reduction, but they were a little too liberal with the Calvados (it was quite boozy). Boyfriend's pot de creme bore no resemblance to any pot de creme I've encountered. The runny coffee pudding (?) on top was pretty tasteless. The hardened chocolate on the bottom of the cup was difficult to scrape free. The cookie on the side was dry and tasted like almond extract. I had an iced tea, but the menu didn't say it was hibiscus tea... I love hibiscus tea, but a lot of people dislike that flowery taste, so ask before you order! SERVICE Perfect. Answered questions without talking down to us. Attentive, without hovering. ATMOSPHERE Nice, but a lot of small children who were not always well behaved (it was Winterlicious, so it's to be expected, I suppose), and a lot of self-important dbags bellowing on their blackberries. BTW, there's a sign that says no cell phones.
Both the starter "Potage of Spiced Summer Fruits with delicate herbs and crème fraîche" and the desert "Rhubarb Consommé Bonacini farm rhubarb nage with marinated Ontario strawberries and crispy lavender meringue" were overpoweringly flavoured with CILANTRO. I loathe CILANTRO! Note - no mention of CILANTRO in the menu description. Apart from the CILANTRO the meal was lovely. Service and decor superb.
great place, exceptional, friendly and helpful wait staff. good atmosphere, definitely recommend you to visit at least once.
This restaurant is hands down one of the best I have ever enjoyed. From the warm welcome at the front door to the visit by the manager, all the way to the server... I don't think that you could find more genuine service staff. A perfect 10 in my books!
Amazing!!! The food was divine. It truly made my tastebuds dance. The mushroom soup was absolutely WONDERFUL!! The steak was cooked to perfection. The dessert well lets just say...it was better than...... The service was impeccable. We received a free little appetizer and a tasty little bite of dessert. I cannot say enough good things about this place. The decor is wonderful.
Great 'full dining' night out. Flawless service, a who's who wine list that is priced right.
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The ultimate spot for ladies who lunch, Auberge du Pommier has quite a diverse crowd come Winterlicious time. During the dining event, the restaurant offers authentic French cuisine to the masses. Torontonians are always eager to try what Auberge on the prix-fixe menu.
View this Smart ListAuberge du Pommier offers two spaces for a sophisticated and French-themed holiday party. The restaurant is housed in two woodcutters’ cottages from the 1860s and is designed with a hint of Parisian influences. The charm and elegance of Auberge du Pommier will win over all your guests!
View this Smart ListTake a trip to the French countryside this holiday season at Auberge du Pommier. It offers two stunning private dining rooms that will impress everyone in your party. The North York restaurant is situated in two 19th Century woodcutters’ cottages, giving you an atmosphere of elegance, history and sophistication.
View this Smart List