Biff's Bistro

4 Front St E, Toronto, ON M5E 1B2                                                          RATING: Good

"The French know their quiche"

Owned and operated by Oliver & Bonacini, this upscale French bistro was surprisingly quiet for a Friday lunch with my coworkers. It was my first visit to this restaurant that borders the Toronto financial district and the Front Street entertainment venues. The three of us bypassed the busy patio and headed in to the mostly empty restaurant. It's formal, caters to business folks and is air conditioned for suits and ties.

This restaurant has numerous seafood and fish offerings that looked truly delicious. But my eyes zeroed in on the Quiche Du Jour with mixed greens. I hadn’t had quiche in months and my mouth was watering in anticipation. My co-worker Nick is a club house sandwich guy and he immediately went for the Chicken Club with bacon & barissa mayo while Kelsey and I ordered the quiche. It wasn’t just your average ham & egg quiche. It was made with pork sausage that had a bit of a kick and topped with a slice of brie. The pastry was firm but literally melted in my mouth when I bit into it. I ignored the voice at the back of my mind that was counting the calories. Any time a pastry melts in your mouth, add a few zeros to the calorie count. But this quiche was worth it. The brie was young and firm, and the quiche filling was something to write home about: perfectly cooked egg and a smattering of vegetables with bite sized pieces of zingy pork sausage. It was accompanied by a side of salad greens. The dressing was a Champagne vinaigrette, but I’m not a fan of vinegar so I opted for straight olive oil. Unfortunately the salad consisted of whole lettuce leaves and nothing else, and I had to do a lot of carving and folding to make bite-able pieces. It may look nice when plated, but salad served this way is a royal pain to eat. I soon gave up trying after a few pieces unfolded just as the fork reached my mouth.

My colleagues devoured their meals.  Nick had his plate clean in a matter of minutes.  Kelsey and I were neck and neck until she took a break to answer some questions and fell behind. When the waiter cleared our plates, there was only lettuce left behind.

All in all this meal was good.  It wasn’t cheap because a wedge of quiche and some lettuce leaves were $17 plus tax and tip. 

If you’re a seafood fan and a lover of French food, I would recommend giving this restaurant a try. 

Restaurant Website:  http://oliverbonacini.com/biffs-bistro.aspx