Le Provence Restaurant in Cabbagetown Toronto

If you have a tough baby Le Provence might not be the best place to go to but otherwise this restaurant located in Cabbagetown is amazingly quiet and peaceful and the food is delicious. They have a big nice patio for hot summer days and evenings and if you should go in the wintertime the room is comfortable and cozy with lot of white painting and bright colors. Not too many tables which makes a good spot for a "family" night out.

Surprisingly prices are fairly low and what you pay for what you get is excellent. They have a A la Carte menu but the three course menu is much more attractive as you can pick anything you want from the appetizers, entrees and desserts for I believe $37, including foie gras if you like it and a delicious tarte tatin or creme brulee.
Provence is a region located in the south east of France but you will find dishes and inspirations from all over the country. The only downside I would say is that you have to pay for the french baguette but it is fresh and still warm from the oven!!

They also have a pretty big wine list, including french wines, but my husband could tell you much more than me about wines: I drink it but don't get to choose it!!!
They also have a brunch on Sundays but the dining experience is much better..., in my humble opinion.
Their website is at http://www.provencerestaurant.com/ and I can't help but thinking this is a nice place as my husband and I went there for dinner when I told him I was pregnant and I couldn't have any of the foie gras....

Afternoon Tea at the Four Seasons

Some of you might think that I spent the last 24 hours at the Four Seasons exclusively trying out all their eating options but actually I have been catching up on all the places I went to since my little Achille was born, meaning 3.5 months ago.
So let's talk about the afternoon tea at the Four Seasons. First of all, it is really not my favourite... Even though I like the classy setup with white tablecloth and nice tableware I must say that you feel a little in the hallway as the room is in the main lobby up two or three steps.
Regarding food, they open at 12.30 but make sure you had a solid breakfast before you go as your stomach (and your taste buds) might feel frustrated... However, those little sandwiches, scones with butter or a lemon spread (tastes like a lemon tart!!) and pastries are sooo good. That's the issue really: because everything is good you would want more but the only thing you can get a refill for is hot water for your tea! But if you are really hungry when you're done with your afteroon tea, you can always order a real big sandwich or a steak!
As for babies, you can read the post about the brunch at the Four Seasons but I would say that the afternoon tea is not the most baby friendly of all, except that we went there other guests were really friendly and nice to the baby.
View pictures and the menu at http://www.fourseasons.com/toronto/dining/lobby_bar.html

Brunch at the Four Seasons

The Four Seasons in Toronto is probably a great place to stay at - maybe we should book a room one day for a romantic night and to work on our little wonder's brothers and sisters!!! - but in the meantime it is a wonderful place for brunch. As you may know the hotel features 3 different restaurants: Truffles, Avenue and Studio Cafe.

I want to start with Avenue on the main floor. I am not sure what the bar is like the rest of the week but on Sundays it turns out to be an amazing brunch. From appetizers such as smoked salmon or a plate of cheeses and cold cuts to entrees with meats and pasta they have a large selection of everything! And desserts, what could I tell about you about their desserts? If you want something good for you, you can go with fresh fruit but if you want heavy stuff you can choose one (or two or three or...) of their mini cakes. But my favourite is the pancakes with looooot of maple syrup.
The good think for babies at the Avenue restaurant is that they have large couches where you could babble and "play" with your little one. There is lot of space for strollers and both the Manager and the staff are sure baby friendly. Just one downside: washrooms are upstairs (and escalators are too narrow for strollers) and there is no changing table but a marble counter at the back can very well do the job and if needed, cleaning ladies, are nice and helpful.

Now let's talk about Truffles. There is not much to add compared to Avenue except that they are open for brunch on Mother's Day and New Year only. The price also is different maybe because they are open for special occasions only , maybe because the room is on the 20th something floor overlooking the city and maybe because the buffet offers sushis but am I ready to pay double the price I would pay at Avenue for sushis and a bowl of soy sauce??? I am not sure.... and maybe for the price difference I could get a nice gift for that Mother's Day!!???
Same thing for the washrooms: lot of space but no changing table and one last thing: if you want to try it out don't forget to dress up. And I am still looking for the truffles to be served on the buffet...

Now regarding Studio Cafe, I haven't been there yet. All I know is that there is no buffet but a A la Carte menu. You can always take a look at their webpage at http://www.fourseasons.com/toronto/dining/studio_cafe.html

You now know almost everything about brunching at the Four Seasons so pick any occasion and make it an excuse to go....
For pictures and more info, please go to their website at http://www.fourseasons.com/toronto/dining/avenue.html for Avenue and http://www.fourseasons.com/toronto/dining/truffles.html for Truffles

Holt's Cafe on Bloor

We would all love to go shopping to Holt Renfrew every other week and that new baby that we wanted so much doesn't even give us that excuse to do such a crazy thing as they don't have a Kids section... Damned!
Anyways, shopping is like pastries we can always look, right?!! So if you find yourself walking around Holt Renfrew on Bloor Street you may want to check out their cafe on the mezzanine.
Their tartines (large slices of bread imported several times a week from the famous french Poilane bakery) are just delicious, some of them even have the healthy label and all tartines come with a salad. Other dishes, such as soup of the day, entrees and desserts are also available. And you'll see how proud the staff is when they explain the different kinds of peppers that they have for you to try with your dish.... Staff is really friendly and if you want to relax and enjoy yourself, ask to be seated in the lounge area. The atmosphere and the setup of the restaurant are, no surprise, trendy (a look but just a look at the bootle of water is worth it).
I have never tried their desserts but if I trust what they look like, they must be really good too!
As for babies, the couch in the lounge area is really comfortable, there is space for strollers (although you may want to avoid rush hours) and the good thing is that you have access to the store washrooms: if you've never been before, just go there for a visit, they're worth it, particularly the Mother's Room with a sofa, a changing table, a sink and soft wipes for your baby's bom.
Their website located at http://www.holtrenfrew.com/holts/pages/services/services.dot?language_id=1&url=16644&sf=msf is not really attractive but who cares? That's food that matters. And I experienced sitting there for a long time with my little Achille: we all loved it, the staff, Achille and myself... In other words, a good address to go to with your baby.

Le Pain Quotidien

For those who like the French baguette and the atmosphere of a Parigian bakery, Le Pain Quotidien is probably THE place for you (even though I must reluctantly admit that the chain is originally from Belgium). Food is good, there's a lot to choose from but whatever you will be picking from the menu, either salted or sweet items, I would highly recommend that you try out the bread basket with jams and spreads (in particular the Noisella one made of praline and, believe it or not there is no chocolate in it so it can't be bad for you, right??!!).
Le Pain Quotidien is not only a great place for us, but it is also baby friendly: staff is friendly and pleased to help you, washrooms are pretty big with a changing table, they have chairs for babies and if you are in a "I want to socialize with adults" mood (I assume that happens to you too!!), ask for the communal table and its corner by the window as there will be lot of space for your stroller and it can also be a good way to discuss with other guests around that big wooden table. As you can see, this is one of the "must go there" places.
For further info, check out their website at http://www.lepainquotidien.ca/ and if I have convinced you, they have 2 locations in Toronto: 508 Eglinton Avenue West and 18 Yorkville Avenue.
Enjoy!