Restaurants › Bistro

Merlot [?]

2994 Bloor St. W. (at Humbervale Blvd.) • View on map »
416-236-0081

The long, narrow room—adorned with French art, cinema posters and mismatched chairs—is packed just about every night of the week with boisterous boomers in Polo and Talbots. The menu is safe, familiar and competently executed—no serious flair, no serious faults. Hanger steak bordelaise is nicely grilled but verging on bland (more sauce bordelaise, please!); accompanying pomme frites are perfectly thin and crackly. Duck confit is all it should be: moist, soft meat falls away from the bone with the merest tug of the fork, and luscious fat clings to crispy skin. The servers aren’t so generous with their time, but the kitchen is magnanimous with portions, so diners can skip the uninspired desserts. The French-heavy wine list is affordable. Mains $16–$24.

Outdoor dining

2994 Bloor St. W. (at Humbervale Blvd.)

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