Sassafraz has been nestled in the heart of Yorkville since opening in 1997, but it’s a rare landmark in the neighbourhood: there’s a quietly unassuming air about this restaurant where everybody’s welcome, whether you’re dressed in an Italian three-piece suit or stopping by for lunch after a gym session. It’s the kind of place where the chef specializes in gazpacho and Cornish hen equally, offering diners an unparalleled French-Canadian cuisine experience in Toronto.
“For us, it’s all about accessibility,” says Zoran Kocovski, owner of Sassafraz, “and we want to make sure that we’re inclusive of any Torontonian. So whether you’re coming in as a celebrity during TIFF or whether you’re visiting on a particular weekend to celebrate a special occasion, we want to make it fully accessible to you.”
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For my $ 65 dinner, I got a soup, steak and a brownie. The first and third item were adequate - nothing spectacular. The main course is what really shocked me! Please imagine the following in the middle of a big white plate: - a plain pan fried steak (no salt, pepper or any type of sauce). They did not even offer any fresh ground pepper - a little mound of potato (about 3 tablespoons) - 6 or 7 green peas. Literally, I could fit all that food in the palm of my hand. For all the money I was paying, I was expecting at least some mix of veggies and a steak for which I could not readily make at home. It really was the bare minimum. Folks, please don't go to this restaurant. It does not live up to the price or its reputation.
Great menu and service. Particularly enjoyed the summerlicious menu. Steaks are cooked to order and the fresh fish is amazing. Great place to people watch, especially when celebrities are in town. Love the dessert menu.
We went to Sassafraz for a special occasion so we didn't cut any corners on price, but it was well worth it. The entrance brings you into S bar which is a more casual bar like dining area. We were sat in the main dining room which has an elegant and modern atmosphere. We were served an amuse bouche of grape chutney topped with toasted pine nuts. This was delicious although didn't have the saltiness to stimulate your palate that an amuse typically has. We ordered the carpaccio and sweet potato soup for our appetizers. The carpaccio was served with fairly traditional garnishes, but was amazing as a result of perfect seasoning and the meat being tempered perfectly. The soup was mediocre, as it was on the verge of being cold, and lacked any memorable flavor. The pheasant was absolutely delicious and was the perfect way to use foie gras as an accent rather than a primary flavour. It was cooked perfectly however there was little contrast in texture between the skin, the meat and the stuffing. The tenderloin was served on top of a lobster pomme macaire with a spinach puree, both interesting in taste and texture. The steak itself was good as far as quality of the meat, but as far as flavor it wasn't the best steak I've eaten. For dessert we enjoyed a variety of ice creams and sorbets, some of which included Jack Daniels Green Apple and passionfruit. They varied in quality and flavour, however overall they were enjoyable. The service at Sassafraz was above average; anything unused on the table was promptly removed by the porter and their etiquette was exceptional; something that is both rare and highly appreciated. Overall we enjoyed our time at Sassafraz, in part due to the excellent service and the elegant environment, as well as the overall quality of the food. We would recommend Sassafraz to anyone interested in great food and a well rounded dining experience.
This place warms up a cold Toronto Friday night in January. Live piano music really sets a nice tone if you dine in the main restaurant, which is so serene, airy and lovely. The restaurant seems to be on a completely different planet from the bar, which is noisy and crowded. I'm glad there's a door between the two. Our waiter was fabulous, friendly and attentive. We shared an appetizer of scallops over potato rosti, and enjoyed rib eye steak and halibut as our mains. The food was delicious, and so nicely presented it looked like a work of art.
Great attentive service Good food! Great wine selection! The only thumbs down was the wait (1 hour even with reservation)
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Located in the heart of Yorkville, it’s easy to see why Sassafraz is the go-to when it comes to taking advantage of Winterlicious deals. The French bistro has been known to host the celebrity or two, who are drawn in by the fine dining cuisine. You can expect only the best of the best on Sassafraz’s prix-fixe menu this year.
View this Smart ListSassafraz is the ultimate luxe spot for your holiday dinner. The private dining room, located on the second floor, is available as well as the main dining room - for a price. Sassafraz’s event coordinator will plan everything to your specifications for the perfect holiday party.
View this Smart ListFrench nouveaux cuisine is what Sassafraz does best. The gourmet dining experience can liven up your holiday celebrations in the private dining room on the second floor. The party can be completely customized to meet your needs.
View this Smart List