Celestin

Nice cozy ambience. Friendly waiter. The escargot appetizer with herb, garlic and red wine sauce was good. Appetizer portion came with about 14 pieces of tender escargots, de shelled. Sauce great for dipping with bread.
Complimentary bread served was limited to a few small slices. It came with butter. Additional order of bread was charged at $ 2. Bread could have been bigger slices.
Duck confit was tender and juicy, not greasy. Loved it. Came with sausages and pork belly and beans. Sausages were nicely spiced.
At $ 22, the vegetable stew, consisting of pumpkins and, mushrooms wasn’t worth it. A salad would have been a better choice.
For dessert we had the raspberry sorbet, it was light and refreshing. The lemon tart, however, was disappointing.

Two friends (first-​timers here) and I booked a table online to try their Winterlicious menu. Good food was overshadowed by very questionable service.
The most serious issue was a major billing error. We three friends asked for the bill to be split 3 ways, and we paid by credit card. We were just about to leave the restaurant when I re-​checked my bill. It seemed a little high for lunch, even with wine. I thought maybe I had double-​tipped, but it was still much too high. When I compared bills, I realized each of our 3 bills represented half the total, rather than a third. With tip, this amounts to a $ 75 collective discrepancy that we almost missed. Our original bills were voided, and we were charged the correct amounts — all OK in the end on that front.
Smaller issues:
1) Received the wrong entrees — there was a mix-​up of tables at pick-​up.
2) Surcharge for croissants, which I had assumed was bread service. Delicious, but not worth the surprise $ 10. Such charges are the norm in Europe, but not here.
3) Service by committee — 3 different servers. Our original server later left work (fine, these things happen), but no one informed us that he had left.
4) The replacement waiter who screwed up the bills is actually a co-​owner. He replied to my e-​mail very promptly. But whether via e-​mail or in person, he offered little more than a well-​meaning apology. I have to wonder how innocent and exceptional these billing errors are.
Food was good:
1) Appetizers: The beet and goat cheese salad is a far better choice than the bland, boring mussels.
2) Mains: Roast hen is generous portion, a little salty. Stuffed sea bass is petite, seafood filling has meatball-​like consistency. Nice side dishes.
3) Desserts: Pleasant flourless chocolate cake w/​caramel ice cream, crème brulée.
4) Croissants: Buttery, flaky, excellent.
All in all, we have given up on Celestin. You can accept multiple service issues at a noodle bar, but not at a French fine dining restaurant. There are plenty of alternatives in the neighborhood for a nice meal.

I have been a loyal and regular customer at Celestin for its brunch and used to like the place due to its food and ambiance. However, after I visited the restaurant earlier this month for its prefix lunch, I was certainly not pleased with their service and food, especially with their signature steak, which is acclaimed to be 35 day dry aging one, but was not even close to it. What a huge disappointment and unpleasant experience!
After hours of wait without proper explanation ‘why’, steak was served; however, it smelled quite funny. Maybe, ‘funny’ would not be the right word to describe it; even ‘disgusting’, either. It smells like the mixture of strong raw miso and feces; rather close to later. Could you imagine how I and my wife felt after 1^st bite? Anyways, that being said, we had to ask our server, who wore glasses with spiky hair, about steak, wondering what’s going on. He explained in arrogant manner that it was a «35 days dry-​aged steak» Wow, are you fxxxing kidding me this smelly shit is made of the best quality meat? I’m complaining your signature dish because I’m newbie to steak? Seriously?!? Trust me I’m a steak lover and have been top notch steakhouses not only in Toronto, but other cities like Vegas and New York. Even those renowned steakhouses usually carry 28 day dry aged, as I know.
(Correct me if I am wrong) Honestly, I presume that Celesine’s steak might have been dry aged for 35 days without proper care and ventilation, which might cause rotting decay. I wish whoever runs this restaurant read my review and explain better, because I am truly disappointed. From time to time, even Michelin 3 star restaurants might not be able to meet their customer’s high expectation bar. However, when that happens, restaurants are expected to take corrective action to please its customers, instead of scolding them with high pride. Again, I’d be the last person to be called as ‘claimer’. Please forgive my excessive words I used, but there is no other way to express my irritation.
In fact, my brother and his wife have long been planning his daughter’s first birthday party this summer at Celestin due to my recommendation (Of course! Definitely before this incident happens!), but I know it would not be EVER happening because they would be too embarrassed if their guests were served like me.

I visited here for a friend’s kid’s 1 year birthday party. Out of prefix menu choices, I had the calamari salad, red wine reduction steak and crème brûlée. Firstly, I’m not sure what the issue was but the service was very slow, although the servers themselves were friendly enough. Calamari salad was decent but the steak was quite terrible. It had this fishy taste to it, as if either the steak was sitting in some sort of fishy liquid or as if they put in some fish sauce. It had a very pungent fragrance and fishy flavour. I’m not sure if this is on their regular menu but if it is, then I highly recommend that you DON’T get it.
My crème brûlée was pretty good but for others who had the same thing at my table, it came out too watery.
I don’t think I’ll be going back.

Some of the reviews on here rate this restaurant quite low, so I felt the need to speak up given that I’ve been 5 times and plan on going back next week.
The restaurant feels intimate and romantic, and definitely french. We’ve ordered Stuffed Hen, Ricotta Ravioli, Seared Flounder, Appel Clafouti, Chocolate Mouse, etc. Everything was delicious. They’ve also got a great Sommelier. The wait-​staff are also very friendly, and I believe there to practice their english — they have been french when I’ve been there. They also make a great cappuccino on the go! Ask to see their «bank vault» (it’s a beautiful wine cellar), the place was a former historic bank.
Pro’s
— Food is great! A lot of menu selection
— They are extremely accommodating for food allergies, and even if you wanted a special side. (one of our party members wanted pasta and they made it for her! with seafood!)
— great wine selection
— that apple clafouti is something awesome in your mouth
— the owner and staff are great to talk to
— The place is stunning! Used to be an old bank and now looks classic Parisian!
Con’s
— Portions are a bit small, but I ordered a salad and the hen and I was SO FULL. so maybe they aren’t small.
You will very much enjoy the restaurant. Can’t wait to go back and bring my family!

Not impressed for me.
one thing i like was their fig bread (looks like pizza)

This place is delightful!
It’s a perfect romantic date night venue, however, I treated a friend to birthday lunch here and we enjoyed their excellent service and charm in the day time instead.
We ordered from the $ 23 Summerlicious menu. I had the ceviche, skirt steak, and isle fondant with anglais (meringue and cream anglaise). My friend had duck rilette salad, rainbow trout and cream brûlée.
Everything was delicious but we decided we liked the ceviche over the duck rilette and the rainbow trout over the skirt steak. The brûlée was definitely better than the meringue, but the meringue was pretty good too.
Everything was presented beautifully. Only we are greedy little piggies and took no photos. Hehehe. Would definitely come back!

If you’re into «Nouvelle Cuisine» (tasty but very small portions), you won’t be disappointed.
Just one thing: There’s is absolutely no air conditioning.

So this is my first review on my new account. last account got lost. don’t ask. Anyway, Celestine. .great little place nestled in an old bank on Mt. Pleasant road. French style bistro and a great menu. I tried the braised rabbit and it was great! Just the right amount of cooking made the meat nice and tender, our party also had the meat and cheese platter to finish. Wine selection is good but where they really shine is the cocktails. If you like your coctails, you have to try the sazarac. Great place for a date or a nice dinner but you don’t have to fight the traffic downtown. Cheers!

We had an incredible meal and the service was top notch. This place is beautiful!!!
Between us all we had ceviche, foie gras, beet salad, quiche, sea bream, steak, frites and crème brûlée. Everything was great!!! I can’t wait to go back!

The two stars are only for the food. The service here has made me livid. Firstly, we waited for an hour before our first course. 40 minutes until our second. Then the waiter seeig that I am visibly displeased tells my girlfriend next time she comes dont bring me. He just cut his tip in half. I understand French humor but it usually comes with a side of French service. Never coming again.

Nice location, the atmosphere is on point for the type of restaurant its not too over the top like some French restaurants I’ve been to.
The service was great. our waiter was really friendly, very good sales person, made all of the dishes sound mouth watering. The waiter was so good he got one of our friends, who had eaten before coming, to get a main dish instead of an appetizer.
BUT down to the important stuff… the food. Its presentation was nice. The dishes ordered were the duck confit, the lamb shank, steak and a seafood dish. The duck came with a lovely piece of pork belly which was delicious and cooked perfectly, the duck was tender fall off the bone tender and flavorful. The lamb shank was tender BUT very fatty and not too flavorful I prefer Persian lamb mmmmm. Two steaks were ordered– one was medium rare and the other medium well, the medium well was more like a well done and a little too hard. Overall the food was okay, nothing too special. Oh! And before I forget, the portions were definitely NOT enough! We’re all probably going to grab a bite after walking out…
All in all– service was great, food wasn’t anything special, portions were tiny and definitely NOT worth its price tag.
FYI the three stars are from the awesome service.

I bought a $ 39 for $ 70 Groupon voucher and called to make a reservation 4 days before it expired. The lovely lady apologetically told me they were all booked but took my number to see what she could do. She called me back the next day and extended the promo by a week!
I went there with a friend and we were both blown away by the service. We ordered a very flavourful lentil salad and a salads du jour to start (that really was not worth the $ 12). We were very happy with the mains– duck confit and braised rabbit, their crème brûlée though, definitely made this meal even more memorable!

Went there for their NYE dinner. 1^st course was really good. foie gras and sweetbread were perfect.
As for the 2^nd course we decided on the halibut wrapped in potatoes. fish was overcooked. but still flavorful. 3^rd course my guest had duck and squid dish and i ordered the venison. my dish was incomplete. menu stated a cherry spinach sauce which was nowhere to be seen on my plate. when i mentionned it to our waiter he assured me thats the way the dish is supposed to be. plus the roast salsify were harsh. on top on that we were there at 6pm and left at 9:10. every dish took like 30 – 40 mins to be served in a restaurant serving 3 tables. mine of 2 another of 2 and one family of 4. another downside was the fact that our waiter tried to convince us that it takes longer than usual because that particular day everything was fresh? And that I should understand as we were both french speaking– «have some wine while waiting comme le fait nos amis français»… will be going to other french cuisine restaurants. specially one on bayview/​eglinton area is way better. this one might be the last option for me.

The food was alright, we had the salmon and the duck, and shared the escagot appetizer– delicious but rather pricey. The duck dish had a huge portion and was done perfectly and the sausage was really delicious with a surprising hint of cloves — however, it was paired with beans which was rather heavy and dry and I felt that it needed to be paired with a chutney or something fruity/​jus for more contrast. The salmon had a nice crisp to it with the fragrant saffron sauce.
TERRIBLE SERVICE — Our server Amin was exceptionally fake and cheeky. He offered us wine but we told him water was fine and he totally gave us attitude and abruptly turned away with the menus like he was pissed. When we asked him for more water he wouldn’t reply and when we said thank you he didn’t reply as if he was reluctant and unhappy with getting us water. There was another waiter with a beard — super friendly and respectful guy– we asked him to refill the water and he replied with «I would love to» and when we said thank you he replied with «you’re very welcome». Amin was also very rude when he took our check, he didn’t even say thank you and probably was eyeing his tip thinking he didn’t get enough. At the end he was super fake. Overall, he left a bad taste in our mouth and a bad impression of such a nice place. The entire night I had wish the bearded fellow had waited us — he was patient and sweet and sincere.

The first time I went to Celestin two years ago, I was beyond impressed. Great French cuisine, nice décor. It is quiet enough to talk, but not dead.
This time, however, I found that the server was too chipper and in your face, and didn’t listen to our requests, but just blabbered on about whatever he wanted to.
By the end of our stay, he completely lost interest in us and when he didn’t get the tip he expected, became very negligent.
Crème Arlequin is a very tasty dessert, but avoid the crumbles in the ice cream. Both me and my mom almost choked on those.

Saw the groupon deal and thought it seemed like a great opportunity to try out a new place. made online reservations for 6:30 dinnet on Saturday. Parked at back… which was convenient and nice. Got there 20 mins early. We were greeted with a smile and taken to our table. Very accomodating, didnt feel i wasnt being treated well because i had a coupon. Everyone… blonde lady (hostess?) waiter (cool moustache!!) very knowledgeable about all the dishes and the frenchman from the bar… who brought us our drinks and always made sure i had fresh ice and lemon for my sparkling mineral water was great! Wonderful cozy small intimate atomsphere. Clean… immaculate tables, cutlery, and washroom.
Ok…my glass of white wine was amazing as was hubbys beer. I had french onipn soup. to die for. And hubby had salad… also delish. Main i had cassoulet that smelled and tasted like heaven. Hubby had steak and frites. Ordered medium rare… came out pretty rare… sent back and still looked pretty rare to me but hubby said it was ok. It tasted very good. Good portions as well. Definitely we will return… great find!

If you are thinking of buying a deal voucher for this restaurant, THINK TWICE!!! I do not normally write reviews, but this restaurant is terrible. They have a separate menu for those who had deal vouchers and they had to substitute EVERYTHING. Service was terrible and slow that we left at 10 pm with no dessert. The waiter brought us our bill and did not even offer us dessert. Definitely will not be going back to this place.

I went to Celestin on January 19^th, 2014 with my siblings for dinner and we ordered:
–Beet Salad with Apples, a Dried Apple Vinaigrette, Friséeand Radish
–Beet Ravioli appetizer
–Wild Mushroom Parpadelle with Truffle and Zamarano Cheese.
–Steak Frites with Garlic Butter.
–Bouillabaisse with Seabream, Scallops and Red Snapper
–Side of Gnocchi
Overall the food was good, but we found it really salty for our taste. I have not had gnocchi as good as the one at Celestin though! Cut out the salt and the little puffs are the most delicious things I’ve ever had! The beet salad was tiny, even for fancy restaurant standards, in my opinion.
The service was great and our server was wonderful (younger lady). They do winterlicious here too.

Have been driving past Celestin for many years, but have never been inside to dine. A pal wanted to check this place out so we decided to take advantage of their Winterlicious Menu. The décor inside is quite nice and simple — it’s all navy and white. It’s not a big place so I would highly recommend for you to make reservations.
I ordered the following to make my Winterlicious Lunch Set:
1. Eggplant and Portobello Mushroom Tart and Balsamic Dressing
2. Roast Red Pepper, Goat Cheese and Chicken Quiche Served with Mesclun Lettuce and Citrus Vinaigrette
3. Chocolate Ganache Tart and Confit Ginger Ice Cream
The food was a-​ok; nothing to write home about, but also not terrible. Portion sizes are good and there’s a good variety of items on their menu that anyone can dine here. Service was also a-​ok.

YES to the cakes.
Yes to the pastries.
Yes to the croissants.