User Reviews for Didier Restaurant
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Honestly, we are foodies and were excited about coming here. The service is non existent - they simply do not understand what service means. I could go into everything but that sums it up. The food was decent, but disappointing for a 'big name' chef.
Lets say 2 out of 6 dishes were great, and the rest were well executed but far from exceptional.
The price is obnoxious for the overall experience, which explains why on a Saturday night the resto was only 10% full.
This resto won't be around much longer. We hope in his next reincarnation he partners with someone that knows how to run a business.
Michael's Rating: 1 Stars |
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I would like to correct certain comments made by AA. I too am French from Paris, so your remarks were most interesting. Where do I start?
The Award ceremony for the Ordre du Merite Agricole took place on November 25, you did not travel in time - the ceremony took place a month or so after actual notification of the award. If you take the trouble to research this award, you will find that services rendered to the French state includes restauration - namely the unfailing propagation of French gastronomic culture. Chef Didier has served the French Government in Toronto and Ottawa for over 15 years and has consistently raised the bar on French cuisine in Ontario - hence his nomination
Re your Steak Tartare, I happen to know for a fact that each dish is made to order, ie Chef chops the meat manually 'a la minute' So your inference that any of his food is prepared ahead of time is not a very nice thing to say to any respectable chef. Mayo or not is a different story and that is a subjective take. I happen to think Didier's Steak Tartare is the best I have ever had...'les gouts et les couleurs ne se discutent pas'!:)
Lastly, I think that none of you nay-sayers are doing any kind of service to Toronto fine dining - there are not enough restaurants that cater to people who understand good food and are prepared to pay for it in this city. Negative reviews serve only to discourage patrons who might have given a fine dining establishment such as Didier a try....
AP's Rating: 4 Stars |
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I tried the tasting menu. I thought the overall attitude was too overbearing so I didn't enjoy the place as much. I don't see myself returning
R.Turnbull's Rating: 1 Stars |
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Where do I start? Just like the first reviewer we were 4 French happy to have found the spot until we tried it. Lets talk about the service first, we had ordered a Sauternes only to be told 45 min into the meal that they did not have and that a big chunk of the wine list was not available. The food is nothing to be proud of either, we received a meringue that was uncooked for the most part which means that it was simply raw egg whites for desert. The chef did not offer not to charge for the dessert that was sent back untouched but rather came to the table all pompus and said that we should have just eaten it!!! Oh and did I mentioned how expensive the bill was after all.
Literally, this establishment is a JOKE!
Mimi's Rating: 1 Stars |
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Didier… Didier could be a joke or just a if only this restaurant wasn’t so expensive, pretentious and simply not good!!!
We were 3 french really exited to try this so called “traditional French” restaurant.. but what a disappointment.
First we were served a cheap black bean purée… salt and spices would have added something interesting to this simply very boring thing.
Then the “amuse bouche”: sooo cold (and yet it was fried little things) we thought that it was just coming out of the fridge! The “baguette” is one of the least tasty I tried in Toronto, and the core was so cold: this bread was stored in a fridge at one point or most probably frozen…I’ve never seen a bread with the core colder than the outside… and coming from Paris believe me I’ve tried hundred of bakeries in my life! The “ficelle” (kind of very thin baguette) you can taste at the 360° (CN tower) is far better. Our waiter was most probably new and lacked of confidence and still have a few things to learn, for example when you serve wine you are supposed to show the label to the customer before you pour it into his glass; when the customer requests that you ask a question to the chef, don’t go to the bar pretending your going in the kitchens… your customers are not that stupid (especially if their table is right next to the kitchen’s door…). This poor guy was nice though but seemed terrified by the chef!
Thereafter came the main course. We ordered the Steak Tartare and a Côte de boeuf bordelaise.
The steak tartare was full of mayonnaise…I’m sorry but one’s doesn’t put mayo in a steak tartare... not even homemade mayonnaise! And advise to you fellow customers: don’t even try to have your tartare without mayo “the chef wouldn’t like the result”… But chef: I am the customer, I am the one eating the food, and I am the one paying the bill, therefore if I don’t like mayo in my steak tartare You should take it into consideration. This led us to believe that this steak tartare may have been prepared in advance (in France you always have the choice to “prepare” your tartare yourself, i.e. the ingredients come unmixed with the meat so that you can accommodate your meat exactly the way you like it).
The Côte de boeuf… not tender and over cooked… the smashed potatoes was ok. The Bordelaise sauce however was good.
As a conclusion I would definitely not recommend this restaurant: go to the CN’s 360°: you will enjoy a nice view, a good meal and a far less pretentious place, all of this for a very reasonable price!
Oh, and as we were leaving we noticed that “toilettes” (restrooms) was spelled without the last “s”, and this simple letter changes a lot: “toilette” is the cleaning while “toilettes” are the washrooms!
Also on his website Didier tell us how he was rewarded with “prestigious Medal of the Chevalier de l'Ordre du Mérite Agricole on Sunday “ November 25th …I may have travelled in time then because I went there before and the medal was already on the wall! And just so you know this reward, even if it is indeed a prestigious reward created in the late 1880’s, was meant to give recognition to meriting people in agriculture… not gastronomy.
AA's Rating: 1 Stars |
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I was a bit aprehensive going to Didier, after reading a few of the earlier reviews, but after being there, I must assume they went to the wrong place. The atmosphere (although much of it the same as the previous tenant) is quite nice. I was there on a Thurs, so it was not busy, which meant it was nice and quiet, a pleasant place to sit and chat.
The staff, from the Maitre'd, to the server, to the busboy were all very friendly and attentive. We both had the tasting menu, which was, in a word, inspired. The venison was the best I have had in many years. The only issue we had, was that the wrong wine arrived at the table, but the server handled this error, with no fuss.
If you are looking for a place to go, for that special evening out, I recommend Didier.
Keck's Rating: 4 Stars |
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Classic French cuisine at its best - if you enjoy perfectly executed French food - this is the place to dine. Top quality ingredients, just right portions, simple yet elegant presentation of dishes on beautiful French Limoges porcelain. Relaxing and quiet atmosphere with French 'chansons', lovely flower arrangements, warm lighting and candles setting the mood. The bar is the best - bar none :) - patrons are very sociable and service is seamless. For those in the know, this is the finest French restaurant in town!
AP's Rating: 4 Stars |
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I had my birthday dinner with 11 friends at Didier. It was my second visit and this time, the fixed menu was suggested. Too bad my friends were not told that wines, put on the fixed menu, were not included in the quoted price. When we asked for separate checks, the attitude served in return was mind-numbing. Food was divine - Didier offers the best sweetbreads I ever tasted. Suggested improvement - get better trained, friendlier staff. I don't mind spending $200 per person, just don't treat me like you have better things to do than to serve us.
Robert Pierre's Rating: 3 Stars |
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On a somewhat mild evening in January I had the opportunity to be whisked away to a place/time/meal that was distinctly not your basic Torontonian fare.
Didier (Yonge and St. Clair) was an experience I will soon not forget and look forward to sharing again with more friends and family.
I will admit that the decor was not overly enthusiastic. Mind you I was impressed by the Louis the 15th replica desk in the Foyer.
Every aspect of the proprietors and the staff was exactly what I needed it to be. The waiter was not overly present, but I never wanted for anything. My water glass was always full and the bread and roasted garlic spread were abundant. (I am a big fan of bread so this was a plus for me).
I suffer from certain food allergies and could not share in my guests Escargot, but the Waldorf salad was a most welcome change from any I had ever had. Celeriac Remoulade (http://www.cooking.com/recipes/static/recipe1498.htm) with golden delicious and walnuts. Cool and different.
My guest and I both had the stuffed free range Cornish hens. Stuffed with chicken livers that melted in my mouth (yes I am acutely aware of how trite and clich?? that sounds).
The accompanying Madeira sauce with Shitake mushrooms was flawless. The Shitake mushrooms, which I usually feel are the first four letters of their namesake, were a most welcome addition in the risotto.
We ended with a merange that change texture as it was eaten and a creme of chocolate and vanilla that danced. Literally !!
I am not a world traveler (as one would ascertain from my food review) but if you want to try something that exudes a trip overseas, you should visit Didier. You will not be disappointed.
Daryl's Rating: 4 Stars |
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I really don't think any of you are being very fair. The food is wonderful, the atmosphere is very french, which is what they are trying to depict and the service is excellent. Give them a break
W's Rating: 4 Stars |
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No "maiter-d" or hostess at the door. Nobody greeted me, so after waiting a good 5 minutes I decided to go in and find my party myself! Food was totally unispired. I was very disappointed. Much ado about nothing. C'est domage Didier!!
Jenifer's Rating: 1 Stars |
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as you walk in the door you wonder where is my little black dress I didn't know the setting was Funeral parlor chic!
once you are seated you realize that this is it ..... it's a good as it going to get.
The best way to describe the staff is to say that I've seen more facial expressions from Norma Desmond's dead monkey.
and just like the setting the food is just as boring... and when you leave you're glad you lived thru it
so all and all it's only to be recommended if you choose to set your funeral after party outside your home.
Jean-Marc D's Rating: 1 Stars |
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WOW , such excitement over nothing, bland food, boring room, no update from previous resident, and with such mediocrity it is stunning.
Stuffy room, with little character. Save your money, you could cook better at home. Nothing at all to recomment except avoid this place, they are only relying on a name , and no substance anywhere else.
Really disappointing after all the hype. Sfaff looked scared to be there, and were not approachable, Chef left kitchen a few times to greet guests, perhaps to give his regrets for his shortcomings.
Tim D's Rating: 1 Stars |
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