he French aren't exactly the most Zen-like people, but Brasserie Aix, College Strip's scenester-chasing hangout, manages to pull off that tricky Asian-French fusion —a feat that has failed elsewhere in the city.

The owner, debonair David Bowen (who also owns Monsoon) says the decor is meant to evoke "a brasserie in Paris." A sort of offshoot of the celebrity-haunted brasseries in Paris. Yet it's part of a series of restaurants that walks the line between nightclub and dining room. In fact, it's hard to tell where the “brasserie's” high-style lobby bar ends and the dining room begins. It does look fine nonetheless. Yabu Pushelberg did this job. Enough on that.

Inside, a front room with a big bar and casual tables leads past a kitchen, to a gorgeous high-ceilinged dining room. The beautiful space is dominated by a huge round light fixture that throws soft light on walls painted a pale ochre. Long, high banquettes are a shiny blood red; tables are covered in white cloths. The decibel level is deafening on weekends, but on a weeknight, you can snuggle into a linen-lined booth and have a pretend-you’re-in-Paris good time.

The menu has all the trendy eatery markings: watercress salad with walnuts, cheese and a vinaigrette ($6.95), Lamb shank ($20.85), calves liver ($16.95), Duck confit ($19.25) Cornish hen with lemon zest ($19.95), Grilled Arctic char ($23.85) and the bistro standard steak frites. The dishes would be totally at home in the Alsatian countryside, and puts the lie to the idea that all bistro cooking must derive from a particular uninspired repertoire. Chef is Paul Pisa, formerly of Ellipsis.

If the cuisine doesn't catch your eye, try one of their Gallic-inspired drinks, including French martinis (vodka, Chambord and pineapple juice), absinthe-spiked aperitifs and silky, insidious vanilla vodka.


Review this place


Reader Reviews

Too bad about the follow through.
Janice, Toronto
March 1, 2004
Just don't order the beef. My girlfriends did and they got sick sick sick. These things totally happen and we understand but wanted to inform management so I called BA days later. They assured me that I would get a call back when the manager was in. I didn't - and so I called in again and spoke to the chef who spoke with the manager who called me. She promised a gift certificate to make up for their upset stomachs - even though it may be argued that an upset stomach over the holiday season cannot be compensated for. It didn't come. Customer service at the seating was incredible. Too bad about the follow through.


Not 4 star food, but good food.
G Foodie, Toronto
July 22, 2003
We went there on a Saturday night and it seemed to be a lot of the 905
suburban crowd. But hey it was Saturday night, and they've got to eat too right?

It wasn't that busy and the service was excellent. I didn't even get a chance to finish my in between courses smokes, as the food came out too quickly. (This is a good thing). Opting for steak au frites and the beef tenderloin, we were not disappointed. Simple dishes, but prepared right, without any unnecessary accompaniments.

So what if it doesn't feel like an authentic brasserie...I don't think that's the
point. It was a nice looking place that fit into the trendy College St atmosphere, and the food was good, and the service was excellent.
Not 4 star food, but good food. The other menu items did look good, and glancing around at the tables, we noticed a lot of chicken being ordered (uggh). Perhaps the prices were not as reasonable as we thought, or people from the burbs really like their chicken? Anyways, couldn't get a glance of what the other menu items looked like (except for the chicken) but they sounded really good on the menu.

Anyways great place and would definitely visit again to try some of the other items on their menu. Perhaps on a Thursday night though?


What's the fuss about it?
Isabelle Toronto
October 11, 2002
After reading all the good reviews about Brasserie Aix, I decided to try it. I was not too impressed. The food was good and simply but nicely presented. However, the menu had a few French spelling mistakes and the service was terrible. The waiter did not know the menu and was not attentive to our needs. As for the atmosphere, this is far from looking like a French brasserie. Have you seen red lighting like that in a brasserie in Paris? Have you ever heard music that cranked-up in a brasserie? Don't go there on a date or if you are looking for a cozy atmosphere. Very disappointing! Did I mention I'm from France?


Attitude and lung cancer
Rick Tressler, Toronto, ON
May 1, 2002
The city should make the owners put in a smoke-eater! Half the indie-rock wanna be fashion victims in here, don't even actually smoke their cigarettes, but instead just light them as a fashion accessory. Basically the place is long on attitude and short on substance. Should be gone in a few years...like the patrons, as they get lung cancer.


“value"
Danny Schwartz, Toronto, ON
Dec 9, 2001
At these prices the word "value" is rarely used. Considering the incredible food, polished and attentive staff, and overall wonderful dining experience, dinner at Brasserie Aix is worth almost any price. I have been to the finest restaurants in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, and this is by far my favorite.

All time favorite
Lu Riskam, Montreal, Qu
Dec. 3, 2001
One of the best, if not the BEST places in Toronto. This will become my all time favorite restaurant! The food, the service, the atmosphere are the greatest. We were there for dinner on Thursday night, the design of the place was beautiful. We had a wonderful dinner, topped by fantastic service. next visit to Toronto will definitely include a stop at Brasserie Aix and another great dinner! Keep up the excellent work.