After five years of building one of Toronto’s most loyal dining followings on Ossington, Côte de Boeuf has finally done what regulars have been requesting for years: opened a second location. Brasserie Côte, the larger sister restaurant in the heart of the Annex at 400 Bloor St. W., has officially soft-opened, and the city’s French bistro faithful are already making their way over.
The new location takes over the space left behind by By The Way Cafe — a neighbourhood institution in its own right — and has been thoughtfully redesigned to honour both the building’s history and the relaxed, Parisian-inspired atmosphere that made the original Côte de Boeuf such a beloved spot. The interior is welcoming, warm and effortlessly Gallic in the best possible way.
Menu-wise, Brasserie Côte builds on the foundation of its predecessor. Crowd favourites from the Ossington original — including the celebrated steak tartare and steak frites — appear alongside new additions that reflect the broader brasserie format. The eventual vision is an all-day restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, though the team is wisely starting with dinner service as they find their footing.
For Toronto’s considerable population of French cuisine enthusiasts, having a Côte de Boeuf experience in the Annex is genuinely exciting. The neighbourhood now has a destination dining room capable of anchoring a night out in the area.
Brasserie Côte is currently operating Thursday through Saturday evenings. Head to 400 Bloor St. W. while it’s still in soft-opening mode and experience one of Toronto’s most anticipated bistro expansions before the full rush arrives.