Bernhardt's - Toronto

After an incredible meal at sister restaurant Dreyfus, we were eager to visit Bernhardt's. While the food was decent, the service left much to be desired. We ha... read more After an incredible meal at sister restaurant Dreyfus, we were eager to visit Bernhardt's. While the food was decent, the service left much to be desired. We had a reservation for 9:15 PM and arrived on time, only to be ignored by three different waiters for a total of 8 minutes—there was no eye contact, no acknowledgment, nothing. When we finally reached our reserved table, we were told we had to order immediately because the kitchen was closing. We quickly scanned the menu and chose the steak tartare, heirloom tomato salad, artichoke hearts with girolles, and half chicken, which was recommended by the waiter at Dreyfus. After placing our orders, the waiter returned with options for the most expensive bottles of wine. When we mentioned we weren't willing to spend more than $100 on wine, he seemed dismissive, despite there being around ten options available at that price. The white wine we chose was left at our table without an ice bucket, so we had to refill our glasses ourselves throughout the meal. When our main courses arrived, the waiter stopped by before we even started eating to ask how everything was. It felt insincere, as if she didn't genuinely care. We left feeling like an inconvenience, as if the front-of-house staff were more focused on closing up for the night. It was quite disappointing. If you're going to take reservations at 9:15 PM, you should provide consistent service. I’m giving this restaurant two stars because the food was better than average. The steak tartare was underseasoned, but the heirloom tomatoes and artichokes were delightful and well-seasoned. The chicken was nothing special, but it would be a decent option for a group of four to share. To the team at Bernhardt's: take a cue from the Dreyfus staff, who truly excel where you seem to be lacking.

Outstanding cuisine in a beautiful ambiance. Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 read more Outstanding cuisine in a beautiful ambiance. Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

I had a 5 PM reservation, which turned out to be perfect since it wasn't too crowded! The egg special appetizer was fantastic, featuring a delightful mix of tex... read more I had a 5 PM reservation, which turned out to be perfect since it wasn't too crowded! The egg special appetizer was fantastic, featuring a delightful mix of textures with crispy chicken skin, capers, sauce, and boiled egg (I might be a bit biased as I really love eggs). The beef tartare was slightly salty—it wasn't the best I've had, but still quite decent. I'm unsure about the choice of toast that accompanied it. I thoroughly enjoyed the carrots and lentils; they were bursting with flavor. The chicken was moist and good, though it didn't leave me in awe. The combination of fries and wedges was a good call, though the fries were definitely the highlight! The ice cream was refreshing, but I'm uncertain about the olive oil drizzle. The service was exceptional throughout my visit, and I never felt rushed. Overall, the appetizers stole the show! Price per person: $60–70. Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5.