Located across the street from the Hummingbird Centre, Biff’s has been the recipient of numerous awards, including Toronto Life’s 2004 Best-Kept Secret honour. The bistro’s grey and brown tones are warmed by the south-facing windows where the L-shaped zinc bar is situated. The bar is separated from the dining room proper by a glass partition. Regulars benefit from the full menu as well as a bar menu—which is served for an hour longer and includes delicacies such as frog legs and foie gras terrine.

Of particular pride to the dining room is the sumptuous cheese trolley, which is laden with no less than 10 and up to 15 cheeses on any given week. As befits a French bistro, Biff’s boasts its very own cheese sommelier. Each cheese is picked by them for its freshness, and many come from France and notable artisanal dairies in Quebec and Ontario. Dishes range from fresh daily seafood such as the smoke salmon plate to three different plates pour-deux, such as the duck comfit or the. The wine list, much like the cheese list, is mainly French, but the house red, Biff’s Juicy Red, is bottled and labelled by Cave Spring Winery in the Niagara Region. There are 20 wines available by the glass, and a many are priced below $60 a bottle.

Those with a hankering for private dining may book the 12 person capacity Grey Room. If the party is larger, the 30 person capacity Red Room is available for lunches and dinners for a minimum charge that varies depending on the night.

REVIEW

The same team that created a trio of excellent eateries (Jump, Canoe, and Auberge du Pommier) has come up with a classic bistro, with dishes priced somewhat lower than at the other establishments. The setting hits the right notes, with wood paneling and potted palms among the cozy-but-chic touches. The menu is equally fine, with pan-fried halibut covered with a second skin of thinly sliced potatoes, and traditional roast leg of lamb. The prime downtown location is a boon for Financial District types at lunch and theatergoers in the evening (the St. Lawrence and Hummingbird centers are a stone's throw away).

Source: Frommer's

REVIEW

get this out of the way right off the bat: Biff's is a big budget Oliver-Bonacini affair. This is the crew responsible for Auberge du Pommier, Jump and Canoe, and it shows.

This one continues the coterie's fascination with pretension and style (it has a million dollar awning). Dealmaking is still the order of the day and this joint.

Absolutely nothing is left to chance at this vehicle. Situated across from the Hummingbird Centre, it's a pre-ballet/opera destination for the perfumed set. The wait staff is helpful, charismatic and unobtrusive; they miraculously materialize exactly when you need them.

The French modern-style restaurant and bar is packed with a sleek, chic crowd at dinner. It costs, but you get exactly what you pay for. With bistro fare like steak-frites and coq-au-vin, pan-roasted Maine diver scallops in a fennel, orange, and vanilla infusion, the chicken liver parfait, it's classic French bistro fare, prepared with skill and imagination Ask the waiter for the best bets of the evening. Talk to the sommelier about the lengthy wine list.

Best bets: the raised Provimi veal roulade with pan roasted sweetbreads and roasted garlic pomme pureé is a consistent winner, with its tart lemon and caper relish; then there’s the poached Atlantic salmon fillet on a warm new potato salad dressed with salsa verde and steamed fresh asparagus. Also, the Roast Rock Cornish hen with Yukon potatoes, bacon lardons and pan jus is a compelling signature dish.

The lounge area is oversize, with a conversation-inducing communal banquette. Unfortunately, the crowd isn't quite as cool as the furniture: a perplexing problem the design world

Source: martiniboys.com