Toronto - Madame Boeuf & Flea
The Three B's - Bocce, beanbags, and burgers
Tucked right behind Fet Zun (formerly Bar Begonia - remember the Negronis on tap?), Madame Boeuf & Flea is a patio of picnic tables serving up classic burgers and fries. It’s a casual spot and has to be one of Toronto’s best hidden patios.
The restaurant is by Chef Anthony Rose, aka Mr. Dupont Street in-between Bathurst and Davenport; the man behind Fat Pasha, Schmaltz Appetizing and of course front of house Fet Zun.
What We Ordered: (x3) Boeuf Burger 5oz Pattie, Boeuf Sauce, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion $10.99 | (x2) FET ZUN Crispy Eggplant Burger Crispy Eggplant, Cucumber & Garlic Toum, Hummus, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion $15.99 | Krinkle Cut French Fries Fries but Krinkle Cut $5.99 | Crunchy Tahini Ezell's Coleslaw $6.99 | Smashed Cucumber Salad Cucumber, Onion, Mint, Dill, Sesame, Tomatoes, Chili $16.00
Recommend For: Fun with friends - there is something great about a restaurant you do not have to make a reservation for, and do not feel guilty sitting at for +3 hours. A true neighbourhood spot with great service. Other attendees last Wednesday night were couples (overdressed first dates and some vets - I saw you man in the Yakult Swallows hat), groups of friends, and families. I hate to say it, but aside from the Smashed Cucumber Salad (off the Fet Zun menu), I did not really enjoy the food. I was starving - tried half the eggplant burger and half the regular burger and both were underwhelming. The eggplant rather bland, and the burger not improved by the soft white bun. That said, it’s hard to complain about a shared meal under $50 with great friends on an outdoor patio.
Reservations: Yes - via the Fet Zun website.
Complet’s Current
Memorable Meal? I cannot recall if I wrote about this, but we recently revisited neighbourhood favourite Greta Solomon’s for a classic French meal and wine on their intimate back patio. The menu is simple, we over-ordered, a perfect Friday date night. I also made an herby-tuna melt on zucchini fritters at the cottage with some avocado and I am quite proud of this six ingredient kitchen sink meal.
Where am I Eating Next? I have a couple spots in the lineup, but I recently made a work-dinner reservation for Bar Goa and am very much looking forward to trying the modern Indian spot on Adelaide East. I have a bi-weekly breakfast at Cafe Landwer with a good friend and in the days leading up to it I find myself thinking about their scrambled eggs - as much as I try, I just cannot get mine as good as theirs.
What My Friends Are Talking About: I have heard Romi’s Bakery mentioned many times in the past couple of weeks and if I find myself in the City next weekend I will definitely be there. Also Mott 32 is now open for reservations; I tried, and it is seemingly impossible to get a dinner spot so if someone wants to take me, please do. No one I have spoken to, besides some PR reps at Pomp & Circumstance, are talking about the newly opened Nobu.
Added to My International Must-See List: The Park in London and Apotek 57 in Copenhagen. I have never been to Copenhagen and I think it has to be on my 2025 list. These pictures of fresh butter, a slice of cheese and a baguette really get me going.