Carens Rosedale

Onion soup didn't have much flavour. I didn't even eat most of it. Shrimps were dripping wet with water. Limp. Mac and Cheese was outstanding as was the salad nicoise

Had a beautiful night here with my husband and one of my best friends. I always see this when I pass by so it’s been on my “to try” list for a bit. They were gracious enough to let us dine even if we were 20 mins late (because Toronto traffic is the worst, even if we left an hour in advance).

The ambience was great and we also had the pleasure of having someone play the piano during dinner. The service was excellent too - they were very attentive and gave good recommendations especially with the wine.

I’m a bit disappointed with the food. It was okay but did not wow me. We had the following dishes:
- the chicken liver pâté (which was too dense and the ratio to bread was… well, too much pâté for not so much bread),
- the French onion soup (my friend had it and the sherry seemed too strong),
- husband had the burger (it was moist and good but the bottom burger bun was just too soggy),
- the steak frites (well done here cooked to preferred doneness and frites were very well seasoned and had a great crunch and crisp to them),
- the flourless chocolate torte (loved the chocolate flavour but it was waaaaay to dense, or maybe too chilled),
- and the apple tarte tatin (very disappointed with this one… it really did not deliver at all. Sorry, it was just sad… the plating, the flavour, no caramelization, the crust… should’ve tried the crème brûlée instead).

Oh! The steps to the washroom was very steep. Just be careful. But the washrooms were very clean and well kept with cute decor too.

Glad we were able to try this place. Would’ve wanted to try their fondue but will save that for the next visit.

The food was mediocre. I'll give it 6/10. French inspired but very unauthentic. But the service was way worse. 35 minutes from the time we were sat until a rude waiter finally accepted to take our order. After that, 45 minutes until the first appetizer arrived (and it was oysters, so not much of preparation needed). It took us 3 hours to half eat (no one in the table finished their dishes). Also, VERY expensive for what it is.

The food is delicious. The salad comes with the dish is so tasty. Good is fresh. Will go again.

I've been to Carens 3 times now and each time it has been amazing.

I've had the following dishes: each one was delicious!

Chorizo mac and cheese

Both types of cheese fondue.both served with bread and sometimes with apples

Steak frites

French onion soup (probably the best French onion soup I've had)

Chocolate fondue with assorted fruits, marshmallows, and banana bread.

I will definitely be going to Carens again and again!

Wonderful. An absolutely charming French bistro in Rosedale. The atmosphere of vintage Paris is as beautiful as the continental cuisine. Truly special.

Cool Parisian vibes with some hits and misses on the food.
- The hits: The olives were superb, plump and mildly bitter sweet. The classic fondue was the star of the meal, bubbling cheesiness with a bit of a kick. And the apple tartin was a good end to the meal, with a delicately flaky crust and cheese versus cream on top.
- The misses: The french onion soup and steak were a bit too salty for my taste. The bouillabaisse was the opposite and a bit too bland.

Service was excellent - attentive, knowledgeable, quick. The atmosphere is casual but can be chic too. The prices are upscale. The location is convenient.

3.9/5

Good service and a relaxing atmosphere.

We tried the Cheese Fondue ($10 extra for the chorizo) and the Duck Confit and Mushroom Risotto.

The food is decent, not great and not bad.
The Cheese Fondue was enough as an appetizer for 3. The cheese to bread ratio seemed a bit off as we ran out of cheese way before we did bread.

The Duck Confit was tender and the side of potatoes and beans were nice complements. The Mushroom Risotto was not too heavy and flavourful. Despite this, the food unfortunately wasn’t anything memorable and definitely overpriced for what it is. I suppose you’re paying for the real estate to some degree given the location.

The servers were attentive and the ambiance is nice. It was a pleasant space to spend an evening with friends!

Great fondue, staff were incredibly friendly and the mushroom risotto is also great. No idea how this place isn’t above the 4 star mark so I’d be happy to give them a nudge in the right direction. Overall a lovely dinner

Beautiful restaurant, great ambience and the food was exquisite. Hats off to the amazing Chef, Mr Roger Moore.

Excellent food, fast and friendly service, despite being a Monday the ambience was great. Thank You

Nothing spectacular. It’s not busy at all during the afternoons. Practically empty on a Saturday afternoon.

Superb food, atmosphere is perfect as this restaurant is one of just a few piano lounges in Toronto (Friday & Saturday evenings). Outdoor patio, cosy bar interior and larger restaurant space at the back. This place checks all the boxes!

Couldn’t have been more delighted with our experience last night at Carens. A true French bistro with a relaxed atmosphere and lovely decor. Amazing food and cocktails!

Such a cute spot to grab dinner with a friend or family. The waiters were friendly & helpful. They offered bread with garlic hummus and recommended the lobster Mac & Cheese which was pretty good, but keep in mind the price point is $40 which not listed on the menu.

Although it was tasty I would have preferred the price disclosure or having it on the menu. In terms of the entrée, I would have liked having 1 cheese flavour with the lobster instead of 4 cheeses and they could have added a bit more lobster bits in there, but bare in mind that’s just my preference. The washrooms were so well decorated & loved the details

French onion soup was delicious escargots were terrible no flavour not sure if they were fresh. Pork belly not flavour properly Hamburger was dry no flavour. Risotto was good when asked to be rude to us they declined. Turns out we were at the wrong Caren. It should have been Karen with a K.

Eggs Benny were medium hard, the English Muffin was stale and tasted like it had been sitting for a while. Home fries were so so and there was nothing else on the plate. A bit blah overall for Mother’s Day Brunch. Could have made it much better myself. Mimosa wasn’t filled to the brim. Should have been for $18.

We had the best lunch. The wine, food and service was great. We shared the pâté and the beetroot salad. Can’t wait to go back. My family always talk about Carens and finally I was able to go when I visited them from out west.

1 really wanted to love this place. Charming atmosphere, friendly and helpful staff if a tad slow on an early saturday afternoon with 2 or 3 tables occupied. The fancy sounding grilled cheese with frites was pretty basic although large portions. The sandwich looked like it had sat for a bit and the bread had slid off the melted cheese. Basic raisin bread and the pepper jelly was in fact a sweetish runny hot sauce. Regular French fries.
Fair price. My companion gave rave reviews for the mushroom and brie omelette. It looked nice. Good potential you guys just need to step it up a wee bit more with the food and or descriptions. I'll probably give it another go

I don’t know why Caren’s isn’t rated higher & wasn’t busier on a Saturday night. I thought the food was great. Cod (fish special) &with brussel sprouts & potatoes & mouse et frites (mains) & tarte tatin for dessert were excellent, along with Bordeaux wine. The fondue could have used a tad less alcohol & I might have ordered it with more than just bread the next time, but still very tasty. Service was good: friendly & knowledgeable servers, prompt but not in your face.

My husband and I came here for dinner on a weekday and this place it is fantastic. We got good service and also the fondue delicious, we added some ingredientes in the founde almost just as we had it in France, like potatoes and prosciutto. The onion soup and risotto were also so flavorful.

We visited Carens on a saturday night. There was a pianist playing live music which created such a lovely ambiance! Service was also friendly and food was reasonably priced and tasted amazing. We had the beet salad (those caramelized wallnuts were a unique addition!), the escargot bourguinion (was my first time trying escargots and I'll be coming back) and the classic fondue (one of the few places in TO that has this option on their menu!).
Highly recommended