La Société

Charles Kahbouth is known more for glitz and glamour than the actual food served at his restaurants, and his newest venture, La Société at the Colonade on Bloor, reestablishes that reputation. Completely overtaking the old Dynasty Chinese Food venue, Kahbouth opened up a patio on the main floor with a limited menu, a trendy bar, a grill, and about a third of the regular menu items — a pretty cool idea, in my opinion, especially for people on the go. He also totally overhauled the original restaurant with an amazing glass mosaic on the ceiling, a raw fish bar, a full drinks bar with a cool feel, and a second patio on the top floor. They put a fortune into renovating this place, and it shows.

The food didn’t quite match the atmosphere, but I was still pleasantly surprised. I headed out with my family, so each dish got several different reviews, but in my opinion, it was definitely better than average. As a warning, the food is also very French, so it isn’t the greatest place to take picky eaters. The service also has some work to be done, but it was early days when I tried out the restaurant, so maybe they have improved.

La Société is a good, fun place for younger people on the weekend. It is expensive, but you’re paying for atmosphere as much as food (even though, to be honest, the food could be better). The trendy factor is up at La Société, and it’s the place to be right now.

Opening hours: 11:30am to Midnight on Monday to Thursday 11:30am to 2am on Friday 11:00am for Brunch on Saturday & Sunday 11:00am to 2am on Saturday 11:00am to Midnight on Sunday Open late nightly
Reservations: Not required
Meals Served: Brunch, Dinner, Late Night Dining, Lunch
Cusine Type: French
Good For: Business Dining, Dates, Dining Alone, Expense Accounts, Late Night Dining, People Watching, Special Occasions, Twentysomethings
Founded: 2011
Parking: Valet ($12)