555 Dundas Street East

(647) 748-0555

http://www.paintboxbistro.ca

Pricing: Cheap – Average

Cuisine: North American

Type: Bistro

Rating

Atmosphere: 8/10

Food: 6/10

Service: 5/10

My friend lives just down the street so when Paintbox Bistro opened, he was pretty excited. He hoped it would be a place that he could frequent. After our experience there however, I don’t think that will be the case.

The bistro is located by Regent Park, a low-income area, so it gives those individuals a chance by providing them with proper training and real-world experience.

The interior is an attempt at modern and it’s almost there but not quite. I know it’s supposed to symbolize a paintbox but at times, it seems childish.

My friend Duy got the Leek Foam Soup + Chicken Liver Crostini and didn’t seem too satisfied. This is coming from a guy who usually is content with everything. It was a little bland to him and did I mention it wasn’t hot?

I was intrigued by the Fat Fries + House Ketchup and while the ketchup was nice and a little tangy, the fries are a little too thick and starchy.

The Braised Short Rib + Red Cabbage + Cauliflower Picalli sounded good to me and I was quite pleased. The rib was boneless and so tender while the sides were sweetly picked.

The Pan Seared Cornish Hen + Roasted Beets + Dandelion + Horseradish Aioli was a little dry and frankly, quite small. Like most of the dishes we had that night, it was lukewarm. Not only that, but while eight of us already had our main dishes, my one friend waited about 45 minutes before his came out. He was hungry and agitated, not a great combination. He did get his meal on the house though.

It isn’t worth going back for one dish that wasn’t bad. I’d rather travel more and go elsewhere.