Get the full review at http://thehungrybunnie.blogspot.com/2012/03/antoinette-lavender.html
I takeaway from Antoinette quite a bit, mostly because they offer all-day breakfast eggs and yummy French bistro classics. I had brunch there recently, and it was very enjoyable. There wasn't a single bad dish. In fact, almost every dish shone. Be sure to make reservations though, the restaurant is fairly small and consequently packed to the rafters all the time. Portions are reasonable, but prices can lean a wee bit to the luxurious end. We appreciated that service was professional and attentive, plates were cleared efficiently and water glasses were filled frequently.
We had:
1) Salade Lyonnaise ($13.50) with thick strips of hot bacon, cubes of buttered croutons, layered with frisee and mixed greens tossed in a mustard vinaigrette and topped with a perfectly poached egg that ran when poked. I really don't like mustard, and much preferred the piquant balsamic-based house dressing instead.
2) Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Duck Breast ($13.50) fluffy, airy and moist, with sauteed mushrooms and herbs, a thick toasty homemade Pain de Mie and side salad with house dressing. I liked the smoked duck, salty, tender and fresh. (It tasted like softened back bacon)
3) Scrambled Egg Gratin ($15), layered with tomato fondue, Paris ham, sauteed mushrooms, Parmesan cheese and served alongside homemade Pain de Mie toast. This was like the eggy version of lasagna. Hands down, this was the better egg dish, and an absolute must-try. I'll venture this is the best egg dish here
4) Blinis with Blueberries ($10), thick, soft and fluffy pancakes laden generously with loads of sweet and juicy blueberries, both mashed and whole, drizzled with maple syrup, icing sugar and a trio of creme chantilly. I usually prefer eggs to pancakes when it comes to breakfast, but man, were these delicious
5) Wild Mushroom Risotto ($24) creamy arborio rice done al dente, simmered with exotic field mushrooms and white wine for an earthy but delicately light flavour, and topped with crispy serrano ham. Generously proportioned but great to the last bite. One of the best we've tried
6) Beouf Bourguignon ($32) a thick slab of Burgundy-style braised wagyu beef brisket in red wine served with pomme puree (that's just a fancy name for mashed potatoes) and par-boiled baby French beans. The beef was incredibly fork tender and rich and complex in flavour, a little sweet, a little rich, and a little intense. What stood out exceptionally (for me, at least) were the mashed potatoes, creamy and smooth but interspersed with tiny lumps for texture
