To the owner and staff of La Maquette,

Thank you so much for hosting our wedding ceremony and reception. You took care of all of the little details, and made everyone (ages 4 mos to 96 years!) welcome and comfortable. The combination of the patio for our outdoor ceremony, the main floor for our champagne cocktail hour, and the private room for our dinner was exactly the venue and atmosphere we were hoping for.

It was especially nice for our dinner guests to have a variety of entree items to choose from. Many of our guests are still raving about the wonderful food, and are telling their friends to make reservations the next time they're in Toronto!

We look forward to returning to La Maquette to enjoy an intimate dinner for two!

Kind regards,
Connie Anderson & André Douchane



Winterlicious 2008 at La Maquette
In a word- excellent!

The restaurant is very romantic, on two floors with a beautiful brass staircase leading to the upper floor. I loved the trees with the white lights interwoven in the branches on the second floor, it was so pretty.
The chairs are comfortable 'eating' chairs, and the tables are arranged
at a very decent distance from each other so that patrons don't feel crowded or nervous because others can eavesdrop on the conversation.
The service was impeccable. We were greeted in the foyer by the maitre'd who brought us upstairs, took our coats and escorted us to the table. The wait staff were attentive and friendly throughout the entire meal, never once did we feel rushed. We were asked a couple of times
if we were enjoying our meal- one of those times, the waiter appeared concerned because my friend was so busy telling us about her latest trip that she she didn't have the opportunity to eat her meal, while we had cleaned off our plates. It seemed he wanted to make sure that everything was okay and she was happy which was nice gesture because
it showed he was paying attention and was concerned.
There was a guitarist, in the corner, and I appreciated that the sound
of his playing was kept at a minimum, in no way did we have to speak louder or feel that the sound of the guitar was overpowering the conversation
in the room.
We all began with the shrimp tempura- two large shrimp in what appeared to be a light panko batter, emphasis on the light. It was crispy and very tender on the inside. It came with a little medley of greens, and a dollop
of "mayo with ginger and scotch pea meal pepper sauce" although it just tasted like plain ol' mayo to each of us.
Two of us ordered the grilled veal striploin, and the other ordered the pan seared scallops with couscous. The grilled veal striploin was truly wonderful- tender, delicious, and the dijon cognac sauce was excellent.
It came with mound mashed potato (yummy) and grilled vegetables.
My friend loved her scallops- I've never seen her clean off her plate (she even used a piece of bread to get the last few drops of the coconut cream sauce).
For dessert, we shared the banana liquor creme brulee and the sambayon. The sambayon came with a nice handful of juicy berries- blackberries, strawberries and raspberries. Our creme brulee just had one raspberry on top, but who noticed when the brulee itself was so darn creamy and delicious? By this time, we were rubbing our tummies with pure satisfaction.
I must add- if you go to La Maquette, you must order the cappuccino because it was made perfectly, with a large, stiff, foam that looked like
a large meringue sitting on top of the cup, that's how good it was.
This place is a keeper, IMO. We had a great meal with great service
and the restaurant itself has great charm. Two thumbs up!!!!

Ambience: White linen and pale yellow walls absorb the light, making you feel like you’re in a villa in the South of France.
Character: Instantly appealing, like someone’s guesthouse, rather than a typical restaurant
Service: Impeccably courteous, efficient
Cuisine: Mediterranean, fusion
Expense: Dinner for two, plus drinks: $150

Spotlight Says: “Flawless presentation, generous portions, and perfectly cooked food create another delectable reason to fall in love with the La Maquette experience.”

"Like dining in a conservatory. Very formal, very elegant, very French." "Large windows overlook sculpture garden and patio." "Great beef tenderloin," "artistic but not nouvelle."
2004 Patron's Pick, Toronto's Favourite Restaurants

EXHILIRATING DINING AT LA MAQUETTE
"She swept into the room looking like a picture from Vogue Magazine, the newly 'improved' svelte and stunning Ange Kanavas. Eat your heart out weight-watchers for this gal has pulled it off like you wouldn't believe. One of the classiest ladies in town, Ange has also done a clean sweep to her very popular restaurant La Maquette when new carpeting, huge hand-made wall mirrors, classic antique furnishings and prism-like accessories have turned what was already an oasis of taste into an even more dazzling ambience. Two levels provide blended dining (both overlook a magical courtyard that’s adorned with twinkling lights) and while luncheons demand reservations, you're equally advised to reserve pre-theatre encounters or just laze into the evening away from winter's chills while enjoying superb cuisine backed by deft service and softly-timed live entertainment... Once again our visit was perfection!"
dining today with BRETT HALLIDAY
NATIONAL POST, THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2002

LA MAQUETTE'S GENEROUS CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS
"Apart from being one of the most highly acclaimed restaurants in the city. La Maquette's dazzling host-owner, Ange Kanavas, is gaining a superb reputation for her various charitable interests. Such was the case this past February when La Maquette combined forces with Peninsula Ridge Winery in featuring a glittering evening as invited guests shared prized wines and a four-course gourmet dinner as each ticket costing $115 noted a sold-out affair with 50% of the proceeds going to Sick Children's Hospital for research of 'The Brain Child'. This is one restaurateur who continues to put her money where her mouth is by sharing with others in her various successes. Bravo Ange! La Maquette is a deliciously captivating two-tiered dining room complete with selected banquet facilities. Decorated with newly acquired furnishings, exquisite wall renderings, huge mirrors and intimate lighting, the restaurant overlooks a 'greened courtyard' while offering prized recipes for lunch and dinner..." dining today with BRETT HALLIDAY
NATIONAL POST, THURSDAY, THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2002

"An oasis in the true sense of the word" - Sara Waxman

"One of the most romantic spots in the city" - Sara Waxman

"One has a sense already nostalgic, of grande luxe" -
Joanne Kates