Hi r/FoodToronto,
Jacob from Chantecler here.
I have seen a bunch of threads here about where to eat solo in Toronto, and it lined up with a problem we have been talking about internally. Our menu is mostly geared toward two or more people. (larger plates; family style)
Solo guests already come in, but they often end up either over-ordering or skipping the dishes we are actually known for.
We are workshopping a small “Dîner pour un / Table for One” insert. Idea is very simple: a short à la carte menu designed for guests dining alone, with portions that make sense for one person and pricing that does not feel like a “single tax”.
This is a draft of what it might look like:
Small plates
Fall squash & Délice de Bourgogne – $13
Roasted cauliflower, cave-aged gruyère – $13
Steak tartare, accompaniments & sourdough – $14
Fries, lemon & house aioli – $6
Large plates
Roasted rutabaga & vegetable demi-glace – $19
Dry-aged duck breast, cranberry, onion soubise – $32
Petite bouillabaisse (cod, mussels, clams, shrimp) – $26
Bavette bordelaise, bone marrow, choice of veg – $32
I would really like feedback from people who actually eat out alone at this kind of place:
- Does a dedicated solo menu like this feel welcoming and useful, or gimmicky / condescending?
- Do the prices read as a fair solo spend for a proper night out, and does anything look way out of line with the rest?
- If you were on your own, what would you realistically order from this list, and would that feel like you had “done” the restaurant?
Intent is that this would be for guests who are actually dining alone, not a cheap way for couples to share smaller plates. If that restriction annoys you, say so.
If we move ahead, I may quietly invite a couple of regular solo diners from this thread to test-drive it and give private feedback. No expectation of posts or reviews.
Mods, if this crosses the line into self-promo, happy to adjust or delete.
by ChanteclerTO
Dining and Cooking