Belle Isle, a cocktail bar in Leslieville near Lake Inez, is shifting from a snack-focused menu to a full dinner service at 1455 Gerrard Street E.
The new menu change follows the addition of chefs Keith Siu, formerly of See You Soon, Frilu, and Mimi Chinese, and Ronan Shaftoe, who has worked at Yardbird in Hong Kong, Bar Brett in Glasgow, and Bonito’s in Toronto, according to Toronto Life. The restaurant will now serve dinner Monday to Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Friday to Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to midnight. Customers can expect Cantonese-inspired dishes alongside Belle Isle’s signature cocktail lineup.
Belle Isle first opened in Leslieville in 2024 and has built a reputation for creative cocktails and a playful atmosphere. The restaurant has been a local gathering spot for one year and will celebrate its first anniversary in October 2025. The decision to pivot to dinner service was driven by the opportunity to work with Siu and Shaftoe, who would bring new energy and culinary direction to the space.
The restaurant will continue to offer its quirky and fun atmosphere, including playing Fergie’s 2006 hit “Clumsy” multiple times per evening. The menu now reflects Cantonese and Hong Kong influences, while maintaining a focus on inventive cocktails and approachable dining.
Menu highlights will include cheung fun, a tendon-and-shank terrine with confit onion, soy sauce chicken, and desserts such as brûléed fried milk. Signature cocktails such as “This Cold Pizza Is Curing My Depression” will remain, alongside new drinks including “My AI Girlfriend Thinks I’m Pretty,” made with tequila blanco, cachaça, lemon balm, strawberry, and coconut.
“These two champions of the heart have taken over our kitchen,” the team said on social media. “In turn, we’re pivoting toward a more dinner-y menu, and we couldn’t be more stoked. We’ve been long-time admirers of and friends with Keith Siu, and after several pop-ups together, we finally carved a path to work together in a lasting way. He brought with him Ronan Shaftoe, who is truly the muscadet to his oyster, the flame to his meat, the Fergie to his Black Eyed Peas.”
