Brasserie Côte, a new French-style brasserie from local restaurateurs Teo Paul and Eamon O’Dea, is preparing to open in Toronto’s Annex neighborhood at 400 Bloor Street West.
The new restaurant is taking over the former home of By the Way Cafe, a Mediterranean brunch spot that had operated in the Annex since 1979, according to Toronto Life. While an exact opening date has not yet been announced, the restaurant is expected to open later this year. Co-owner Teo Paul is best known for Union and Côte de Bœuf on Ossington Avenue, as well as Le Tambour Tavern in Hamilton and Hearts in Grey County. O’Dea currently manages Côte de Bœuf.
Brasserie Côte will draw inspiration from Côte de Bœuf, the team’s Ossington wine bar and butcher shop, but will offer a broader menu and a full-service restaurant format. Influenced by the casual brasserie culture of Paris, particularly the style of Aux Deux Amis, the new concept will emphasize an unpretentious, convivial atmosphere.
The space will feature a zinc-topped bar and likely incorporate reclaimed wood throughout the interior. The restaurant is designed to be approachable and lively, with wine-friendly small plates, charcuterie, and a rotating selection of farm-to-table dishes served throughout the day.
Brasserie Côte will operate with a no-reservations policy and remain open all day, aiming to offer a laid-back but high-quality experience. The owners hope the brasserie will bring a fresh, joyful energy to the neighborhood dining scene, filling the void left by the closure of By the Way Cafe.
Paul and O’Dea’s experience in both front- and back-of-house operations is expected to shape Brasserie Côte into a natural extension of their existing restaurants, while introducing something new to a historically rich Toronto neighborhood.
