Toronto diners are no strangers to seeing their favourite neighbourhood spot go up in flames โ literally.ย In late November of last year, Parkdaleโs beloved spot for French small plates and craft cocktails, Chantecler and its adjoining butcher shop Chantecler Boucherie, were closed due to damage from a three-alarm fire.
Chantecler Boucherie, which was just shy of six months since opening, reopened a week after the fire, but Chantecler is permanently closed for renovations until further notice.
For the time being, owner Jacob Wharton-Shuckster has decided to put his efforts back into the Parkdale community. He’s providing the Chantecler fan base with a place to feed their cravings while his restaurant undergoes renovations.
The new pop-up restaurant is aptly named Le Phenix and has opened right across the street from Chantecler.
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For the next six months, until Chantecler is ready to reopen their doors, this restaurant will be Parkdale’s go-to spot for French bites, oysters and cocktails.
โSome similar stuff and some new things; the space is a little different, kitchen resources are a little different,โ says Wharton-Shucker of the new pop-up.
Le Phenix will be serving Chantecler’s famed steak tartar, which some might argue is Toronto’s best, their luxurious chicken pate, and of course that ooey-gooey French onion soup.
The new space has housed several restaurants including Small Town Food Co., Doomieโs and most recently IST Snack Bar; so it is kind of poetic that Le Phenix has chosen this location, considering the mythical bird really does rise from the ashes.
Chantecler, which first opened in 2012 as a joint venture from Jacob Wharton-Shukster and Jonathan Poon (Bar Fancy, Paris Paris, Superpoint), was lauded as the nouveau spot for French classics with an Asian twist.
The partnership eventually dissolved, though Wharton-Shukster managed to hold on to Chanetecler’s loyal fan base despite pivoting back to a more classic French fare.
Le Phenix pop-up is open daily from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. and is closed Wednesday.