Nearly seven years in, La Banane is still one of the city’s busiest and buzziest restaurants. The contemporary French spot is situated in a prime location on the Ossington strip, serving up whimsical eats and delectable treats in an uber cool art deco space. Just months after being named as one of the Michelin Guide’s Recommended Restaurants, they have now opened a new venture, Bar Banane.
Located directly above La Banane (on the second floor of 227 Ossington Ave.), behind a glowing blue door, you’ll find expertly crafted cocktails and sophisticated small plates in an intimate low-key setting.
On the menu is a wide selection of canapés including the Nova Scotia lobster croustade ($10) served with bacon, tarragon and frisée, as well as the Hokkaido sea urchin ($15) Or, if you can’t decide, you can order la tour ($55 per person) which includes one of everything. Caviar and sweets including a lime and black pepper soufflé served with buttermilk ice cream ($45) rounds out the menu.
The bar which is tended by Sasha Siegel and J.W. Martin features a unique array of artful cocktails like the Moon cocktail ($18) made with tequila, lime leaf, sake, aloe, fino sherry, aromatized wine and clarified citrus, and the Chai in Mumbai ($18) made with garam masala milk punch, parsani chai, coconut foam and tonka bean. The bar menu also includes a wide selection of wine and beer.
Bar Banane is open Wednesday to Saturday, 6 p.m. until late.