Image courtesy Colette.

COLETTE GRAND CAFÉ

The Vibe: A little taste of Paris at one of Toronto’s hippest hotels, the Thompson Toronto, think of this brightly lit, French-inspired café as the perfect spot to sip on champagne with your girlfriends on a Sunday morning, or a romantic date-night spot thanks to discrete tables for two and private nooks. Book a table on the airy patio when it’s warm, wear a chic dress and get ready to mix and mingle with the posh set.

Who would go: Anne Hathaway, Kate Winslet, Benedict Cumberbatch

What to order: Cozy up in one of the high, plush cornflower blue booths for the restaurant’s new brunch menu and order a tall mimosa or a creamy latte before tucking into the spread – a fresh seafood bar, healthy quinoa salads with beets and nuts, sundried tomato and feta quiche, and omelettes any way you like. Save room (seriously, make sure you do) for the scones, pastries and mini cakes. For dinner you can’t go wrong with the Lobster Vichyssoise ($24) with creamy chilled potato and leek soup and a sweet corn quiche lives up to expectations. The house favourite Soufflé au Chèvre ($16) is a sweet and savoury combo of soft goat cheese, warm beets and a crunchy walnut crust that will satisfy any vegetarian. And you can’t get much more French than a grilled flat iron steak topped with a basil and chili butter and served with a side of crispy frites ($29).

Visit colettetoronto.com.

—Jennifer Weatherhead Harrington

This story originally appeared in the Fall/Winter 2014 Issue of Travel & Style Magazine.