Marcel's Bistro and Lounge

The strip of restaurants on King West across from the Princess of Wales theatre and the Tiff Lightbox brought back memories of Europe. In particular, Brussels' Rue de Bouchers and Rome's Borgio Pio with waiters and managers standing outside the restaurants holding out menus to entice passer-bys to try the restaurant. 

We wanted to grab a meal before catching the Book of Mormon at the Princess of Wales theatre, so we made reservations at Marcel's Bistro and Lounge on the second floor.

The Tour de France prix fixe promotion was going on and we were in time for the Pays de la Loire specials.
Main and Dessert for $30 

Rôti de noix de veau sauce à l’estragon et vin blanc, purée de carottes au beurre noisette
et asperges vertes (Roasted veal top round with a tarragon white wine sauce, served with brown butter carrot purée and asparagus) - Prix Fixe

The veal was okay, but there was a bitterness in the sauce that I didn't really like. The carrot purée tasted like baby food - it probably wasn't the best side to the dish.

Filets d’agneau grillés et sauce aux pruneaux servi avec polenta et légumes de saison (Grilled filet of lamb with a prune sauce, served with polenta and seasonal vegetables) - Prix Fixe

The lamb was pretty good and quite tasty and the prune sauce was nice. 

Coquilles Saint Jacques poêlées, velouté au safran, légumes de saison (Seared sea scallops in a saffron velouté served with seasonal vegetables) - Regular menu

This dish is not part of the prix fixe promotion, but the scallops were really delicious! The meat of the scallops was sweet and juicy and the sauce was great.

Steak frites, beurre Bordelais aux échalotes et vin rouge (Grilled certified Angus sirloin steak, shallot-red wine butter & frites)  - Regular menu

The steak was done to a nice medium and it was really nice with the wine butter on top.

Tarte tatin avec sorbet aux framboises (Tarte tatin with raspberry sorbet) - Prix Fixe

I was disappointed by this dessert: the portion was huge, but the actual tarte had a soggy crust and was not that great. The apples were caramelized, but they were mushy and not sweet. The raspberry sorbet was okay, but the combination didn't work as well because the apples weren't sweet enough.

Overall: The service was slow, the food was mediocre and it was pricey. If it wasn't for the proximity to the theatre, I wouldn't have considered it.

Website: http://www.marcels.com/