Otta Zapotocky wanted to avoid boxing himself in when he opened L’Avenue Bistro in 2012, so he focused on making food that was French-inspired instead of strictly French. It was important for him to broaden his appeal if “you want good food,” he says. This is why you’ll find offerings like escargots, pan-seared trout and Ontario pork chop on the same menu, united by a common thread of delicate, well thought-out cooking.
Otta also wanted to avoid the notoriety of having a French restaurant built on snobbery and stuffiness, and instead fosters a relaxed, yet sophisticated, vibe for his bistro. “Basically, it’s a cozy, neighbourhood bistro with 40 seats,” he describes. The bistro features planks of reclaimed wood hangings, richly framed mirrors and warm hardwood floors. Otta wanted it to be the kind of place where people lifted themselves to new heights without feeling intimidated by the elegance.
