This gourmet French restaurant could be mistaken for a once beloved diner. Here is why

Editor’s note: CP24’s Bill Coulter has been visiting some of Toronto’s most notable restaurants as part of our recurring ‘On the Menu’ series. Stay tuned for more features on CP24.com and CTVNewsToronto.ca taking a look inside some of these hidden gems.

At first glace, Corktown restaurant The Rosebud may be deceiving.

For one, the main sign out front reads ‘The Kingsbrae,’ a now shuttered diner that was a beloved staple in the neighbourhood.

It’s an intentional choice by the owners, who wanted to pay homage to the neighbourhood’s history.

“I don’t think this restaurant would be what it is without the community in Corktown and the east end in general—something that’s truly unique to Toronto’s culture,” said head chef and co-owner Eric Valente.

In its current incarnation as The Rosebud, the cozy corner diner near King and Richmond streets serves French-inspired dishes, alongside a stacked wine list. There’s even a five-course tasting menu for those who “want the greatest hits of our entire menu on one page,” Valente said.

However, it’s their potato bread that he insists is a must try.

“It’s something we’ve spent a lot of time working on and slowly refining here,” he said. “None of us are trained bakers or pastry chefs, and we don’t use any fancy equipment, but we’ve found a version that we’re really happy with. It’s been nice to see guests enjoying it.”

With only three people working the kitchen, almost every part of the menu is made in-house, from butchery to sauce-making.

The menu at the Rosebud rotates seasonally, which means you can expect new favourites every few months.

And while the scallop and seafood chowder is coming off the menu until the fall, Valente describes the dish as “a great representation of our story and cooking history.”

The Rosebud is located at 498 King Street East.