Take Me Out // Colette Grand Cafe
I first visited Colette a few days after it opened when my friend Sarah was visiting from Vancouver. We were drawn in by all of the delightful Instagram photos we'd seen featuring delicate little cakes and beautiful French inspired gallery walls, so at the earliest possible moment we headed down to King West to take a look.
Just like everyone else who steps foot in Colette, we were totally blown away by the intricate beauty and delicious treats, and since that summer day I've become a bit of an addict! I love stopping in with a friend for an afternoon catch up, or grabbing a tea and sitting outside with a book in the morning. Colette is the perfect place to sit back, relax, and pretend, if only for a moment, that you're in a cafe in Paris.
On a particularly warm Fall Wednesday morning I took Brianne (one of my best friends, and the official Take me Out photographer) to Colette for the first time, determined to show her just how flaky and buttery the croissants were, how fresh the bread is and how decadent the treats can be. We found a nice spot in the corner of the bistro and chatted over chocolate truffle Sloane tea while the warm sunlight poured through the window.
A girl just has to get dressed up for a trip to Paris, and I think visiting Colette has a similar set of rules (at least in my mind!) I got all dolled up in an incredible structured floral dress by Keepsake, a big glittery statement necklace, and the prettiest pink wool coat by Maison Scotch. I topped it all off with my favourite dressy heels (I snagged them at an Opening Ceremony sample sale last summer!), et voila! Instant je ne sais quoi!
It's not always easy to hop a plane to Paris, Tuscany, or Japan, and that's why Toronto gems like Colette are so important. They provide an escape, a place where you can make believe you're somewhere else and really truly experience it. So next time you're craving baguettes, berets, and classic french glamour, take yourself on a date to Colette. And don't forget to dress up!
Photos by Brianne Burnell