The city’s beloved neo-bistro and wine bar, Lapinou is all set to host a variety of events for its inventive French fare. The restaurant has already received praise for its new weekly instalments ‘Lapinou Sessions,’ live jazz every Thursday led by Viper’s Cloud and Michael Louis Johnson. The Prix Fixe Sundays have been a big hit as well, featuring Lapinou’s much-loved half-price bottle list.
Next month, Lapinou will aim to focus on wine with a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, ‘Night of the Wine Geese’, and a Nicholas Pearce Wines Pop-Up. The event is designed to honour the Irish migrants that shaped Bordeaux’s wine industry.
The festive affair will honour the intertwined history between France and Ireland, and those who fled Ireland for Bordeaux in the 16th through 18th centuries. Lapinou’s ‘Night of the Wine Geese’ will offer a premier list of Chateaus founded by Irish settler families. A selection of Bordeaux-inspired dishes will be prepared in Lapinou’s signature neo-bistro style.
Every Thursday from 8:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., the atmosphere is enlivened by ‘Lapinou Sessions’, with music by Gypsy Jazz collective Viper’s Cloud. With violinist Molefe Mohamid-Mitchell, guitarist Nathan Beja, bassist Terry Wilkins, and Johnson on vocals and trumpet, the four-piece ensemble bring the best of Paris-style jazz clubs to downtown Toronto.
In addition, Lapinou will extend its prix fixe offering to Sunday night dinner. The new $49 three-course dinner of Lapinou favourites includes a choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert. Like brunch, the dinner menu will be paired with its indulgent half-price bottle list.
The restaurant is teaming up with premier Ontario wine merchant Nicholas Pearce Wines to host a full weekend of wine appreciation. On Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Nicholas Pearce Wines team will host a full wine tasting takeover with a vast selection of lesser-known and interesting wines available to order by the case. The takeover will extend into the Sunday, March 29 offerings, with a Nicholas Pearce Wines takeover of the half-price bottle list during brunch and dinner.
Lapinou is open for dinner Tuesday to Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to close and for Sunday brunch from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.