Hand-cut steak tartare served with toasted sourdough, creamy sauce, mushrooms and cornichons at Nola Eatery & Bar in Leslieville, Toronto — Hand-cut steak tartare served with toasted sourdough, cornichons, mushrooms and a creamy house sauce.

Steak Tartare in Leslieville, Toronto, Served with Toasted Sourdough

Steak tartare is all about the quality of the beef, the balance of its seasoning and the contrast of everything served alongside it. At Nola Eatery & Bar on Queen Street East, our tartare is prepared with finely cut beef and served with crisp toasted sourdough, cornichons, mushrooms and a creamy house sauce for a plate that brings together rich, savoury and sharp flavours in every bite.

A classic tartare with plenty of texture

The beef is finely cut rather than turned into a smooth paste, allowing the natural texture of the meat to remain part of the dish. It is seasoned with classic tartare flavours, including shallot, capers, cornichons, herbs and Dijon mustard, creating a savoury base with acidity and a gentle bite.

The accompaniments are just as important. Toasted slices of sourdough bring crunch and warmth to the plate, while cornichons add a bright, acidic contrast to the richness of the tartare. A creamy house sauce adds another layer of texture and brings the different elements together.

Why the accompaniments matter

A good steak tartare should have contrast. The beef provides the rich, savoury centre of the dish, while the toasted bread gives you something crisp to scoop it up with. Cornichons and capers bring acidity and salt, helping keep each bite fresh rather than heavy.

Steak tartare served with toasted bread, cornichons, mushrooms and creamy sauce at Nola Eatery & Bar — Finely cut beef with toasted sourdough, cornichons, mushrooms and a creamy house accompaniment.

The mushrooms add another savoury element to the plate, complementing the beef without overpowering it. Alongside the tartare, they make the dish feel substantial while the pickled elements keep the overall flavour bright.

A relaxed starter for dinner in Leslieville

Steak tartare makes an ideal first course when you want to take your time over dinner. The combination of tartare, toasted bread and sharp pickled accompaniments makes it easy to share, or enjoy slowly as an individual starter before moving on to the rest of the meal.

Served alongside the atmosphere of Nola Eatery & Bar in Leslieville, it is the kind of dish that works equally well as the beginning of a longer dinner or as a plate to enjoy with a drink at the bar.

If steak tartare is your kind of starter, reserve a table at Nola Eatery & Bar and enjoy our tartare with toasted sourdough, cornichons and house accompaniments.