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| - During one of the coldest days of winter, we made our way to this well-regarded restaurant located in Old Montreal. Only one other couple was there when we arrived for our early-evening reservation; it did fill up by the time we left. The restaurant featured banquette seating along the wall, some tables facing the kitchen, a sizable bar, and some tables lined up in the center. The tin ceiling, iron scrollwork, tall windows, exposed brickwork, and photographic mural all provided interesting design elements in this space.
We had already decided on the five-course tasting menu, even though the menu that evening listed many tempting items. Like tapas and dim sum, tasting menus allow us to enjoy a few bites of several dishes. With tasting menus, each of those dishes is coordinated to showcase, in this case, local ingredients and the skills of the kitchen.
We started with Îles de la Madeleine oyster shooters, the salty-sweet meat tasted clean.
Next up, we enjoyed an incredible mushroom, cauliflower, and caramelized onion combination, served on a pancake-like galette. I was so impressed by the creativity and taste of this dish and consequently, thought this was the best dish of the evening, in an evening of superb cooking.
The next dish included langoustine cooked in the shell and served with a braised and then crusted pork belly. Again, I was impressed by this different interpretation of surf and turf.
A meaty duck course followed, medium rare, with whipped foie mousse on a crouton, a variety of mushrooms, and potato gratin in a berry sauce. Each bite was different and delicious. I was so glad to see duck in this course, and thrilled by the unique preparation and presentation.
The dessert course repeated the creative consistency of the past four: honeycrisp apples with honey, shortbread and an apple chip. The ice cream had a tangy-sweet flavor, akin to yogurt, instead of an ice cream.
Service was good, professional and courteous.
I highly recommend this fantastic restaurant, specifically the innovative, reasonably-priced, tasting menu.
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