I really really really want to love La Maquette. The restaurant is so pretty and the wait staff are lovely but the food is just good, not great.
I came here with a group of coworkers today for a holiday lunch.
I ordered the mushroom strudel as an appetizer and really enjoyed it but it didn't blow me away. The presentation was very nice. We ordered a calamari to share and it was very good. My coworkers had the romaine salad (good), the avocado and tomato salad (also good) and the soup of the day (very good).
As my main I had the sirloin. A little heavy for lunch I know but I really felt like steak. I asked for it medium and it definitely was not medium. It was closer to medium well and while it was decent and it was not great or even very good. I left over half of it but ate all the veggies and mini potatoes on my plate. My coworkers ordered the tilapia (which I tried) and it was quite tasty. I was also told that the duck confit risotto was good as was the ravioli. However, no one raved about their food.
For dessert the waiter recommended the poached pear. It was beautifully presented and came warm, covered in dough and served with chocolate sauce and caramel ice cream. Quite sweet and good. My coworkers had the creme brule which they seemed to enjoy and one of them ordered the citrus cheesecake. It was light and tasty.
I have been to this restaurant at least 4-5 times over the last 5-6 years but I was a little disappointed with the food this time around. The competition in the neighbourhood is quite fierce. The restaurant, even at this busy time of year, was almost empty. That speaks volumes.