We were staying at the trendy Place d'Armes hotel in the Vieux Port/Old Montreal and only had one night in the city. We asked the concierge for recommendations for a semi-casual French cuisine restaurant in the area (we weren't in the mood for over-the-top dining at Club Chasse et Peche, Toque, etc). She recommended Holder. Absolutely fantastic! Food was delicious, all wait staff were very attentive, and price was extremely reasonable ($120 for 2, including $40 bottle of champagne, tax & tip).
We ordered cream of asparagus soup with crab and ham (great depth of flavor), beef cheek bourguinon (amazingly flavorful and tender), duck confit on a bed of arugula with potatoes, and fish soup (the only disappointment, since it was too fishy---think anchovy taste instead of a delicate fish soup). The waiter recommended a butterscotch tart/ice cream dessert---delicious combo of hot and cold!
We will definitely return on our next trip back Montreal.