When you first set foot in a new city, that first meal you eat there can really start the pace of a vacation off on either the perfect note or an abysmal one. Lucky for my family and I we had our first bite of Montreal at L'Original and it was incredible. We had a bison burger, truffled poutine, and frites. All were incredible, and all were shared. Seriously, this is perfect cold weather comfort food. Deftly prepared and delicious.
Beyond the food, the space itself is special- you walk down this ancient looking (and feeling) staircase scented with some sort of wonderful wood resin and then enter the subterranean dining room lined with more wood and what looks to be ancient granite pillars. You just feel warm and cozy in here. The waitstaff are equally warm, they treated us wonderfully and were extremely efficient.
This is a very unpretentious restaurant full of excellent food and good people. Skip a lot of the scenes in Montreal. Instead, walk down these stairs, eat something special and delicious. You won't regret your visit to L'Original.