As I was not able to book a table at Joe Beef, I thought this might be a nice hangout for someone new to Montreal for a date night!!
My impressions are :
1- Squeezing challenge
I had to squeeze my way through everything in this restaurant starting from hanging your coat (which was the first hurdle I faced after entering the place- to support my coat over 30 other garments on a hanger that is overly packed to) then to squeeze my entire body through a table of two men (who did not think for a moment out of courtesy to mover their bodies or perhaps elbows for me to get into my seat- and obviously the host did not bother to move the table in or out for me to walk in freely- I had to utilize my acrobatic skills in front if my date which was not classy)
2- Eye sight challenge
I was asked by the host to stand in front of a blackboard under very dimmed light to check out the menu (because they have no paper menus and the waiter refused to mention what they have in terms of food initially)
So again I had to squeeze out from my premium seat and stand in front of a wall with other fellow dinners and try to understand the French writing !!! In smaller than 10 font size with very little light
I have been to restaurants that have this kind of blackboard menus (pubs and trendy restaurants) but in all places I have tried, there is always a) a paper form of menu
b) some sort of well lit blackboard with medium size font
c) fewer choices of food !!
After failing to read the extensive menu at Liverpool House
I asked the waitress for help- she instructed that I have to look at the board
I replied that I did but my eye sight is very bad and I did not want to wear my reading glasses in front of my date !!(obviously this date did not call again)
She suggested the fish which was nice
But again I wanted to try the wine ( which again was written on a separate board) but realized it is going to be hard to leave my seat , attempt to read, Order and drink, and then try to go to the toilet !!
I adopted the strategy of not moving from my seat till I leave ..
Not sure why this restaurant is popular but again I will give it another try in day light - this could never happen actually as they only open for dinner!!