One of the best establishments ive ever eaten at. Living in NYC you think you know good food. Not true until you have come to Montreal.
Here we sat at the bar, had 100% top of the line service.
We the octopus lentil salad which was outstanding. Followed by the bone marrow, beautiful and rich, served piping hot. Then on to steak frittes and followed with profitterioles. Oh and a goat cheese salad.
Everything was simple yet somehow elegant. For instance they make there own mayo and the salt they use is grey celtic sea salt. Also you are given fine olive oil at the table. The little touches like fresh OJ as a mixer in our drinks..
Living in NYC there are many nice places to dine. Lately it feels that your eating from a central kitchen with all the chefs being from Mexico city or something. There is no authenticity anymore. But here in Montreal true real french food is cooked by the french. What a concept! Italian food cooked by real Italians. Bring it on. Bring it all on.
L' Express like many other great restuarants in Montreal have no outside signs indictating where you are eating and if you dont know exactly where it is you will not find it so get the address.
Like i said the simple unspoiled elegance of this " fast good food" place is superb. On weekends or early make sure you have reservations or you will wait a long time. If its just 2 of you then reserve at the bar, the service is excellent and the seats comfortable.
I love Montreal, what a beautiful city and wonderful people. This place just puts the icing on the cake. Moderate in priced too.