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| - We've dined in many fantastic restaurants (French Laundry, Alinea, Mugaritz, Pierre Gagnaire), and Chef Normand Laprise's Toque definitely stands among the best. We dined here in May, 2008 and though I've been remiss in writing up a timely review, our meal here clearly and memorably stands out as a highlight not only of our trip to Montreal, but of my collective dining experience...
Service is warm and friendly - we asked to be seated by the big picture windows that look out on the colourful Palais des congrès de Montréal ...
We opted for the 7-course "elaborate mystery menu" - a steal back then at $92 Cdn ($156 with 5 glasses of wine).
Some highlights:
Strawberries with scallops, macerated in orange juice. I thought this an odd combination to begin with - but the dish worked perfectly, the fruit pairing superbly with the delicate scallops, nothing overwhelmed.
Seared Foie Gras strawberry gelee and aged balsamic vinegar - the best treatment of Foie even during our Foie-heavy trip to Montreal, when we also visited that Temple of Fattened Goose Liver - Au Pied de Cochon. The sear was perfect, the outside delicately sweetly caramelised, the interior rich and nearly molten...
Suckling pig: uber fall-apart tender skin-on suckling pig surrounded with radishes, false morels, raw almonds & milk foam... fabulous contrasts in texture and tastes, the foam a light contrast to the richness of the pork...
We would definitely return on our next trip to Montreal...
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